Performing with Squier Mini Strat!

[JOHNNYGUITARIST]

So recently I was given a Fender Squier Mini Strat as part of a trade. At 1st I thought "this would make a cool guitar for any kid!"

When i got home, I cleaned it up, restrung it with 10s and now I think im in love. The tone is ok...better than most beginner guitars. But I am thinking of heavily modding this mini strat...

So My question is;
Anyone out there perform or just noodle around with one of these guitars? Travel guitar? Bonfire? Quick gig?

 

[studio]

Show us some pics and what you would do to mod it.

 

[telemnemonics]

Never even seen one so hard to say.
What's the scale length?

 

[Lucius Paisley]

I already have a Paul Gilbert Mikro. Playing it is a novelty, but it's not a novelty guitar by any means.

 

[Skyhook]

I didn't respond to the survey as the option I wanted didn't exist: "No, it's fine the way it is".

I've strummed the pink Squier Mini Strat and I'd totally gig it for fertilizers and giggles.
I'd say all it needs is a proper setup job.

 

[TomBrokaw]

I don't gig, but... I have a Mikro that I've modded and would gig with if I did. Dimarzio Air Classics, mini toggles for series /single /parallel, custom pg, painted headstock, and 11s to compensate for the 22.2 scale. Sounds great, fun to play.

 

[beagle]

Never even seen one so hard to say.
What's the scale length?

22¾" I play my granddaughter's quite often. It's unmodified, strung with 9s, standard tuning and great fun to play.

 

[Archtops]

Here’s mine with a boatload of mods. Plays great!

 

[bettyseldest]

22¾" I play my granddaughter's quite often. It's unmodified, strung with 9s, standard tuning and great fun to play.

That's about the same scale length as the Rickenbacker 325 which John Lennon played. A friend has one which he loves, but I cannot get on with. However my baritone uke and solid bodied uke bass are both great, and get gigged, at the same scale length.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

I don't gig, but... I have a Mikro that I've modded and would gig with if I did. Dimarzio Air Classics, mini toggles for series /single /parallel, custom pg, painted headstock, and 11s to compensate for the 22.2 scale. Sounds great, fun to play.

I changed to Grover tuners with a higher ratio. The upside down headstock meant that minis slipped right in with zero fuss. I have zero problem with Infinity humbuckers, there's a reason they're Ibanez' standard.

 

[axzed]

So recently I was given a Fender Squier Mini Strat as part of a trade. At 1st I thought "this would make a cool guitar for any kid!"

When i got home, I cleaned it up, restrung it with 10s and now I think im in love. The tone is ok...better than most beginner guitars. But I am thinking of heavily modding this mini strat...

So My question is;
Anyone out there perform or just noodle around with one of these guitars? Travel guitar? Bonfire? Quick gig?

Hi, I believe yours is a 1/2 size. I have a couple - 1 pink but not Squier. I have been playing my 3/4 strat. for 3 years now! I scalloped the neck and dropped the tone pot. into the (now foil lined) cavity & fitted the vol. there instead. There's still a hum but the pups are a nice change and bite. I keep debating whether to shave off wood behind the low body horn for better top of neck access. It's not a Squier but I have one too and the HM Washburn They recommend heavier strings to compensate for length but I too use 009s - as usual. I used to gig with 24 fret Giffin strat with SD HBs and Kahler and would worry about tuning stability and neck length if a covers gig - so that's a worry.
I still haven't restrung it as I am reluctant to butcher a new set to fit. What is your stature? I am 6' with large hands.

 

[naveed211]

Probably not, I don’t recall ever thinking one was special the few times I picked one up in a store. And anything less than 24” scale tends to be uncomfortable for extended playing for me.

But if you dig it, go for it!

 

[Jim622]

I got my 8 year old grandson a ministrat. He has since lost interest, but I leave it in a stand and every once in a while feigns interest. Lately I have been picking him up after school. I need to get there like 45 minutes early for decent parking, so been taking it with me. I can sit behind the wheel comfortably with the window is open or switch seats. I mostly use it for scales or song writing. They are great starter guitars.

 

[thankyouguitar]

So recently I was given a Fender Squier Mini Strat as part of a trade. At 1st I thought "this would make a cool guitar for any kid!"

When i got home, I cleaned it up, restrung it with 10s and now I think im in love. The tone is ok...better than most beginner guitars. But I am thinking of heavily modding this mini strat...

So My question is;
Anyone out there perform or just noodle around with one of these guitars? Travel guitar? Bonfire? Quick gig?

I bought one last year and think it's pretty fantastic as-is. It's not my #1 but I do play it and write with it frequently. I put 12s on and have it tuned down to either D or C depending on the day. Huge tone. I think the pickups have a good sound too. It did develop a bit of fret-sprout but I was able to file them. Only thing I'd like to change is the location of the jack. . . .

I have become a pretty big fan of the entry-level Squiers all around:

 

[jvin248]

.

Lift off the stock loaded pickguard as-is and store it so you can go back easily later.

Then try out a lot of different pickups. Mix and match.
Jaguar, lipsticks, Gretsch, goldfoils, Jazzmaster

Short scales like the Mini I found work best with 10s for strings and a lighter touch.

This is my similar model, used as a travel guitar.

Started out as one of these that I picked up for $10 because it was in sad damaged form. It's actually all stock except for the knobs and refinish. Pickups are quite good actually.
These were made by Samick for Washburn/Disney. Washburn sold non-Disney branded ones too but I cannot remember the model number. As I remember, the fret spacing is identical to a standard Fender if you put a capo after the first two frets.



.

 

[nojazzhere]

So recently I was given a Fender Squier Mini Strat as part of a trade. At 1st I thought "this would make a cool guitar for any kid!"

When i got home, I cleaned it up, restrung it with 10s and now I think im in love. The tone is ok...better than most beginner guitars. But I am thinking of heavily modding this mini strat...

So My question is;
Anyone out there perform or just noodle around with one of these guitars? Travel guitar? Bonfire? Quick gig?

Didn't Nigel Tufnel gig with one on occasion?

 

[AviA]

If Leo would have make it this size originally you would call it standard size these days.
Just saying........

 

[ronzhd]

I tell you what, I bought the mini Strat for my nephew and had it set up by my local guy. It was surprising. If you want to mod, then by all means mod it. I would be interested in seeing and hearing the final product.

 

[Obsessed]

We have a mini Strat that has become a third generation family heirloom. My granddaughter is rocking it here about 4 years ago. She is learning violin now, but my grandson is picking up the guitar more often now. Too short of a scale for me to gig with, but worthy in my opinion, if you use a boost pedal or change out the pups.

 

[Bruxist]

I love playing the ones I got for my kids. Too fun.