It’s back! Following a limited run last year, the team at Fender have renewed their partnership with Sanrio to bring back the Squier by Fender x Hello Kitty range, and we’re excited to see it.
From accessories like cables and straps to fuzz pedals, there are plenty of options for the guitarist who wants to add a little kawaii style to their rig, but we all know that the centrepiece of the range is the Hello Kitty Strat. The rest of the guitar team and I have tested out the guitar for our Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster review… so let’s take a look at it.
In a hurry? Here’s our verdict
This Hello Kitty Strat is an update of the original 2007 model, now available in white instead of pink. With Hello Kitty’s face as the pickguard, her name on the back, themed graphics on the headstock, and a branded gig bag, it’s very much designed as a collector’s item – but it’s also a genuinely good guitar that we found great fun to play!
With a single pickup and volume control, it’s a nice, simple instrument that we feel would make a good first guitar or a fun addition to a collection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The build quality is a significant step up from the original 2007 release | The pickup isn’t to everyone’s taste, and we suspect that some players choose to swap it for something with a higher output. |
| The neck is comfortable to play, with very well-finished frets | The single pickup, single volume setup means that tonal options are limited. |
| Upgraded hardware from the earlier version makes for a better playing experience. | |
| The white finish has previously only been available as a Fender online exclusive, so it’s nice to see it available at your favourite guitar store! | |
| It’s a fun, collectable guitar, and we’ve seen earlier releases appreciate in value. |
Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster review
Materials and construction – is it any good?
The short answer is yes, we think it’s good! While it’s definitely more of an entry-level guitar than a pro instrument, we found that it was well built, with a light and resonant okoume body. The neck and fretboard are both maple, complete with pink dot markers that fit the Hello Kitty aesthetic perfectly.
As you’d expect, it’s a bolt-on neck, and it’s well done. We know that Squier put out some fantastic necks these days, and the Hello Kitty Strat has one. The narrow tall frets are beautifully polished. They feel great and lend themselves equally to comfortable chords and lead work. What more could we ask for?
Overall, it’s fair to say that the build quality on display here is enough to make the guitar a proper instrument, not just a collector’s piece for Hello Kitty fans.
We’re consistently impressed by the quality of budget instruments, and while this guitar is a little pricier than some similar spec instruments thanks to the Hello Kitty branding, it’s certainly got the quality we expect to see.
Now for the big question – how does it feel to play?
In a word, fun. As we’ve already mentioned, the quality of the neck and frets is very good. This is a comfortable guitar to play, with a C profile and a 9.5” radius on the fretboard. That offers plenty of scope for rhythm and lead playing.
It’s a 21-fret neck, so if you absolutely have to have the full two-octave fretboard, you may struggle, but otherwise, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much fun this guitar is to play.
It feels good. It plays well. How does it sound?
This is the one area where we think Squier could, perhaps, do a little better.
The Fender-Designed humbucker is adequate.
If you’re playing with the gain turned up, it’s pretty good, but when you move to the clean channel, the tones feel a little limited.
You will be able to find tones you like, and changing the pickup wouldn’t be a big job, but we’d sooner see it come out of the box with something a little higher in output.
Who on Earth wants a Hello Kitty guitar? Who is this for?
Judging by the enduring popularity – and frankly astonishing resale prices – of the original 2007 model, as well as last year’s release, a lot of people want a Hello Kitty Strat. Me, for one. It’s a budget guitar, though you do pay a premium for the Hello Kitty connection, so it’s probably best suited to beginners rather than pros.
The key market is, of course, Hello Kitty fans. One way or another, we’re absolutely confident that this limited edition won’t be available for long!
FAQs
How many Hello Kitty Stratocasters were made?
It’s hard to say how many Hello Kitty Stratocasters were made in total, but the pink 2024 release was limited to 7,000 guitars. These sold very quickly and have become highly sought after. Whatever the actual numbers may be, it’s definitely a collector’s item as well as a fun guitar!
Is the Hello Kitty Squier a beginner guitar?
The Hello Kitty Squier is suitable for beginners. However, the quality is good enough that more experienced guitarists will enjoy it as well. Most of all, it’s aimed at Hello Kitty fans, and there’s a premium attached to that, which makes it slightly more expensive than other beginner guitars.
Do any professional guitarists play Squier?
There are plenty of professional guitarists who play and endorse Squier guitars. Joe Trohman from Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr., Mike Rutherford from Genesis, John Mayall… It’s a long and impressive list! Squier are a great choice for guitarists at all levels.
So, what do we think of it?
As a guitar, the Hello Kitty Stratocaster is a decent budget instrument. We were impressed by the build quality and the finish, if slightly underwhelmed by the pickup. As a meeting of two world-famous brands, it’s got huge appeal and will undoubtedly do well.
If you’re looking for something a little different for your next gig, or you’re a big Hello Kitty fan, we’d suggest getting your order in now!
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