{"id":34637,"date":"2024-02-26T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T09:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/?p=34637"},"modified":"2024-02-27T12:59:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T12:59:30","slug":"squier-stratocaster-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Squier Stratocaster Review &#8211; We Put the Entry-Level Sonic to the Test"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Squier_Sonic_specs\" >Squier Sonic specs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#In_a_hurry_Heres_our_verdict\" >In a hurry? Here\u2019s our verdict<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Main_takeaways\" >Main takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Squier_Sonic_Stratocaster_review\" >Squier Sonic Stratocaster review<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#First_impressions\" >First impressions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Playability\" >Playability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#The_most_important_thing%E2%80%A6_the_sound\" >The most important thing\u2026 the sound<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Build_quality\" >Build quality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Hardware\" >Hardware<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Who_are_Squier_Sonics_suited_to\" >Who are Squier Sonics suited to?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#A_brief_history_of_Squier\" >A brief history of Squier<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Are_Squier_Strats_any_good\" >Are Squier Strats any good?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Why_are_Squier_Strats_so_cheap\" >Why are Squier Strats so cheap?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Are_Squiers_just_as_good_as_Fenders\" >Are Squiers just as good as Fenders?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/#Final_thoughts\" >Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Launched just <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/introducing-the-brand-new-squier-sonic-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">last year<\/a><\/strong>, the Sonic line completely replaced Squier&#8217;s Bullet series of entry-level instruments. But are they solely for beginner guitarists, or could they be the road-tested companions that stage veterans are seeking? In this <strong>Squier Stratocaster review<\/strong>, I&#8217;m putting the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-HSS-MN-Tahitian-Coral\/5E3C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HSS Sonic<\/a><\/strong> through its paces to determine just how well it fits and feels.<\/p>\n<p>To provide you with the comprehensive lowdown you deserve, I&#8217;ll also be comparing it to the slightly higher-end and specialist <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Squier-Contemporary-Stratocaster-HH-FR-RMN-Shell-Pink-Pearl\/3OYW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Squier Contemporary Stratocaster<\/a><\/strong>, as well as a genuine Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, to see how the Sonic competes against its bigger brothers.<\/p>\n<p>So, if you&#8217;re in the market for your first electric guitar or a low-cost Strat that can deliver, keep reading because this might just be the axe for you!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Squier Sonic specs&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Squier_Sonic_specs\"><\/span>Squier Sonic specs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-158\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-158 tbody-has-connected-cells\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><th class=\"column-2\">Guitar Part<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Specification<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td rowspan=\"5\" class=\"column-1\"><strong>Body &amp; Bridge<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Material<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Poplar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Shape<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Stratocaster<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Finish<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Gloss Polyurethane<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Colour<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Tahitian Coral<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Bridge<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo w\/ Block Saddles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td rowspan=\"10\" class=\"column-1\"><strong>Neck &amp; Fingerboard<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Neck Material<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Maple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Neck Shape<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Neck Finish<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Satin Urethane<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Neck Construction<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">4-Bolt Squier<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Fingerboard Material<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Maple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Fingerboard Radius<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">9.5\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-14\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Frets<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">21 Narrow Tall<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-15\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Inlays<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Black Dot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-16\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Nut<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Synthetic Bone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-17\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Nut Width<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">42mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-18\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-19\">\n\t<td rowspan=\"11\" class=\"column-1\"><strong>Hardware &amp; Electronics<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Bridge Pickup<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Ceramic Humbucker<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-20\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Middle Pickup<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Ceramic Single-Coil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-21\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Neck Pickup<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Ceramic Single-Coil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-22\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Pickup Configuration<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">HSS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-23\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Controls<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck\/Middle), Tone 2 (Bridge), 5-Way Pickup Switch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-24\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Control Knobs<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">White Plastic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-25\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Hardware<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Chrome<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-26\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Pickguard<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">1-Ply White<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-27\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Tuners<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Die-Cast Sealed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-28\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Truss Rod<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Head Adjust<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-29\">\n\t<td class=\"column-2\"><strong>Strings<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-158 from cache -->\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;In a hurry? Here\u2019s our verdict&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_a_hurry_Heres_our_verdict\"><\/span>In a hurry? Here\u2019s our verdict<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">I&#8217;ve been pleasantly surprised by just how addictive the nimble Squier Sonic is to play. It&#8217;s been passed around the office and tested by multiple guitar gearheads, all of whom have enjoyed its fun, lightweight feel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Its scaled-down body makes the Sonic very easy to pick up and play for extended sessions, while its HSS pickups can compete in virtually any musical genre. It won&#8217;t be the best tool for regular performers or technically demanding styles, but for newer, younger, or smaller frame players looking for their first electric, it&#8217;s an unbeatable choice.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_takeaways\"><\/span>Main takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]\">\n<li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"1\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">Great build quality: <\/strong><\/b>There is nothing that detracts from the feel of the instrument, and it&#8217;s quite comfortable to play for hours on end<\/li>\n<li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"2\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">Good initial setup: <\/strong><\/b>After a quick tune-up, the Sonic was good to go out of the box, with no additional tinkering required to get it playing nicely<\/li>\n<li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"3\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">Versatile sound from HSS pickups:<\/strong><\/b> Playing with modelling amps, I could get most of the sounds I wanted out of the Squier Sonic<\/li>\n<li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"4\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">There are things it doesn&#8217;t have, and that&#8217;s fine:<\/strong><\/b> Stacked up against the Squier Contemporary or a mainline Fender, there are obviously hardware features the Sonic lacks, but for its intended players and use cases, that matters very little<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-HSS-MN-Tahitian-Coral\/5E3C&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP SQUIER SONIC STRAT&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Squier Sonic Stratocaster review&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Squier_Sonic_Stratocaster_review\"><\/span>Squier Sonic Stratocaster review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_impressions\"><\/span>First impressions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34917 size-medium alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS MN, Tahitian Coral against a guitar amp\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-Tahitian-Coral.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>My immediate impression was, &#8220;That&#8217;s pretty small!&#8221;, and while it&#8217;s not a tiny guitar by any means (it&#8217;s a full-scale length, after all), Squier&#8217;s reduction of the overall body size was apparent straight out of the box.<\/p>\n<p>However, this isn&#8217;t a bad thing at all! It made it a breeze to play while standing, even without a strap, and gave the sense that it&#8217;s a fun guitar that you can easily manoeuvre without feeling weighed down.<\/p>\n<p>This reduction in size does come with some disadvantages, which I&#8217;ll mention later, but for first-time players, that won&#8217;t matter one bit. I think it&#8217;s a great chance to help novices get accustomed to solid-body electrics.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of getting accustomed, the neck felt instantly comfortable, courtesy of the C neck shape. It&#8217;s slender enough to easily reach all frets and will certainly help ease those tricky barre and CAGED chords.<\/p>\n<p>As for the looks, I opted for the historic Fender Tahitian Coral colour, which offered a subtle coolness reminiscent of sunny California beaches &#8211; a nice contrast when you&#8217;re currently in less-than-equatorial England.<\/p>\n<p>Importantly, up until this Squier Sonic, the Tahitian Coral colour was exclusively associated with the Fender Custom Shop and rare vintage originals, so it&#8217;s a fancier pink than you might have imagined!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playability\"><\/span>Playability<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">As I&#8217;ve mentioned before, this thing is <i><em class=\"italic\">light<\/em><\/i>. Weighing around 2.7kg, it&#8217;s a breeze to play it whilst standing or sitting. This relaxed feel makes it much easier to express yourself on the fretboard as it gives the instrument an almost &#8220;floaty&#8221; feel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Matched with Fender&#8217;s C neck shape, it&#8217;s a supremely enjoyable playing experience. The neck on the Sonic is just thin enough to be comfortable for practice and jam sessions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Compared to the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster, the Sonic is noticeably lighter. That said, the Contemporary&#8217;s higher-spec roasted maple neck is smoother in the hand and has undergone a baking treatment to make it a much more gig-worthy tool.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">In short, the Contemporary&#8217;s baking treatment makes the wood far more resistant to temperature and humidity changes and will help keep your intonation stable as the neck won&#8217;t bend and bow much. However, the neck of the Sonic has not undergone this wood treatment, so you don&#8217;t have that level of resilience against various gigging and rehearsal climates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Repeated gigging is not something you should be worrying about with the Sonic, it&#8217;ll do just fine for recitals and shows with friends, but might not stand up to professional use.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_most_important_thing%E2%80%A6_the_sound\"><\/span>The most important thing\u2026 the sound<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><strong>The Sonic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34918 size-medium alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic Stratocaster pickups\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-pickups.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Sparkly, spangly, and delightfully clucky &#8211; these are the single-coil sounds that Fender is celebrated for, and the Sonic has those in spades. Its HSS (humbucker bridge, single-coil middle, single-coil neck) pickup layouts are widely regarded as the most versatile configuration because of the range of sounds they afford players.<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex-1 overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-mpetw-79elbk h-full\">\n<div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-mpetw-1n7m0yu\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col pb-9 text-sm\">\n<div class=\"w-full text-token-text-primary\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-15\">\n<div class=\"px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full\">\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"ec3816d3-b9b0-4cfc-ac84-c331323fcaa9\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\">\n<p>On the Sonic, that means five different switching positions to give you a syrupy neck single-coil tone, a bright and chimey middle, and thick, gnarly bridge roars &#8211; plus two &#8216;in-between&#8217; tones at the 2nd and 4th positions.<\/p>\n<p>Crucially, these tones are enough for you to sink your teeth into a massive range of genres.<\/p>\n<p>Blues? Any position works, but you&#8217;ll really enjoy the neck&#8217;s chunky drawl when playing Hendrix or SRV licks. Funk? That middle position&#8217;s cluck and chirp work great for fast strumming and palm-muting.<\/p>\n<p>And what about metal and heavier stuff? Stick it on the bridge and whack the gain up, and you&#8217;ve got a voice that can rub shoulders with the meanest drop-tuned shred machines.<\/p>\n<p>The Sonic&#8217;s HSS pickups feature ceramic magnets that give your sound a sharp, bright edge to each note, which really helps with clarity and definition when playing amplified.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>The Contemporary<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Designed for &#8220;massive sounds&#8221;, the Contemporary&#8217;s twin Squier Atomic humbuckers produce the tones they&#8217;re named for: big, meaty humbucker roars.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s tailored to produce the tight modern distortion prevalent in today&#8217;s metalcore and progressive metal tracks, almost akin to an active pickup.<\/p>\n<p>However, as an instrument focused on enhanced features, you&#8217;re not restricted to the hefty output of humbuckers alone. With no middle pickup on the Contemporary, the five-way switching offers split-coil tones instead. This allows you to still capture the twangy charm of traditional Strats.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s no denying that this guitar will surpass the Sonic if you&#8217;re pursuing an aggressive, heavy sound, especially when paired with high-gain gear or advanced modellers or plugins. However, when it comes to nearly every other genre, the differences between the two are minimal.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>The Fender<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Now, onto the Fender&#8217;s made-in-America alnico single coils. Despite it being my own guitar, I&#8217;m not a fan of the bridge position single coils, finding them overly bright and harsh, whether clean or distorted.<\/p>\n<p>Surprisingly, in this case, I actually prefer the Sonic&#8217;s humbucker bridge! However, for the middle and neck positions, the Fender&#8217;s Noiseless pickups offer a bit more warmth and character in the mid-range, making them overall more pleasant. But that&#8217;s probably to be expected given the significant price difference!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Build_quality\"><\/span>Build quality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The tactile feel of the Squier Sonic isn&#8217;t worlds apart from the Contemporary or the high-end Fender. Despite the premium finishes of the Contemporary and the Fender, they&#8217;re still polyurethane-based and feel similar.<\/p>\n<p>A noticeable gap in quality arises in the neck. The Sonic&#8217;s smooth build is commendable, but the maple wood cut is evidently lower-grade, and the satin finish lacks the finesse seen in the Contemporary&#8217;s or the Fender&#8217;s sleek gloss. As mentioned earlier, the Sonic&#8217;s neck hasn&#8217;t had the same baking treatment as the Contemporary&#8217;s, meaning it&#8217;s intonation stability is more susceptible to temperature and humidity changes.<\/p>\n<p>Imperfections in the wood and streaky grain marks across the fretboard are visible on the Sonic, whereas higher-end guitars use more select cuts to achieve a better aesthetic. Importantly, this doesn&#8217;t significantly impact playability or reliability but does affect the overall feel.<\/p>\n<p>On both Squiers, the maple is sourced from younger trees for efficient building and is usually comprised of multiple cuts of wood to form the fretboard, neck, and headstock. This is in contrast to Fender&#8217;s &#8220;slab&#8221; build, which comprises one entire piece of maple from an older tree, displaying a richer grain and more developed colour.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hardware\"><\/span>Hardware<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34919 size-medium alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic Stratocaster headstock\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-1280x1280.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-headstock.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Hardware is a crucial aspect of the Sonic. The guitar&#8217;s smaller overall size led Squier to use a slightly smaller bridge, which is adequate for playing and learning but limits future upgrades if you&#8217;re interested in modding.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, the Contemporary&#8217;s Floyd Rose bridge offers a completely different playing experience and is full-size, allowing for potential swaps if necessary.<\/p>\n<p>When comparing the Sonic and the Fender Strat, there are several notable differences in the bridge. Firstly, the Squier Sonic&#8217;s trem bridge is decked, meaning it&#8217;s flush with the guitar body. Higher-end Strats typically come with a floating bridge, which facilitates easier pitch bends both up and down (although this isn&#8217;t always the case).<\/p>\n<p>The tremolo action on the Sonic is quite stiff, requiring significant pressure to affect the pitch. In contrast, floating bridges offer much smoother action, allowing for pitch modulation with simple pressure or pulling motions using your picking wrist.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, the Sonic&#8217;s less expensive bridge lacks the bent steel string saddles found on higher-end models which contribute to sustain and intonation stability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Overall, to an experienced player, the hardware compromises are apparent as soon as you pick up the Sonic. That said, none of these elements matter much for at-home playing and jamming, and would only become a problem for performers who gig regularly.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Who are Squier Sonics suited to?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_are_Squier_Sonics_suited_to\"><\/span>Who are Squier Sonics suited to?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If it&#8217;s not already apparent from Fender&#8217;s description of the Sonic or the numerous references to beginners that I&#8217;ve made, the Sonic is primarily aimed at newer players.<\/p>\n<p>However, I say &#8220;aimed&#8221; because it likely suits more than just student guitarists! Its small and lightweight design makes it a fabulous riff machine to pick up and noodle on at a moment&#8217;s notice.<\/p>\n<p>Designed and backed by Fender, novices get a quality, trustworthy brand at a budget-friendly price, with a guitar that&#8217;s not simply filled with compromises to reduce costs but loaded with features to facilitate learning.<\/p>\n<p>During the period that the Sonic and Contemporary Squier Strats have been next to my desk, I&#8217;d always gravitate towards the Sonic for its super-comfortable hold and easy-playing feel. The upside of this is that it&#8217;d be a great choice for experienced players wanting a Strat to throw around on the cheap.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-34920 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic Stratocaster close up\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-close-up-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;A brief history of Squier&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_brief_history_of_Squier\"><\/span>A brief history of Squier<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier, originally named the V.C. Squier Company, has a storied history that dovetails with the rise of Fender guitars, the brand it&#8217;s now a subsidiary of. Established in 1890 by Victor Carroll Squier in Michigan, the company first made its mark as a manufacturer of high-quality strings for violins, banjos, and guitars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Its reputation for craftsmanship led to Fender selecting Squier as its exclusive string supplier in the 1960s. This partnership deepened with Squier becoming a subsidiary of Fender, producing more affordable versions of Fender-designed instruments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">The Squier brand is tailored predominantly towards beginner and intermediate musicians, offering an accessible entry point into the distinctive Fender family of instruments. By providing budget-conscious alternatives without sacrificing quality, Squier ensures that the barrier to entry for new guitarists is as low as possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">That&#8217;s particularly evident in the Sonic series, which bring the bar even lower thanks to their cost and reduced size.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Notable models that seal Squier&#8217;s reputation include the Classic Vibe series, echoing the vintage aesthetics and sounds of the &#8217;50s and &#8217;60s, and the Affinity series which offers a solid playing experience at a fraction of the price of higher-end guitars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier also caters to those with niche tastes through the release of artist signature models and unique series like the Paranormal, which reimagines classic Fender designs with a modern twist.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-34921 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic Stratocaster in front of two amps\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-in-front-of-two-amps-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;FAQs&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h3 leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Squier_Strats_any_good\"><\/span>Are Squier Strats any good?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier Strats offer excellent value, with solid build quality and an authentic Fender tone, making them ideal for beginners and seasoned players seeking a budget-friendly option. As well as their more accessible pricing, they&#8217;re backed by Fender&#8217;s manufacturing standards.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_Squier_Strats_so_cheap\"><\/span>Why are Squier Strats so cheap?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier Strats are affordable due to cost-effective manufacturing and materials, providing great quality for beginners without the high-end Fender price tag.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Squiers_just_as_good_as_Fenders\"><\/span>Are Squiers just as good as Fenders?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">While Squiers offer excellent value and playability, particularly for beginners, Fenders are known for their superior craftsmanship and quality materials, justifying their higher cost.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Final thoughts&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{%22gcid-45928375-1fd3-4d7e-b1f0-0adee316b54f%22:%91%22border_color_top%22%93}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_thoughts\"><\/span>Final thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">So to wrap up our review of the impressive Sonic, I&#8217;ll leave you with my overall analysis of the entry-level offering.<\/p>\n<p>First up, it&#8217;s undoubtedly a standout among the saturated market of affordable guitars aimed at beginners. Its Fender-esque quality, coupled with highly approachable playability, means it really punches above its weight.<\/p>\n<p>Having two similar but different Strats to compare the Sonic against really helped highlight its relaxed playing feel and comfortable hold. It also showcased some features that I&#8217;d be hesitant to gig with (mainly its poor tremolo bridge). However, it can&#8217;t be overstated just how unimportant that is for somebody getting their first solid-body electric guitar.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, there are a few pickup versions of the Sonic to choose from. I&#8217;d always recommend the HSS variant for the flexibility it provides, but there&#8217;s also the traditional SSS for classic Fender tones and a punk rock-oriented bridge-only humbucker version that&#8217;s great for players solely focused on heavier music.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\">Overall, the Sonic should be high on the list for any first-time player or those wanting a Stratocaster without the hefty price tag.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-HSS-MN-Tahitian-Coral\/5E3C&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP SQUIER SONIC STRAT&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/category\/guitars-bass\/guitar-reviews\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;READ MORE GUITAR REVIEWS&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Launched just last year, the Sonic line completely replaced Squier&#8217;s Bullet series of entry-level instruments. But are they solely for beginner guitarists, or could they be the road-tested companions that stage veterans are seeking? In this Squier Stratocaster review, I&#8217;m putting the HSS Sonic through its paces to determine just how well it fits and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":34915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>Launched just <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/introducing-the-brand-new-squier-sonic-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">last year<\/a><\/strong>, the Sonic line completely replaced Squier's Bullet series of entry-level instruments. But are they solely for beginner guitarists, or could they be the road-tested companions that stage veterans are seeking? In this <strong>Squier Stratocaster review<\/strong>, I'm putting the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-HSS-MN-Tahitian-Coral\/5E3C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HSS Sonic<\/a><\/strong> through its paces to determine just how well it fits and feels.<\/p><p>To provide you with the comprehensive lowdown you deserve, I'll also be comparing it to the slightly higher-end and specialist <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Squier-Contemporary-Stratocaster-HH-FR-RMN-Shell-Pink-Pearl\/3OYW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Squier Contemporary Stratocaster<\/a><\/strong>, as well as a genuine Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, to see how the Sonic competes against its bigger brothers.<\/p><p>So, if you're in the market for your first electric guitar or a low-cost Strat that can deliver, keep reading because this might just be the axe for you!<\/p><hr \/><h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier Sonic Specs<\/h3><p>[table id=158 \/]<\/p><hr \/><h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">In a hurry? Here\u2019s our verdict<\/h3><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">I've been pleasantly surprised by just how addictive the nimble Squier Sonic is to play. It's been passed around the office and tested by multiple guitar gearheads, all of whom have enjoyed its fun, lightweight feel.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Its scaled-down body makes the Sonic very easy to pick up and play for extended sessions, while its HSS pickups can compete in virtually any musical genre. It won't be the best tool for regular performers or technically demanding styles, but for newer, younger, or smaller frame players looking for their first electric, it's an unbeatable choice.<\/p><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Main takeaways<\/h4><ul class=\"pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]\"><li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"1\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">Great build quality: <\/strong><\/b>There is nothing that detracts from the feel of the instrument, and it's quite comfortable to play for hours on end<\/li><li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"2\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">Good initial setup: <\/strong><\/b>After a quick tune-up, the Sonic was good to go out of the box, with no additional tinkering required to get it playing nicely<\/li><li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"3\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">Versatile sound from HSS pickups:<\/strong><\/b> Playing with modelling amps, I could get most of the sounds I wanted out of the Squier Sonic<\/li><li class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&>ol]:!pt-0 [&>ol]:!pb-0 [&>ul]:!pt-0 [&>ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"4\"><b><strong class=\"font-bold\">There are things it doesn't have, and that's fine:<\/strong><\/b> Stacked up against the Squier Contemporary or a mainline Fender, there are obviously hardware features the Sonic lacks, but for its intended players and use cases, that matters very little<\/li><\/ul><hr \/><h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier Sonic Stratocaster review<\/h3><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">First impressions<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-34868 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-HSS-MN-Tahitian-Coral-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS MN, Tahitian Coral\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>My immediate impression was, \"That's pretty small!\", and while it's not a tiny guitar by any means (it's a full-scale length, after all), Squier's reduction of the overall body size was apparent straight out of the box.<\/p><p>However, this isn't a bad thing at all! It made it a breeze to play while standing, even without a strap, and gave the sense that it's a fun guitar that you can easily manoeuvre without feeling weighed down.<\/p><p>This reduction in size does come with some disadvantages, which I'll mention later, but for first-time players, that won't matter one bit. I think it's a great chance to help novices get accustomed to solid-body electrics.<\/p><p>Speaking of getting accustomed, the neck felt instantly comfortable, courtesy of the C neck shape. It's slender enough to easily reach all frets and will certainly help ease those tricky barre and CAGED chords.<\/p><p>As for the looks, I opted for the historic Fender Tahitian Coral colour, which offered a subtle coolness reminiscent of sunny California beaches - a nice contrast when you're currently in less-than-equatorial England.<\/p><p>Importantly, up until this Squier Sonic, the Tahitian Coral colour was exclusively associated with the Fender Custom Shop and rare vintage originals, so it's a fancier pink than you might have imagined!<\/p><hr \/><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Playability<\/h4><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">As I've mentioned before, this thing is <i><em class=\"italic\">light<\/em><\/i>. Weighing around 2.7kg, it's a breeze to play it whilst standing or sitting. This relaxed feel makes it much easier to express yourself on the fretboard as it gives the instrument an almost \"floaty\" feel.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Matched with Fender's C neck shape, it's a supremely enjoyable playing experience. The neck on the Sonic is just thin enough to be comfortable for practice and jam sessions.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Compared to the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster, the Sonic is noticeably lighter. That said, the Contemporary's higher-spec roasted maple neck is smoother in the hand and has undergone a baking treatment to make it a much more gig-worthy tool.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">In short, the Contemporary's baking treatment makes the wood far more resistant to temperature and humidity changes and will help keep your intonation stable as the neck won't bend and bow much. However, the neck of the Sonic has not undergone this wood treatment, so you don't have that level of resilience against various gigging and rehearsal climates.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">However, repeated gigging is not something you should be worrying about with the Sonic, it'll do just fine for recitals and shows with friends, but might not stand up to professional use.<\/p><hr \/><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">The most important thing\u2026 the sound<\/h4><p><strong>The Sonic<\/strong><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-34869 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Squier-Sonic-Stratocaster-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic Stratocaster \" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Sparkly, spangly, and delightfully clucky - these are the single-coil sounds that Fender is celebrated for, and the Sonic has those in spades. Its HSS (humbucker bridge, single-coil middle, single-coil neck) pickup layouts are widely regarded as the most versatile configuration because of the range of sounds they afford players.<\/p><div class=\"flex-1 overflow-hidden\"><div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-mpetw-79elbk h-full\"><div class=\"react-scroll-to-bottom--css-mpetw-1n7m0yu\"><div class=\"flex flex-col pb-9 text-sm\"><div class=\"w-full text-token-text-primary\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-15\"><div class=\"px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto\"><div class=\"flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion\"><div class=\"relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn\"><div class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full\"><div class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"ec3816d3-b9b0-4cfc-ac84-c331323fcaa9\"><div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"><p>On the Sonic, that means five different switching positions to give you a syrupy neck single-coil tone, a bright and chimey middle, and thick, gnarly bridge roars - plus two 'in-between' tones at the 2nd and 4th positions.<\/p><p>Crucially, these tones are enough for you to sink your teeth into a massive range of genres.<\/p><p>Blues? Any position works, but you'll really enjoy the neck's chunky drawl when playing Hendrix or SRV licks. Funk? That middle position's cluck and chirp work great for fast strumming and palm-muting.<\/p><p>And what about metal and heavier stuff? Stick it on the bridge and whack the gain up, and you've got a voice that can rub shoulders with the meanest drop-tuned shred machines.<\/p><p>The Sonic's HSS pickups feature ceramic magnets that give your sound a sharp, bright edge to each note, which really helps with clarity and definition when playing amplified.<\/p><hr \/><p><strong>The Contemporary<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Designed for \"massive sounds\", the Contemporary's twin Squier Atomic humbuckers produce the tones they're named for: big, meaty humbucker roars.<\/p><p>It's tailored to produce the tight modern distortion prevalent in today's metalcore and progressive metal tracks, almost akin to an active pickup.<\/p><p>However, as an instrument focused on enhanced features, you're not restricted to the hefty output of humbuckers alone. With no middle pickup on the Contemporary, the five-way switching offers split-coil tones instead. This allows you to still capture the twangy charm of traditional Strats.<\/p><p>There's no denying that this guitar will surpass the Sonic if you're pursuing an aggressive, heavy sound, especially when paired with high-gain gear or advanced modellers or plugins. However, when it comes to nearly every other genre, the differences between the two are minimal.<\/p><hr \/><p><strong>The Fender<\/strong><\/p><p>Now, onto the Fender's made-in-America alnico single coils. Despite it being my own guitar, I'm not a fan of the bridge position single coils, finding them overly bright and harsh, whether clean or distorted.<\/p><p>Surprisingly, in this case, I actually prefer the Sonic's humbucker bridge! However, for the middle and neck positions, the Fender's Noiseless pickups offer a bit more warmth and character in the mid-range, making them overall more pleasant. But that's probably to be expected given the significant price difference!<\/p><hr \/><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Build quality<\/h4><p>The tactile feel of the Squier Sonic isn't worlds apart from the Contemporary or the high-end Fender. Despite the premium finishes of the Contemporary and the Fender, they're still polyurethane-based and feel similar.<\/p><p>A noticeable gap in quality arises in the neck. The Sonic's smooth build is commendable, but the maple wood cut is evidently lower-grade, and the satin finish lacks the finesse seen in the Contemporary's or the Fender's sleek gloss. As mentioned earlier, the Sonic's neck hasn't had the same baking treatment as the Contemporary's, meaning it's intonation stability is more susceptible to temperature and humidity changes.<\/p><p>Imperfections in the wood and streaky grain marks across the fretboard are visible on the Sonic, whereas higher-end guitars use more select cuts to achieve a better aesthetic. Importantly, this doesn't significantly impact playability or reliability but does affect the overall feel.<\/p><p>On both Squiers, the maple is sourced from younger trees for efficient building and is usually comprised of multiple cuts of wood to form the fretboard, neck, and headstock. This is in contrast to Fender's \"slab\" build, where it's one entire piece of maple from an older tree, displaying a richer grain and more developed colour.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Hardware<\/h4><p>This is a crucial aspect for the Sonic. Its smaller overall size led Squier to use a slightly smaller bridge, which is adequate for playing and learning but limits future upgrades if you're interested in modding.<\/p><p>In contrast, the Contemporary's Floyd Rose bridge offers a completely different playing experience and is full-size, allowing for potential swaps if necessary.<\/p><p>When comparing the Sonic and the Fender Strat, there are several notable differences in the bridge. Firstly, the Squier Sonic's trem bridge is decked, meaning it's flush with the guitar body. Higher-end Strats typically come with a floating bridge, which facilitates easier pitch bends both up and down (although this isn't always the case).<\/p><p>The tremolo action on the Sonic is quite stiff, requiring significant pressure to affect the pitch. In contrast, floating bridges offer much smoother action, allowing for pitch modulation with simple pressure or pulling motions using your picking wrist.<\/p><p>Secondly, the Sonic's less expensive bridge lacks the bent steel string saddles found on higher-end models, which contribute to sustain and intonation stability.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Overall, to an experienced player, the hardware compromises are apparent as soon as you pick up the Sonic. That said, none of these elements matter much for at-home playing and jamming, and would only become a problem for performers who gig regularly.<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-24779 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2023\/03\/Squier-Sonic-series.jpg\" alt=\"Squier Sonic series\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Who are Squier Sonics suited to?<\/h3><p>If it's not already apparent from Fender's description of the Sonic or the numerous references to beginners that I've made, the Sonic is primarily aimed at newer players.<\/p><p>However, I say \"aimed\" because it likely suits more than just student guitarists! Its small and lightweight design makes it a fabulous riff machine to pick up and noodle on at a moment's notice.<\/p><p>Designed and backed by Fender, novices get a quality, trustworthy brand at a budget-friendly price, with a guitar that's not simply filled with compromises to reduce costs but loaded with features to facilitate learning.<\/p><p>During the period that the Sonic and Contemporary Squier Strats have been next to my desk, I'd always gravitate towards the Sonic for its super-comfortable hold and easy-playing feel. The upside of this is that it'd be a great choice for experienced players wanting a Strat to throw around on the cheap.<\/p><hr \/><h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">A brief history of Squier<\/h3><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier, originally named the V.C. Squier Company, has a storied history that dovetails with the rise of Fender guitars, the brand it's now a subsidiary of. Established in 1890 by Victor Carroll Squier in Michigan, the company first made its mark as a manufacturer of high-quality strings for violins, banjos, and guitars.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Its reputation for craftsmanship led to Fender selecting Squier as its exclusive string supplier in the 1960s. This partnership deepened with Squier becoming a subsidiary of Fender, producing more affordable versions of Fender-designed instruments.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">The Squier brand is tailored predominantly towards beginner and intermediate musicians, offering an accessible entry point into the distinctive Fender family of instruments. By providing budget-conscious alternatives without sacrificing quality, Squier ensures that the barrier to entry for new guitarists is as low as possible.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">That's particularly evident in the Sonic series, which bring the bar even lower thanks to their cost and reduced size.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Notable models that seal Squier's reputation include the Classic Vibe series, echoing the vintage aesthetics and sounds of the '50s and '60s, and the Affinity series which offers a solid playing experience at a fraction of the price of higher-end guitars.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier also caters to those with niche tastes through the release of artist signature models and unique series like the Paranormal, which reimagines classic Fender designs with a modern twist.<\/p><hr \/><h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h3 leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">FAQs<\/h3><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Are Squier Strats any good?<\/h4><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier Strats offer excellent value, with solid build quality and an authentic Fender tone, making them ideal for beginners and seasoned players seeking a budget-friendly option. As well as their more accessible pricing, they're backed by Fender's manufacturing standards.<\/p><hr \/><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Why are Squier Strats so cheap?<\/h4><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Squier Strats are affordable due to cost-effective manufacturing and materials, providing great quality for beginners without the high-end Fender price tag.<\/p><hr \/><h4 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-body leading-[24px] pt-[12px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Are Squiers just as good as Fenders?<\/h4><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">While Squiers offer excellent value and playability, particularly for beginners, Fenders are known for their superior craftsmanship and quality materials, justifying their higher cost.<\/p><hr \/><h3 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Final thoughts<\/h3><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">So to wrap up our review of the impressive Sonic, I'll leave you with my overall analysis of the entry-level offering.<\/p><p>First up, it's undoubtedly a standout among the saturated market of affordable guitars aimed at beginners. Its Fender-esque quality, coupled with highly approachable playability, means it really punches above its weight.<\/p><p>Having two similar but different Strats to compare the Sonic against really helped highlight its relaxed playing feel and comfortable hold. It also showcased some features that I'd be hesitant to gig with (mainly its poor tremolo bridge). However, it can't be overstated just how unimportant that is for somebody getting their first solid-body electric guitar.<\/p><p>Finally, there are a few pickup versions of the Sonic to choose from. I'd always recommend the HSS variant for the flexibility it provides, but there's also the traditional SSS for classic Fender tones and a punk rock-oriented bridge-only humbucker version that's great for players solely focused on heavier music.<\/p><p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\">Overall, the Sonic should be high on the list for any first-time player or those wanting a Stratocaster without the hefty price tag.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[105,262],"tags":[107,550,180],"class_list":["post-34637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guitars-bass","category-guitar-reviews","tag-guitars","tag-review","tag-squier"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Squier Stratocaster Review | Gear4music<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this Squier Stratocaster review, I&#039;m putting the new HSS Sonic through its paces to determine just how well it fits and feels.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Squier Stratocaster Review | Gear4music\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In this Squier Stratocaster review, I&#039;m putting the new HSS Sonic through its paces to determine just how well it fits and feels.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/squier-stratocaster-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gear4music Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Gear4music\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-02-26T09:00:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-02-27T12:59:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/02\/Featured-image-Squier-Stratocaster-Review-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1330\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"665\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mark\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gear4music\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gear4music\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mark\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/squier-stratocaster-review\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/squier-stratocaster-review\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mark\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/49256a03da17bd08b288356e21dc32cf\"},\"headline\":\"Squier Stratocaster Review &#8211; 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