AMOY: Squier Sonic HT H Guitar Unboxing and Review. Cheap doesn't mean junk!

[@nelos7519]

When you touch the metal and it stops making that sound, it means the grounding works

[@tankdarla637]

that means he IS the ground

[@tfejulienewmar]

Firstly, I'd just like to say that you play beautifully and your Lynch like tone is divine! I'm still shocked by how awesome this so called cheap lil "beginner's guitar" is. I bought the SSS HT version in Torino Red for a joke. Didn't need any fret work and the nut was slotted perfectly. It has quite a chunky C neck too. I tweaked the truss rod, lowered the action and got it playing with .60./40 action with no fret buzz or dead notes anywhere. The hardware works perfectly and I still can't find a single thing to complain about. It's actually so much fun to play and it's tonally perfect for what I do, it's left me wondering why I'd spent thousands on higher end guitars. I can fly around on this Squier model effortlessly. It really does live up to the hype

[@keithavarney170]

Thanks so much! Yeah, I have this one and the Sonic P-Bass; just really impressed with the quality coming from overseas these days. I'm sure that the computerization and automation of the production process has improved quality considerably, but I'm also convinced that guitar companies (Fender/Squier in particular) are also investing in training their employees and providing higher quality control. It's as if they've discovered that they can create quality products at very reasonable prices. Who knew?!?! 🤣🤘🎸

[@brettallenthomas]

Great vid. I got the SSS version earlier this week (California blue and black), mine was also set up great, and the only issue I had was the same rough spot on the neck behind the 1st and 2nd fret.. I took some 2000 grit sandpaper to the whole neck, and now it is buttery smooth. I also swapped to Super Slinky strings, oiled the fretboard, and polished the frets, and smoothed out the Nut slots while I had the strings off. Now Im super happy with how it plays and feels...

[@keithavarney170]

Ah yeah - one of my kind! Nice out of the box... but! Wonder if that back of the neck issue is endemic? Pay attention Squier! Not a deal breaker, but a little more attention wouldn't hurt. Looking at the Sonic P-Bass now... oooooh. Better check with my bank (wife) first LOL.

[@santosmadrigal3702]

I believe there are no " sucky " guitars . After I discovered the "set up". Merry Christmas and a good set up for all !

[@c-losb9870]

I totally agree, it's a great deal! Looks good, plays good. With another humbucker (SD invader) and new hardware, you got an equivalent to a $1,000 guitar. Thanks, Fender and thanks for the video, Keith!

[@SwedishMeattball]

uh not hardly but its nice for the money

[@crimpingpliers]

I´m still watching review videos on Squier guitars, and read some comments talking about guitar condition being a disaster. I´ve seen your unboxing and review video and decided to buy me this one pink HT single humbucker one. And also im living in Germany, i got the same condition. Guitar was ready to play from unboxing, just tune the strings and go. Great fretwork, no optical mistakes or bumps, neck is pretty good, actually amazing for this price (i got this guitar from thomann for 169 € , ca. 180 $) if i read comments on "cheap" guitar reviews, it seems that people expect way more from cheap guitar as from fender or gibson, and yet some guitars are truly overprized , you can get a really bad Fender Player for almost 1000 bucks, and nobody is talking about that. but same people are screaming when they get untuned Squier...

[@tankdarla637]

$140 straight from fender right now! I got lime green. Mine was advertised as having a more modern slimmer neck, I hope so because I play Jacksons, but I played Fenders for years and I liked their necks

[@CARBr6]

I put a decent HB in a beat up old Strat copy I had, and I have literally just bought one of these. I'll put those upgraded electronics straight into it and be rocking!!!

[@MrSonordrumr]

Great video, Keith!

[@keithavarney170]

Thanks man! I seem to be addicted to making them. It's fun.

[@Mandobird1]

Looks and sounds killer. A solid 7/10. Btw, Gretsch has the best packaged guitars, imo.

[@keithavarney170]

I've been looking at some Gretsch guitars lately. Well, I've been looking at A LOT of guitars lately, but Gretsch has been amongst them 🤣

[@danabiondo9243]

Great Review ! Sounds Awesome ! Thank You !

[@gwugluud]

It's a barking guitar. The bucker must be fairly hot. Sounds good. Pink is a good rock & roll finish IMO. Good demo.

[@keithavarney170]

Yeah - it's a ceramic magnet pickup. It can be a bit harsh lol. But works great for rock and sounds good overall. I'm probably going to replace it with a Seymour Duncan '59 Custom Hybrid; I haven't tried one of those yet but I'm guessing it might tame it a little bit :) Another reason I enjoy these cheap guitars - no-worry pickup swaps!

[@geoffreylogan5121]

I like your tone! Very 80's

[@keithavarney170]

Thanks! That's back when I was learning how to play, so makes good sense. For a more modern twist, check out my website: www.twistedworldmusic.com/

[@markhodges5225]

I just ordered one in blue (not into the pink one), as I'm looking for a hardtail to modify. I had a Squier Bullet with one humbucker (and only a volume knob) from the early 2000s and loved it. I guess my big decision will be how much to modify it, as it sounds like it's pretty good right out of the box. My current plan is to shield everything, change out the pickguard to tortoiseshell, and go with just a volume knob. Maybe switch to another pickup if that's too harsh. I play in a punk band and want the big, stupid, no frills power chord sound. Hopefully this will do the trick.

[@keithavarney170]

That blue one is really hot as well (trying to justify having two!). It's SUCH a good guitar for mods. All I've done - so far lol - is changed the pickup to an SD '59 Custom Hybrid. Seems to have "tamed" it just a little. Then again, pickup choices are always to personal taste. Thanks for the comment!

[@markhodges5225]

Got it in yesterday. My initial reaction is that it's pretty darn good for the money (I got mine on sale for around $150 shipped). I am not crazy about the plain white pickguard, but otherwise I'm impressed - I might leave it completely stock for the time being and see how it plays. Planning on taking it to band practice tonight to give it a go. @@keithavarney170

[@rocketqueen232]

Cool guitar, love the price

[@bluwng]

Kramer Baretta Special, $200 bones and better built and a humbucker with the power to knock a rhino off its feet. I love both the Sonic and the Baretta but the Baretta is more solid but I prefer the lighter weight of the Squier.

[@keithavarney170]

Definitely a solid alternative. I have a good friend who has a more expensive Baretta and he loves it. I think this Squier just got released at the right time for my semi-impulsive decision to commit. The Kramer's are on sale right now - www.sweetwater.com/c590--Solid_Body?highlight=KPBSRUCT - for $179. Killer price.

[@bluwng]

@@keithavarney170 with modern tech most guitars are built well enough it is about preference now. The Kramer neck is nothing like a strat. I like the Kramer neck but for me a C shaped neck feels more at home.

[@crimpingpliers]

Great video, Keith! After watching it i decided to buy one. So, i was watching your channel lately and I´ve noticed that Sonic is hanging behind you at the wall, have you already put new humbucker or did some modding work? (sorry for my english, i´m from Germany). I waiting for exact same guitar it will arrive next week, i plan to mod this baby, so i got new bridge, locking tuners, EMG81 humbucker set, locking tree, knobs, jack plate, strap buttons etc.

[@keithavarney170]

I did finally change the pickup. I put a Seymour Duncan 59 Custom Hybrid in place of the original ceramic pickup. Seems to have tamed it a bit - it's clearer and noticeably less harsh now. I love what you are talking about doing to yours! Sounds like it will be a real rocket. I've enjoyed mine very much.

[@thebipolarbear1]

It’s like a beefed up Tom delonge strat

[@keithavarney170]

Indeed! Has the tone knob, if you want it. Looking for replacement pickguards and all the DeLonge ones come up. Oddly enough - thinking about getting one of those and adding a serial/parallel switch for a SD 59 Custom. Side note.. my maternal family name is DeLong. No relation LOL.

[@thebipolarbear1]

@@keithavarney170 how about that that’s awesome. Yeah definitely get one . I had a affinity strat I was going to paint it surf green and get the delonge pick gaurd and flat chrome knob and a Seymour Duncan hum bucker and make my own replica but I had it out someone saw it and offered to trade me a p bass so i traded but one day I’ll get or make a delonge Stratocaster lol see toms new starcaster? Pretty awesome and a few of the colors are like his strats back in the blink 182 enema of the state days . Be cool if they produce them for the public.

[@keithavarney170]

@@thebipolarbear1 I'm just really happy to see Fender - through Squier - putting out some different stuff! Maybe (as I begged in the video) they'll move this idea up to their Player line, or even higher. Until then; give me these flavors!

[@ataikonotatsujinplayer2610]

Tom Delong strat but I can pay rent this month

[@tankdarla637]

check the ground under the bridge , might have to scrape the metal under the bridge to get better ground, get rid of some of that hum when you are not the ground lol

[@animatedwhatever9664]

7:15 is the demonstration

[@raythomas7744]

I don't want to play Eddie van havens guitar I wanted barbies.... Actually looks pretty sharp.

[@michaelbujanda8785]

It's too bad that the guitar doesn't come in a white color with a black pickguard and a laurel fretboard (I call it cheapo rosewood!!! LOL😅)!!!😮 If Squier did make one!!! I'd buy it in a heartbeat!!!! It would be my cheap skate Jake E. Lee "Whitey" guitar!!!! I would spray paint the headstock white to match the body and buy Schaller tuning pegs and a Seymour Duncan JB and a 500k volume pot!!! To modify the guitar!!!! 😅😄😃😄😃😁

[@keithavarney170]

That would be hot! They do have a black on black with the single humbucker. Close, but not quite the same. www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/squier-sonic-stratocaster-ht-h/0373301506.html

[@fendafred]

Does it have the same body thickness as the regular Strat (Squier Classic Vibe, Mexican Standard or Player series, ...) or is it thinner?

[@scottcummings8602]

They are thinner.

[@keithavarney170]

Okay. Finally! Rescued my little ruler from the garage and made some rough measurements. The Sonic is definitely thinner, as Scott noted. The Sonic comes in around 1-7/16” thick, while my 2020 Mexican Player measures about 1-11/16” thick. That’s around 1/4” difference, give or take a 16th. Would account for the Sonic being lighter (plus the difference in woods). I’d imagine that could make a difference on your shoulder playing a 4-hour bar gig. For recording or playing around at home; I don’t feel it so much. Excited though! Just ordered a Seymour Duncan ‘59 Custom Hybrid to slap into it. Have a feeling that may take a bit if the harshness out of it. 👍

[@MrRudePolite]

What do you think about the Tom Delonge strat reissues?

[@keithavarney170]

Been eyeing the Delonge model for quite a while. I'm a sucker for single humbuckers! Coincidentally it costs the same as the Epi Alex Lifeson I just reviewed ($1299). Also love the SD Invader pickup - over the top aggressive looking! Maybe when the budget allows.

[@mugstore99]

*can i get this for my 7 years old daughter? she is complete beginners.*

[@keithavarney170]

For someone that young I would recommend something a little smaller, like the Squier Mini Strat. My kids had one of these when they were younger and it works great for little hands! www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/mini-stratocaster/0370121554.html

[@jamesrobinson4950]

How long will it take to learn to play like that 🤔

[@keithavarney170]

I really don't know - seriously. I think... if you're starting from scratch, practice at least an hour a day, you can be playing songs in a few weeks to a couple of a months. Honestly, everyone is different and learns at a different pace. Personally, I started out as a young teenager playing an acoustic guitar. Heavy strings. Learned all the basic chords - A, C, D, E, G. I can say - for sure - that had I kept up a regular practice schedule, I would be a more solid player today!

[@peteglanton9259]

Are these strung through the back? Or just from the bridge on the front? Will that be ok long term?

[@keithavarney170]

This one is top loaded - so not through the body. Still rocks :)

[@peteglanton9259]

@@keithavarney170 Hi, thanks for replying. I’m coming back to guitar playing after 15 years and looking at Squier sonics and affinitys. Don’t really need/want a tremolo so I’ve been looking at these HT sonic strats - the pink with single humbucker or the white with 3 single coils. Would you say they’re a good choice? I know strats are supposed to have a trem but it just seems like unnecessary hassle to me...

[@keithavarney170]

@@peteglanton9259 It's a personal preference really. I have strats with no trem, classic trem and a floyd rose. They all work great. I have noticed that I lean more towards hard-tails these days. Got all that wanking out of me when I was younger! The 3 single coil HT is probably a little "tamer" than the pink strat - the pickup in the pink one is very hot. Welcome back to playing!

[@peteglanton9259]

@@keithavarney170 After looking at Squier Teles and various Strat types for a few days, and a few Ibanez and Epiphones, I went with an affinity strat lake placid blue SSS, maple fb, with a trem. Classic configuration. I can always swap it or modify it later if I want to. Or just buy a tele to keep it company. Yes, I’m excited about playing again, and annoyed with myself for ever stopping. I could’ve been pretty good by now! Better late than never 🙂

[@vexnatthedisco8011]

Fender DOES make one of these. Its called a Tom Delonge Signature hahahaha

[@keithavarney170]

Yeah, indeed. I've been looking at that model recently. Comes with a Seymour Duncan Invader! A little pricey at $1300 - wish they'd put out a Player's edition in the $700-800 range. 👍

[@vexnatthedisco8011]

@@keithavarney170 i actually took that same pink sonic strat and turned it into a tom delonge for a fraction of the price! even changed the neck for a fender 70s neck and wow what a guitar. still would love to own a real TD some day

[@keithavarney170]

@@vexnatthedisco8011 Awesome! That's one of the things I really like about these Squiers - you can modify the hell out of them!

[@Lilpinkboy]

What pedal u got on?

[@keithavarney170]

It's all Nembrini virtual stuff. NA 808 (ts808) overdrive through an Mrh810 V2 (JCM 800) with a little echo and reverb. www.nembriniaudio.com/products/mrh810-v2-lead-series-guitar-amplifier

[@ohkey2999]

stainless frets?

[@keithavarney170]

Lol - no stains at all! Would not surprise me if I said that.

[@danielallan8310]

Are the frets sharp? Do they need to fix?

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Are they as thick as a Fender?

[@keithavarney170]

You know - I'm not sure. I'd bet they're just a tick thinner. They certainly are light enough. I'll have to get the old ruler out and stack it up against one of my Fenders.

[@globalnova]

way thinner

[@1mleadvicky92]

Where 5 way switch

[@keithavarney170]

Because it's a simple single humbucker pickup, there is no switch at all; one of the things I really appreciate about this model is its simplicity. I suppose you could add one if you want to upgrade the pickup and split it between full humbucker and tap/split - although a push/pull knob or simple two-way switch might be better? You could also buy a fully prewired pickguard with multiple pickups in it and replace the original - the body IS routed for 3 humbuckers, so it's a great guitar for upgrading!

[@KPSoutside]

Does the bridge have holes drilled in the bottom so you could turn it into a string through if you wanted?

[@keithavarney170]

Sorry for the delay - kept forgetting to take a look. Can confirm that there are no holes in the bottom of the bridge. So you'd need to drill those as well if you want to make it a string through. 👍

[@richard.jansen]

Is that a Hello kitty guitar ?

[@keithavarney170]

It is not. But could be LOL. Just ordered a replacement PU from Seymour Duncan. The original is pretty harsh.

[@richard.jansen]

@@keithavarney170 ... awesome. I'll be watching your upcoming videos to hear how it sounds... have a great weekend.

[@keithavarney170]

@@richard.jansen Just got the replacement pickup in; which probably means a month or so before I get around to changing it out LOL.

[@rodnyg7952]

inexpensive doesn't mean junk, cheap does

[@keithavarney170]

From Oxford: "cheap - low in price; worth more than its cost." Of course, it's subjective, and the cheaper stuff is more likely to lack good quality control across all of the process than higher priced gear. But the stuff coming out of Indonesia and China does seem to be getting better.

[@rodnyg7952]

@@keithavarney170 ...you can try to fudge whatever definition you like, but inexpensive doesn't mean junk, cheap does

[@keithavarney170]

@@rodnyg7952 No fudge here - straight out of the Oxford Dictionary. Either way, I guess some people just have to argue. All good. I do recommend you get your own channel and take the time to make videos and title them whatever way your heart pleases. Have a wonderful day!

[@rodnyg7952]

@@keithavarney170 sure it's a fudge. Cheap can mean both low in price and quality, but inexpensive can't. All good. I do recommend that you learn to give complete definitions if you need any dictionary to tell you the definition of common words you should already know. Have a wonderful day!

[@danabiondo9243]

Maybe It's A Girl? 🙂

[@keithavarney170]

😜