Are Short Scale Guitars Worth It?

In this video, we take a look at, admittedly, an impulse purchase for me. This is a review and demo of the Squier Affinity Mini Stratocaster. A 3/4 scale version of, arguably, the best selling guitar in the world, the Squier Affinity Stratocaster. But, at only 22.75" in scale, is it any good? Is it worth the $189 price tag new? Does it make for a good travel instrument for the musician on the go? I dunno, watch the video and find out.
Also, if you wanna buy one for yourself, check the (non-affiliate) links below!
Guitar Center:
www.guitarcenter.com/Squier/A...
Sweetwater:
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Musicians Friend:
www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...
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[@1mdlmusic]

I played a gig yesterday using my pink mini-Strat that I put some Hello Kitty stickers on. All the young kids made a point of telling me how much they liked my guitar.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Maybe that guitar will inspire them to pick up one themselves!

[@southernpride2003]

​​@@Electric.Flamingo I'm 5'9 I prefer short scale guitars I built my own guitar with my grandpa when I was 11 I'm 21 now and I also built my other guitar a 24 scale Luther Perkins tribute esquire left-handed and both have Thomastik flatwound strings

[@jraoulmer9962]

I actually dig short scale guitars. I plan on purchasing one because I wanna take up the guitar & I can't afford a full scale & honestly short scales make perfect for beginners 😎😎😎😎

[@Electric.Flamingo]

You can't go wrong with one of these! ⚡️🦩

[@cierahayes]

I have always wanted a strat style guitar. I bought one of these today! Thanks for the review - love the guitar! 👍

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Hope you enjoy it! ⚡🦩

[@ibanez2010]

I lol'd at the intro. I'm kinda tempted to pick one of these up! Looks perfect for practicing on while parked in front of the computer.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Thanks. I like to mix it up a little from time to time. lol. They are so fun and for under $100 used, well worth it! Just make sure to set it up, get thicker strings to balance the tension and you're good to go!

[@buddhamus]

Nice review and demo. I recently purchased one (black finish with the laurel fingerboard) through Sweetwater. I bought it for the same reasons you did, to use it as a travel guitar (however it's more of a couch guitar right now, I haven't done much traveling these days). I tend to prefer Gibson guitars over Fenders, so I was quite surprised by how much I enjoy playing this guitar. I really appreciate the narrow width of the fingerboard (though I'm not sure if people with big hands would like it). The only thing I would upgrade on mine is the tuners (their stability is just short of Ok, but the guitar would benefit from better ones). Also, these guitars do need a good setup. I have mine set up with EB Mega Slinky's (10.5 to 48) they are perfect for this guitar. I really like the look of your Mini-Strat. I didn't know there was a Maple board option (I also really like the Olympic White finish). From checking your links it does look like it's a limited edition only available through Musician's Friend. Looks like I might be starting a Mini-Strat collection.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

It's an easy collection to start since they are so inexpensive! lol. Glad to hear you are enjoying yours!

[@crimadellaphone9374]

I have skinny long fingers, it's pretty easy to play on, I love mine. I replaced all hardware and PUPs, except for the pots and 5way switch(all Alpha), though I added a toggle for (neck and bridge) & (Neck, Middle, Bridge).

[@UltimaJC]

I accidentally bought one of Ibanez's MIkro guitars because the listing on Guitar Center didn't mention it until halfway down the page. I like it a lot honestly.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I've owned a few Mikros. The one I have now is incredible. The Minions that Jackson do are awesome too!

[@EdBender]

Food for thougth: get a real sized neck and replace. You get a small sized guitar, light weight, and full scale. Seen peopke do it and they Love it.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I've considered that, I just wasn't sure it would work, honestly.

[@aeb8101]

I have this olympic white guitar but the pick up is on the front instead of the bottom. Its the 2019 version. I love it!!

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice! ⚡️🦩

[@avalon1734]

I picked up a 1992 MIJ Fender MST32 and it is even smaller. 18 1/4" scale. It was a Japan market only guitar and very rare/hard to find in great condition with a straight neck(they don't have truss rods).

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Now THATS an interesting guitar. I have to look those up now. 👀

[@avalon1734]

eBay Japan has quite a few but they are expensive.

[@johnspokus]

I use a Mini Strat for Nashville (High Strung) tuning in my home studio. Got one for $60 used. I bought it specifically for this purpose because I figured I wouldn't be tempted to use it for any other reason. That being said, I'm now looking for a second one as a travel guitar, and am leaning toward the Jazzmaster, however I haven't seen one come up used for that cheap so far.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice! Those Jazzmasters are cool. I've never played one of the mini ones and I see them occasionally used but not near as cheap as the Strats.

[@johnspokus]

There is a used Jazzmaster mini at my local Music Go Round for $150. Not as cheap as I would like, but still cheaper than new, and I have a few trade items, so I think I'm going to pick it up tonight.

[@0000song0000]

i just saw a dealer selling one of these (although they have a stock pic of it with the traditional position of the jack, so i wonder if its NOS of v1. but i didnt know they made that color on v1, there's not much dealers on this v2 white one neither)... i have had a lust for a maple fretboard strat for some time , and some more for a shorter scale... maybe it's time to get those both at the same time)

[@Electric.Flamingo]

There's a reason you watched my video, my friend. It's your sign to go get one! 🤘🦩

[@crimadellaphone9374]

I love mine. I upgraded all hardwire and PUPs(didn't change pots or PUP Switch, no reason to.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Nice!⚡️🦩

[@av3670]

I actually bought this as a beginner recently. I do have a question. If I wanted to play a guitar tab for a song that requires the 22nd or 23rd fret, what can I do?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Not much you can do aside from trying to bend on the 21st fret. You could look into getting an Ibanez Mikro or a Jackson Minion, they have 24 frets.

[@EdBender]

A beginner has no business around the 23rd fret! Lol. Just kiding. Just bend. Beginners should practice bending like crazy anyways. Good luck and dont quit!

[@av3670]

Thanks! I look into those and work on learning to bend.

[@EdBender]

@@av3670 Precise bending is the hallmark of a good player. Practice it a lot to train your ear. this tutorial below is good, but there many others. Work on that. Nothing screams begginner like flat or sharp bends. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/baq0fXuDaq1kZsU

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

Interesting... Have you tried raising it a maj second / two frets worth? How is intonation?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I've never put a short scale guitar into a higher tuning, no. Not sure why! Intonation is actually really good if you set everything else up right and don't coil the strings around the tuning peg a million times!

[@steve36503]

Around 3:15 to 3:25 you said something about changing the strings would be different due to stability issues. I'm curious what more you had to say about that? I found a 2002 V1 at a garage sale for $7. I've cleaned it and fixed it and I was about to put new strings on it as I've done countless times on my other guitars. Now I feel like an idiot. What was he about to say? What is this stability saving stringing technique he speaks of?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

So, basically, if you're going to play a short scale guitar in any kind of drop/lower tuning, you need heavier string gauges. It helps with tuning stability and even if you aren't used to heavier strings, the tension on the strings, because of the scale length, is about the same as lighter gauge on a normal scale length. It's all relative, try out what works best, but this is something I have found through owning multiple short scale guitars that always seems to pan out! Hope that helps!

[@steve36503]

It sounded like you had a different technique. Something about not wrapping the whole string around the peg? Not sure what you mean or what it does?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

@steve36503 oh, that! Yes, so with short scale guitars, you don't want to use the whole string when changing them (meaning don't have a ton of wraps around the tuning peg.) If you have a million wraps around the peg, it'll be prone to slipping therefore causing tuning stability issues. I think this is where a lot of people complain about short scale guitars not staying in tune, it's because they are strung up wrong. I pull the string tight all the way through the bridge and the give just a little slack before winding. You'll find that you have a lot of excess string to snip off and that's okay, that is what you want to have. If you do it that way, you'll notice a big difference in tuning stability. You gave me a great idea for a video! "Short Scale Guitar Set Up." Much appreciated and I hope this helped you! Feel free to ask any more questions!

[@steve36503]

Yeah, I always only do two to two-and-a-half wraps at the most so I should be good. Thanks a lot!

[@julilomilo]

i accidentally bought a mini instead of a normal size to begin learning guitar, is it easier and are the tab still usable with this guitar? and can we do metal songs with it?? does the “less fret” means less options too?

[@julilomilo]

and does it sound cheap??

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Absolutely. It functions exactly like a normal scale guitar and tab can still be used. Even with a normal scale guitar, you can have fewer or more frets. You just have to decide if you are going to need those extra high frets. Since you're just beginning to learn to play, I wouldn't worry about playing up higher yet. Get your chops down first, then worry about all of that!

[@RobertLofrano]

I have a question . Can I get locking tuners for the mini that won't involve the holes not matching, I just don't want to deal with that. I bought the same one that you have here from Musican's Friend for $149.00

[@Electric.Flamingo]

That's a great question. I'm *fairly* certain Fender locking tuners would almost be a direct fit. You may need to widen the holes, though.

[@RobertLofrano]

Thanks

[@DrGreenThumb919]

I have a blue mini strat with a plug on the face I wonder if they used to make them different

[@Electric.Flamingo]

They may have. I haven't seen any like that myself, but that's interesting!

[@DJ678]

@@Electric.Flamingo I believe that's the V1 (made until 2017). I have just bought one second hand in Torino Red and I love it! It still needs a good set up though, and maybe new tuners + bridge. I've got small hands so it's perfect!

[@SankalpaMadhawaMusic]

This is actually the mini v2. V1 has the out jack as a normal strat

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I actually found that out shortly after making this video. Thanks for the info, though! ⚡️🦩

[@HappyHermitt]

I bought my daughter the same one and want one for myself

[@Electric.Flamingo]

That's usually how things go. 😂

[@attentionaddicts]

When did they do a strat mini with a maple neck? 😮

[@Electric.Flamingo]

It's a second version that they released a few years ago, but I dig them!

[@prodbymattshi]

"They're not affiliate so don't worry, I'm not making any money" made me chuckle

[@Electric.Flamingo]

One day, they might be. 👀 lol

[@galihalghifari7]

MADE IN INDONESIA😍

[@urfavdealer2609]

Can i play any kind of song with mini strat ?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Whatever you want to play, it is suited for it! So yes! ⚡️🦩

[@JubbLaRacing]

I wish the jack was placed were it normally would be 😔

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I kind of dig the jack where it is on the mini. To each his own!

[@William51115]

I wish you would have compared it beside a full size

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I can do it, but with a humbucker guitar. I no longer have the mini strat, but I have an Ibanez Gio Mikro and some equivalent in full scale. Might have to do that!

[@zacgibb172]

Iv got a short scale (24inches) Strat, really fun guitar to play

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I agree! Fun to travel with too!

[@chrisstclair-co1gd]

You keep saying the neck isn't finished. It is. It is a satin finish instead of a glossy finish. If the neck wasn't finished it would become very dirty, very fast. Satin is faster. Glossy can feel sticky. Depends on how dry clean and dry your hands are. I'm sure you know all of this, but some people watching this will be confused. I don't know that much about guitars, but I do know wood finishes

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Thanks for the clarification, dude! ⚡️🦩

[@stonkpuppets6393]

I would of thought this was made 12 years ago

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Oof.

[@caseylee12]

..."your girlfriend thinks it's a big difference"...bwahahahaha..... Anyway, I got one of these, but I got the red one. It takes some getting used to the scale, but it's a gas to play.

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I try to be funny sometimes. lol. It does take some time, I agree. Worth the effort though for some fun!

[@jcsmith4978]

Where da follow up be?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

All in good time, my guy. I've got other things in the pipeline right now and just life in general.

[@kdt85]

whats INIW?

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Not sure what you mean.

[@kdt85]

​​@@Electric.Flamingo 0:47

[@juicybunnie]

are they worth it for 5'0" women looking to play??

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Absolutely! I'm 6'1" and it suits me perfectly!

[@urfavdealer2609]

omg im also 5’ woman and I just ordered the shell pink mini

[@anuvette]

20 frets is a massive turn off for me

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Might I recommend the Ibanez Mikro or Jackson Minion? Both of those are short scale, small body like this but they both have 24 frets.

[@anuvette]

@@Electric.Flamingo thank you for the suggestion.

[@danielbrowniel]

PUs sound flat

[@Electric.Flamingo]

I have a video where I upgraded the guitar, if you wanna check that out!

[@peterwu8471]

Get different string gauges... 22 inches isn't short

[@Electric.Flamingo]

22 inches is short compared to regular scale Fenders.