Buying Your First Fender Guitar: What You NEED to Know

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[@joseguarin115]

I bought a Mexican Fender as a beginner and it’s still my only guitar, almost 20 years later

[@Kirito-ln3fd]

awesome!

[@lynncampbell962]

My main guitar is a PRS, but I recently picked up a Squire Tele and could not be happier with it. It's not perfect but after some really small tweaks, it's one of my favorite guitars to play. Guitars are just tools. Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat cost him less than $200 when he first built it. If I played that same guitar, I would sound like me. If Eddie played a Squire Strat, he would still sound like Eddie. Yes, certain guitars sound better or have a better feel, but ultimately it comes down to skill.

[@johncuffe4076]

I bought a Squire Affinity Tele last year to keep in open G to leatn some Keith licks.

[@johncuffe4076]

Really pleased with the quality of this guitar.

[@Mark-f7o]

@@johncuffe4076 God I so love his stuff. I also love to play open g tunes and blues.

[@DebraHammondpop2]

TOTALLY AGREE!!

[@nine9whitepony526]

Welcome to the Fender team. Do you think after playing it that you might think about up grading to any higher end Fenders? Honestly, I don't think I've played a squire since the early 90s. But from what I understand, they have come a long way. They are now a fairly good quality guitar these days.

[@jessicamanley270]

There definitely is something to say about wanting to play the guitar that your guitar hero or heroes play. The fender strat and Gibson les paul are definitely the most popular. I have looked at alot of other guitars on the high end spectrum, and decided before I spend $4000+ dollars I want to try them all, may take awhile. For beginner guitars, I like Yamaha, all mine are Yamaha, 3 in total the Pacifica 612 has blown me away as I had a no name electric for the first year.

[@patentleatherkicks]

After inheriting a Epiphone Les Paul I decided I didn't like it much and would prefer a Strat. I was initially looking at the Squier Classic Vibes 50's, but in the end I went for a Yamaha Pacifica 112V instead and I love my Pacifica! I'm sure I would have loved the Squier too but I think I made the right choice.

[@mikehurley5052]

@@patentleatherkicks I have a 112J and a 112V, awesome guitars and great build quality, i dont pay stupid money for a badge on the neck.

[@CFox.7]

@@patentleatherkicks so happy with my Squire Classic Vibe 60s strat im gonna get the tele

[@adalisp5818]

I was never truly motivated to playing and becoming a great player until I bought my MiM strat. Cost quite a bit and people questioned why I spent so much on something I could hardly play but in my eyes, it was the best decision I’ve ever made in regards to my guitar playing

[@tmage23]

I got a deal on an HHS Affinity Squier Strat last year and I couldn't be happier. It's a really solid instrument for a hobbyist and I'd even go so far to say that it's a good guitar for low level professional gigs (eg bar bands etc)

[@MartinBlyberg]

I hope it's SSH and not HHS. Would be cool if it was HSH.

[@fadex-pubgmobile6507]

@@MartinBlyberg nope isn’t none of those…is a HIS

[@fadex-pubgmobile6507]

@@MartinBlyberg and yes I’m a dad lol

[@alexasplund5450]

I'm getting a wah pedal for Christmas , this is definitely the first riff I am planning on learning with it.

[@toddmaclauchlin296]

This was a fantastic video Marty! I learned quite a bit about some of the new gear Fender has out there. I love my American Strat but I could easily get talked into that electric acoustic. Looks and sounds awesome! Brandon was a great guest as well.

[@jcburger733]

Hey Marty, thank you and Sweetwater for going over the Fender line of guitars!! Very informative.

[@MrPlastic150]

Marty you are an absolute legend, I really liked this video because you really show how a guitar can serenade and scream, it's great to see/hear the ability of these beautiful guitars from both ends of the scale. You are AWESOME!

[@erz6306]

Marty knows his stuff, gear wise and musci wise. What a gift!

[@scottbelongie9051]

That was great video and nice to see u rock out Man. It really shows y the range of guitars they have for beginners and pros awesome 🥃😁

[@crazed1x]

Great video covering the lineup. Got a acoustasonic last month and use for everything

[@Lonecyclonex]

Perfect timing for this video to come out for me lol! Was thinking of upgrading my squire classic vibes to a fender player strat!

[@SMarcey]

Who dosnt love a Shell Pink Offset guitar these days? This is great stuff. I still have a 04 Bullet strat that I started on and you have to fight the thing to play it. Stark difference to the 2019 squire affinity telecaster that plays butter smooth and is a joy to rock on. EDIT: I just realized how similar the Acoustasonic guitars are like a thinline guitar or an ES guitar from a design point of view. I feel really slow now lol EDIT2: I love watching guitar players skirting the algorithim with licks, i feel like its unique to youtube and it kinda forces people to be creative, not playing the same ole things, but still paying respect to them.

[@grog5564]

My Tele and one of my Strats are Custom Shop. I am left handed so having a guitar made for me is something I am used too. I love my Fenders, especially my Custom Shop Strat. Josephina's Hand Wound Fat 50's for pickups. I play my Strat more than my Les Paul Traditional. But in truth I don't like all of the pastel colours or heavy paint jobs. My favourites are my natural wood finishes. My Strat has a Toasted Maple neck with a natural mahogany finish.

[@Tyler2Wheel]

I just got a squire bundle from guitar center for $450 with two year protection, came with amp, bag, picks, your videos are great man! Wife and I went to Graceland for our 9 year anniversary and went to the Rock and Soul Museum as well and BB kings blues club, ive always wanted to play and felt really inspired to learn

[@ricmel8008]

I have many guitars, Ibanez, Gretsch, and Fender. But currently my day to day gigging guitar is a Squier Bullet. I am still confused why it sounds so good.

[@hadeseye2297]

Because the tone is not in the money.

[@ricmel8008]

@@hadeseye2297 I agree with u

[@filthysquirt5098]

I learned a new word HUMBUKER! Love it

[@tmo7734]

Like I’ve said so many times, the great quality of the Squire guitars is going to put a huge pinch on American-made models.

[@thislittleunknownband]

Thank you for making this insightful video. As a beginner , I like my Squire Classic Vibe 50's stratocaster, that you mentioned in another video... but this video also affirms the quality of Squires. They are great! However , someday I might buy something a little more specialized. I don't have a telecaster... I like the Squire tele... I might get one of those too! :-) The American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster is also very cool!

[@daggercatz7297]

I recently bought my second guitar, a Fender MiJ Strat ( Noir limited edition, looks sick ) and its absolutely amazing. Before I played this guitar I always thought I only like the superthin Ibanez necks... this Strat has a chunky U neck... and it's the most comfortable guitar I've always played

[@davekc9140]

Squier Classic Vibe 50's Telly (Crafted in China) is my main guitar and it's incredible! I think that only one thing that you should change on these guitars are the pickups. I changed it to FENDER CUSTOM SHOP TEXAS SPECIAL. After that process it sounds like an original Fender Telly. They're great guitars. Not only for beginners

[@bbbro34]

I recently bought a Fender Strat from the Performer series because I wanted that CBS headstock, but also because I gotta good deal on it. It's beautiful in Lake Placid Blue with a maple neck. Sounds as an American made Strat should. Also has a great mod they did to it which allows one to use the neck and bridge pick ups together, giving an almost Tele sound, but also allows all pick ups to be on at once. Loving it.

[@solaris70]

is it push/pull pot or uU have the S-1 switch on your Stratocaster ?

[@bbbro34]

On the bottom tone knob it's a push/pull setting. It's stock, what it comes with. It's a nice addition.

[@solaris70]

@@bbbro34 right on i had one also on my Arbor Strat copy awhile back but i lost that guitar - my B.C Rich ASM has one, too but it's a floyd rose special (zinc/plate saddles) bridge , and i haven't replaced the stock bridge yet with the Charvel 590 T floyd rose (brass/steel) i found for it

[@nixxkids]

I own the Affinity Tele in butterscotch blonde (cause in my world Bruce is the BOSS) and it KILLS!

[@rustybritches6747]

I saw the acousticsonic on dovydas's channel and immediately needed one it'll be next in my collection!

[@solaris70]

my '08 affinity has the 50's style 8 screw pickguard its very heavy like a sap log but it has very iridescent reflection grain patterns 2tone sunburst with maple fretboard i got lucky and purchased it for only $35 back in 2017

[@billnboo4u]

ok now your just showin off love you Marty i know what im gettin now to "Affinity" and beyond

[@MikeB12800]

Traded in my PRS CE for a Fender Prof. 2! So happy I did!

[@gook3961]

Marty it's Marco from Australia, love your videos. I'm an adult and new to guitar, just bought myself the Cobra Blue Ultra Strat with a Katana 100 amp. I started watching you beginner videos and leaning towards the blues section of your vids. It's all very overwhelming, any direction on where to start and what vids to follow would be really appreciated. Cheers

[@ambrewski7940]

I really enjoyed this video thank you Marty

[@solaris70]

i love Squier and Fender products Thank You for this video

[@CFox.7]

so happy with my Squire Classic Vibe 60s strat im gonna get the tele

[@azt3ca]

Great video, though locking tuners don’t help in tuning stability, only make restringing faster.

[@shield400]

That shell pink is actually pretty cool, lotta Chicago Music Exchange vibe.

[@no_regerts5176]

My first electric was a Squire Affinity Stratocaster. A neighbor’s kid would come over and ask to play it. I ended up giving it to him with a couple headphone amps. He was thrilled. I went to the local GC and a Fender Player Stratocaster in tobacco burst was on sale for nearly 50% off. Maybe Karma is real? It’s my favorite guitar!

[@joshnorko5586]

Great video per usual

[@overeasymode]

I was always a Gibson guy, but you got me seriously wanting that Stratacastor.

[@larrybecker9184]

Was at Sweetwater yesterday. I got the American Performer stratocaster

[@kdriscoll57]

I purchased a standard American FSR Strat paid around £700, great guitar, and great value

[@lightfoot413]

definately a better sound coming from the Jeff beck Sig series..rightfully so for 4 grand..I just bought a Squire Affinity strat and am very impressed with it and enjoy playing it.Thank You fender and thank you guys for all you do...Happy New Year...

[@thereal_band]

I bought a fender player hss strat a week ago, It's amazing though!

[@jasonschmidt1460]

My 1st guitar I bought was a 1985 Fender Performer. Great purchase if you ask me 36 yrs ago. Can't wait to hear why.

[@airguitarist8633]

Just got a fender squier guitar for Xmas

[@Relaxandlearnguitar]

great tips!

[@mylogify]

One of the best Strats all time Strat HM I have ever seen! :P

[@jamesbrooks8034]

I got the player plus in Belair blue about a month and a half ago and I’ve decided it’s now my child

[@abu.aayah.v4219]

Thanks for everything you do for us Marty! Please do a tutorial for Slow Cheetah by RHCP!

[@Smoove7192937]

yes !

[@dylanhuculak8458]

5:29 I left the video playing, went out for a bite, and when I came back, that sustain was still going.

[@theguitarman2100]

Hey Marty! I’m a student of guitar and I’ve been wanting to learn Jet Lag by simple plan ft Natasha Bedingfield! if you could do a tutorial on this I would be grateful- thanks!

[@yoonsookim3123]

Beautiful

[@skittle2173]

Affinity series squier tele is beautiful tone

[@barriehercock8612]

Great guitar, got a butterscotch one ,a sunburst one and a sunburst squier strat with alinico5 in it

[@barriehercock8612]

All-round great guitars

[@ammarali5397]

Hey Marty I would love to learn old love electric version by Eric Clapton!

[@alexanderball6326]

I just bought myself a new Squier Toronado about 8 weeks ago. I absolutely love it! Can barely put it down

[@solaris70]

i like how they look aesthetic pleasing to the eye the ones I have seen

[@gregburke0073]

Marty, you make them all sound good.

[@No1karez]

I got a Cory Wong Stratocaster and it's so awesome and comfortable being that little bit smaller. Highly recommend it 👌

[@zakkcovers18]

Cool strat 👌

[@hbonick9781]

Could you try to do Geek Stink Breath? Great job on this video Marty. Keep it up!

[@valueofnothing2487]

So the problem is that the cheap Squires have ceramic pickups, and the more expensive ones often have rosewood fretboards that are quite dry and the frets need polishing. And would a beginner want single coil or humbucker? I think if you want to play clean (er) you might get the single coil whereas if you want to do lots of distortion you probably want the humbucker. I might suggest a Guitar Fetish Guitar, they are inexpensive and have ALNICO pickups, but you would have to be ready to return it (which is not too expensive but annoying). You could also choose between single or humbucker. If you got a humbucker you could also replace it later with a single coil in a humbucker shape without soldering. A Harley Benton probably would be fine unless the return costs make it prohibitive. And I would definitely not get the cheapest one.

[@bulltastik]

Marty’s got it goin’ on👊🏼

[@ciaranmacdonald9691]

just bought my MiM HSS player series strat and this video doesn’t come out until the day i can pick it up

[@lreadlResurrected]

That was fun. Have you ever played a VG Strat? It'll do what all of these guitars will. And more. 12 string acoustic Stratocaster, anyone?

[@kingcopycat9945]

Amazing video I hope to get a real fender one day

[@pete0032]

Hi Marty, big fan. I was wondering if you'd ever do a tutorial on Killing Floor by Jimi Hendrix? Its my favourite Hendrix song and I'd really love to learn how to play it Thanks in advance

[@solaris70]

that's an excellent acoustic sound very versatile that acoustasonic jzzmstr

[@mefirstandthegimmiegimmies5160]

Saw this video 2 days after I bought my first Fender...Still made an awesome decision!

[@PACK-ge5gu]

Classic Vibes!

[@jaketurner8644]

Hey Marty can you do a lesson on “Falls on me” by fuel? That would be awesome

[@darkomtobia]

Guitars are like crack to me. Once I started, I was hooked. Now I have Ike 23 or so and built my own lap steel from recycled barn wood. I own 1 actual Fender and 1 actual Gibson (my surname). I really would like to try a HB or Glarry, to compare to the rest of my collection.

[@davidc5170]

Nice job building the lap steel. Do I hear Pink Floyd High Hopes playing in the background

[@ricmel8008]

I bought a Glarry guitar used for $25. I got rid of it so fast. Fret was so sharp.

[@Allagi22]

I own two HBs, one is an LP style with coil splitting the other is a tele style. Both are very well made guitars and I was able to get both of them shipped to my door from Germany for under $300 total. They are great guitars stock, they also are great for mod platforms as residual value is not a concern. You can play them live or tour with them because again, you aren't concerned they will break/get stolen. I've tried other budget brand guitars like Oscar Schmidt/Glarry/Huntington and the guitars are pretty poorly made. Sharp fret ends, frets popping out, impossible to keep in tune. I've had great experience with Harley Benton and if you don't like them Thomann customer service is great at getting a refund/replacement. Would highly recommend.

[@markcoll5761]

That Wayne's World "Excellent." was perfect

[@BigStrath]

If your budget is under $1000 then get a squire and upgrade the pickups and have it setup if you don’t know how. I think you come out better than buying a fender. Above that get a fender.

[@telmaiseyreynisdottir6911]

Can you make a tutorial on how to play ‘Grow as we go’ by Ben Platt. I have been looking everywhere and I can’t find a helpful tutorial

[@ThePequenocristo]

Now I want that Super-Sonic! DAMN YOU, MARTY! ;)

[@MashaT22]

You need to know that a 25.5” scale length isn’t the best for most beginners/intermediate players. 25.5” is extremely difficult to play at the top 4-5 frets where you’re first learning, as the frets are more widely spaced and involves stretching your hands and fingers quite a bit more to shape most open chords, fancy chords, some power chords, as well as general string bending. All of these things are better learned on a 24.75” guitar or smaller unless you have insanely long fingers. For average sized and small hands, I wouldn’t suggest making a Fender/Squire a first guitar unless it is one of the few with neck specs that are smaller than 25.5”. There are strats, teles, etc with 24.75” necks from other brands. I recommend you go to a shop to test drive some to see how far your fingers can comfortably stretch. You want the experience of learning to be easy and fun, otherwise you’ll give up pretty quickly like many adults/kids unfortunately do. There will be some pain at times, and you want to minimize it rather than maximizing it. That being said, get a guitar with a scale length that’s easier to play. There are plenty of cool looking choices out there these days that’ll sound just as good if not better for the same price or a lot less. Just my two cents!

[@smokepeddler]

That's extremely subjective. Not everyone has kid hands. The difference is not that much. The longer scale actually makes it slightly easier to fret chords. Nut width and neck thickness factors in a lot more as far as hand size. Which is why a squire( beginners guitar) has a more narrow 42mm nut width and a pretty thin neck. It's really not until you jump down to 24" scale ( jaguar, mustang, duo sonic) that it is significantly different to play.

[@MashaT22]

@@smokepeddler I’m sorry, but you didn’t read my comment. I don’t appreciate anyone getting into an entire litany about why I’m supposedly wrong and misguiding others by my advice when you’re literally saying what I said in the reverse. I chose my words carefully and explained myself. I said 25.5” isn’t the best choice for “MOST” beginners/intermediates. Then I proceeded to explain that it would be difficult for people with “averaged sized and small hands unless you have insanely long fingers” to use a guitar that’s more widely spaced at the top 4-5 frets where learning to fret chords and notes starts since it takes times for hands to adapt to proper positioning, as well as what typically makes it easier to learn on 24.75” guitars. I not only went into detail explaining myself, but I highly recommended that newer players should always go to a guitar store to test out guitars until their hands adapt and they learn more about scale lengths, fretboard widths, thickness, etc. which would make the instrument easier or harder to play. There’s no one size fits all obviously. Point is, you clearly didn’t read what I said past the first half sentence and then you’re admonishing me for something I clearly stated and/or implied several times regarding larger hands. This is why it’s important to read everything someone says . . . or even just finish the latter half of the first sentence. 🤔🙄

[@awabseedahmad3546]

I enjoyed a lot ♥️

[@davidturner9266]

I got a stick in a rock and I put a couple of strings on it I'm good to go thank you mr. Marty Schwartz

[@nine9whitepony526]

I've watched a bunch of your videos but noticed that I was not a subscriber. Anyways, thanks for having me aboard

[@Rewsteregg]

I've made many purchases from Sweetwater and bought a Strat from them. Great guitar and sales associate, Irving Salazar, always takes great care of me.

[@realdevbro447]

😑

[@robertmendoza530]

I'm a beginner and looking to get my 1st electric guitar. Looking at esquire classic 50 tele..

[@rustybritches6747]

the Jeff Beck signature strat doesn't look like the Olympic White I'm used to!

[@christophervincent8420]

I'm disappointed they didn't hand you over the Squire Deluxe telecaster to show off. Lol

[@brandonanderson2066]

My first guitar: bc rich warlock! Now I mostly play a telecaster.

[@sherardshredz7775]

Can you do a lesson for the outro solo of back in black

[@Oliver-vt8pv]

marty, i wonder if you ever will do a video on gary moore and some of his songs

[@Treyblodgett757]

Could you do a tutorial on leaves from the vine pls

[@canadianintheukbrian]

I love Fender so this not a knock, but when I moved to the UK from Toronto, I discovered a brand called Vintage amazing brand, I own two one of my babies v100 Les Paul style I had my tech set it up and I do recommend every new guitar has a reputable tech give it the look over, my tech has Les Paul's he said I understand why Gibson is so angry, what I loved about Vintage is the hardware is top quality Wilkinson parts, no ceramic pickups none of that cheaper garbage so there is no really need to upgrade, and the Pro's use V100 and other Vintages, but I still would love Fender but an American one,

[@jayyyyjacks]

Love my Super Sonic!

[@kevind3094]

YELLOW LEDBETTER!🤘

[@brokejokeratv5851]

I wouldn't so boring and to get a nice one it costs to much get a schecter or a epiphone and be happy the sg400 is a great starter great plays great too

[@carlostorres-alicea4108]

Can you do a guitar tutorial on animal I have become by three days grace

[@trevorbuck2634]

Please do some tutorials on Zac Brown Band

[@VinGurino]

What’s your favorite song to play

[@rogerowens5669]

Has anyone seen The Squire with the Floyd locking trem

[@sigogglin]

I am 50 and used to associate Telecaster with country, you can do anything on a Tele.

[@JakeJones19]

How long have you been playing guitar? Just curious

[@professored7169]

Whats the song at 10:25? Ive heard it before but cant remember

[@troysours6071]

I got a 1975 acustic hondo

[@sputni4eg]

That pot on Player plus is really hard to pull. Definitely a miss from the Fender side

[@chukfunk]

I’ll take em all

[@theguy1874]

The acoustasonic looks like a Danelectro convertible

[@solaris70]

finally someone describe the acoustasonic for me correctly how i see it thank uU sO'much !!! \!!/

[@GavinMorris1]

The problem these days is you can buy a decent squier as a beginner and then gig it, then record with it, then do stadiums with it. This wasn't true in the old days. A great time to be a player but people are surely going to get wise.