I Bought Fender's Cheapest Model - the Squier Sonic Telecaster

[@landonbailey]

Get the Squier Sonic Telecaster and more Squier stuff here: 🛒 *Sweetwater* sweetwater.sjv.io/VmxRYa 🛒 *Amazon* geni.us/SquierSonicTelecaster 🛒 *Zzounds* www.zzounds.com/a--3985807 🛒 *Fender.com* fender.prf.hn/click/camref:1011lzDtv 🛒 *Guitar Center* guitar-center.pxf.io/9ge7kj 🛒 *Andertons* bit.ly/AndertonsSquier 🛒 *Thomann* bit.ly/ThomannSquier 🛒 *Reverb* reverb.grsm.io/landonbailey 🛒 *Ebay* ebay.us/F7bxvx Gear in the video: REVV D25 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJm7faaYi9p4pdU Squier Sonic Esquire Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3XceombmZmml5I *Timestamps:* --------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 - what is this guitar? 0:48 - the sponsor is you! www.patreon.com/landonbailey 1:55 - all the guitar specs 3:16 - guitar weight 3:45 - pickup resistance 3:59 - inside the guitar 5:40 - guitar tone samples 6:23 - How to unbox the guitar 7:19 - How to remove the plastic 8:35 - INTERMISSION - BATHROOM BREAK 9:05 - Summary and my thoughts

[@james1658]

I don't get the love for this guitar, maybe you are saying nice things about it to get paid from the above links? ... but you link thomann above. Harley Benton do a way better tele for the same money there not the only ones. With Fender / squire its always has been and always will be the case you pay extra for the brand name. Take fender / squire off the headstock you pay $99 for this.

[@realce666]

@@james1658 Try reselling a Harley Benton and a Squier at the same and see which one goes first.

[@D-Tox_]

Life saver ! Had no idea how to unbox the guitar, I kept on mixing up my left and right hand. Tried so many things : a feather, my harmonica (by blowing at the box), 2 different teaspoons and a yoga mat ... Then I followed your unboxing part and it just went sooooooo smoothly ! Thank you so much !!

[@squirelova1815]

Have you tried a spatula? Maybe with a belt hole puncher and some tweezers?

[@mortonwilson795]

Not really a Tele person but impressed with what you get for the price with this one - it's a buyers market out there! Thanks for the plastic removal bit - eminently practical advice there, you are doing musicians everywhere a great service!

[@gregperkins7723]

I bought one of these and LOVE it! Sanded the neck, rolled the edges and used some poly clear finish on it. Was going to change more but WHY!? Love my little 6lb 10oz tele. Problem is I play it more than my $2000 one.

[@billhemsley8828]

I bought the Squire Tele on sale for $!79.00 and loving it. Frets and neck nice and smooth but I also had scratchy knobs and was concerned about the pots. Before looking inside, I checked the knobs and found them both rubbing a bit. I pulled them up just a bit higher and the rubbing stopped. Turns out nothing was grinding. If you're thinking about this giutar and this price point, just buy it, I think you'll love it. Playing it through my bass amp right now so can't comment too much about tone and will pick up a nice, used amp later on down the road.

[@GiselleDK]

Neck nice and smooth? I wasn't that lucky, my neck is a baseball bat and the frets are so high that my fingers hurt 😢

[@Actually_A_Biscuit]

Despite them being super cheap guitars/instruments, I really love the Squier Sonic Series

[@rusty1253]

honestly, i like the sonic series too, cus you wont feel too bad abt absolyutely modifying it

[@Actually_A_Biscuit]

@@rusty1253 oh, absolutely. I love modding my guitars and personalizing them, but I feel guilty for doing that to a 5 or 6 hundred dollar guitar

[@leeturton9254]

Cheap women cheap guitars i like them both... hours of endless fun without breaking the bank👌

[@fisiosaiter]

Liked the ceramic pickups.

[@BryanWhiteOak]

I bought this guitar as my first mod guitar. I had planned on having to fix sharp frets, replacing the nut, the tuners, electronics, pickups.. basically everything except for the wood. However, when I got it, no sharp frets. The nut and the tuners were also surprisingly adequate. Only thing is one of the machine heads broke off. The pickups were also pretty decent. It sounded lke a tele. Straight up. I replaced the pickups and ordered locking tuners and it's looking like that's all I can do to make it a damn good guitar without dropping a fortune on other upgrades

[@JohnQuincy1776]

I bought a 2017 classic vibe, it already had brass saddles, didn't need a thing. For me, it has amazing tone on my little Vox amp I usually use. It puts my old (1986 or so) Kramer to shame.

[@neilritson7445]

You can adjust the hieght of the neck pup unlike the Vintage models. V useful.

[@toddr2375]

I have a butterscotch one with a maple fretboard and I really like it! It was the neck that sold it for me! In my opinion, the stock pickups sound okay, but they're a little hot. I've swapped mine for ones that have a more classic Tele tone. Thanks for the great review!

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

Can’t speak for the Sonic series but I loved the Bullet series guitars (Especially the Tele) for what they were.

[@barackmycat9448]

I have a Tele but the frets and neck was terrible. I put a Classic Vibe maple on it and it`s a keeper!

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

@@barackmycat9448 The first Bullet Tele I had was great, no neck issues but I recently bought a second and same story. Gonna get a nice maple neck for the red sparkle body and I’ll be a very happy camper.

[@max_archer]

The Sonic is OK, I've got the very similar Bullet and it got me back into playing after years away, but the 40th Anniversary Squiers are currently on sale for only $100 more than the Sonic and I'd highly recommend them to anybody looking for a budget/beginner guitar. I just bought one myself, with the help of a 20+ year pro guitarist friend, and the difference is absolutely night and day, massive differential in quality and sound and the 40th is much more of a "real" Tele than the Bullet/Sonic.

[@arz131]

Played a 40th anniversary tele at guitar center, made me regret buying my classic vibe strat for the same price 😅😅. Dope guitar

[@zekesguitars]

100% agreed. I recently got the 40th anniversary strat, and it's the best guitar I own

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

I came on to say the exact same thing.

[@jogmas12]

The cheapest teles are not string through

[@archocystosyrinx]

what would you recommend nowadays

[@DaringDan]

I'd love a Jazzmaster in Torino Red with a gold anodized pickguard. What a fantastic color for a Tele.

[@ourawkfist]

This just shows how GOOD the quality is now even on the very low end of the guitars available. The sound is so ridiculously good for the price. Any STARTER should LOVE to start here and just move up as they progress.

[@StupidGuitar]

I can confirm this video was made.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

I can confirm I am replying to your comment.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

Truly one of the videos of all time

[@aitken1965]

I concur

[@theghastlygamer5326]

I can confirm your confirmation

[@KoaCharvel]

I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of "tone wood".

[@JamesOConnell-ry5et]

I wish this torino red telecaster came with a broadcaster pickup in the bridge !

[@ShadoCroc]

Hey Landon, I just bought one today! From the same place in Ottawa lol

[@gilpi552]

I disconnected the tone pot on mine, and the tone opened up nicely.

[@mitchgibson5784]

I played a little bit when I was 14-17 (now 33) and going to start again. I just purchased the 50s classic vibe Tele based on your review in another video.

[@BoundaryElephant]

"I know you're probably wondering.....about the electronics...." LOL You're just describing what I wish all my convos with my mom were.

[@dazzastar68]

I really dig the high-quality ASMR in this! It made me feel like I was the one pealing the plastic.

[@danamark8211]

I just bought one. I love it

[@Letmetellyouwhat]

Got this guitar as my first. I like it a lot but you’re right about the switch. I quit working and had to be replaced within the first 3 months. Cheap and easy fix though. It’s a $199 US guitar.

[@antv4408]

I got a sonic mustang because I'm into tinkering. I gutted it: new pots, new wire, new jack, new switch, new pickups. Rolled fretboard edges, some fretwork. Played well enough out of the box, but it SCREAMS now. Yjm fury pickups.

[@TomWagemaker]

I got myself a butterscotch one, and I love it. Sounds great, and feels great. Plus it was on sale for $179 🎶🤙🏼

[@MrStevegillette]

Video idea: plug in a ten-band eq or some other sound-sweetening pedal and twist the knobs to see if you can make a cheap guitar like this sound more musical. Or do we have to swap out the pickups?

[@jimmyjames2022]

Is Torino Red a paint colour from a 'certain' Turin automobile manufacturer cause it kind of looks similar?

[@Thorn1jm]

I really like that red and I usually go for blue or black, but this one looks great. I know they are cheap guitars, but I like to mod mine, so it's a good platform to start with. Also, I will do a good setup on it. Really like your channel, and I always look forward to your honest reviews.

[@MrPatriot08]

I just watched this video 5 years from now and it’s still the least expensive Tele that Fender makes. You are a soothsayer Landon.

[@ivanhancock]

I bought the black with white scratch plate and apart from a simple action setup it was great straight out of the box ☺👌

[@me-xv6tf]

I ordered the same model. Waiting for delivery and I sure hope I'm not disappointed.

[@SombraPiloto]

I don't at all need another guitar but that red is so awesome and I have a Player neck, "vintage style" Fender bridge, and some pots taking up space in my apartment so all I'd potentially needs are pickups. Not sure about poplar but $179 even if I just use the body isn't bad.

[@congamike1]

I appreciated your presentation style. Thanks.

[@landonbailey]

My pleasure!

[@lookforbriansjazz7832]

Did you use a noise gate to quiet down the hum? It sounds really good.

[@landonbailey]

no I don't have a noise gate

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

My noise gate squeaks every time I go out.

[@motorbikeray]

Why the name change of Squier's least expensive guitar model from "Bullet" to "Sonic"? Perhaps the word "Bullet" was deemed too offensive? My guitar is a 2016 Squier Bullet Strat in color Seafoam Green, which I use for daily guitar practice.

[@barackmycat9448]

They should have changed it to model 5.56. I`d buy a second one.

[@motorbikeray]

@@barackmycat9448 🤣👍. From now on I will refer to my 2016 Squier Bullet Strat as a Squier 5.56 Strat.

[@ZitherBeast]

While I actually dig both the sound and look of this Tele, I just ain't in the market for one. You definitely made it sound good and it appears to be a good deal for someone looking to get into Tele's. Very cool.

[@landonbailey]

this one is red

[@shockmarkets7384]

That's so you can play faster.

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@landonbailey Torino red apparently 😜

[@TheSloppyGuitarist]

I can imagine string changes are a challenge having to thread through the back of the bridge, under the saddle and then through the saddle. Not sure why they did this, pretty sure it would p*$$ off many first time guitar players. Maybe a 6 barrel saddle & top loading bridge swap would drop in?

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

The neck on that guitar reminds me of an old Epiphone Les Paul Special II that I stripped the paint off of. It's not bad figuring, it's not one of the really nice looking necks, but it's interesting. I can imagine they don't normally use wood like that because it's like discoloured and blotchy and has random knots, so people might not like it. I think it's cool.

[@gregperkins7723]

How to Unbox...LMAO with that second pick guard film! You're too funny to be a canuck .

[@motorbikeray]

@landonbailey, what is the Sonic's body thickness compared to a Fender American Telecaster? If the Sonic's body thickness was mentioned in the video, then I missed it.

[@GoodfaYou]

It’s a thinner body at 1.5inches ..very comfortable to play

[@baabaabaa-El]

Thanks for showing us how to unbox the guitar Lando, lm sure that stumped thousands...lm on my 11 000th layer of plastic tho.

[@judemisura4323]

I just got this guitar, same color and all, and mine is stupid heavy at least by feel. However i picked it up directly after playing my Sonic Strat

[@Arc__7]

Hey there Mr. Bailey, I'm thinking of buying my first electric guitar in this Price range. I'm really liking these telecaster style guitars, would you recommend buying a Squier Sonic Telecaster or a Yamaha Pacifica PAC012?

[@peteralbertthomas]

Love the colour. Shame it ain’t string through. But hey. Looking really cool.

[@Jimbowholivesinsoup]

What kind of nut on this one ? Very nice guitar. I own a few more expensive ones, but Im getting this.

[@dagobertosanchez7909]

¡Greetings from Mexico Amigo Landon! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@Slowride75]

Just caught this. Very nice, however I think you should get a 2024 Paranormal Troublemaker tele in black with the gold hardware. I love mine 💯👍🍣

[@krslldawn5802]

Love the letter to your mom😂... I think I should write a letter for my mom too🤣🤣

[@SnifterRoux]

Would a pickup selector switch like you would find on a Fender fit or is the body to thin to allow it?

[@hoopie_304]

Looks nice. I prefer the string through body.

[@billydworrell8259]

Not always a big fan of Red . Other than the RED WINGS. But kinda digging that Torino Red like a shovel.

[@backandfour]

Body thickness is fender standard size or thinner?

[@Prajnana]

Pretty sure the Affinities' are thinner, so this "probably" is, too.

[@landonbailey]

1.6 “

[@nellayema2455]

Nice for the price, for sure! Also, thanks for the laughs. I really needed them this morning. Cheers!

[@silverbushman]

Working on setting up Peavy reactor

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

I just inherited some guitars and a red Peavey Reactor is one of them. It has a maple board. Pretty solid guitar.

[@satyadasgumbyji8956]

Im 52 & had never owned or played Teles. I bought 2 of the cheapest Bullit Squires from Guitar Center on-line planning to upgrade them little by little. The surf green tele pic showed string-through holes in the back, but of course didnt have & is a PAIN IN THE ASS TO RE-STRING WITHOUT!!!😅 $50 extra for holes is WELL worth it, friends! The other was a sunburst. But both are different. The SG has a thicker neck & pickups sound deeper & more like humbuckers, which i didnt want. Is perfect how it feels, but will cost another $200 to get it to sound ok. The sunburst sounds like a Tele, but the neck is skinny af. Then i came across Harley Benton Teles for $150 & saw a video review that was a blind test between a $750 Mexican Fender Tele (just a $1,500 Tele with cheaper wood & labor) & couldnt hardly tell the difference-many chose the Benton over Fender! So instead of paying $200+ to get good pickups put in my SG Squire I just ordered a Harley Benton at $144 with $60 shipping to US (got here in 2 days!) & now i could care less about these dinky little shitty Squires by comparison!😅 I'll keep them & fix them up eventually, but Harley Benton is FAR SUPERIOR imo. I just found you recently, friend, & think it was a Harley Benton review. How would you compare them? Do you agree??? Rock On! 🤘🌎❤

[@kennyg63]

Is the Sonic smaller than other Squier Telecasters in terms of neck length?

[@SteveLedger]

Bought one, mine doesn't have the skunk stripe? Also, the top loading bridge is a fkg pain with those block saddles... Feel like I want to change the bridge to a three barrel saddle type. What are your thoughts about that? Otherwise, yeh - great guitar for the price. I swapped out the black pickguard for a cream one.

[@MJPGuitar]

Put a small bend in the string before feeding it through the bridge and saddle.

[@SteveLedger]

@@MJPGuitar Yes of course, this an obvious move and one I used. But it's still not a simple straight forward process, especially with the G, B and E strings.

[@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow]

@@SteveLedger for 50 bucks more USD could of gotten the string though the body for 250 USD

[@SteveLedger]

@@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow Not in Australia. Sonic AUD$329 - Affinity AUD$429. In any case, I already have an Affinity. I bought the Sonic as I was curious about the quality of the cheapest Squier. Overall I am impressed.

[@calbrockocat8728]

I swear I heard the theme song for "The Waltons" start when that letter home popped up.

[@bradfrommckinney]

Any chance the bridge is routed for a humbucker, like the esquire model? I think this would look pretty badass with an HH mod.

[@landonbailey]

1 in a million

[@bradfrommckinney]

@@landonbailey Ah, man! It’s like a golden ticket. This is gonna get expensive.

[@toddr2375]

Nope. Sorry, standard single coil Tele rout.

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

belle video , pour mon cas , j ai toujours eu le biudget pour acheter des guitares a 1000 euros voir 1200 euros , mais a chaque fois j ai preferré acheter des guitares de la serie Classic Vibe et de les mettres a niveau , ma premiere fut une CV 60 telecaster , j ai changé les micros pour un twang king et un chopper , j ai changé l electronique pour du mojotone USA sans soudure , j ai changé la plaque pour une perloid fender 3 plis , et j ai changé le chevalet pour un Gotoh/Wilkinson vintage compensé reglable , et la guitare est juste folle , pour la seconde c est une CV50 stratocaster , j ai mis un vibrato vega trem , un sillet graphtech , une electronique mojotone USA avec tonalitée dediée au micro aigue , et des mecaniques gotoh vintage a blocage , je n ais pas eu besoin de changer les micros , ils sont tres bon d origine , pour ma derniere telecaster CV50 , je vais faire les memes modifications que pour ma CV60 , sauf que je vais mettre une paire de micros lollar royal T neck et special T bridge .

[@RitosM]

Is the Sonic or affinity series better?

[@Cinestudi0]

Serious question, are the frets glued on or just pressed in?

[@landonbailey]

I dont know how fretwork is done on this one

[@JGAbstract]

I wonder how different the sonics are from the bullets. My bullet tele sounds amazing and feels great for $120 I bought it for 4 years ago. Mine has string thru body. Wonder what's actually different besides that in terms of part quality. Every company is always trying to squeeze the most money year after year, gonna assume they are using even cheaper parts and selling the guitar for more money.

[@hugoderrica6155]

Squier telecasters (cv or sonic) vs Harley benton telecasters (te52 or te62)??

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

52’s are raved about all over youtube. Look at the reviews on Thomann.

[@hugoderrica6155]

@@NoLefTurnUnStoned. After this comment I bought and sold a TE62 😂 Cool guitar, just didn't connect with it

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@hugoderrica6155 It’s the 52 that gets all the praise. Weighs a ton though.

[@eddiejr540]

Landon…I think you can play better than you portray in your videos…I think you’re holding back so as to not makes us feel bad about our own playing…that is very thoughtful 😳

[@landonbailey]

I reject your hypothesis

[@eddiejr540]

@@landonbailey….hahahahahahaha

[@GiselleDK]

Got one as a backup and the frets are so tall they hurt my fingers. I hope I can fix it somehow 😢

[@ahoneyman]

The Squier 40th anniversary can be had for an extra $100 and the bridge and tuners are nicer.

[@christiantaylor4027]

Hello Ottawa.ur vid's get better and better. ThisTele make me long for one I sold long ago. Ur playing is better and it the sounds improved also.Nice work. Rock on.Bye for now.

[@landonbailey]

Rock on!

[@eddiejr540]

Landon’s videos always make me laugh 👍

[@methefather]

That really is an awesome sounding guitar...looks like a pure rock machine :)

[@jordantaylor1988]

That was entertaining. Keep it up Landon

[@landonbailey]

Thanks! Will do!

[@RoyLouden]

Which did you like better, this one or the single humbucker Equire?

[@landonbailey]

I don't recall, but I probably liked them both more than each other 🤪

[@mrtelechi]

Pmsl... Brilliant, and a very capable guitar by the look and sound. And because it's a tele, you can use it in the garden to dig up your potatoes and it will still be in tune.

[@sgblues4238]

Your How to Unbox a Guitar should be a Ted Talk.

[@altemose_prime]

So did I a. Quite a few years ago. The Affinity. The frets were horrible I gave it away.

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

Landon! Take the plastic off when you have the pickguard off! EH?

[@landonbailey]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5ysiGCcntmUsKM

[@corsair371]

Suggestion; don’t make videos in your shorts 🩳 Removing the film cover was very satisfying 😀

[@becausehelivesministryintl6841]

I got my tele Squier oh 7 years ago its great. Less than $200 . I would put it up against any Fender Tele out there. I like saving my hard earned money. Lol

[@RFVCXR200R]

I searched for "Paul Rudd reviews guitars" and was not disappointed.

[@realce666]

How would you fix that grinding noise the volume knob was making? I bought the exact same one and have the exact same problem. Thanks for all the great vids btw!

[@landonbailey]

i don't recall this exact issue, but I probably used Deoxit D5

[@voiceofexperience]

It actually sounds

[@shanewalton8888]

Great-looking guitar! The presenter is not bad-lookin' either. Like the peach fuzz on the face.

[@Okanehira]

Im on a super tight budget, been saving for a bit and figure a telecaster is a great 1st guitar so im gonna order this. Good review man, love the jokes.

[@glennw3909]

But Landon, Super Mario bros t-shirt and then D’Angelico. That’s not the same guitar is it? Real Landon vs. clone Landon.😂

[@bruceselenka7181]

The plastic removal was mesmerizing.

[@michaelolz]

Anybody who says they aren’t a Telecaster fan is the perfect candidate for one. They’re quite addictive and fun to play.

[@Ottophil]

I didnt like them until i was almost 40, now i have two and love them as much as my strats, Sg’s and les paul

[@johnsmith-xr1uh]

I bought the squire esquire with the humbucker green and white and didn't make a video

[@ranman58635]

So, who's giving you lessons? I plan to go to Tomo. He taught Rhet Shull and many more. Berkley taught and anyone can afford his price too.

[@landonbailey]

im taking lessons from a teacher at a local music store

[@ranman58635]

@@landonbailey , cool, it's neat to see your progression. Once my Bible study is over I want to spend a year with Tomo. I've been noodling for 30 years now, it's time to learn something and put the years to the test. We're a year apart so I bet you get it. Ps, these types of vids get the moat views so far. 👌

[@carolyngreen60]

1.25" wide nut. The narrow fretboard on Squiers is a dealbreaker, unless you have fingers as wide as a pencil. Sorry, but no, unless you have spagetti fingers.

[@christophervincent8420]

They are not too bad. Especially for the price

[@gearmeister]

Torino red? (in case you forgot).....😂...Hey, bro, I keep peeping in on your channel & you're definitely growing on me! So, I subbed

[@landonbailey]

Welcome back

[@gearmeister]

@@landonbailey Thank you bro! Your channel is right up my alley because I'm always looking for little gems to add to my 30+ guitar collection!

[@landonbailey]

😱🎸👍😀

[@nieko3038]

No sharp frets for reals? Wow. 183 Euros Thanks for the plastic removal tutorial.

[@squirelova1815]

What do you call a 'Modder' who f@cks up their Mods? Nevermind...

[@thomashalley7258]

Squire has been getting a lot of flaming on the neck. I have two of the cheapest straps you can get with flame on the neck.

[@hollywoodjoe3259]

Classic vibes or contemporary series best bang for the buck .I have put stickers over the squire label and people been saying great tone .

[@caplippi]

In Germany we have a saying. It goes like this: at the end of the day it is night .

[@landonbailey]

I will always remember this

[@Nikosi9]

Maybe in Germany, but not in the whole world...

[@johnsugden1073]

Same pickup as Infinity’s

[@AndrewAHayes]

I was quite intersted in this as a modding platform until I saw it wasn't string through, I am quite traditional when it comes to Telecaters.

[@Prajnana]

I believe an Affinity Tele is string through; just a few dollars more.

[@AndrewAHayes]

@@Prajnana Does it come in the same red colour?

[@joshuabarron8535]

I can confirm, it is a red guitar.

[@Mr75044]

I've got a black with. Maple neck. The quality is better than a mex strat I had A few years ago.. Mine weighs 3.9 k.... Sounds great.. Can't put it down. Over the years I've had USA strats Gibbos Prs Ect.. Over priced wouldn't waste the money... Plugged it straight into a marshall 100w. Instant ACDC..

[@thefuzz4447]

Pixies ❤👌

[@brianbivens6476]

I have American fenders, PRS, Japanese, Korean and Chinese Gretsches, and a classic vibe strat and bullet tele. After I fixed the bullet by replacing the switch and pots, and sanding the neck to 3500 with boiled linseed oil, it has become my number one guitar. Less than 7 pounds, stays in tune for days, twangs and does everything a tele should do. I love that guitar. I have heard that Mike Rutherford from Genesis regularly plays gigs with a Squier bullet strat. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is something about taking dirt cheap gear and sounding great.