Is This $100 Guitar Better Than Squier? (Monoprice Indio Strat Review)

[@andredegraaf1643]

I own one and honestly, if you can make music with it, it's good. No one should expect $1000 guitar fit and finish but an electric guitar is basically a piece of wood with strings. No tone for bridge is how I believe the original Stratocaster was set up.

[@jbear7878]

“The switch is super cheap”..This is one of many allowances you have to make when you buy a $100 guitar. I have one and didn’t run into most of the issues you’ve mentioned. My frets didn’t need any sanding, and I didn’t need to adjust my truss rod at all. I have a Kramer Focus I got for $179 that honestly deserved to be thrown in the trash. Indio really tried to make something halfway good at the price point they were playing in.

[@TheMixWithABD]

Try a Harley Benton

[@kennyg63]

You make an excellent point. $100 does not even cover a nice dinner out.

[@jimcamp2423]

Pretty fair reveiw. I have the Retro Classic string thru body TL in Buttercream & also a 3TSB. The Indio's are fine value guitars in comparison to Squier Bullet/Affinity/Sonic. I have a Bullet & Affinity, no tone for the bridge pickup seems pretty standard for at least the Bullet/Affinity/Sonic product models for SSS hardtail or Tremolo. Is there a HSS Squier that has tone enabled for the bridge pickup ? I bought the Squier Bullet & Affinity before the 2020 pandemic, prices for preowned were about what a new Monoprice MSRP prices out. The Affinity had the Fender gig bag, but it's the unpadded dust cover. The Bullet was just a preowned guitar. Post pandemic, I definitely wouldn't be able to buy the Squier guitars as preowned for what the Monoprice MSRP's as new. Context, in that regard, timing is everything, otherwise I probably buy an Indio. brand new vs getting shutout locally for a Squier. I will say the Indio TL's aren't finished as nicely as the Squier guitars, but currently, they are at least 1/2 the price of the Squier guitars. Hard to say what I would've bought. Other variables were 1st guitars, so it's safe to say the Squier guitars were that path of least resistance for getting something with the Fender name decal somewhere on the headstock.

[@donclark3643]

Thanks for the low-down! I've NEVER heard of Indio guitars before... As a aspiring guitar player that's a far cry from great.... I came across a new Indio classic/ strat for $50, I figured WTF?! Go for it... Haven't received it yet, but was checking you out for a review/ knowledge. I didn't think it sounded bad, but with your tips I could work the frets with a fret mallet 1st to make sure there well seated, then shape/ smooth/ polish, check/ shape the nut, an restring?! Other than strings, your out lil time. As far as the finish no worries, it's a $50- beater. Haha you think the switch should be replaced, or run with it? I'm trying to learn luthier skills as well. So it's a win-win! $50 beater that may kick ass with some playing with, and a perfect practice piece! I DO have high-end, an mid range guitars, but why gack them up "learning/ practicing?!" As said earlier, never heard of Indio! Thanks again for the tutorial!!! Jus may end up with a good sounding guitar if I'm not careful?!!! Haha keep up the good videos!

[@El_Zarco]

Nice review! Enjoying all the vids and reviews keep it up!👍

[@amberstreetfilms]

Pretty song! Nice playing!

[@StratBluey]

dude i like the style of your video

[@davidnee]

is there a comparison to Squire, as the title suggests?

[@TheMixWithABD]

Not in this video per se but here’s a review of an affinity! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2TbiH54e7CCgLM

[@rogerpakrat800]

Hey how much did you pay.I wouldn't complain for 100 bucks.

[@mknomad5]

I'm looking at buying one, and this sounds garbage! I had a Squier, and it was really decent. I'm honestly beyond this level of guitar 🎸 😆 Thanks for the review!

[@DrGray-qh6ow]

Cool - thanks

[@bretfaulkner]

cool.God bless.

[@kMaxRx]

Is that pick guard interchangeable with a fender?

[@johnnynbk]

Sorry, he's hat shopping rite now.

[@kennymccormick8295]

​@@johnnynbk right*. Get educated.

[@DougHinVA]

Cheap factory guitars have to have money saved on something and skilled labor costs money! Fret ends, cheaper pickups, 'dime size' pots, poor tuning machines all matter...

[@johnnynbk]

These cheap strat guitars look great, but its constructed like a cheap watch, and the trem system is a nitemare.

[@TheMixWithABD]

Yep yep

[@spookshilljoe7376]

I have 3 of their guitars. A tele and an es335 copy which are great but I have an LP copy that sucks. So I guess they are a hit or miss. The tele sounds good and plays good for the sale price of $71.16 I paid. The same for the ES335 copy. The tele I'm going to mod later on but for now it's great. Now the LP, well that's just another story. Tuning issues that needs to be corrected, finish flaws with the gold paint. Pickups don't sound good at all. This thing just needs a complete rebuild. Hardware and electronics.