Masterbuilt Fender Strat vs Squier - Does Price Make a Difference?

[@davidevans3175]

I rewarded myself with a Masterbuilt Strat by the accomplishment of my credit card not being declined when I bought it.

[@bretspangler8717]

Confessions of a guitar addict.

[@corneliusmulhollandmusic3570]

😂😂😅😅

[@DudeMcGuybro]

Nothing wrong with that. If you can afford it and you play it, enjoy your purchase. The only people I give a hard time are the "investment" people who don't play the instrument they bought, they let it sit in a case because it's just a dollar sign to them, not an instrument that should be loved and played. It's a guitar, play it! Same thing with cars. Cars are built to put miles on, not sit in a garage! ugh! lol

[@riphopfer5816]

I hear ya on that , brother. Congrats. I think if i had that kind of money to spend on a guitar, I’d try to hunt down one of the Pensa-Suhr Mark Knopfler models. Either that tiger-stripey HSS with the Lindy Fralin noiseless pickups, or that metallic blue one with the ruby knobs and P90s.

[@alvaroquijano579]

this is the reward we all deserve.

[@enthused7591]

Dude, this video really felt like a 2014-2016 Anderton's video. Love it!

[@myturningpoint]

Musicians listen with their eyes. The issue for me is not the money per se, it's the decades and decades of predatory marketing and self inflicted harm by musicians themselves that you're "less" of a musician if you don't have "expensive" gear. You have to be a very rare teenager to be so secure in your own ability and identity that you would not be fooled and ground down by the relentless marketing and gatekeeping bull**** by older musicians telling you need x, y, z to be "better". As a community we do not help ourselves.

[@bluwng]

You are repeating what you heard trust what you know and what you don’t find out. Most humans do not have a unique thought they trust what has been programmed into them yet we have infinite ability to create. Because you repeated you didn’t think critically, what about feel. Playability and quality none of those things have to do with what you hear and all to do with what influences your playing. What if a guitar that is a dog to play it really hurts your hand and fingers,is heavy, uncomfortable and force you to strum and pick hard sounded wonderful? Would you want that guitar because your ears are judging for you?

[@HALWASRIGHT]

I've never, ever, ever had anyone "look down" at me because of the guitar I play. Who are these people that crap on other players about the gear they use? I've never met them and I've been playing for 35 years.

[@vinhrua1]

All of these could be fixed easily if you have the know-how and a bunch of simple tools and some elbow grase. Fret end are sharp? Spend some time to file them out. Learn to set up your action, you only need an allen key and a credit card and you can have the easiest playing guitar in 15 mins. Or even buy a new neck if its a bolt on if you dont like the old one for whatever reason. If nobody plays heavy and uncomfortable guitar then every body would play Strandberg instead of Les Paul or Flying V, as it is a subjective thing. A bad "feel" guitar could just be a badly made and set-up guitar, no matter the price. And if you pay for "feel" it would be way less than a few thousand $ to achieve.

[@uncbrygaming4997]

Some musicians still rock Squier, believe it or not so no, musicians dont listen with their eyes. Its whats comfortable and what sounds good to them

[@benlogan430]

No one I know plays high end guitars. They may own them, but I never see anyone bring em out to the pubs.

[@Knuckleshuffle4]

the editor is the real winner here

[@JyrkiVar]

Oz is always the winner!

[@joshoptical]

Mammoth truth

[@steveopenshaw1219]

“Transition!” *Doesn’t transition 😆

[@Mike-j-R]

Got to say - I was admiring the guitar spinning out of Chapper's hand!

[@peskypesky]

@@Mike-j-R me too!!!!!!!!

[@markjg76]

Love seeing Rob on the channel with The Captain together. They’re so much fun to watch. These are those cool fun humorous as well as informative videos that just put a smile on my face.

[@Kur0y4m4]

“Amps is the real instrument.” Facts.

[@rasteroid_glider]

Exactly. I have a cheap Squire that sounds better (More punchy) than my cousins American Custom Shop. In my Fender amps any guitar sounds good

[@paulmapp8306]

@@rasteroid_glider and the speaker makes a bigger difference than the amp itself does

[@glennhecker4422]

They is!

[@Kur0y4m4]

@@paulmapp8306 I didnt know until I bought a “Texas Red” Blues Junior. One of the FSR “limited editions” that comes with a custom color and non-stock speaker. From that to my DRRI, to my Twin… I spent so many years chasing guitars and pickups and pedals, only to realize the truth about amps on accident (the amp was on sale and I had money). You dont have to spend a lot of money to get a nice tube amp, but it makes all your guitars sound so much better. Tell you GAS afflicted friends. Amps will cure what ails ya.

[@christopherfelser]

​@@paulmapp8306 all the work and none of the glory.

[@neilkorsgaard]

Let’s just talk about how Lee’s playing has leveled up in the last two years! He is on fire!

[@alanparkinson4568]

I was thinking that too. He’s got a really nice touch.

[@larsheuker]

Hes always been good! You can find this same comment on videos from 10 years ago, no joke. Hes always had great feel

[@Alex-mj5dv]

He’s genuinely got really great phrasing - much better here than Chappers (though appreciate the jam is more Captain’s style). You can tell he’s played a heck of a lot with Pete.

[@Blackkey034]

Creamy toans creamy feel

[@leightnite3056]

He totally found his voice, im stoked!

[@gtr1952]

At 72 with a 55 year career I've played a lot of Strats and a lot of amps. That blue Squire through the Boss SS amp, (and I can't believe I'm saying this about a SS amp!), sounded great! I could gig that, albeit a small venue, just fine. Beginner? It's a good time to start playing guitar!! Cheers, Peace --gary

[@tnvalleyyoga7122]

I purchased one of the Squires that you guys started with from a Guitar Center Store for $150..00. I took it home and replaced the nut with bone dropped in a Wilkinson trem, some Wilkinson locking tuners, and new strings. The neck was straight and fretts polished and zero frett sprout from the store. So, now I have less than $225.00 in a guitar that is absolutely one of my favorites, plays great, and sounds great. I own numerous guitars all at different prices and now this one I consider one of my best.

[@jubuttib]

This is an excellent point. I have had (and still do) multiple guitars and basses that I bought at the 100-200€ pricepoint, but taking them to my friendly local luthier with a couple of strategic component changes has turned them into instruments that play better than most 1000€ guitars I've tried. Basically what I'm saying is IF you have a luthier/guitar tech local to you that knows their shizz, make friends with them, support them by letting them work on your gear, and you'll reap the benefits.

[@Mister.L598]

cas

[@pUREsTORM9267]

The initial jam really shows how good the Katana 3 is. The Squier sounded fantastic through the Katana. You don't need premium gear to sound really good.

[@ericgardner5969]

Best it plays like it cost 200 bucks

[@Kur0y4m4]

Id counter that you don’t need to pay premium prices to own premium gear. Why buy discount gear new if you can own used premium gear at similar prices?

[@ericgardner5969]

@@Kur0y4m4 oh for sure man. I can’t afford any brand new Strats or anything like that. I picked up my used made in mex Strat for 400 bucks. Thing is incredible. I just meant like yea a 200 dollar brand new guitar might sound decent, but I doubt it plays with, holds tuning well, all that stuff. Obviously you can tweak them and improve them a ton but in general from my experience those cheap ones never play well or really sound that great either. Obviously there’s exceptions to this

[@matthewbertram3304]

A lot of people tend to overlook Squiers, hell Ron Thorn the master guitar builder that he is, is on record saying his very most favorite guitar he's owned and has ever owned is an '86 Squier Strat. It's about the connection you have with the instrument that makes the difference, and the love you put into it. All the rest is really bits and ends.

[@mikesalt8248]

@@matthewbertram3304 They are 2 pieces of wood bolted together !

[@Flopster2632]

In my opinion it’s just what ever gives you the vibe to play, if it’s £10,000 or £100 people shouldn’t hate on the person that’s spent £10,000 or the person that can’t afford to spend more than £100. It’s all personal taste, opinions and feels. What ever you play, what ever brand, what ever price who cares if you’re playing it and it inspires you. That includes relic or not relic if you don’t like it simply don’t buy it but don’t put someone who does down there is no wrong or right (thought I’d add that lil bit of fuel) 😈🔥

[@Paul-D]

exactly

[@johnblack9037]

100% spot on, haters are just jealous!

[@Ronskie66]

After reading this comment I don't feel so bad now about the Vivid pink My little pony guitar I bought(made from the finest tone plastics). Strings literally are string, the finest string money could buy under a quid. as if I would settle for anything less.

[@tonedowne]

I used to play duo gigs on a JHS Vintage strat into a Blackstar HT1 plugged d.i into the desk with the headphone out. Every time people would ask about the gear because they loved the tone. I did use some decent pedals though

[@tonedowne]

Is it 25 times better? Yes! It’s a night and day comparison. Can I afford the expensive rig? No!

[@BasementGuitarSuperstar]

Good to see Rob and The Captain back together again

[@RobChappers]

So good to be back with the Captain shooting the shit and playing the exciting creamy gear! Massive thanks to the amazing crew at Andertons for taking care of me :-)

[@cour1988]

What are you doing to the gear to make it creamy? 🤣

[@BenCDaugherty]

Creamy. 🥴

[@allenhayesmusic]

Great playing!

[@charlesestabrook4920]

Great video!! I'll stick to my Chapman guitars, I have 7 guitars and 4 of them are Chapman!!

[@Lez325]

You're the man Rob 👍👍😁😁

[@woutere]

Big shout out to the video editing team, the epic music in the intro, funny short edits, ... great work !!

[@rockstar6790]

Man, I love seeing you guys running around the store looking for guitars.

[@pushironpatrol]

I'm a self taught, competent but painfully average guitarist. Looking back I should have put my money into lessons instead of foolishly believing a better guitar would make me play better 😂

[@brendantindall805]

Don’t most of us 😂

[@sundaynightdrunk]

I did the opposite and I still schlub my way through playing. Love it though and play all the time so I guess I enjoy it.

[@tompoynton]

never too late to take lessons!

[@RyRch]

This is what I did. I have a LP/S a Strat and a Tele all standard USA instruments and set up well - total £3500. Have literally tried to spend more on fancier stuff but was never better. Regular lessons and practice.

[@zingsting9595]

A better guitar/amp may not make me play better but it surely makes me enjoy practicing more and inspire me to play with it. I remember the days of shitty transistor amps and cheap crap guitars. If I had started off with better gear when I was younger, I would probably have been a better player.

[@jumpingthestylus263]

I don’t play the guitar, or any musical instrument for that matter. But I love music! And I have been watching this channel for years! I love the jokes and conversation! Makes me happy! 😊

[@SeanDS1989]

1:16 my favorite thing in this video so far is how Rob keeps walking like a troll from Skyrim 🤣

[@rocnroll1715]

@ 16:40 minutes, Captain really makes the Fender Squire sound great, and Captain's playing has really came along way with his phrasing and voicing. Well done Captain!

[@harolddeschenes4640]

I sold a Fender Telecaster about 10 years ago to buy a PRS guitar. Last week while I had nothing to do, I went on Market Place and saw this Fender Squier Contemporary Telecaster for $425. After seeing this, I went on YT, watched a few videos and I was sold. I contacted the guy and I bought it. That guitar plays just as well as the old Telecaster I had. It's a great guitar for 1/3 of the price. It makes me wonder if I will ever fork $1000 or more for a guitar ever again... I really enjoyed that video by the way. Regards from Ottawa, Canada.

[@DudeMcGuybro]

"Rob shopping high to low..." 😂😂 my favorite way to window shop! I feel so called out 😝

[@2112fan2]

I love watching these type of videos, cause it just shows that regardless of how much your equipment cost it really is the player. If you got the chops, you could pick up the squire or the custom shop and you’re still that player.

[@frankcarter6427]

a couple of years ago, I had 4 teles in my house - my squier standard and old yank and a Mex and a custom shop - they were all pretty much the same in sound and feel

[@justinmichael6127]

Chappers and Captain videos, like much to all of Anderton's videos, is such a good representation of two friends doing what they enjoy

[@jamesdeananderson1411]

To Rob's point about guitars being art, any well-crafted "art-piece" or "collector" guitar has a greater likelihood of increasing in value than MOST actual "art". But playing it is already a great investment in your mental health, and writing with it may help OTHER people with their quality of life.

[@Blackkey034]

Not me i play to worsen peoples hopes amd dreams

[@PhillipCalvin627]

FUUUUUU- YEAH, SON! Loving all of the Cap'n and Chappers content. It takes me back, and what a tasty jam! As far as Strats are concerned, I have my dad's American Standard with Noiseless pick ups, and my own 90's Squire Strat I slapped Fat 50's into. Couldn't tell you which I'd grab first, it'd really depend on how I felt at the time. Either one would sound great through my 5 Watt Pignose, or Marshall G10 MKII and just as good going into my Fender Tweed with a paper cone Jensen, or my Marshall DSL100HR. There is so much value in just good gear, verses the whole 'you get what you paid for' mentality. Granted a lot of times, you do get what you paid for, other times you have a diamond in the rough for dirt cheap. My first guitar is a 1980's Arbor V body which was like a half V, half Moderne looking thing with a huge full C shape neck and sounds stellar. Bought it from a friend for a hundred dollars. Still love the way that it sounds. My go to 9/10x is a 2005 Schecter 006 Elite that ran me like 800-900 bucks brand new verses the plethora of guitarists I've bought since that are worth quite a bit more from guitar makers that get a lot more credit.

[@DevunWalsh]

Rob is the man... glad to see him in Andertons vids again.

[@Kazdy]

Love seeing Rob and Lee together again. And Lee with the Squier through the Bad Cat sounded really good.

[@byron3710]

I much prefer the sound of the Squier and the Katana, being played by the Captain, to any other combination. Good video. It shows how much the guitar, the amp and the player each affect the sound. You can talk all you want about "art" and "experience", I view instruments as tools to do a job. I'd rather have the Squier , the Katana, and the extra money in my bank account.

[@willmarshall4685]

I come from a fly fishing background; there are a lot similarities…how people start and begin to acquire gear and why. I’ve mastered casting to a point where I can cast as well on 40.00 rod as a 4000 dollar rod. I own 4000.00 rods but outside of the day that I bought them they do not bring me much joy. I’m constantly worried about breaking them or someone stealing them. I’ve found the sweet spot is in the 600-800 range….a high quality product that can do everything well but you won’t cry if you break it-think Fender MIM. I’ll take the same approach with this new hobby. Great video!

[@puffin7285]

The diminishing returns start at around £500 and starts to diminish very quickly after £1000. You're really only paying for aesthetic and the perceived premium quality of a certain craftsman beyond that. There's nothing wrong with paying extra for looks but really, the average person is never going to tell from sound alone when the amp, pedals and player can make a £150 guitar sound killer

[@jeffgolladay5813]

Agreed like an LTD vs ESP

[@bingobongo1615]

You also pay for workers getting better wages...

[@danstringer7610]

My wife says everything I bring home sounds exactly the same as what I already have!😂

[@danstringer7610]

My wife says everything I bring home sounds exactly the same as what I already have!😂

[@DavidCarterVideos]

These guys hit the nail squarely on the head with their thoughts and opinions about buying and owning cheap vs expensive guitars. The watch analogy was perfect. I've been a casual on/off guitarist for over 40 years (very much "on" now that I've retired). I'm a competent enough rhythm player but decidedly average in my ability. However, over recent years, I've reckoned that I owe it to myself to purchase a few expensive guitars with the thinking, if I don't do it now, I never will. I've bought a £7000 Martin Acoustic and a £5,500 PRS Wood Library Custom along with a few others. I enjoy playing most of my cheaper guitars just as much but it's the experience of owning and playing a beautifully crafted instrument that makes them worth the money. The sound/tone of the instruments becomes far less important.

[@maxbialystock254]

20+ years ago a MIM tele. Had the body drilled, HB at the neck, Neck reprofiled. All in $500.00. Now they sell one. Same time I played an Am Standard for over $1000.00 that needed some of the same work. MIM tele still my main. But there is a new Reverend Charger 290 in the paddock

[@TheDenVamps]

without doubt the best you have played Lee on any video, well done and thanks for all the vids guys !

[@stevenwillie2782]

I'd love to hear them both with a new set of the same strings.

[@BoyHapay]

Captain's guitar chops has really improved! Nice feel and phrases!

[@bradenrichardson4269]

You know Chapman is feeling it when he breaks out the ZZ Top riff.

[@RobChappers]

Ha ha so true

[@carlmcgregor2707]

The watch analogy is perfect, I spent approx NZ$1100 on a guitar (Italia Imola Vario) that I am no where near good enough as a player to own. It was to celebrate 1000 days of sobriety. No its not $10000 but that is huge money in my world. And i still love owning it and what it represents

[@mgammeren]

I'm happy for you! And yes it's a perfect analogy. Watches do tell time and guitars make music in good hands. Difference is in the fine lines. A cheap guitar will sound less cohesive or lets say you can measure where it falls short over a expensive guitar and yes we talk about teh electronics here. But the cheap guitar can sound really good. Wasn't there a famous recording studio that had Squiers in house and used them on great albums? Can't remember exactly. It is also true for cars. Yes a Fiat panda drives you around and so does a Ferrari, both Italian but far apart in terms of emotion and experience. Although the Abarth's are really fun cars to drive.

[@misterknightowlandco]

Congratulations on your 1000 days. God bless you and keep it up!

[@chrisburgess7756]

Well done mate!

[@allendean9807]

It’s true; a lot of players love owning works of art. Myself, i own tools. Some more expensive than others, but all either serve their purpose, or i move on to a new tool. This is why I’ve always been satisfied with a handful of instruments- a strat, a P-90 loaded Gibson, an active Schecter. A shreddy EVH with Floyd, a 4-string bass and a Bass IV. The only guitar i ever bought for sentimental value was a 1982 Hondo 737 lefty in tobacco sunburst, just like my first electric. And i love it! But that’s a 300.00 guitar, so i don’t feel like ive splurged on artwork.

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

I tour with a Squier Classic Vibe. It does everything I have ever asked of it. I also have the Fender Pawn Shop version. However, it never steps foot outside the house. It is a recording-only guitar.

[@mychalsean]

Makes sense...

[@robertpickering641]

I have a classic vibe tele and I play it more than my £900 prs by miles. Outrageously good value for money.

[@mychalsean]

@robertpickering641 was contemplating a cv tele... fret ends and tuning stability good or were adjustments needed?

[@robertpickering641]

@mychalsean mine was perfect out the box but that is only one. The intonation everything was perfect. Only thing I did was change the strings. Honestly I don't understand how they are so cheap.

[@robertpickering641]

@mychalsean also I build guitars etc so if I had to smooth fret ends I would tell you. I think I maybe changed the nut but a preference thing not because there was anything wrong with it.

[@DropkickJimmy]

i started on a candy red squier standard strat. went through about 50 guitars in ten years until i landed back on a squier contemporary in shell pink as my primary player. it just screams 80's and i love it! goes from super glassy cleans to full on trump face chugs and leads, with my spark 40 its so much fun

[@simondixon6761]

That strat and bad cat combo is killer!

[@worthmoremusic]

If you closed your eyes.......think you could tell which is which ? Budget of course is key... Arena-rocking Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford has been seen many times using $200 Squier Bullet Strats onstage .. Still I'm with you Lee, the amp plays a HUGE role.

[@ianhenry8252]

An Andertons roadshow sounds like a great idea

[@bludworm1]

Those lessons are paying off! You are sounding great Lee

[@bobthebomb1596]

I would pick the Squire just to avoid the awful relic paint job.

[@Teodor1Oline]

Squier *

[@bobthebomb1596]

@@Teodor1Oline Pedant 🙃

[@michael1]

@@Nightshade1881 But, I'm convinced that anyone working in the custom shop releasing garbage like this is too stupid to buy a guitar from. Either that or they're insulting my intelligence. Maybe it's a marketing strategy that works - perhaps the people who buy Fender custom shop aren't the smartest knives, but I wouldn't just not buy them, I wouldn't play any guitar from someone who made them. To me it just says "We don't care, our customers are fat rich morons so we don't have to put in any effort" - and I guess mostly they make their money selling squires built by mexicans for peanuts. Imagine working hard in the Mexican factory and thinking some fat American twerp got paid 10x the amount to hit a guitar against a rock? Who are they kidding. You know if Porsche crashed their cars into a lamppost and put them on sale for £500k instead of £100k maybe Lee Anderton would buy one. Maybe Chappers would say "I just love the look of that car" in return for money and youtube views - but I'd like to think most people who drove cars would see through it - and it saddens me that guitar players are falling for it.

[@djt6546]

@@michael1it’s saddening that there are such small minded individuals in the community. It’s a guitar finish for goodness sake. Chill out. 🤷‍♂️

[@bobthebomb1596]

@@Nightshade1881 I was responding to the video.

[@robjworkshop5692]

Andertons was born the same year as me - I feel and affinity! Plus I bought a Fender Hot Rod off them years ago! Nice to see Chappers again in sunny Guildford :)

[@arnolddealiii4259]

I probably will catch crap for this, but the Squier into the Bad Cat Sounded subjectively better to my ears than the Custom Shop Fender. Which says nothing but I think the Bad Cat is just a great amp, while the Katana is just a nice budget amp. It reminds me of Jack Pearson from the concert DVD Gregg Allman Live with a Little Help From My Friends at the Fox theater. For ages I was blown away by the sunburst strat with black pickguard. I assumed it was a custom guitar but it was a stock Squier Affinity series Stratocaster with black plastic hardware. Jack Pearson had tone for days in that video and he gigs regularly with these guitars!

[@Mx-Er]

Agree with you... Overall in my opinion these comparisons never have a real 'value' . Each guitar works differently with the amp. So you have to adjust the settings as well. Just swapping one in the other... Of course the more expensive one might sound worse... In the end, just have fun with your gear I guess 😂

[@BISCUITANDBASS]

Great to see you guys back together...Ultimately as I'm sure you will agree, it just all comes down to your own fingers and ability and Tonal preference. I have worked hard for many years to own both top range Fender and Gibson Guitars, which look and sound great, but I also Love my Epiphone's and Squier's too, which also look and sound great as well. I play everything through Marshall Amps /Combos which is my own personal preference, but what I like and what others may like are very different a lot of the time, .. so the moral of my story is play because you love to play and not just to impress others by gear as 9 times out of 10, they couldn't care less what you are using.

[@mormegil85]

Entertaining as always! I just wanted to say that (through YT compression and all that) the best tone of the video for me was the Squier through the Tone City and the Bad Cat during the second jam! The custom shop strat seemed a bit too much on the bright side in comparison (nothing that can't be adjusted in various settings of course!)

[@mikesalt8248]

Ceramic pickups are the best in my opinion😉

[@johnwelch557]

The Captain's playing has been simply beautiful for years. Certain not "recently improved" or whatever. His ears and expresive play are above most players' apptitudes. Thanks Lee!

[@dave_d_i_a_l]

Chris Buck uses several Squiers… my work here is done 👏

[@richardsmith9615]

Who is Chris Buck?

[@dave_d_i_a_l]

And Jack Pearson plays Squier

[@travistompkins2752]

I just bought my first truly nice Gibson recently. My 20 year old Korean built ESP LTD is still my favorite playing guitar, but that new Explorer is just the guitar that makes me happy. It's amazing, it will age nicely, and most importantly, I've earned it. It wasn't cheap, but I'll love it well for years to come, and I'm so grateful for the experience. But also, my LTD kicks a$$! It's an apples to oranges comparison

[@Voxguitarsrock]

Squier all day for me. As I'm not a good enough player to appreciate what the extra cash gets you with the Fender. Cheers! I love your channel.

[@HALWASRIGHT]

This is the most honest comment I've seen in a while. Good on you for not resorting to bashing high end instruments and keeping it real. Enjoy your journey!

[@michael1]

It appears to get you someone to scrape the paint off the body. Suggesting if you tested a squire strat and accidently scratched it it'd be £300 instead of £150.

[@limmitd9041]

Editors doing great work as always!

[@Koffieleuter]

I love my 40th anniversary Squier Jazzmaster!

[@lattjeful]

Those 40th anniversary Squiers are beasts. I have a Strat and I can't believe how nice it is for the money. Smooth finish, good fretwork, rolled fingerboard edges, and decent pickups. It's been all I've played since I bought it.

[@mrgollumdood3631]

@@lattjeful Treated myself to the 40th Anniversary Squier Telecaster, black and gold, it's an absolute beauty

[@Esterpaisley]

It's all about the one guitar that you pick up that just feels good and makes you want to play it. Just about any guitar will sound great in the hands of a good player on a good amp. To me, it is all about the feel of the neck, the setup and overall balance that draws me to the instrument.

[@babekazimi]

Watching after playing with my Squier Bullet stratocaster 😎😎

[@MarbsMusic]

Don't get me wrong I enjoy almost all the presenters at Andertons but you guys together bring back such good memories of the early days when I first started watching with the not so great edits, only decent sound (and sometimes not even that) with most videos not having a script or at least not one that you followed closely but you built a channel on that and often it was pretty magical :) Glad to see these recent videos of you guys together again!

[@killianlpc]

Mike Rutherford played a Squier on last Genesis and Mike and The Mechanices Tours, probably modded of course, but a Squier nevertheless, and Steve Rothery always plays his Squier Strat as well. For that money the Squier is a brilliant buy, it's all very subjective of course, but you do not to spend thousands to sound really good with great playability.

[@Randomguy547]

One of the best videos Lee and Rob ever did was "Cheapest Fender vs Most Expensive Squier" and I think that one absolutely deserves a re-visit at some point.

[@robertgallagher2226]

I have 9 guitars of various levels of quality .. my favorite is a Squier Telecaster all stock. With my Boss Katana.

[@ransombaggins9301]

Absolutely spot on, Captain. For many, it’s about far more than just the price and quality and all the stats. I’ll never be a professional musician but I just love music and instruments and especially guitars and when I accomplish big goals in life in *my* wheelhouses I’m happy to treat myself to something like a great guitar, amp, watch, etc.

[@NJTRAF]

The thing is, I always think of it like this - a really expensive guitar is, essentially, a collectors item. If you look after it, treat it well, it will pretty much retain its value (or possibly even increase in value), whereas the cheap “workhorse” guitar is exactly that. It’s to be used, battered, bruised, modded etc. with the full knowledge that it’s almost certain to never be considered a collectors item. They serve different purposes. If you’re looking at value for money though, that’s where the £500-£700 mark, for me, is absolutely incredible these days. I first picked up a guitar in 2003, and I spent £300 on a Les Paul replica, it wasn’t even an Epiphone I don’t think, and the quality was absolutely dogshit. Whereas a £300 guitar now is much better quality. A £500-£700 guitar back then would probably be a £300 guitar now in terms of build quality etc

[@xresonancex]

10:29 "Ultimately what you're hearing is Eighty or Ninety percent the amp, Ten percent the guitar." Maybe ,but I would say that the person playing it has the biggest impact on what you are hearing. We have all heard expensive instruments played by inexperienced players I would think.The difference in how one person frets a note or mutes the strings a bit with their strumming hand and how someone else does it is infinitely variable. I'm sure everyone has heard a guitar player who plays with super speed, perfect technical precision and perfect technique and yet you really don't enjoy listening to them play because there is no feeling in what they're playing. There are plenty of these guys on youtube. Then you listen to someone who strums a few chords while singing but you can listen to them all day long because they really put feeling and emotion into what they're doing. Great video and great playing by both of you.

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

The Squier sounds freakin' great. On Saturday, I bought a Squier Jaguar. Sounds awesome, and it's a ton of fun to play.

[@sbcrewproject]

Wow, how well said - the watch example... This made me pause the video and go here to write the comment to whoever needs to read it. My first guitar was a black Squire (I was a fan of Pink Floyd and wanted to play Gilmor Solo's). It felt so well. I was playing through a vox amp that I bought for 50 dollars or something. And I was so happy back than. Every time I met somebody they told me: this is crap. You need to buy a proper strat. They gave me to hold all this nice guitars they had. And ofcourse they were great. Felt good, sounded even better. But it was not possible to afford them for me and I did not want to spend money I did not have (borrow credit's etc). One day the neck on squire went bad... really bad. I was still playing it.....Than I had wife, kids... I was not playing guitar for 10 years or something years. During that time I worked hard. Became a director. Now I own Fender Ultra Strat, Les Paul Classic, and acoustic Martin. I play it through Mesa Boogie combo with some expensive pedals. I was buying each when I was signing a big contract. It was like a trophy each time. I achieve a milestone and reward myself with a new guitar or amp or smth. Every time I walk into the room and take any of this guitars it makes me remember what it costs to get there. But I tell you 100% that even though they sound great and look beautiful, there is no point having them if you buy them for sound. I was playing in a band with Squire and it was great fun. I recently gathered a new band, and that brings me this fun back, and if I need something for the GIG, I am not going to the store to buy the most expensive gear. I just buy what works for the task. And by the way such a big thanks to Andertons. You can't imagine how valuable are these videos for the people around the world.... But back to my point. If you want to play, stop justifying yourself if guitar is good enough and who will think what when they look at it. If you have money and want to reward yourself - do it. If you do not have money and want to play, just buy whatever you can buy and play. 99% of the people will tell no difference if you are holding a 5K strat or 50 dollar strat. And those who really own the 5K one will never tell you, that your Squire is bad. They will play it with great pleasure. So f@#$ the others and just go into the store, or select it via video review and start playing. If you are young and selecting an instrument on a budget, please do 2 things: 1) go to a guitar master and pay for the set up. Listen carefully: almost ANY guitar can sound and feel great if a master worked on it and did the right set up. You will enjoy and play more. 2) make a photo of yourself with that guitar smiling and save it somewhere. You will come back to this photo someday, look at your great guitar collection, and that budget guitar from the past will be as dear to you as those standing there in the room. You will make it, just some time needed, and while you are getting there - just enjoy.

[@badrharaji2168]

Your comment has inspired me, thank you for man .... have a good weekend

[@Mr_Ashley]

0:53 Jesus!!!! I thought Rob windmilled that thing for a second there!!

[@Koffieleuter]

Like John Frusciante once did a helicopter?

[@ronboff3461]

Leo used ash and alder because it was cheap, available and finished well. not because of magical tone! Ash for clear finish (it can have a nice grain pattern) and Alder for colored finish (no grain).

[@jean-marcpoirier9340]

Before 2000, there was a big difference between American, Mexican and Asian (Squier) Fenders. Today, Mexican and Asian have made huge progress. I prefer a good guitarist on the Squier 1000 times more than me on the CS 🤣, besides the very questionable relic finish . Thank you for this very informative and honest test.

[@ellleigh1216]

Really great video, this felt proper old school chappers and capt. Loved it

[@anorak211]

Please explain why I would want to pay £7000 for a guitar that looks like it's been kicked around the car park for all the afternoon?

[@pedalporn6640]

Because you can. Easy. You aren't a poor pleb and you can afford it. And if you weren't a poop pleb and you could afford it, you would pay £7000 for a guitar too. THE END!!

[@brymills]

If it’s not for you that’s fine. But Lee has said many times that they sell a lot of relic guitars, so he’s simply selling what his customers want to buy. There are lots of non-relic guitars available if that’s your thing.

[@JohnB-im3eu]

​​@@pedalporn6640imagine thinking this response doesn't just make you look like an absolutely pathetic little dog to big corporations 😂. Get a life.

[@JohnB-im3eu]

​@@brymillsCS is overpriced nonsense

[@BeardedGinger580]

such an interesting video. I am new to guitar (6 months into my journey) and decided that I was going to spend a bit more on amp, but I had to find a guitar that was 1. within a budget I set for myself and 2. something that, when I looked at it, inspired me to pick it up and play...so far Im loving every minute of my learning

[@pa4tim]

Bought a Les Paul clone about 44 years ago. Bought a Burny Les Paul goldtop in the late 80's. But always wanted a real one but they are so/to freaking expensive. This year I finally bought a Gibson Les Paul 60's standard iceT-burst. I does not play better as the Burny, I think the quality of the Burny was comparable, it does not sounds better (Just different) but it is so beautiful, there is something about being the real thing that inspires me and makes me play better. I love it. Took me 44 years but I'm glad I finally bought one. (a new one because I hate damage or scratches on my guitars 🙂 )

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

The inspiration thing is not to be overlooked IMO. As Slash(?) said one time, it's not that it's so much better, but my '59 Burst on the guitar stand in my bedroom whenever I see it over there, I just WANT to play it SO BAD!

[@leesloan8216]

Theres a road in Westhoughton, where I deliver rental cars called Captain Lees road! always makes me giggle when I go.

[@Jacobus-or6vf]

I agree 100% with Lee, I use very affordable, parts-casters, with nice aftermarket pick ups, into NICE (valve) amps. JOB DONE ;) No need for a 2000 quid guitar.

[@yvidiot]

I agree... A high end guitar is quite useless if you plug it into a small shitty transistor amp . But a well built neck with correct fretting is the base. Some squier are very good. You just need to change the nut and make a good set up. Off course, Japanese series were the top but today you can purchase some for the price of a high end Mexican fender. Better try to purchase some Korean series. They are still underrated.

[@charlesflint9048]

55yrs. ago I bought a worn out ‘Futurama 3’ for £10: paying it off for weeks at my local music store out of my pocket money. How times have changed!. The frets certainly looked like relics, with gouges etc. I still loved that guitar.

[@crystaloffrost]

I think people should understand that the main difference between expensive and cheap guitars is not in sound but playability and feel.

[@bensmiling]

The Captain’s playing has really improved in the years I’ve been watching. Love to see it.

[@steventhomas231]

The best Andertons duo

[@richardsali1954]

For most of us, me especially, the Sqire Kantana rig is better than anything I ever had/ could justify purchasing until recent years. Unfortunately I, at age 68, may not realize my rock star career ambitions. Something about getting older and slower. So I am a hobby-est , who buys gear for the self amusement and entertainment of it, which by extension comes along with, but does not dictate, the budget I limit myself too. I suspect there are a good many of us now in the market, who fall into this category. Great comparison.

[@Dorench]

15:44 "I miss doing stupid videos" I've probably watch the Miku pedal video 100 times. It's my go too 'I need a laugh' video. I can probably recite it word for word. Love you two. Absolute Goats ❤

[@budgetguitarherogeartv4143]

I see Rob at Andertons and i watch 😊

[@DJWEJS]

Same

[@10kmilesy]

Phenomenal playing from both of you!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

I just don't understand the logic of paying a premium price for a plank of wood that looks like it's been dragged along the road behind a car for the last ten miles.

[@pedalporn6640]

Just because. And you don't need to know anything else. Oh yes, if you could afford it, you would be able to understand it 😉

[@metallica3604]

Many people can afford it but they are not stupid..Hence day but a PRS or 335 for that price

[@robthorn2282]

It’s just a preference thing, some folk like it to look like it’s been heavily played and toured the globe for the last 70 years, personally I prefer a full pristine paint job……then the adhd kicks in and I sticker bomb it…..then I get bored of those stickers and try to remove them and end up with half ripped pieces of sticker and sticky glue residue all over it……there’s a reason I only buy £300 guitars 😅

[@IanByess]

It’s embedded with so much more soul than a run of the mill guitar you can pick up at any store in the world. You’d have to really love sound to hear it come from the guitar. You sir are a simple musician not an artist.

[@robthorn2282]

@@IanByess can you say this again in English? In a way that makes sense grammatically?

[@jeltoninc.8542]

The major difference between these rigs is simple: one is built by people who _have_ to build them to survive, while the other is built by those who _love doing so._

[@jasmith85]

UK Living Wage, LIVING WAGE needs to be £20 an hour to live here now. It's SO SO expensive. I haven't been on holiday in over 5 years, never been abroad, I'm not whining I'm just trying to say it's so so expensive. I argue that it's it's 10% guitar. I'm playing a PRS SE Custom 24-08 I traded up and work my way up towards and I'm now noticing that it just doesn't feel great to play the more I'm pushing myself, it's great as a beginner/intermediate guitar but to get quicker and bridging the gap from Beginner/Intermediate to Intermediate/Advanced the PRS SE custom 24 just doesn't cut it anymore. Yes the sound is 10% but to PLAY to get those sounds you do need something that WORK'S for you. what feels comfy, what you can get your hands around etc...

[@sacredgeometry]

Its 90% player, 5% guitar 5% signal path.

[@ScottsGuitar]

⁠@@sacredgeometryI agree objectively, but the player can still be impacted greatly by a poorly built guitar. The difference is a well built/setup guitar allows the instrument to get out of the way of the player. A cheap one is something the player mostly needs to overcome. Some ppl like Jack White like that struggle. But not everyone is inspired by that experience. It’s a feedback loop in that way.

[@sacredgeometry]

@@ScottsGuitar Sure but most great players can play a heap of shit and still make it sound better than most players. So its a moot point. Its not what they would choose to play or gig with but they can make it work. Great guitars can be set up to play horribly. In fact most guitars are set up far worse than they are by people who barely know how to play and what a good setup looks like.

[@xMaoxoaMx]

I agree with prices going up, but a PRS SE Custom is by no means holding you back.

[@ianwigg1442]

I'm quite staggered at how the quality at the lower end of the market has increased since I bought my second guitar (the first being back in 1974 - a Rosetti badged Tesico of dubious build quality and pickups and cost around £100.) The second was an Epi LP in 2009 and was beyond comparison (at relatively about 20% of the price of the Teisco taking into account inflation.) 15 years later the standard and range of budget guitars is beyond belief.

[@micham1597]

It might be hard to explain to someone who doesn't play any instrument that guitarists not only hear, but also feel how a guitar sounds. The way guitar resonates the sound, how the neck shakes while strumming, the quiet acoustic articulation differences - all of that can be heard only by a person who is playing the instrument and it cannot be transmitted to the listener via youtube video, thus it's impossible to fully explain the value which such high quality guitar brings.

[@michael1]

it might be hard to explain to someone with a functioning brain that some twat will pay Andertons £7k for a broken used guitar that has the paint peeling off it. Kudos to Lee and his workers if they can keep a straight face (although I guess Lee is trousering the money so maybe that's motive enough and I guess if the workers pointed and rang a bell shouting 'moron....moron....moron' as the guy (and it's going to be guy right?) left the store then they'd probably be fired. But sheesh let's stop entertaining this stupid relicing thing.

[@captainprivate3768]

Ok. How do they account for good neck shakes during the manufacturing and why is it supposedly only present on expensive guitars?

[@micham1597]

IMO it's nitrocellulose laquer and wood selection. Thin laquer layer causes better sound resonance that can be felt in delicate neck vibrations while strumming the guitat. It's clearly noticable when playing for example custom shop vs squier.

[@michael1]

@@micham1597 The wood makes diddly squat difference to the sound that comes out of the amp.

[@c-mac9177]

@@micham1597There are plenty of cheap guitars with a super light satin finish or no finish on necks.

[@simonattley6573]

Great video guys! Just fun to watch, thank you!

[@maomao180]

That Squier with a pickup upgrade will instantly sound much more like the custom shop.

[@DudeMcGuybro]

@@leftyo9589 Yeah I think a lot of the master built stuff is based on the idea that you absolutely want THAT SPECIFIC builders work, plus you get to pick specs, color, relic level, etc. Like a custom motorcycle, or a custom automotive shop. Once you go to sell that to someone else however... it's really hard to sell your preferences to someone else.

[@stephanguitar9778]

​@@DudeMcGuybroEspecially when it's scratched to shit. Can't imagine buying a relocked car brand new.

[@enthused7591]

I personally just opt in for the used Mexican strats, bone stock for $300 or so they have no weaknesses, and most of them have small scuffs, scratches and dings which I see as character marks.

[@rskirk22]

The neck would probably need some work to make it feel more comfortable too, but you definitely can make a cheap guitar sound and feel amazing for a fraction less.

[@Bensonbadger]

When i was 11 years old I looked at guitar magazines and dreamed about owning a custom shop fender, a prs or a gibson les paul. I played a squire and loved it. Now im 40 I have all my dream guitars and still my squire. I love them all, and your right, when i play my custom, i think back to that kid and smile. Its 90% of the joy i get from it.

[@garcol42]

I’m a simple guy. I see an Anderton’s shootout, I click🤷🏽‍♂️

[@nazmoking3171]

When great guitar players like Jack Pearson make a Squier bullet Strat sound great that tells you everything you need to know about these expensive master built guitars.

[@nebtrebeh5588]

It's nice when Pete gives Lee the "long cable".

[@TheAshleywiggins]

An expensive guitar impresses people when you show it , the inexpensive one you have to impress people with by playing it. That's the difference.

[@DevunWalsh]

well said

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

....some truth, but there is a general correlation between price and quality. I've had many sub-$800 guitars, many terrific, but my Ibanez RG6, bought for $1150, MSRP $1600, is next level instrument, every aspect so darn good. It feels great, it plays great, the attention to detail, it's just so right. Now, how much "better" is it than some of my sub-$800 guitars, perhaps 10-15%, but it makes a difference. Owned many tube heads, and my Bogner Ecstacy, mega money new of course, is so damn good, a level above nearly any other amp. You do get what you pay for in general.

[@TheAshleywiggins]

@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide whatever ya gota tell yourself to sleep at night ... .. but music is a talent, and ya can't buy talent.

[@danielfarrell3938]

The custom shop strat sounds harsh and thin to my ear.

[@Pulse2AM]

I bought a Revstar 320 for $200.00 new on sale, I would never mod it or sell it I absolutely love it for what it is a rock and roll machine. I had a nice Les Paul which I loved too but not as much as the Revstar. The LP does it's thing which is great but the Revstar does more different tones than the LP did. I'm not doing guitar based music If I was I would probably want more high end gear.

[@trevorD1156]

Sure there is a difference, but only a fool would pay 7k for a master built fender. Anyone with two hands and a tiny amount of skill could build a better strat for 1/3 of fenders insane mark up.

[@Marwood79]

Can you understand that for some the 'value' is the authenticity of having the very best of Fender?

[@JohnB-im3eu]

​@Marwood79 No. You're just being a consumerist robot. Who cares about it being "the very best of fender"? It's just money grabbing.

[@rjester21]

Just saw the new Fender Tone Pro Bassman! Looks cool, can we see a tone pro shootout comparison?

[@kkrsnn5632]

Relic your guitar yourself😎

[@pedalporn6640]

If you have 30-40 years of playing gigs at it 4-5 nights a week then go for it. But for those of us who hasn't got that, but we have the money and we don't have to buy the Squier, we will buy the Masterbuilt and we will but 10 of them 😉

[@LysanderLH]

If that red Strat hadn’t been meddled with, while retaining the colour and vibe, it would be mine as of yesterday!