SHOCKING FIRST LOOK! $120 Squier Debut Stratocaster electric guitar

Pick one up only on Amazon: amzn.to/49BNj5b (affiliate link; thanks for supporting the channel!)
☕️😋 If you'd like to support more unbiased guitar and gear reviews, consider buying me a coffee buymeacoffee.com/artofshred
This is the Squier by Fender Debut Stratocaster in 2 tone sunburst (it also comes in black and dakota red) which I purchased for new $119.99 + tax.
It's a HUGE surprise from Squier. You really need to watch this video. Full review coming soon!
📧 Subscribe to Riff City to know when the full review goes live: artofshred.com/riffcity/
🎸 How to buy used guitars • How To Buy Used Guitar...
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To arrange a demo of your gear: artofshred.com/demo-packages/

[@ArtOfShredYT]

🎸 Pick one up only on Amazon: amzn.to/49BNj5b (affiliate link; thanks for supporting the channel!) 📧 Subscribe to Riff City to know when the full review goes live: artofshred.com/riffcity/ As a member of Amazon Associates I earn on qualified purchases, such as if you purchase this guitar. Thanks for supporting me and the channel! (I funded this video out of pocket)

[@FretboardDiaries]

Clearly budget brands like Harley Benton have impacted Squier sales to the point that they’ve had to up their game… Great to see! 🤘🎸

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Definitely cool to see. I am confused as to what Squier's strategy is with now having 3 sub-$200 budget models. Seems it'd be smart to get rid of the Bullets completely and put everything under Debut or Sonic.

[@FretboardDiaries]

@@ArtOfShredYT yeah I would imagine the bullet series would go away… Do they still even make that firewood called Starcaster? If so, that should go too… I would totally buy one of these, but I’m in the process of moving and going to be moving all my gear out soon, so trying to avoid any excess (ship has sailed 😂) but looks like a fun modding project for sure

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@FretboardDiaries Funny you mention the Starcaster since Fender just released the Tom Delonge Starcaster. But yeah, Affinity, Contemporary (another model that might need to be streamlined out), and Classic Vibe all have Starcasters.

[@deenforce1142]

That is possible. Also fender increase the price of their professional iI. I think there was also a price bump with their other series. This price increase would push consumers to by alternative brands. If fender want to keep customers to by their lower status models they reduced the price to challenge the other imitation markets. Okay I can't afford a 1.8k fender, then I will move down to vintera, players plus, squire CV, Affinity, then I have sonic or debut. Don't need to look for off brands while squires have the licensed fender strat shape (i think). I wonder will this "debut" series get extended to other guitar models i.e. telecaster, jazzmaster, even basses.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@deenforce1142 Someone in the comments apparently purchased a Debut series Strat, Tele, bass, and acoustic. But none of those are showing on Amazon US. The Tele is available at Amazon UK

[@cdavidlake2]

Waiting for this one! Thanks, brother.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice, enjoy! It was your comment a couple days ago that reminded me I needed to buy one. (I was heading out on vacation when I saw they launched so couldn't do it 2 weeks ago)

[@MGRockwell]

Man, I want to see their debut telecasters. Thanks for the video.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I really wonder if those are coming!

[@MGRockwell]

@ArtOfShredYT I saw a screenshot of German Amazon having debut telecasters. They don't have the Debut series up on the official Squier site so I think Amazon jumped the gun on these listings.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice! I'll have to be on the lookout for those

[@mikehardman7566]

@@ArtOfShredYT they had teles, strats and P-basses on april fools day, i bought 1 of each, i think it was about 2 hours later the entire page was gone , i thought it was a scam and requested a refund, they said the item was being prepared for shipping and couldn't cancel the order, they all showed shipped from Georgia on Monday, was on my front door step Friday the 5th, the also have acoustics and acoustic electrics in the debut series,

[@Electric.Flamingo]

Squier just know how to make a solid affordable budget guitar.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yeah, for real! I'm still perplexed about this one, but genius move from Squier to make it happen

[@squirelova1815]

Sure, when they're Forced to by the better competition.

[@kennyg63]

One thing to add is there is a year warranty from Fender. By several you tube content providers these play well out of the box. I bought a bullet brand new that had fret issues. My Fender authorized service center took care of it free of charge. I am a little over a year on my guitar journey and your videos are really helpful. 🤙

[@ArtOfShredYT]

This one actually has a 2 year limited warranty but I've never used a guitar's warranty so no idea what it covers. Happy to know an authorized Fender service center will fix sharp frets! Thanks for sharing 🤘

[@tintobrass532]

Nice review mate, I might pick one up for myself. Cheers

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Sweet, enjoy! 🤘

[@cdavidlake2]

I have to say I'm *highly* impressed. It's a Squier for a Monoprice price (which can be good, but their QC is nothing like Fender's). I actually really like the satin finish - pretty unique for a Strat. Reminds me (cosmetically) of the 40th Anniversary mattes. So far I've had nothing to really complain about. It's like going back in time to when Bullets cost what they should. The big mystery, though, is why Fender is being so quiet about it. Last time I checked these weren't even on their website. Very strange.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I think they're being quiet because it's an Amazon exclusive. Kinda like Epiphone doesn't have the Guitar Center exclusive guitars on their website

[@gatchpaints]

I don't mind a unique finish. I like that about Squier, they aren't afraid to be 'different'. This seems a lot like a model they used to pack with amp, maybe without the amp.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I dig their unique finishes as well. Squier's got some wild Sonic colors only available on the Fender website.

[@ShawnShipstad]

I am going to take a look at these. In 2005 I bought a Squire for a friend at Guitar center for about 120.00- It had a great neck sounded good. I bought it for a friend. I think if I were to buy an entry level, I heard Guitar center has some nice (Chinese) squire stratocaster stuff, maple fretboard etc for 250.00- I think I would be more comfortable spending the 250.00 rather than an Amazon instrument. Guitar center will let you play many, untill you find one that feels good. These guitars are not created equal. In addition, there is a 45 day return policy.-Great video, thank you- God bless.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I hear ya! The $250 Squier Affinity Strats are made in Indonesia. These are made in China. Amazon also has a great/easy return policy (you can return to Whole Foods or Staples or various other places, for example), but I often buy from GC & Musician's Friend and the few times I've needed to do a return it was really easy.

[@Numocron]

Wow man this is such an awesome guitar review I love it. Shred on dude.😃👍❤️🔥⚡️🎶🎸

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Thank you 🤘

[@Numocron]

@@ArtOfShredYT You’re very welcome. Much love.❤️

[@EgoDrivenFilms]

Tele version is up on amazon UK

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice! 🤘

[@luigizanellato2959]

Instead of buying an expensive fender strat, I bought a Squier Stratocaster from a friend of mine for cheap. I replaced the pickups with the Fender Deluxe alincos, and installed new Fender Electronics in it. Had to sand the neck a little, and put a new Muliti ply pick guard on. It feels and plays great, and has its own originality to it.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice mods! 🤘

[@regandunn4850]

I have one and i love it

[@ArtOfShredYT]

nice! 🤘

[@ibberman]

Looks like a winner, I'm not a fan of low frets so I am hoping ? 🤞 Really appreciate your videos, you are my go to guy for an honest opinion 👍👍👍👍. Might be up there with the Affinity?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Thank you! I wouldn't necessarily say it's up there with the Affinity, but the one I got is good. And considering the price you can mod it and make it better than an Affinity for less than the cost of an Affinity. I'll have more about all that when I do the final review. As for low frets, you mean you don't like jumbo frets? These aren't jumbo frets so you're good there.

[@ibberman]

@@ArtOfShredYT Thank you appreciate the info. 👍 I asked because I just saw the Affinity on sale for $159. So the extra $40 might be worth it?

[@carpathus]

My 2012 mim strat came with a blank neck plate. Cheers!

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice. All the Squiers I have besides this one have the branded neck plates. Completely meaningless to me, though.

[@christopheraaron8299]

I might get one to use as a mod platform. Like a loaded pickguard with alnico v pickups, locking tuners and a nicer bridge/trem block. I will say though, there's another guitar that I got for $120 that's better than my Affinity Strats. It's the Fojill mahogany light relic Strat. The mahogany body has amazing tone and sustain, it has a roasted maple neck with kluson vintage split post tuners. The tuning stability is crazy. I tuned it up after breaking in a set of new Fender 9s and it hasn't been out of tune since and that was months ago. The trem system and electronics were cheap, but once I upgraded those, it's almost as good as my Fender MIM Standard. And it came with a really nice padded gig bag.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Heck yeah! Haven't heard of Fojill but I might have to check them out. Thank you! 🤘

[@christopheraaron8299]

@@ArtOfShredYT Definitely do. They have cheaper models, but the light relic ones are the higher quality ones. eBay is your best bet. Amazon has the Tele version.

[@JacubWhite38]

I really hope they do a debut series telecaster

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Same! And based on a comment on this video they are!

[@thebaldshredder]

Liking that haircut! 🤘

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Hell yeah! Unrelated: I just watched your video about this guitar!

[@ic3berg339]

I have four guitars one of my favorites is my ES-335

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice! 🤘

[@onefatstratcat]

Very easy to gloss out the body with a can of Max 2K spray can clear :)

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Ha, I wouldn't bother though. Matte finish is a nice change of pace

[@onefatstratcat]

@@ArtOfShredYT But it's gotta be shiny!!lol...

[@cb-ez7pz]

I have a feeling Fender upped the QC on these, at least the early batch, to give it a good reputation.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Seems to be the case. But it could also be that they haven't spent a lot of time in a warehouse dealing with what comes with that (oxidization, fret sprout, etc)

[@azddd]

Thx for the video. Can't really tell from the video. Is the sunburst finish actually the woodgrain with a matte finish that transitions to the black or is it an orange-ish type matte paint, not the actual wood?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Looks to me like it's paint but I'm not an expert in finishes

[@serpentsbane9166]

@@ArtOfShredYT He's asking if the finish is translucent or opaque in case the question was unclear to you \m/

[@alioth2021]

So it's a cheaper Sonic? Squier have been kinda confusing me with their entry level series for a while.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Seems to be the case. Made in China and some other small differences

[@bluwng]

Isn’t it just a sonic with a matte finish? Does the Affinity neck feel the same? I am hoping the Debut is thinner.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

My digital calipers are cheap but it seems to be essentially the same neck. I might take both necks off and get better measurements for my final review

[@TheRealDealBobbySteele]

I bought the 40th anniversary strat and didn’t get the three months of Fender play😡but the guitar is awesome love the sound and feel of it.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Interesting! I think every model I've purchased over the past 2 years has the free Fender play sticker on it. Maybe it's not always 3 months, though? That's my mistake. With this one you get a message from Amazon with a Fender Play promo code.

[@philsequeira3180]

Is the body standard size or the thinner, Affinity/Bullet size?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Of the 40th Anniversary or the Debut?

[@TheRealDealBobbySteele]

@@ArtOfShredYT 40th Anniversary Debut sounded good but I’ve never held one.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@TheRealDealBobbySteele Sorry, Bobby, I was responding to another commenter, but KZbin is having known comment issues at the moment and it looks like his comment disappeared. I think he was asking if the 40th Anniversary body is the same thickness as a Fender or if it's thinner like the budget lines. I've never measured a 40th so I don't know.

[@wildesage4172]

I wonder if this is more or less replacing the "Starcaster By Fender" Strat that used to be sold in a starter pack in places like bookstores. That was a terrible naming decision, because they have the Starcaster (the semi-hollow), which has been making a comback for several years with the Squier models, and now the Tom Delonge sig model. I dunno if the Starcaster strats were this nice, though. Good to hear. 👍 P.S. I like the headstock shape 🙂

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Ohhhh that's what @FretboardDiaries was talking about with Starcaster. I don't even remember those

[@wildesage4172]

@@ArtOfShredYT Yeah, echoes of a Fender-past that just had no intention of bringing the semi-hollow back into production, I guess. SMH. Things have really changed since then (for the better!).

[@bluwng]

Was there ever a follow up video?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Not yet

[@skukeness6201]

True to form reissues of vintage fenders with rosewood boards won't have a skunk stripe either

[@ArtOfShredYT]

People love that skunk stripe, though 🦨

[@stevenruvolo499]

does it stay in tune? big test is to use whammy to test it

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Like most cheap trem systems if you use it aggressively it's going to go out of tune. I'll include a whammy bar tuning stability test in the review

[@buck7477]

Is the body thick enough to upgrade the bridge?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@buck7477 you'd have to leave the back plate off

[@birdman316]

hekk yaa brother! looks like me you and the bald shredder has the same color debut woooooo!

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice! I pretty much always choose solid colors so wanted to go with a burst for this one. 🤘

[@birdman316]

@@ArtOfShredYT i got fun things planned for mine...nothing too crazy tho haha!!

[@edwelty3562]

I heard early reports and saw pics of a tele debut, but can’t find it on Amazon :(

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Amazon UK has it, hopefully Amazon US will get it too

[@mikehardman7566]

and P-bassed, was only on amazon in the uS for about 6 hours on april fools day,, i got 1 of each,. they also have acoustic electrics in the debut series

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@mikehardman7566 oh wow! Interesting

[@StratBurst92]

To be honest I ordered mine in sunburst as well because of Buddy Holly.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

heck yeah!

[@StratBurst92]

@@ArtOfShredYT Amazon deliverd my sunburst debut strat today. For $119.00 I am very impressed. I was first considering getting the Fender 57 reissue strat but could not justify the $2,500.00 price tag. This debut strat will do nicely istead.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@StratBurst92 Wow! I wouldn't say it compares to a Fender '57 reissue, but if it scratches the itch for you then that's what matters. Enjoy!

[@venturaVlogger]

They got ceramic with rubber magnetic strip pickups

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Most cheap guitars have ceramic pickups

[@channelname7349]

I'd buy something like this in a heartbeat if it had a humbucker.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I hear ya

[@homeboyjon4885]

I got a 40th anniversary with the matte body, and I love that. I’d totally rather mod one of these than the usual suspects.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I hear that! I think the 40th anniversary satin finish looks better than these, but this is a great mod option

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Will it stay in tune for 3 minutes . Mine does not . ✨🎸✨

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I've been whammying it up and it stays in tune so far. But in general cheap tuners and cheap trem does not make for the best tuning stability.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@strat1999 it'll intonate fine

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@strat1999 oh also, you owe me $100 😆

[@ayaano_o9052]

Hey what size is it, full size?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yeah full size

[@FelipMartiV]

Looks like the Sonic series

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yeah, a few differences but quite similar

[@ibberman]

What do you think, a new Affinity Strat on sale for $159, vs the Debut Strat for $120?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

You saw the email! :) I'd go Affinity

[@ibberman]

@@ArtOfShredYT Appreciate your input, thank you.

[@IHaveBreadHere]

至少是Squier標 應該會比那些冷門低端琴保值

[@michaelboldyga6239]

So Squier rebrands thier bullet series as an Amazon exclusive and it's a big deal ?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Ok

[@edvivarttas1716]

CNC machining is making a lot of things cheaper like guitars, not much human touch. Except for the finish. If you finish them well, use good components, you can make them a lot cheaper.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yup. Lack of human touch is also why we often get sharp frets and other issues with cheap guitars, but for me it's a small price to pay.

[@cb-ez7pz]

Isn't synthetic bone just a fancy name for plastic?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Not completely, but yeah haha

[@ReelDealOutdoorsTV]

doesn't look like there's a Debut tele yet. Bummer

[@ArtOfShredYT]

There is on Amazon UK! Hopefully it comes to the US too

[@Zeal808]

Niice

[@ArtOfShredYT]

🤘🎸

[@squirelova1815]

No skunk stripe. Maple neck?! Oh, you see: "That's how they Getcha...".

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I don't believe a skunk stripe is required 🤣

[@squirelova1815]

@@ArtOfShredYT Yeah, it's not truly necessary but I'm just jokingly trying to find SOMETHING to "bitch" about with this Squire and that's all I could think of since it's decently made AND sounds fine too. At $120 those are the ONLY things on a decent Stratocaster build that anyone can even Pretend to "complain" about!

[@marcraygun6290]

You had me until unbranded neck plate......fuck that noise

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Haha

[@robertjackson9326]

Hi, Art. Yes, there are some good inexpensive guitars coming out of China recently; I bought a Squire Stratosonic earlier this year, and though I might replace the pickups, it is otherwise very impressive. But a Strat at less than half the price? Yet I'm not terribly surprised; believe it or not, I have an Indonesian HH (S-D) Fender Tele; it seems Fender is prepared to move MIM to Indonesia while moving Squire to China. I might feel sad about that, except I've already got two MIMs which perhaps will increase in value as a result. Don't know if Fender is being smart, but they obviously are willing to take risks. And good on them.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I think Fender/Squier is being both smart and perplexing here haha. Will see what happens, but if the quality is consistently this good at this price then I think they'll dominate the ultra budget market. I think MIM will stay MIM though. They're not going to give up that quality factory they've spent years investing in.

[@robertjackson9326]

@ArtShredYT Actually, in terms of pickups, MIM has been superior to lower-line Americans for the last few years. "Noiseless"? More like toneless. But generally beginners can't go far wrong with Fender OR Squire.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@robertjackson9326 I hear ya. I'm surprised how often I'm digging pickups on some of these cheap guitars. They're not always good, but sometimes they just sound really nice

[@jefferywarburton2116]

Ht bullet

[@FrancisE.Dec.Esquire]

ES 330 COST $330.95+ $100.00 for Guitar Case-----in 1967------LOL My Grandmother Bought for Birth day 1967 (I am 74 Years Old now.) People Refuse To Buy

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Wow that's a cool guitar!

[@flukyreview9128]

Made in Indonesia or in China same difference

[@ArtOfShredYT]

ok

[@diegolatorre6793]

Dude, that gretsch on the back has a personality on it's own, damn. It's yelling play me.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yeah, it's sweet! 🤘 Here's my first impressions of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5LNgauCqrCLodk

[@sdriza]

i have so many guitars already.... I've kinda promised myself NOT to buy cheap guitars anymore, but this one is SOOOOO cheap.... hmm.....

[@ArtOfShredYT]

It's a tough one to pass up BUT if you already have a budget Strat that you like then you don't need it. I will say I'm liking it more than my Affinity at the moment, but that could just be my mind playing tricks on me for now

[@CKS64]

Fender just expects you to buy their Junk based on name. When other companies showed how inexpensive they could do it and better Fender got scared they would lose some money.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I don't know about that

[@CKS64]

@@ArtOfShredYT What other company puts out rehash after rehash of every Stratocaster made . Every Tom, Dick, and Harry have a signature model no advancement of any kind just the same old same old. Let's see the Squire Debut does not have 1 ) Stainless steel frets 2) roasted maple neck 3) decent electronics 4) No Gig Bag or Accessories 5) locking tuners 6) no full size body For Just a little more Firefly stomps this in the ground. Sean over at Scar my Guitar tore one apart not really impressed

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@CKS64 ok

[@archkarr18]

hurry up please

[@ArtOfShredYT]

pay me please

[@TedP007]

Apr 18 2024 & they are no longer available. BUMMER

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Are you outside of the US? I see them on Amazon US right now amzn.to/49BNj5b (my affiliate link)

[@TedP007]

I should have asked, what does it weigh ?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@TedP007 it's in the video. 7.5lbs

[@TedP007]

@@ArtOfShredYT Yes, Canada.

[@williamcampbell163]

Body not full size, not for me.😢

[@ArtOfShredYT]

It's not a 3/4 size but yeah it's thin like other Squiers

[@CKS64]

Comes poorly packaged no gig bag or accessories. Way better choices. And funny everyone is jumping on a cheap as can be made Squire. For just a few dollars and I mean a few there are much better choices. For about 40 dollars more and shipping you can get a Firefly with stainless frets/locking tuners/alnico pickups. Fender just caught on how overcharging people all this time has caught up to them.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Ok

[@TisDansk]

🤓

[@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow]

I'm not sure this sounds good.....

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Ok