Squier Affinity vs Harley Benton ST62 (Hot Rodded Strats)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Check out some (better?) alternatives: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5avoIVvnZZqbtU

[@unclejoeoakland]

Elmo- would you consider having a signature model?

[@jogmas12]

I don’t understand why guitar companies put a trem/whammy in a cheap guitar that’s geared towards beginners. It’s cheap and will more then likely throw the guitar out of tune thus creating more frustration for beginner who will probably have more of a reason now to quit guitar.

[@Dead_Remnants]

Almost any vintage tremolo or 2 point can be setup to work correctly, it can also be locked down with a small block of wood if it won't be used. Plus its fun

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

Because only idiots who gobble the nonsense repeated by other guitar playing morons believe that junk. Anyone with a brain can set-up a cheap bridge properly.

[@daniellarson3068]

We beginners don't know what we are buying. Most products with added features are appealing. You offer good advice, "Buy what you need." Nice demos.

[@jogmas12]

@@daniellarson3068 ya all beginners should stick to the basics. The acoustic guitar I learned on was not fancy or expensive but was playable. I understand the frustrations of beginners and using a trem/ whammy bar should not be part of the learning process. Ya all too busy learning chords, scales, timing, strumming etc……..developing callouses on your finger tips, the list goes on…

[@jogmas12]

@@Dead_Remnants the trem/ whammy is in my opinion just another effects apparatus like using pedals etc….beginners do not need to concentrate on such things yet.

[@robertclarkguitar]

I always say it along with you. "Plexi , which isn't entirely clean". Lmao 🤣🤣🤣😊

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@andreapasillas5803]

The Harley Benton is a good value for it's price but I would go with the Squire Strat. I think the Squire Strat is better looking, easier playing (love that 9.5 inch radius) and better sounding.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough 😊

[@McEla82]

Nice review, once again. Extra points for the the fast show reference!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! :)

[@dragan4658]

Both guitars are nice, affordable & sound good! The Squier may have a bit better resale value but at this price point not really significant. I have a 2015 Affinity strat, nice guitar. Thanks for the demo Elmo!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers :)

[@senseiruss]

I've had the Squier Affinity HSS FMT that you are playing here for about a year and a half. I got it when it first came out in Sept. 2021, for $299. I was pretty much ready-to-play right out of the box. Having played it for 1 1/2 years, I'm happy to say it's one of my favorite and most-played electrics. The feel of the neck, weight and comfort of the body are very nice. the electronics are solid and the frets have stayed in place without any sprout or change in height. And it looks beautiful! I think at that price it's a bargain.

[@karmad3269]

I got the hot rod used just out of couriosity and now I would never sell it out. It's sound at bridge full distortion is chilling...❤❤

[@richfiryn]

Elmo I hope you get one of the Harley Benton strat copies that just came out a couple days ago to celebrate their 25th year in business. I snagged one immediately and it will be here tomorrow. The ST-25 in Firemist with flame maple neck, bone nut, locking tuners, SSH configuration. 2 point trem etc etc. I have a feeling this particular model is going to be a really good one. I just checked their website and they're sold out of it, I knew this was going to happen that's why I snagged one instantly.

[@richfiryn]

@@toby3701 yep I did get it and after the requisite setup i'm pretty damn impressed with it to tell the truth. It's a very good playing, feeling and sounding guitar. And it really is gorgeous. At $245 plus shipping it is a steal. Harley Benton did a great job on this one. The neck is primo, and the flamed maple neck is also just a beautiful piece in it's own right. It would definitely be worth ordering one in my opinion. Everything worked as it should.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I might.

[@frankperricone2065]

I have 2 pretty old Squier Stratacasters an 04 and an 08. I bought a Harley Benton Telecaster, there TE-62. The 2 Squiers are O.K. the frets have plenty of fret sprout and tuners are not to good. I am going to do some mods on them because I am really a bass player that plays some guitar but just started playing again after about 20 years of not realy playing. Last year I got a HB Thunderbird bass for C# tunning and was happy. The Telecaster blows away the Squiers right out of the box. Frets very exceptable, pups are good and so are the tunners. It not a good comparison because there is almost 20 years difference.

[@aubreymcmaster47]

Got a TE-52 for $209 CDN that absolutely made me forget the Squier classic vibe that I sold. The HB out of the box was superior and I've left it totally stock. Great guitar by any standard.

[@jackmckee8196]

I really enjoyed your playing, brother; off to a good morning now:)

[@davidmartinez927]

Hi Elmo, since I never played a real Fender but I have an Squier Affinity, how's the neck compared ? Because I tried other guitars but no one has the thin neck as Affinity has, which I love it. I'm planning to buy a Squier Classic Vibe or Fender Player but don't know if neck is similar to the Affinity, it's somethig I'm a little concerned.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I honestly don't remember. Check the specs online. That might help.

[@williammolina9792]

Love you're right hand picking. Cheers

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you :)

[@FuriousMess]

cool video Elmo. New content! Gotta say I thought the Squier sounded better. Just built a Strat partscaster with a scalloped fretboard because of you. I am converting quickly, now I have to learn how to scallop myself.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers! :)

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. I have A Squier Affinity SSS Strat in a stunning 2 Color Burst, such a beautiful finish and plays Amazing. Cheers

[@buckellard]

I purchased the Harley Benton ST 90sa. It had a lot of problems. Output jack just didn't work. 5 way switch stopped being a 5 way switch. The neck never would intonate properly even after taking it to a luthier. The pickguard was so cheap that the fake tortishell rubbed off in the first couple days (but that's not a playing problem). It was inexpensive but it cost nearly that much to make it play. I was disappointed. Your videos are great!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks, and sorry to hear about the HB.

[@LookieChannel]

Excellent comparison, I actually liked the tone better at HB, both decent. Thanks for great job!

[@voodoovoodoo1863]

The harley benton has such a better sound wow. Very noticable

[@cylonhibrid]

The Benton may have had a bit more crunch, The Squire gave the impression of a tight sound, I f I was only listening would be the squire. but nut width and neck is most important if your hands a large. Great playing..

[@PhuongNguyen-qw8xy]

harley Benton has released a 25th anniversary Strat that can you review that one? It has the same pick up config as the st62 but has roasted maple and locking tuners

[@imnotthatguy4765]

They sold out super quick lol

[@RickMichaelis63]

Thanks for the review Elmo…cheers ✌️

[@MrPolevaulter]

No problem 👍

[@asatorhayha]

Hi Did you checked if your HB had coil split? I ordered mine mid February and mine does, some reviews said theirs also had split even tough the website doesn't mention that, looks like some batches include it and some doesn't.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Mine didn't as far as I can recall.

[@kevinkimber7456]

ST-62 BK HOT ROD model as shown in the video does have the split push pull on the volume control. The ST-62 CC models don’t

[@BeamMonsterZeus]

The Squier is a bit crunchier to my ear, while the HB is a bit more expressive.

[@gwoodtones]

All matter of taste. They both sound nice. For the looks I like more the harley benton...besides the headstock... for the sound I prefer the more creamy sounding affinity pickups... with distortion the hb humbucker sounded the best to me.

[@constantinez551]

Cheers for the review Elmo ;)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers :)

[@lvysedore152]

Love your tone, man.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers :)

[@davidstorm4015]

Squier sounds so much better to my ears, less shrill and more harmonics

[@MrPolevaulter]

👍

[@danielphillips8416]

Always enjoy The Fast Show quotes!

[@MrPolevaulter]

😀

[@Twirlyhead]

*BLACK*

[@fedefede5386]

Hi congratulations for the videos. Difficult to extricate yourself, if you wanted a Mayer-like sound, more soulful with a cheap stratocaster, would you have any models to recommend?, thanks.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure. Not a big expert on John Mayer.

[@Alfredo78666]

- Professor J, daddy says Inviii is waaay overrated - Emily, hand your father this glove, tell him I'll wait for him April 15th 5AM by Nokia lake. Also tell him to pay your fee before that date.

[@popsfereal]

The Sienna burst is even better in person. The HB has a more "vintage" sound on the singles, the Squier sounds better for OD/distortion imo. The 2 pt trem is different that the 2 pt on my Squier HH Strat. The 2 pt works very well, but I don't see any advantage over a 6 screw really.

[@bluwng]

I smoothed out the fret ends and rounded the fretboard ends and it feels like a pro level neck. I also know how to setup Strats ridiculously well, wish I played as well as I can setup and repair. It’s easy to find drop in replacement parts for Squiers since they follow most fender specs unlike many imports ( for copyright purposes).

[@philiptaylor7951]

I think you could make a broom handle sound good Elmo. Anyway, I liked the Affinity more.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@louiscornale5667]

Great but how about wooly bully watch it now

[@the_glove]

What is your opinion with trem blocks ? I haven’t really noticed too much of a difference between heavy and light ones and in terms of materials but maybe you’d be able to shed some light on what makes a cheap vibrato unit better than another

[@MrPolevaulter]

I'm not too sure. I do think they speak to overall quality. A cheap one says they might have cut corners elsewhere as well, although that isn't necessarily the case.

[@Twirlyhead]

I get what you are saying about feel and look but the Harley Benton sounded much better for most of the demo for me. I do think though that Squier have improved the Affinity models a lot since my 2005 Affinity Strat which is not good at all despite me upgrading it quite a bit; and I've been slowly hardtailing it for about a year now.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@adrian_V99]

Beware the weight of Harley Bentons especially the S and T ones. What's the difference between a Harley Benton and syphilis? You can get rid of syphilis. 😂

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D

[@popsfereal]

Got my Squier (same as this one), I paid 149.99 About the same for my HB.

[@ax83919]

The Harley Benton ST-20HSS SB would make a direct comparison. The Harley Benton ST-70 would be closer than the rail to compare...

[@jonnyfavors7585]

I would definitely say the squire strat is much better sound wise, and quality wise, the HB are not bad, but in comparison to fender squires?....I personally think they're definitely inferior to squires. I own a fender squire myself and I've checked out the HB at my music shop and I have to say that it just has a different feel action wise compared to the squire. Plus the overall quality just feels a little bit under a squire in my opinion. But that's just my opinion. Not a fact.

[@scottcummings8602]

Not even close, the Squier all day. The reason the neck feels more at home to Elmo is its 9.5 radius which he is used to…. Those Benton (and most other copies) are anywhere from 12” to 16” pancake flat radius, which feels nothing like a real strat.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, this one has a 12'' radius.

[@galdersrontgorrth]

are you going to try some of the 25th anniversary harley benton firemist guitars?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure.

[@Broccoli_Highkicks]

HB puts out some phenomenal gear for the money (and some mediocre stuff as well), but the Squier looks better, sounds a bit better, and has much more solid resale value if you don't trash it. On the other hand, for the price of the Squier, you can get the HB AND put together a basic pedal board of HB mini pedals. Bottom line is that both of these are primarily either beginner guitars or mod platforms. If you're sure you're going to sell it again later, then get the Squier, because the name on the headstock is the number one criterion on the used market (because most guitarists are knuckleheads who live and die by marketing bullshit), and anything that isn't a Gibson/Epiphone, Fender/Squier, or high-end PRS, depreciates like crazy the minute you buy it. On the other hand, if you want to use the extra 100 bucks or so getting a better first amp or some cheap pedals, that's not a bad idea either. Just keep the HB for reasons of first guitar nostalgia, then, unless you really need the 50 bucks you'll get for it used 😂

[@MrPolevaulter]

True.

[@impossivel2006]

I love maple fretboards, so I'll be waiting for you to send me the Squier. Thank you 😀

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@drpfrutti]

Squier bodies used to be a bit thinner than Fender, so you had a bit of trouble when you wanted to exchange the trem block. How about these two, are both bodies equally thick?

[@Officer_WF]

bit thinner only for Squier bullet not for Affinity and classic vibe.

[@stratosphere835]

​@@Officer_WF thats wrong, Affinity Bodys are thinner!

[@Officer_WF]

@@stratosphere835 My Affinity made in China is 45mm thick i.postimg.cc/j5GMftPb/IMG-20230403-202008.jpg

[@MrPolevaulter]

I forget.

[@MyMediaConsulting]

The Squire had more of the classic Fender ice pick on the high end. The Harley Benton had more low end, but it seemed to get muddy and detract from the seperation and articulation. If you're looking for something that could do punk and metal with a little EQ work, the HB will be fine. More classic style rock or that 80s Alligator Records sound is the Squire's thing. That is just my two pennies.

[@МихаилИванов-ь2с8п]

please compare this Squier Affinity and Cort g260

[@MrPolevaulter]

Don't have the Cort anymore.

[@mrvbif147]

I like your Queen sweater)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@metalhead_1996]

I’ve also seen the Volgoa strat with stainless steel frets, if you could review that guitar if you get one, would be awesome! 🙂

[@MrPolevaulter]

Had a look, but they seem to be sold out.

[@metalhead_1996]

@@MrPolevaulter ah well, maybe next time!

[@cellarcatband]

I bet the Jet JS-400 would beat them all. I have one, and it hits way above its league.

[@gigmandrew8975]

Sounds like I should get a Cort G110

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, that's a good guitar, or at least the one I tried.

[@mrredritehand]

Nice noodling Elmo

[@metalhead_1996]

I’ll see the liiiight toooniiiight 11:37

[@MrPolevaulter]

😊

[@betonpl4357]

2:25 whats song riff is this

[@MrPolevaulter]

Just something I made up.

[@louiscornale5667]

😂 great but how about wooly bully watch it now

[@dean828]

I would go with the Harley Benton ST62... 22 frets... 2 Alnico 5 single coils and a ceramic double blade mini humbucker... a good match that would not need swopping out... add new pots and caps (perhaps Dunlop speed pots... and Sprague oil can caps...) heavy gauge cloth covered wiring... a THICK brass tremolo block... a new 3 prong jack... copper shielding in the cavity... perhaps new tuners... some fret leveling... and there you go... a keeper guitar...

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool bananas :)

[@dean828]

@@MrPolevaulter 🎸🍌😎

[@audiomonster303]

I prefer the strat..jk..ohh the affinity that is. Better tone

[@audiomonster303]

I have that exact squier and i paid $135 used...so get one if you can in that price range :) its worth it all day

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@audiomonster303]

@@MrPolevaulter you are the man my friend, have a great day/night :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@audiomonster303 You too 😊

[@VinsGroove]

Sire S3 Sire S7 Sire S7 Vintage Sire T3 Sire T7 Please Elmo...

[@MrPolevaulter]

Coming next week.

[@johnnorth9355]

Personally I prefer the sound of the Squire although both are perfectly acceptable for what they are. Not wiring the tone to the bridge is a big mistake for a humbucker pickup. In the end you are still in the cheap seats (where I belong !) guitar wise. I suspect that I would be fine with either.

[@stratosphere835]

SQUIER NOT SQUIRE!!!😂

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah, I like the tone to be wired there, even on single coils.

[@shanewalton8888]

Elmo's mother is black? I would never have guessed. lol

[@MrPolevaulter]

Just her soul 🤣 Kidding mom 😀

[@gigaralle]

The Squier looks 3 times better, at least - and eyes are listening too 😂

[@PegeCovers]

I like the color more but benton has way better finishes in these lower price ranges from what I've seen. All the squier necks look bland af.

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@neildmonte8786]

Squier sounds better to my ears

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough :)

[@distortionclubla]

HB sounded better i think

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@danewsmusicbmi8264]

Eddie Van Halen played a $130 guitar on the first Van Halen albums. The Harley Benton sounds great for the price. I'll take two!

[@tiasuzelac2794]

Man you have addiction to E major chord hahaha, however really good compared.

[@Barbarapape]

My experience of Squire Affinty Strats that were made in China is not good, the cheap hardware and non-existant attempts to set them up from the factory left me sending it and the replacement back. Entry level Harley Bentons are what they are, the quality is mehh, and also neeed new hardware and a full setup. Go further up the Harley Benton range to the Fusion models, and they show even Squire Classic Vibe's how it should be done. My motto is that most but not all guitars that are made in China are best avoided. Eart are one brand from China who on a good day can make a realy good guitar, again just avoid the entry level models. As the old saying goes, "Buy Cheap, Buy Twice".🤔

[@gigaralle]

In view of recent political developments you should check out more guitars with a "NATO" - fretboard 😅

[@MrPolevaulter]

haha :D

[@okangon7100]

your videos are great but cheap guitars are actually shit sounding. shrill, brittle, harsh, 2 dimensional.. but yes, good for money. yawn