Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT (Better than a classic Strat?)

Squier Sonic Hard Tail Strat unboxing and review. Looking for a great budget or beginner guitar? I compare this with my 1983 Fender Stratocaster. Is it good enough? Watch and see. This video is not sponsored and is solely my opinion.
#Squier #Fender #Guitar
Check out my music:
open.spotify.com/artist/6wlAA...

[@_.Username.Not.Found._1]

As the proud owner of a squire sonic I can confidently say its the greatest guitar I have ever played. I also say that as someone who is just learning to play and its my first guitar.

[@maxaeonmusic]

It's hands down my favorite guitar right now.

[@jasujokelainen5073]

The name is Squier, not Squire 😊.

[@manonbassguitar]

Dollar for dollar….Squier is spanking Fender nowadays. I used to be a Fender MIA snob, now I love my several Squiers.

[@maxaeonmusic]

It's definitely the golden age of Squiers. Thanks for watching.

[@zambot3325]

I got one two weeks ago and the playability and tone ( unplugged!) is great, super light weight wise. The price is right!

[@maxaeonmusic]

Totally agree. So much fun. Enjoy it!

[@Cooksmaster01]

you can play it unplugged?

[@squirelova1815]

"Graffiti Yellow" was named after the Ford Hot Rod in the classic movie "American Graffiti" and this color was actually specified by Jeff Beck for his prototype signature model.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Thanks for sharing. Didn't know that. Great trivia!

[@JustinWoo]

These are the kinds of comparisons that YT needs more of. Thank you.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@irishman6470]

Just put one on order from Fender, the yellow finish. On sale today, last day, at $159.99 and free shipping (2 to 7 day standard delivery option).

[@maxaeonmusic]

I'm thinking of ordering the humbucker version on sale. Enjoy!

[@dragan4658]

When Sylvester Stalones agent called Jesse James and wanted a car painted yellow, Jesse replied "I dont do yellow" ...lol. Squier is putting out some nice very affordable guitars! Squiers name should be Fender ll.

[@ii_love_you]

I heard your music out of curiosity but it blows my mind I didn't expect it to be this good tbh.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Thank you. Kind of you to say.

[@scottmckeen3908]

Beautiful guitar playing in that intro! You have a new subscriber here. Looking forward to how your project turns out!

[@maxaeonmusic]

Thanks for the kind words, Scott! Will post an update soon.

[@MrBreezlyBruin]

I bought the same guitar over a month ago when they were on sale. I had a MIJ Fender Strat in graffiti yellow that I sold several years ago and regretted ever since, so when I saw these Squier Sonics on the Fender website in graffiti yellow I had to grab one. Very glad I did!

[@maxaeonmusic]

Great guitar. Enjoy it!

[@DarylT64]

Good video. I have the same Squier Graffiti Yellow HT guitar. I absolutely love it. I too plan on some upgrades just haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. I did get a aged white moto pickgurad , aged white knobs and switch tip for it. I set the pickguard and knobs and switch tip on top of it to get an idea what it would look like. I think it looks great. Still trying to decide what pickups I want before in stalling them. I have a Squier Bullet HT in Seafoam Green that I also love. The Seafoam Green was my favorite color for guitars but the Graffiti Yellow is now my favorite color followed closely by the Seafoam Green.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Thanks for watching! These are such fun guitars. That seamfoam sounds nice. Let me know what pickups you go with.

[@stevelife8505]

I bought this guitar specifically for modding, haven't opened it yet just because I've been modding other guitars. However, I already hace some plans for when I do mod it!!

[@DarylT64]

Definitely will. Thinking hard about the Fender Fat 50's set. Please do a video on the up grades you do. You my give me some ideas also also. Thanks for doing this video on this Graffiti Yellow Squier Sonic HT. I think you are only the second video I could find on this guitar. Thanks again. Can't wait to see your upgrades 🎸🤘🏻

[@maxaeonmusic]

Will do. I'm going to start filming the EMG install tomorrow.

[@rick00770]

I ordered the hh version of the affinity strat not knowing that it had only a 3 way switch, my favorite sound is the fender quacky funky sound on the number 2 position. But I heard some one on KZbin and still got that sound just a little more rounded mellow. I like that yellow you have. Sounds great. I think I’ll like mine in artic white, thanks for the review. Subscribed

[@maxaeonmusic]

You could drop a 5-way in with a little soldering. Enjoy the guitar. Thanks for watching.

[@R.C.Bullar]

First off, in no way am I bragging on what I currently own or have owned in the past. With that said, I have owned $3,000 strats and $3,000+ PRS’s $3,000 Gibson’s….. I currently play and prefer the HT Squier Strat with a custom neck. These guitars are absolutely fire. You need to know how to work on them and be comfortable modding and fully setting them up to truly enjoy them.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Agreed. I've got Les Pauls and a fair share of high end shredders, and I end up picking up the cheap Squier more often.

[@stevewoolaway4453]

I bought one of the exact same model (HT) in Arctic White in the UK for £159 a month ago. Right out of the box the action, intonation are great by my standards. It wasn’t far out of tune, and since tuned up it holds it great. It looks fantastic, and it is so playable. Neck is smooth and no sharp frets. And above all it is so light which is really important to me. I’m playing it (hobby only) through the stunning Positive Grid Spark 40 with its massive range of tones, and together they are so much fun. Making me regret the years I stopped bothering.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Great story. Glad you picked it up again. Music is good for the soul.

[@craigzick5822]

Just set mine up today, (I purchased the exact same 2023 Squire sonic HT as in this video, but only paid $148.79 total from Fender.). I lowered the action from the factory setting a few millimeters on each saddle avoiding fret buzz, and then intonated the guitar, which was quite easy. There is defiantly some fret height variance, but nothing that forced me to "shave" any specific fret, (yet). Just as Max pointed out, nearly every fret exhibited somewhat sharp edges, (on both sides), so I spent over 8 hours with a needle file and some 3M painters tape gently working the fret edges. No truss rod adjustments were needed. I lowered the factory p/u height of the neck p/u until the low E side was 1mm above flush with the pick guard and the high E side was just over 2mm above flush. I set the middle p/u at 3mm above flush on both sides. I raised the bridge p/u to 4mm on the low E side and set the Hight E side at just over 3mm. The tone from the neck, middle and neck & middle p/u's seemed OK, but the bridge, (regardless of height) is defiantly lacking. No p/u noise or buzz was noticeable. Volume/tone pots were clean and had the type of tightness that kept me from inadvertently changing the volume pot level as I payed. The "9's" it came strung with were easy to play, but seemed only to enhance the "tinny" character of the p/u's. I restrung it with "Fat bottoms, Skinny tops" by Ernie Ball, (10, 13, 17, 32, 44, 54). They defiantly made for a "warmer" tone, but may be a bit much, (on the low side), for this guitar. When played thru my Fender Hotrod Deluxe Series III, on the clean channel, with a Berringer Ultra Chorus thru the effects loop, the neck and middle p/u's impressed me. Yet, when using an Ibanez Tube Screamer 808 before the amp, the bridge p/u alone, was sorely lacking. I expect to go back to "9's" after I upgrade the p/u's, simply because they are so easy to play on this guitar. Overall, for any price under $225, this guitar is worth the investment, especially if you are capable of doing your own set up.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Great info. I've swapped out with the EMGs. Will do a video soon. Need to do a full setup on mine.

[@diadora9292]

Loved the first solo. Gonna have to try and learn that.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Thanks! I had fun with that track.

[@njp2k914]

Any guitar that is comfortable to play and well set up is fine by me. I think it is largely preference on looks and feel that really set a guitar apart to an individual or feeling some connection to the instrument. My favourite bass for example is a parts jazz bass (made from some awful quality parts) not because it’s the best but because I know every nuance of that instrument and how to get the best out of it :D I have a custom shop p bass and I often pick my beater jazz over it.

[@leogolive]

Way back in 2004 my local music shop carried Fernandes guitars. I bought a Retro Rocket which is a Strat style guitar. It has a HSS configuration. I went and played it after work for a week. It was fantastic. Quality, tone, playability, tuning stability, everything. And it was only $250 back then. My girlfriend and now wife bought it for me for Christmas. I still have it. And pound for pound it’s my best guitar. It’s only gotten better over the years. I realized then what mattered most about guitars. I’ve never modded it or anything. A nice sounding amp and a decent guitar is all you need. I’ll never part with it. Ever since then I’ve always kept my eyes and ears open for inexpensive guitars that are quality. I love playing them and getting great tones when other people are playing expensive guitars lol! I have some expensive ones but they’re not better than my Fernandes in my opinion.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Great story. My two favorite guitars at the moment are this and my bullet mustang. The guitar that keeps you playing is the best guitar.

[@ZvonTube]

I just got this one on sale off Fender's website. It's fun to play and is very solid for its price point. The frets on mine weren't sharp luckily but was expecting to do some filing; that won't be the case with this one. It's nice to have this plus my pink sonic that I got a while back. Both have been great to have and I plan on modding them with black hardwhare, pickups, pickguards, etc. Colorwise, I feel like I have the Spongebob and Patrick duo of guitars now.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Awesome. I'm so tempted to buy the pink one. Enjoy and thanks for watching.

[@user-cy9wx6ns2b]

As a owner of a sonic squier id like to say its the best value for money guitar ive ever played sounds great and feels comfortable

[@maxaeonmusic]

Right. Great value.

[@bluwng]

That yellow is cool

[@tunesmith7437]

There is a trend happening with the reissue of the old Fender Sonic Series: a funky sound and great playability for less cash. This could be Fenders antidote to the decline of the guitar in popularity. Since the Boomers adopted the guitar as the voice of their generation...the generations just after the Boomers have not done the same. The guitar reigned supreme from 1958 thru 1985. Will the guitar do it again?

[@maxaeonmusic]

Great comment. There is an endless variety of sounds within a DAW, and there is almost no need for guitar in modern pop music. Plus it takes practice. I think those factors have all aided in the decline. I don't know if guitar will ever regain its throne, but I'm sure there will be a niche resurgence of 3 and 4 piece garage rock bands as AI infiltrates music. People will crave authenticity. Will be interesting to see what happens.

[@barryfohn4385]

I didn't know anything about Squiers. I came upon this used Squier "Standard" Srat. (not a "sonic") in a local music store. I loved it. The guy says "make me an offer". I had no idea what it was worth...so I said $240.00. Best two hundred and forty dollars that I ever spent.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Really great guitars for the price.

[@maxswp]

I recently bought a surf green squire sonic strat and love it especially for $180. But recently I’ve been looking at the squire paranormal offset telecaster in Olympic white. I don’t know how it plays but it’s one of the best looking guitars out there

[@maxaeonmusic]

Got my eye on a paranormal. Short scale neck and soap bar pickups. Might have to pull the trigger.

[@fachrudinhidayat9929]

Almost no diference in sound! Sound is the matter of personal preference Salut for Squier sonic stratocaster!

[@maxaeonmusic]

Agree. It's a great guitar.

[@fachrudinhidayat9929]

In your opinion, which one is better, squier stratocaster made in Indonesia or made in China? ​@@maxaeonmusic

[@maxaeonmusic]

@@fachrudinhidayat9929 Play both if you can and see how they feel. I believe the Sonic is made in China, but there are some great guitars coming out of Indonesia. Find one that speaks to you.

[@sampettit1172]

Thanks for the demo of the two for the money sounds dang near the same at a whole lot less.

[@maxaeonmusic]

My thoughts exactly. It's a great guitar for the price.

[@SG-dw1my]

Is there sufficient break angle at the bridge to allow low action?

[@CitizenSoldier500]

i bought 4 of them and put different single humbuckers in them. love the raw neck and hardtails

[@maxaeonmusic]

That's awesome. I'm thinking of grabbing another and dropping in a Pasadena Black for some EVH tones.

[@CitizenSoldier500]

the duncan 78 sounds great in it @@maxaeonmusic

[@maxaeonmusic]

@@CitizenSoldier500 Good to know. Have you tried any of the Toneriders?

[@CitizenSoldier500]

duncan black winter,78,distortion,invader and dmarzio super distortion @@maxaeonmusic

[@thecolorhero1078]

Thanks

[@anorak211]

Hi, interesting, I have a1983 2 knob strat same as yours, and I have just ordered a grafitti yellow strat same as yours. When it gets to the UK I will put up a unboxing video

[@maxaeonmusic]

Awesome. Let me know how you like it. I don't know how rare those 2 knob Strats are, but I've never seen another one in the wild.

[@danadams8649]

can you reply on here with the link to that video when you've uploaded,

[@anorak211]

@@danadams8649 Check out my unboxing video for the same guitar, I think it's great. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnfCZ6Z3Z7itjJIsi=TmTw8-v6Xp_ymNeY

[@gregorystevens5173]

Anybody have an idea of the difference in weight between this Squire vs a Fender Players Series Strat?

[@maxaeonmusic]

My Squier is 7.4 lbs, and my Strat is 8.2 lbs

[@wingedrhino33]

The regular strat rings out a little more. Perhaps the best middle ground is to get a standard squier sonic, upgrade to the 20$ Fender Standard Series Vintage term (it has a steel trem block), and deck / block it?

[@maxaeonmusic]

I upgraded it with a EMG DG20 pickup set. I've got a video on my channel. Sounds great.

[@alexhernandez6027]

I just ordered the yellow one today. The Fender website has them on sale for $139.00 couldn't pass it up .

[@maxaeonmusic]

That's too good to pass up.

[@alexhernandez6027]

@@maxaeonmusic yup

[@bluwng]

I am contemplating between the yellow and pink one.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Tough choice. I was in the same boat. I may grab the pink one too. It would look good with black hardware.

[@bluwng]

@@maxaeonmusic ha that is exactly what I was thinking. Definitely a black pickguard at minimum.

[@bluwng]

What is the difference in neck feel between the two?

[@maxaeonmusic]

The black Strat is just a tad thinner with a gloss finish and medium jumbo frets. The yellow is a satin finish that feels like bare wood with narrow tall frets. I'm not a fan of glossy necks, so I like the squier better in that regard.

[@pmrparts]

Graffiti Yellow not Graphite Yellow.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Yeah, dyslexic moment lol

[@pmrparts]

@@maxaeonmusic I knew the color name because I bought the same guitar. I ordered it the day after Christmas. It needed to be set up, but that is expected at this price. I played it for a gig last weekend and it sounded great. 🎸

[@maxaeonmusic]

@@pmrparts glad your enjoying it.

[@2JZ-it8ug]

how about the string heigh? the same?

[@maxaeonmusic]

Out of the box it's not bad. Not shredder low, but a setup is easy.

[@2JZ-it8ug]

@@maxaeonmusic How do u compare the string heigh to the fender american pro?

[@maxaeonmusic]

I don't know. String height depends on the setup, and can be adjusted to suit your tastes. How low you can get the action depends on multiple factors--neck straightness, conditions of frets, radius, etc.

[@2JZ-it8ug]

@@maxaeonmusic okay thank you

[@adventureswithtt]

I bought the same graffiti yellow Squier that you did and liked it so much I bought a second one. At first I was going to MOD it with better pots and pickups, but the Ceramic Single coils that are in it are actually pretty hot and if you want to run some gain.......or a TS 808 or 909 Tube Screamer.......for some blues or 80's rock it's good without any changes. It is fun to play and doesn't need the same chime as my American Deluxe. It has a really good sound of its own. I strongly recommend it as is for students, gigging, and fun. It's a great guitar and would be a good value at 3X the price.

[@yeoldefoxeh254]

Not graphite, graffiti. No distortion?

[@kevinrocks1]

the black strat sounds better but you'd need a microscope measure the difference. very small difference.

[@maxaeonmusic]

My thoughts exactly. Thanks for watching.

[@therightisright8276]

Just sand Squier off, slap on a Fender Stratocaster waterslide decal and some hot pickups and call it done. STOP giving Fender and Gibson way too much money!!

[@victoresarey4036]

sonically little to no difference in tone between the two

[@maxaeonmusic]

Right. You'll never hear it in a mix.

[@stonkpuppets6393]

BULLET

[@maxaeonmusic]

I've got a bullet mustang and I love it. The sonic is the replacement line for the bullet.

[@stonkpuppets6393]

@@maxaeonmusic No it’s the politically correct model. You don’t name a horse, Sonic.

[@CitizenSoldier500]

a little better than the bullet. single string tree, better neck, slightly better pups@@stonkpuppets6393

[@thetownspeople6486]

Squires Suck.

[@maxaeonmusic]

Thanks for watching.

[@thetownspeople6486]

@@maxaeonmusic lol if your satisfied with those. Try a suhr or a PRS SE Strat.. Wolf has a unbelievable super Strat for $500-$600 area. I’m sure the floyd rose on it isn’t the best but the rest of the guitar is awesome and the floyd rose is still a floyd rose. You owe it to your viewers and yourself man. Don’t be another Squire and Epiphone channel. There are too many better and more affordable guitars out there now. Epiphone has upped their game a little but I see a lot of other companies out there. Squires are crap. There’s too many better guitars out of the box. Squires do make good project guitars.

[@LincolnCountyBand-st8yn]

MAN RE THE COLOR --------------- Its called "Graffiti" yellow NOT "Graphite" yellow man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great Video though, thankyou

[@maxaeonmusic]

Yup, my bad. Thanks for watching!

[@LincolnCountyBand-st8yn]

@@maxaeonmusic All good,, great video,, thankyou