The New Fender STANDARD Stratocaster - It's Made in Indonesia...Is It More than just a Squier?

[@jeffmason8401]

This Fender Standard is $170 more expensive than the Squier Classic Vibe equivalent. Both are made in Indonesia. The Squier has a bone nut and alnico pickups. So is the $170 simply owing to the Fender on the headstock? Why would anyone buy this over a Classic Vibe?

[@christopherschlacter4953]

for exactly what you said...the logo

[@kennyb214]

I wouldn’t trade any of my Squier guitars for this guitar

[@DirtyStringz]

@@kennyb214I’m wondering about the hardware on these things. The Squier stuff is garbage but even cheap fender tuners and bridge are a step up. Also does it have cts pots like all other fenders? Classic vibes come loaded with mini pots

[@kennyb214]

@@DirtyStringz yeah I hear you. I’m gonna go out on a limb tho and say the hardware on these will be equivalent to what is on the classic vibe. I just don’t Understand why Fender would put their name on a guitar that isn’t better than a classic vibe. I need someone to do a shootout. A 60’s classic vibe strat vs the fender standard strat.

[@Dad-Gad]

​@@DirtyStringzIt isn't garbage though , you're talking nonsense , I've got a Sonic Squier that plays better than any other strat I've ever owned .

[@tossedpenny]

"Detritis around the nut." Sounds like something my doctor said to me on last visit.

[@Hotfuzz123]

😂😂😂

[@edema.3418]

Hahahahahaha.. that sounds like a horrific condition.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

I would say you should get that checked out but, sounds like you might already be on a treatment 😂

[@TheMack]

I hate when that happens! LOL! 🤣

[@aaronwalakay]

Ceramic pickups and poplar body. Basically a squier affinity

[@dbsm666]

the Mexican standard used to came with ceramic, I have one and it was the first change.

[@Dad-Gad]

​@@dbsm666USA strats also had ceramic pickups at one point , but people don't do any research 👍

[@figueroa661]

Indian Laurel fretboard: It's a 2000s Squire Affinity with a Fender logo.

[@bradwoods371]

A 600$ freaking squier😂😂😂 the guitar market is cooked

[@TheBbtlegit]

Yes indeed

[@RufusTurner-g7i]

Mine came in today. Played it for a few hours. Sent in back. Mine had all kinds of build issues.

[@Dad-Gad]

So you're admitting you bought one just because of the logo then .

[@patfix]

@Dad-Gadthis is a pretty sad comment, just guilt-shaming a guy for buying a guitar he was curious about from a reputable brand. Be nice dude. I’m glad he did and shared his (awful) experience.

[@therangersinger]

Were you surprised that it had many issues?

[@RufusTurner-g7i]

@@AquaMarina-j50 i made a post on reddit and put pics up. Yeah I expected better from the biggest brand of guitars.

[@RufusTurner-g7i]

@Dad-Gad I bought one because fender is a reputable brand that makes great instruments. I wanted to give it's shot so I did.

[@Mandobird1]

The old MIM Standard came with ceramic pups too. The difference between the Squier and this Fender is the label on the headstock, which still means a lot to most people.

[@BlindingSun_]

Nah not these days

[@bassyey]

Label on the headstock, don't really bother beginners at this time. PRS SE have always put 'SE' in their cheap line. And they fly off the shelves. And they are still the guitar to beat at the price range. I just don't think this Indonesian Fender can match Indonesian PRS SE.

[@davidmartinez927]

You can get an Ibanez with roasted neck, flame top, locking tuners and stainless steel frets or pay more for a Squire Affinity with a Fender logo on it. Easy.

[@dver4624]

Not to mention better pickups and much more versatile switching.

[@alieffauzanrizky7202]

And an alnico pickup

[@Cam-gz03]

This is much better than an affinity, don’t kid yourself.

[@nolanhawks]

Vintage spec Gretsch guitars don't have adjustable string saddles or any of what you listed and can be 6x this price. Same deal with Custom Shop Fenders. Features and specs aren't the only selling point for a guitar. If someone wants a Fender Strat, who's to tell them that this doesn't count?

[@sboy1955]

Indonesia is home to some great guitar manufacturers

[@barrettKiwi]

I had an Indonesian Squier and honestly it was incredible. Played really well and sounded great. I have confidence that these Fenders will be very good if they're using the same or better factories/builders than the Squier range.

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

Agreed. I have an excellent Squier CV 50s Strat, and have been impressed with the other Indonesian guitars I've played. I can see Fender's logic in offering guitars at £100 price increments, but is the new one any better than a Squier? It's a lot of money for a different Logo.

[@gdawgs101]

PRS SE from Indonesia blows this out of the water spec wise

[@vyger6336]

I bought a Kramer Baretta Special for $169, a few years ago , which was made in Indonesia and I was quite impressed by the quality of this guitar for a minimal price.

[@randrothify]

@@gdawgs101I think so. But the Silver Sky is still more expensive than this and still uses relatively cheap and soft Poplar, which is not my favorite from a durability standpoint.

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

Fender got a lot of nerve with this $599 bullshit

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

The name on the headstock is just a decal now, and nothing to judge a guitar by.

[@ChockHolocaust]

These are probably okay guitars for what they are, but if anyone thinks they are worth five hundred notes, they seriously need to put the crack pipe down and look at other brands which cost a lot less, but offer much more. This is Fender closing the stable door long after the horse has not only bolted, but got to the fields, had a good run around, had some dinner, then gone for a bit of a snooze. The world has changed; a global market, far better global transport infrastructure, CNC cutting and shaping, automated electrical component construction, better fret cutting and pressing processes, more sophisticated automated paint spraying, finishes with faster drying times, cheaper retail outlets, etc, etc. This means you don't need someone spending hours finishing a guitar by hand and you don't need to factor in a massive mark up to assist a bricks and mortar retail store's profit margin; it's why competitors can make decent guitars for 200 quid. They won't match some beautifully crafted custom guitar, but they are not trying to do that, they are matching ones which Fender and Gibson charge 1,500 quid for and easily surpassing ones they will now charge 500 quid for. It's a too little too late counter to products from Harley Benton, Fazley, Jet etc, all of which produce guitars which are at least 200 quid cheaper than this thing and still blow it out of the water. If you buy one of these Standards, you are simply paying 350 quid for a 40 pence waterslide/screenprinted decal and a Fender shaped headstock. But anyone who actually knows anything about guitars has long since stopped caring about whether a guitar has Fender or Gibson on the end of it, because they know there are tons better guitars than those, available for a fraction of the price, and that includes Squiers, but not Epiphones, because Gibson has gone mental with their prices. It is true that the Fender headstock is a nicer shape than a lot of those on the copies, but it ain't 300 quid nicer, especially when you can file the one you have to that shape anyway if it bothers you that much. And who cares where those things are made? Anyone who knows about Fender's history will be aware that there have been numerous periods in their past where Fender guitars were not made in the USA at all, because they had no operational US factory in those periods, and this was long before they started making them in Mexico. There is nothing special about something having been made in one country as opposed to another. A CNC machine does not care about its GPS coordinates when it starts cutting and shaping wood. Both the Stratocaster and the Telecaster were specifically designed from the outset to be put together by unskilled labour - that's why they are easy to mod - because that is precisely what Fender did when they employed many Mexican immigrants who initially came to the US to pick crops, to do that when they started out. It's not like people Indonesia, China and Korea do not know how to work a screwdriver. If you can screw a neck and a scratchplate on a guitar and swap some tuners without arsing it up, I'm pretty sure they can too. As for ceramic pick ups. Anyone who knows anything about pick up design will tell you that there is nothing wrong with using ceramic magnets in a pick up so long as their strong magnetic field is counterbalanced with a sufficient amount of wiring on the bobbin to prevent it from sounding harsh, and that this is coupled with some decent pots etc. It's only cheap ass minimal wiring in cheap ass badly designed pick ups which makes them sound harsh, not the fact that they are using a ceramic magnet. Leo Fender was a businessman, and I can assure you he would have approved of ceramic magnet pick ups being used in his guitars if it saved him some money on production, but he would have ensured they had a decent amount of wire on the bobbin, because he was also a great designer. And I can guarantee if he could have found something cheaper than rosewood for the fretboards, he'd have done that too. He only started putting rosewwod boards on the Strat because people were complaining about maple fretboards looking dirty and worn after a while, which is ironic when Fender's custom shop now charges you three grand to do that on purpose for gullible idiots. I bet Leo would have laughed his ass off about that and approved of it too when he saw what it could do for his profits.

[@robertoarolas4722]

Ah raw cynical speech, the best

[@alien4422]

Well done Fender for devaluing your brand. 😂

[@call2arms]

Over the holidays, I got a brand new limited edition Player II Strat for $650. After looking at these, it was genuinely a steal for that price.

[@seanpellegrino2989]

Same. Mine hasn't has been on backorder but I really can't wait to have it given that price.

[@midnightshade32]

Same here. Blue burst flamed maple limited edition plus top player 2. After the sale it went back to 879.99 I made our great. Love the tinted gloss maple, neck, soft stain under neck, vintage tuners and alnico 5 and 2 pickups. It plays great!

[@ahelmste]

For anyone that cares, the new standard has a 1.6875” nut. Very close to the American Fenders which are typically about 1.685”, vs. 1.650” for the Player II series and classic vibe squiers. I personally prefer the wider nuts.

[@888jimm]

Me too....the skinny necks I find make my hand hurt

[@areallyboredguy5825]

I like 1.6875, it's also what the G&L's made in the USA have for their Strats.

[@markweaks2239]

Fender seemingly wants you to waste your money on their narrow neck guitars, once after you find out they are too small and unplayable with adult sized hands. What a shame.

[@MrMfalzone]

Buy a Sire and call it a day! Nice job John!

[@TheBbtlegit]

Totally agree

[@terrorbirds9835]

Do you think they were fucking w Fender by choosing a name so similar so Squire? Sire. Squier. Sire. Squier. 🤷

[@areallyboredguy5825]

Or buy a G&L Tribute S500 or legacy or Comanche and call it a day. I love Leo Fender's last strat designs and pickups. The tremolo is also just amazing.

[@chrisayres5050]

Ive found a Strat thats better than that for only £200 look up EART guitars you get a Bone nut Stainless steel frets a big block trem and full size pots and even better than Alder you get a Mahogany body with your Rosewood neck sir , no idea how they make them so cheap with such high quality materials but Elmo Karjailainen approved on his channel he was blown away.

[@marco-vn8si]

​@@chrisayres5050and how about the new Jet guitars? They're amazing and cheap as chips!

[@2helenback]

That's a nice Squier with a Fender logo. ;) The Fender brand is somewhat tarnished by this.

[@therangersinger]

This is a mexican strat from 15-20 years ago. Exact same specs, hardware and electronics. And they were the same price then as well. $550 ish price range.

[@johnnathancordy]

Did the mexican strat back then have ceramic pickups then?

[@therangersinger]

@@johnnathancordy yes they did

[@judyfriedsam457]

Happy with my $499 PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin....that came in a really nice gig bag !

[@guithawk-ij8is]

I managed to pick up a PRS SE CE 24 with the maple top on sale for $559 and it is a fantastic guitar. Basically identical to the Standard Satin with a nicer top. Been gigging with it for a year now with no issues. Plays, sounds, and looks great.

[@randrothify]

The PRS is a much better guitar for the money if you can stand the aesthetics and sound. I like PRS but it was definitely an acquired taste.

[@ChrisJones-ht9zn]

I played a few today and feel wise, they are definitely better than the classic vibes. The frets and the neck in general felt a lot nicer. The weights were also pretty good. I also tried a couple of the silver sky SE's. I was shocked at how heavy the silver sky's have got. I bought mine a while ago and the quality of mine is so much better than the ones in the shop today. Based on my experience today I would choose this over the silver sky SE and upgrade the pickups.

[@Dad-Gad]

Thankfully someone who's actually played one and has real knowledge , not just some pleb judging it by a Squier of his friends he once played that was shit 👍

[@neverenoughguitars8276]

It's an Squier Affinity strat with a Fender decal and better pots, and it costs twice as much.

[@toddcarroll2703]

The box was made in Mexico.

[@seanpellegrino2989]

I heard those MIM cardboard boxes from the late 90's to the early 2000's were really nice. You can still find one in great condition on Reverb if you look hard enough.

[@telekarma]

Fender likes its margins and people will overpay for Fender name. But nothing's wrong with that if buyers are happy.

[@EliasThury]

I think id buy a squire classic vibe and stick a fender neck on it before buying this. If i had the choice between this and a silver sky it would be no contest, and i dont even like the silver sky.... More accurately, id probably just see if i can find one of the squire 40th aniv. Strats. They'd probably be cheaper and keep value better.

[@bluwng]

Magnet type influence frequency reslonse but it is only a small portion. I think we have been programned to throw a net over ceramic and alnico. Dimarzio was predominantly ceramic when they started to differentiate themselves from their Alnico competitors.

[@dcamnc1]

I actually prefer ceramic single coils for the most part.

[@Dad-Gad]

Proper knowledgeable comment 👍 People have been convinced that Alnico magnets will DEFINITELY make you play better .

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

Was in Andertons this weekend, looking with idle curiosity at strats (generally not a strat fan) and the two that impressed me most ere the Yamaha Pacifica standard and the Soloking

[@paulwally9007]

Awesome shop!

[@JGAbstract]

Would love to hold this next to an affinity and CV squier

[@islander4986]

Guess they rout for the truss rod before gluing the fretboard on (no skunk stripe). 21 frets. I have an Indonesian Squier Deluxe with a 22 fret neck, alnico pickups. Tuners were not great, put drop-in ToneNinja locking tuners ($60.00) in it, and now find it very satisfying to play. It was a return, so I got it for $200.00 from Sweetwater circa 2018.

[@TribalGuitars]

I'd either get the Squier Classic Vibes or go MIM Player if I had to have a Fender product or a Sire.

[@lazvt8469]

Especially with such a robust and affordable USED market...even for lefties like me. Get better pups....set up....magic...for the Teles at least.

[@skapslag]

The Sire S5 with HSS has far more better build quality and priced the same as a Classic Vibe. I'll definitely go for SIre.

[@lazvt8469]

@ Of all the Asian guitars I've bought as of late (about 25-30)...I'd say, as much as I love my two CV50 Teles...CV necks are the weak spot...spotty fret work, too much poly, spotty tuners too. But...once addressed, better pups...wow...nice little axes and affordable on the used market.

[@tbone2451]

$600 in the states, that’s ridiculous, fender needs new leadership.

[@davidkastin4240]

Yeah it cheapens the name Fender. It's a $250 guitar 😂

[@MichaelCorcione]

I can wait until the big sale event holidays like memorial day and fourth of July. When the giants like guitar center have too many of these in their warehouses, the price of these will be slashed for a holiday sale event. Maybe then I will try one out.

[@anti404]

My guess is these will bridge the gap if we get tariffs resulting in price increases on the MiM Players.

[@trevor4533]

$600 USD is wild for these. I've had offers from dealers on reverb for player IIs for not much more than that. I'm sure if I countered at $600, they'd probably take it.

[@iainfreeman5112]

Overall it doesn’t interest me. Does seem Squier have higher quality, with better electronics. Ceramic single coils always appear to be cost saving efforts & turn me off. Classic Vibe have alnico at a lower price. The poplar body isn’t an issue as Squier have them at all it’s price points & PRS SE silver sky has poplar for £100 more from the same company Cor-tek. But it just smells of Affinity with a fender badge & we’re paying for the privilege.

[@Souldoubtrocks]

Sounds like a strat to me. I approve. 2:13

[@chrisayres5050]

Its not worth £500 its an Affinity Strat with upgraded hardware except the pickups which are crappy cheap ceramic pickups , you would not see Ritchie Blackmore or David Gilmour playing it , If its not good enough for them it aint good enough for us.

[@Souldoubtrocks]

@ funny. I own an affinity jazzmaster. I love it. Yes I changed the pickups and added locking tuners. It’s a great guitar. Affordable enough that I can make the mods I want to make at a reasonable price. Unlike my 6k les Paul and 4K strat. Seems I overpaid on those because they are simply not made with wood and components that justify that price. You’re just buying a name at that point. And I also agree the price is too high. Should be $250.

[@Photojouralist123]

The Indonesian factory in Surabaya Indonesia is huge . Build this in the USA it will cost a lot more.

[@timhopkins3810]

I think these are largely for the people that can’t afford the Fender but want that name on the headstock. Doesn’t sound terrible but there’s so many good guitars coming out of Indonesia at the moment that you could get a much improved model for less as long as you’re ok with not having Fender on it.

[@AnneOmimus7531]

This seems like it's meant to tariff-proof the introductory Fender slot in the range. Mexican Player IIs may very well be going for $1000+ USD this time next year.

[@davidforman6191]

Possible. If they can make them at tariff % cheaper in Indonesia compared to Mexico so US prices stay stable then you may be right.

[@Twominutedevotions]

When the $300 FESLEY exists, that gives you a splittable Hubacher in the bridge position, all Wilkinson pick ups and hardware, and a roasted neck, if you buy this, you’re buying with your eyes and you’re buying brand. Because the FESLEY is a superior guitar in every single possible way.

[@rickhill6277]

Nice Demo and Review John! Unfortunately, I don't see any Lefty's in the Standard on Fender's Site! Evidently we've been LEFT OUT AGAIN!! But I think I'd go with the Classic Vibe or the Player II. Please keep up the Good Work and Cheers from Salem, Oh. US.

[@dronesandothertones8902]

If there's a Standard series strat with a 70s headstock, then I'd buy one. Otherwise, my Classic Vibe 70s strat is pretty great.

[@DROPTUNED]

It's not a Mexican quality... It's like a classic vibe squire thing... The plastics, bridge, pickup covers.... Everything looks like a cortek guitar (Cort manufacturer in indonesia) the bridge looks like overseas east production quality.. just a squire thing with a fender logo...

[@Mexxx65]

And an inferior classic vibe squire at that....

[@CliffGulle-dx8ey]

it's below Classic Vibe quality...A Poplar Body and a Ceramic Pickups! that's an Affinity Specs! 😁😁😁

[@kellygreenii]

PRS SE’s are made in Indonesia and are better quality than many US made guitars.

[@Dad-Gad]

Proving my point exactly 👍

[@EarendelStar-ob1ql]

Classic vibes have alnico pickups.

[@mykhedelic6471]

I'll take a Squier Debut and make history. Get it in shape, get yourself in shape and then do the thing. Save your money and save the world. Cordry just needs to play, just like you. It's a nice blue.

[@Kenneth_9_1]

If you can afford £500 for one of these just save up another 100 and get a player 2, alder bodies classic gear tuners alnico pick ups, rosewood fretboards, MIM fender, why would you pay 500 for this when they are close in price to a MIM fender - if the standard line was 300 then I would understand but at £500 it makes no sense too me

[@johnnathancordy]

I would guess that the Mexican Player range is going to start creeping up in price probably?

[@dcamnc1]

Nice, I ordered the same exact colorway a few days ago.

[@EricfromBloatGames]

I'd love to see this compared to the Squire Debut series strat. And see if it is a 5x better strat than the Squier.

[@CitizenSoldier500]

still waiting for a look inside at the electronics instead of it just pushed for sales in these videos

[@Andrew-Hood]

Loved your playing in this one especially. Great energy in the intro

[@pedroleal7118]

Indonesia is pumping out good guitars at affordable prices. And many of us probably own guitars made there without knowing it . What's not normal, it's when a brand makes you pay a 'premium' ( supposedly for European or American 'workprice'+ know how + added hype), when it costs way less to build, in Indonesia ! My .strandberg* is made in Indonesia, my Gretsch is made in Indonesia too, I play Japanese Aria Pro II guitars, and have an Ibanez ATK killer Bass. Asian countries have long proove their skills! And, many exotic woods come from there, so it makes sense. Vietnam probably entering the fray soon ... Take care . ps sounded great, as usual .

[@felipeepilefelipe]

The problem is not with Indonesia. The problem is that Fender is selling a Squire Affinity series guitar, with the Fender logo, $300 more expensive, it’s a completely joke. Both are made in the same factory in Indonesia.

[@pedroleal7118]

@@felipeepilefelipe "What's not normal, it's when a brand makes you pay a 'premium' ( supposedly for European or American 'workprice'+ know how + added hype), when it costs way less to build, in Indonesia ! ", you probably missed that part, but I get you, I payed a lot for my strandberg (used to be made in Sweden), and it's also made in Indonesia ! Nowadys top strandberg models 'made in Sweden' are for 'dentists' ... !

[@felipeepilefelipe]

@@pedroleal7118 Exactly, you pay more for the Fender logo because there is a lot of attributes behind the brand that you rely on. Fender brand is associated with a great and high standard quality. It’s a shame that Fender take this road, specially using a well recognized name like “Standard”, that was always has been associated with professionals guitars, same as Gibson.

[@89digits59]

This is Fender by Squier at $599 😂 - all would have been forgiven if this had 22 frets, but 21 frets kills it for me. PRS Silversky SE / CE 24 SE or even the Sire S7 is much better value, how many agree?

[@reverb508]

Agreed. I wouldn’t pay that much for only 21 frets. That’s $28.52 per fret which is highway robbery. Honestly, this is like 26 fret money right here.

[@89digits59]

@@reverb508 😂😂👍👍

[@Dad-Gad]

Depends which guitar feels nicer to whoever plays it , you can have a $2k that doesn't suit you , but a $90 Harley Benton will .

[@89digits59]

@Dad-Gad Agree - I have kept my Squire Affinity Tele (Made in China) and sold my US Tele, sometimes guitars just connect with you -irrespective of the price.

[@93greenstrat]

Back when they had the MIM Standard Strat and the American Standard Strat, they kept the MIM at 21 frets......perhaps to avoid cannibalizing sales from the American Standard (which, BTW, is not the same model as made-in-USA Standard Strat).

[@brandonbutler8808]

Great playing John! sounds good!

[@stealthbum34]

I just don’t get it. Have you seen the spec on the new Harley benton ST moderns for less money?

[@ratkopetrovic4959]

Punishment for snobs. $160 guitar for $600.

[@kylebaker8619]

Honestly this is an odd one, an Indonesian Fender. At first though, a cheaper fender is an absolute yes! But then I let it sink in, I think there are already so many good options outside of the fender brands that offer much more in this price or cheaper. In the fender brands, I think I'd have to go for a much more expensive squire.

[@peterhall4852]

These will be on a par with the other good quality guitars from Indonesia,so the country of manufacturer has never bothered me. However,Im not convinced that these are anything other than rebranded Squires( no matter what Fender's CEO says). They should have used alnico pickups. Fender's American base will go nuts over this... and not in a good way. But,why pay 600 when you can pay half that for a perfectly good Jet, Sire or Squire.

[@sacasticus]

I wish fender or Squier would but an arm curve on some of their low/mid priced teles.

[@thundercrowz]

It’s lower quality then my 2017 squier affinity Strat 😑 which is made with an alder body and a rosewood slab board but instead this Strat has a 200 dollar price difference and a fender logo.

[@Old-Skull.]

Basically they are selling you a guitar for 500£ but you have to spend 300 more in pickups and electronics to make it a decent guitar, one way or another you pay nearly 800£ for the Fender name and to be honest I'm fine with that , I would be more dissapointed if they actually sell good playing instruments for 500£ bc they don't need it , they have Squire to attend that market , I think that when it comes to the Stratocaster Indonesia based on what you showed to us today you get more from the top end of Squire than from the low end of Fender and I say this bc I bought a Squier 40th anniversary with Fender designed alnico 5 stacked pick ups , two screws bridge for 400£ , the craftsmanship is amazing and it has the same measures than the american ones bc it's a reissue of the first Squiers from the 80s. I think if you look for a top Squire it can take you some time but if you look for it you can get some good stuff, I don't even changed those pick ups , they sound really well . My interest about Fender Indonesia is for the Acoustasonic, I'll wait for reviews and demos.

[@44scoots]

Learn to spell Squier correctly. You must be a big fan.

[@Old-Skull.]

@@44scoots No I'm not a fan , I'm a consumer of their products and certainly I have problems when it comes to write Squier bc sometimes it comes to my mind Esquire , as u should know there is a Fender Esquire and when I want to write Squier I mix the two terms and the result can be anything , my bad , my apologies for the suffering I caused you due to my laziness, I will correct it immediately so you can have peace of mind.

[@44scoots]

@ believe me I don’t agree with everything Fender does, especially these past few years. But for people to get on these posts and complain and say “this is better than that” without even trying the items is, IMO, ridiculous. If you have $499 buy the CV, if you have $599 buy the new standard, and if you have a little more buy the Player 2. All good guitars. **I forgot to add… as I said above I don’t agree with everything Fender has done the past few years, actually I think Fender has been kind of a joke, putting out things randomly that don’t make sense. This may be one of those things, IDK. Disclaimer: I own three Fender guitars, all over four years old.

[@tonedowne]

Unfortunately they decided to take ALL the DSP out of the Indonesian Acoustisonic, defeating pretty much the entire point of it.

[@Old-Skull.]

@@tonedowne Yes I knew about it but for me that's a good thing, I just want the humbucker sound of it, of course it was not in my plan a humbucker in an acoustic enviromment, hahaha . But hey if it's not what I expect I can have fun doing some mods or giving it to a local charity . I haven't decided yet, it's on the list, but the wait is too long, +2 months, 🤷‍♂.

[@jcsk8]

It looks good, it sounds good, it have a nice wood truss rod plug instead of plastic... In the end is not where it´s made, but how it´s made.

[@AC-cc1bx]

It's overpriced

[@jcsk8]

@@AC-cc1bx Most of Fender/gibby guitars are.

[@georgeflowers3730]

As with any other corporation, Fender only cares about profits and the bottom line, and if they project more profit by making them in Indonesia, they will do it. As a humbucker guy, I only have one SSS pickup guitar, a Sire S7. It's a beautiful guitar with great specs, like locking tuners and rounded frets. I bought a used one in mint condition for a cheaper price. I understand many people care about the logo, but we all know that more than 90% of the people watching you play only care about how good you sound playing your guitar.

[@gregsLyrics]

The problem is - JNC makes any guitar sound absolutely amazing! 😂

[@ΓιάννηςΓουμαράς]

This product is for people who are not very experienced with specs. Why buy an OEM guitar (a Cort with a Fender logo) with poplar and laurel and not pay 150 more to buy a mexican which IS a Fender (Fender owns the mexican plant that also produces other fender's products such as amps and other brands like EVH, Charvel etc) and had alder body and rosewood fretboard.

[@oneanother1]

Tariffs? I mean if they were the exact spec as the MIm, oversee made wouldn't really matter too much. But they didn't, trying to sell a 300 dollar guitar for 600.

[@StormJH1]

Shocked that it has ceramic pickups at a $499 price point. Squiers over the last few decades have been all over the place in terms of quality. Some of them have thinner bodies (Affinity) and are obviously different than a Mexican/American Strat when you pick them up. The SE Strats from the early 2000’s and my 1990’s Bullet have basically full-size bodies and decent necks, but cost-savings on some of the hardware and electronics. But basically all of those were sub-$200 guitars. I could be wrong but the classic vibe and other squires that cost over $300 actually had pretty good pickups, and I understood at least some of them to be Alnico. I understand that everything is more expensive now than it was 15 years ago, but to have a $500 guitar with fender on the headstock and yet cutting corners with the pick ups that are such a critical component of tone is disappointing to me. I would definitely look in another direction. And this is from someone who has zero qualms about mid price guitars coming from Mexico or the far east.

[@Hammonds77]

Its basically a squier standard series that was discontinued with the fender logo on it

[@leeholzmann1023]

i think the old sq std had alnico pickups...

[@cmonsterz]

I’m going to offer a perspective that I developed back in the mid 80s (seems like the Squires hadn’t been around very long). This pre-dates Mexican Fenders. Back then, I felt that if a guitarist’s budget couldn’t get them into an American Fender, the Squires were a decent alternative. So I’m not thinking an Indonesian Strat makes much sense…but it’s also not something I’m going to buy, so I’m clearly not who they were targeting;)

[@adriandavidm.guillen3825]

Sounds exactly like my Squier Bullet Strat…Damn

[@chrisayres5050]

Basically a Classic Vibe Strat with a Fender Logo stuck on ! I've been playing guitar since 2003 and this is just an insult , John you must remember back in the 00s we could buy USA Standard Strats with a Hard Shell Case for £750 which had a Bone Nut Alder Body real Rosewood fingerboard Rolled Fret edges and the TBX tone bypass circuit for the Alnico pickups , I just feel like corporate Greed has taken over , The only good points about that guitar in this video is the hardware thats been upgraded except the awful ceramic pickups which are as big a deal breaker.

[@felipeepilefelipe]

Much closer to affinity series than Classic Vibe. The Squire Classic Vibe is a better guitar than this new “Standars”. This is the most bizarre Fender movement I remember.

[@Hammonds77]

No way. The classic vibes are vintage period and come with alnico pick-ups and bone nut for a start. These are more like the squier standards that were discontinued in 2018 with a Fender decal

[@engageintellect]

John is such a ridiculously good player. His phrasing and control is just top-tier.

[@LA.Guitar]

Sounds cheap, tinny and a bit brittle. Also with strings breaking and the bridge so out of line, doesn’t indicate good hardware either…… avoid.

[@roimodeste]

I think it's too expensive for a Fender by Squier made in Indonesia. Low cost Ceramic pickups, probably small sustain bloc tremolo bridge, small pots etc... Later on the second-hand market this standard model will be less easy to sell than Player and standard MIM.

[@sedoyotec]

Great! Now Fender sounds like Squier!

[@steved2870]

At the price point and manufacture location check all brands! Amazing what you can get. May find an expected gem.

[@rafaelzengo5534]

A used squier vintage modified seems to be a lot more guitar than this. I’m not sure what kind of market fender was aiming at with this new standard series, but maybe I don’t know enough. If they threw a lot of money into this, there may be a reason.

[@ScottyBrockway]

I'm saving up for Yngwie strat with the bullet truss rod. US one, but not the custom shop.

[@TheGuitarBay]

Insane opening jam, nice chops! I really think Fender has been cheeky with this release releasing an Asian made guitar with the Fender logo on it HOWEVER we have been insanely impressed with Indonesian made instruments recently literally nothing but positive experiences, insane necks, woods, fret finishing hardware and even tidy wiring. I personally don't care where a guitar has been made anymore as long as it plays and sounds good. Sure you'll pay a bit more for the Fender logo but Indonesian Ibanez', Schecters, Sire, Squiers are solid instruments.

[@arthurguimaraes00]

Sire S5 or S7 vintage is the way to go. I got a S5, which is basically a S7 vintage with maple neck and fretboard instead of roasted maple. Great neck, great alnico V pickups, alder body and a two post bridge very similar to the gotoh 510.

[@darrinwilson8484]

best part of the video is that hoodie with the dogo on it

[@skelsound9747]

It's probably totally fine after a setup but I don't think this is a good deal, unless you are the guy that just wants the "Fender" on the headstock. I'd rather go for a Jet and change the tuners and pickups to achieve the typical Strat sound. I'd probably still be under $500 after the upgrade. The Squier classic stuff also looks more attractive compared to the Fender Standard.

[@NicholasJens]

yeah, i'd buy a PRS SE silver sky before this for sure. BUT. they are coming out of the same factory. Just an interesting point.

[@peterwilson8039]

I suspect that people who play professionally, tend to think the Classic Vibe guitars are better than they actually are. People do love their retro style, but from a purely functional point of view, at least to me, the sticky finish on the neck, the retro tuners, and the vintage style bridge (on the Tele) are all significant downgrades. If I were buying a guitar in that price range to be my main guitar to play for a couple of hours every day, I'd choose the modern functionality and feel of the Standard series. It doesn't hurt that it says Fender on the headstock.

[@joythemountisland]

The truss rod hole is so Squiery, below the rosewood

[@derekjohnson5720]

I'd buy it over the player series because it's £169 cheaper. Then what I would do is buy a loaded Fender American pickguard £180-£200. You could then have a Fender strat with premium electronics and you’re choice of American pups. Or I suppose you could do that with a squire classic vibe and the total cost would come to about £500-£530. I certainly wouldn’t buy it to keep it stock. I'd actually buy a stock Squier classic vibe over this. My pal tried one the other day and said the pups sounded horrific with high gain.

[@johnnathancordy]

Agreed Classic Vibe is probably the way to go out of the box if you're not so concerned about what is on the headstock?

[@DanaMentgen]

Frankly, I think the Squier Debut was way more bang for the buck. 500 pounds British is currently $622 USA dollars. That's a $500 difference. Certainly doesn't sound $500 better....both sound equally good. But then, you're playing them, not me. Heck, I can make any guitar sound like crap.

[@christophervincent8420]

A bit of clean up and a loaded pickguard with upgraded tuners says I can get the Standard closer to a 59 strat or even 60s strat than paying a $2,000 bill

[@GilangRamanda]

But it's still considered expensive here in Indonesia, maybe I can go to the factory directly and buy from there? haha, anw nice video as always!

[@stevesteve1965.]

Its not a strat with a 2 point trem, and ceramic pick ups in my world.. I've also put a Fender logo on a Squire headstock.

[@wadedavis4437]

Looks like a squier. Maybe a squirrel. Stay at home Fender.

[@nolanhawks]

While this iteration of the product may have debatable value, I like this direction for Fender in that their instruments are simply more accessible than any other big brand out there. The demographic for Fender instruments is anywhere from weekend warriors, to collectors, to touring musicians. I don't know when people will understand that not everyone wants the best value or the most versatility. Some just want the real thing, and Fender is the real thing.

[@jessethetodd]

Actually changed my mind watching this - this looks good - to me it does look a step up from an Affinity in terms of fit and finish, is a different guitar than a classic vibe (swings to "modern" vs "vintage" styling). I do think $849 for the entry level Fender is on the high side...so if this is just thought of as the entry-level Fender, then I'm ok with that. Now would I buy this? don't think so. Even at 1/2 the price probably wouldn't. This simply isn't targeted at me or likley anyone who would be watching KZbin video reviews and making comments :). I think this is for the person who isn't going to check every spec side by side, who is working in a specific budget range, and who wants the most bang for their buck (and for them "bang for their buck" means a guitar that looks good and sounds good and says Fender - they'll never pull the pickguard to look at the size of the pots, might not know or care about rosewood vs laurel, etc.

[@MrBlank0907]

The production of guitars has become so centralized. A few factories now make a majority of import guitars, leading to them all feeling the same and boring. They function perfectly well, and I guess that’s all that matters if you’re a beginner. Maybe it’s me tho. These guitars aren’t being made for guitar snobs like me, maybe I shouldn’t care about a market that I’m not interested in anymore.

[@LysanderLH]

Cheap Labour and manufacturing costs (employment rights) with Western economy prices. It’s a €200 guitar.

[@winstonsmith8240]

I recently bought a second hand (good as new) Godin Freeway. £300. One of the best guitars I've ever owned. Just saying.

[@smilevrsac]

Basically - garbage. Garbage sticker on the back should say please dispose in garbage.

[@amirpedram2266]

I watch your videos only for the jamming part and you always deliver. I don't care about the guitars and stuff that much

[@burt2800]

So something like Squier Custom Shop?

[@sabifuge]

I would love to see a breakdown of your intro play... It was TASTY!

[@michaelkhorsandi8623]

I enjoy my Squier Classic Vibe. I had to do a bit of fretwork, but that wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. Personally, I’d considered a used Player Series before buying this “Standard.” With a used Fender, you don’t have to worry about depreciation, and it would be round the same price as the “Standard” new.

[@stephandelaney4097]

Top end Squiers > Low end Fenders

[@uwedasler425]

Their marketing department dropped the ball on that one. The illusion is incomplete. Suggestions... Don't say 'ceramic' when 'Alnico C' sounds better. Just buy a town in Indonesia and re-baptize it 'Corona'. Done. Seriously though, naming something "Standard' that is not remotely close to the Standard is beyond fishy.

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

It's purely down to marketing. Ignore the name on the headstock, judge it against similarly priced guitars from anywhere in the world, and only then decide where your money's better spent.

[@jeanyague2754]

go for the sire S7 or any G&L strat tribute type any of those would be much better than this. if not then just go with the squire classic vibe

[@44scoots]

Have you played one?

[@picksalot1]

I think it's got a very good "modern" sound. What were you playing/recording with? I recall Phil McKnight mentioning that he thought hotter Pickups work better with Modelers. Considering he makes Pickups, and is very pragmatic about all gear, I think he may be right. Poplar seems to be a very good wood for painted bodies. Ceramic Pickups have gotten a bad reputation for sounding harsh, but in the few comparisons I've heard, that really was not the case. I'd like to see a thorough scientific blind test, and also a comparison to hear if they actually sound better on Modelers.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

With pickups it just boils down to the design and wind. They’re are some fantastic sounding ceramic pickups out there, such as the dimarzio transitions and the SD alpha/omega, SH5, SH6 to name a few

[@honkytonkinson9787]

Nothing about it excites me. I guess I’m a little curious though To be fair, nothing fender does currently seems very exciting