Everyone says this is NOT a real Stratocaster! Do you agree?

Hey guys, I'm back today to address some controversy regarding my Debut Series Stratocaster from Squier (by Fender). Several people seemed quite offended in the original video that I referred to it as "real" and "genuine." Let's talk about it and see what it's all about. Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe.
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[@stevemora7845]

Those guys are a bunch of cork sniffers. The majority can't play to save their lives! They have more money than talent and skill. 😂

[@mikeg6666]

They need to get a life!

[@jackjerfstroem1072]

right on!!! bunch of posers

[@JoeR203]

To me, any guitar with that body shape is a "Strat".

[@matthewcozon4686]

This is correct.

[@MainPrism]

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!!!

[@MainPrism]

There's a reason an entire genre? Subsection? Of guitars are known as superstrats. They're made by every company imaginable but they all have one thing in common. A Strat style of body.

[@JohnRampino]

No, what make it a Strat is it has 3 single coil pickups.

[@MainPrism]

@@JohnRampino Nashville Telecaster has entered the chat.

[@ItFigures89]

Imagine the amount of sadness it takes being a grown adult and going out of your way to tell someone with a Squier Strat that it's not a real Strat.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

This is why the term "get a life" exists.

[@mitabpraga7487]

@@Joe-mz6dc Where I come from the term is "get a gf whose last name isn't .jpg" 🤣

[@mikeg6666]

Exactly 👍

[@DMSProduktions]

Fender:Are we a JOKE to you?

[@DMSProduktions]

@@mitabpraga7487 They can't afford 1!

[@MisterJWJ71]

The same people also say that an Epiphone Les Paul isn't a "REAL" Les Paul.

[@bikeman1x11]

its not - its a licensed copy-- wood craftsmanship are totally different

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Craftsmanship often better.

[@ChockHolocaust]

@@bikeman1x11 Whilst it is true that Gibson tend to use a bit more hand-finishing and usually (not always) better quality wood than that found in Epiphones, the truth is that Les Paul was associated with Epiphone long before he had anything to do with Gibson at all. In fact, Les made his original 'log' guitar - which was the basis for what we would now call a Les Paul guitar - in the Epiphone factory in NYC; it also used parts from a cut up Epiphone guitar for its construction. Les tried to get Gibson interested in it, but they initially didn't see the benefit, that is until the Fender Broadcaster (which became the Telecaster), started gaining a lot of sales, which prompted Gibson to reconsider. So there is quite an Epiphone legacy with the Les Paul guitar's origins. In the Eighties - by which time Gibson had owned Epiphone for years - they did what a lot of guitar companies did, and used one of their subsidiary brand names (in their case Epiphone) to market more economically-produced versions of their Les Paul guitar, but these do carry the Les Paul name on them, so they are indeed 'real Les Pauls'. This is somewhat akin to Squier Strats and Teles being real Strats and Teles, since Fender did the same thing with their Squier brand to make cheaper versions of their US-built guitars. They have the trademarked name on them, so they are the real thing; just made for less money with some less expensive components. Some people might regard the 'built in the US' being critical to whether a guitar is 'the real deal' or not, but It's worth noting that there have been periods (for both Gibson and Fender) where their US quality control wasn't great and their foreign-made Epiphones and Squiers (and Sunn Mustangs too) were actually considerably better than the ones bring made in the US, so that 'made in the USA aspect isn't a cast-iron guarantee that the guitar will be better. Personally, I've got a few Fenders and Squiers and a few Gibsons and Epiphones and I can honestly say that quite a few of my own Epiphones, Squiers and Sunns are better guitars than several vastly more expensive Gibson and Fender counterparts which I also own.

[@sidsuspicious]

@@bikeman1x11 You muppet.

[@luther_beckett]

Epiphone has upped their game. Gibson has upped their prices.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

Many of the cork sniffing guitar snobs that crap on squier could not tell one from a Fender if blindfolded

[@roscius6204]

Yep, I'd say all though.

[@MitchHaman]

Congratulations, Richard. You are a bonafide successful KZbinr. Now you'll get all the jealousy, negativity comments that come with being that successful KZbinr. Did I mention gear snobs? We all love what you are doing and don't change a thing.

[@thebaldshredder]

Thanks Mitch!

[@wallyinthebox1]

I agrees Mitch

[@timothylay2599]

My Epiphone says Les Paul custom !!!🤔

[@senseiruss]

I have a couple of Epiphone Les Pauls; both great guitars. However, unlike my Squiers, which have the word Fender on both sides of the headstock, my Epiphone LPs (and probably yours) don't have the word Gibson anywhere on the headstock.

[@ItFigures89]

Congratulations, you own an "AUTHENTIC" Les Paul Custom. Backed and branded by Gibson themselves is enough to convince me!

[@senseiruss]

@@ItFigures89 I’m aware of that, thanks. But my point was, that unlike how Fender puts its name on both sides of the headstock on its Squiers, Gibson does not put its name ANYWHERE on my Epiphones. And most likely not on all its other Epiphones.

[@kernelkorn6545]

Whew. That was one hell of a couple minutes. It’s a Stratocaster.

[@thebaldshredder]

It's a STRAT! LOL

[@AndyDion]

In my opinion it’s not a real Stratocaster unless it’s pre CBS when Leo Fender sold the company in 1965! Lol People get weird with Gibson and Fender because of tradition.

[@thebaldshredder]

They sure do!

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Let’s get even more gatekeepery. Only an all original pre cbs with a perfect finish is a real Strat. Why not. Let’s get stupid with it.

[@ranman58635]

Nonsense!

[@TheDouglasSeth]

I have a 40th anniversary American FENDER Stratocaster and 2018 SQUIER Deluxe Stratocaster. I much prefer the Squier Strat. It plays better after I set it up (I put locking tuners and a Tusq nut/string trees), sounds better and the body is more comfortable. The modifications cost under $200 to the Squier on top of the purchase cost of $300. This is less half of the cost of the Fender. Judge the guitar by the guitar, not the name of the headstock. Also, the neck and the Squier is much better too. Rolled edges, flat, beautifully crowned frets. Not to mention, if you can't play it won't matter what guitar you have!😂

[@Trashslayer76]

I prefer my '94 MIM over my 2016 American Professional

[@ericrichard5237]

2003 squire affinity strat. Butterscotch blonde, maple fret board and fat headstock. $149!! Love it!!! Plays fantastic.

[@StrikeValkyrie]

If you really want to wax intellectual about the whole issue then one could argue that only pre-corporate buyout Fender Stratocasters are REAL Stratocasters as they were made by the standards that Leo Fender imbued upon the instrument and that after the buyout only G&L guitars would be authentic 'Stratocasters' regardless of the name 'Fender' on the instrument as CBS now owned the brand and could do what they wanted with it. One could also believe that any instrument that has the same basic shape is, in fact, a Stratocaster as it follows the design and concept of the original instrument. People use political correctness for the most part and refer to these instruments as 'strat-style' guitars, but they may be made of better parts and with higher, more exacting standards than pre or post corporate buyout 'Fender' branded guitars. What you have there is a strat-style Stratocaster that is made to look like a Stratocaster because it is a Stratocaster. Stratocaster, Stratocaster, dollar bill yall!!

[@seanflannery777]

Wow... I guess this is why I don't read comments often. It IS a strat

[@b.rodclark334]

IT'S A REAL GENUINE STRATOCASTER FORMULA...and it exists in every Strat outside Fender/Squier; I call em 'offsprings' myself. The Fullerton roots run deep with each offspring so that means one thing: it's a Strat whether it comes from Fender/Squier or not... I'm good with it, especially my MIM Strat with a Corona maple neck! Damn them torpedoes aka trolls!

[@paulroberts4843]

You never fail to crack me up, it’s part of why I subscribed to your channel recently. I think there are people that can’t handle the fact that a guitar doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Most of my guitars are budget kit builds and I love them despite their imperfections. And yes I agree with you that if the company that owns the rights to use a name puts it on a guitar it’s the real thing.

[@bobisonline]

I purchased a 1987 "Squire" Strat in 1987 that is Japanese made. I have played it almost nightly for those 37 years, had it re-fretted once and installed a Tex-Mex p/u system a number of years ago. I'll hold it up to any "Real" Strat I have ever played.

[@MainPrism]

Those Golden Era Japanese Strats are just nasty. They'll stand up to an American Strat from any year without mods. Very good buy sir!!!

[@wasteddude9387]

Obviously, it’s not a Stratocaster; it’s a wearable steampunk ham sandwich. DUH!!!

[@ranman58635]

Bro, so cool 😅. I have an 86 Squier contemporary stratocaster telecaster bullet one qnd it's it's swell survivor. Someone must have loved it. Even scratches their driver's license number all over the back covers and body. It was not played much so I was able to re crown the small frets and fix some chip's but it's all original and sounds amazing. I recently soldered some jumpers to thr volume so I can play with some tone bleeds. The maple neck and all the fender branded stuff tells me, it's all fender. Ply body but it's mahogany so that's fine with me. Needs a belly carve though badly. Just love it! Thr neck stays good cause it's quarter sawn.

[@callfourzero1931]

Hi Bob, I own a 2010 Indonesia Squire Strat, it's a good one, holds tune great. I notice how you spell Squire, it is Squire. When I bought this guitar used two years ago it read Squire, months later it Mandela Effected to ER. You can buy Fender Squire decals online, I've decided to leave it as is, changed.

[@bobisonline]

@@wasteddude9387 Lol!

[@thomasd9237]

LoL. Mr. Shredder went off & put them in their place. good for you sir. Well Done 👏👏👏 & yes, it is a squire Stratocaster

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

Only cosmetic mods.. Nice touch.. plays nice .. Cheers 🍻 🥃🥃 🎸 🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@orbgakoo147]

When i was into strats squier was my go to guitar. I had a early late 80’s -90’s japan made and was my main live guitar for a year. People who think only a real strat is made in the USA is delusional. Budget guitars and DYI mods are really the way to go, fully custom and make it your own personal tool to convey your music.

[@BamaGuitar]

Nailed it 1000 times over! I’m 63 years of age and playing guitar for over 52 years. I am amazed at how someone can live decades upon this earth and not realize there are opinions and people are not always going to agree with theirs it’s truly a lesson in human nature. MANY of the “my way or the highway” types love when someone says something they disagree so they can exercise control right before they run off to tell others they’re eating their eggs the “wrong” way. Gotta laugh and by all means have a good old time setting me right. ROTFL. Great video and thanks!

[@terrymitchell4288]

63 years old ,still rocking , dont need nothing in the name except that it plays great,Fender ,Squire same name just either one posers can't play😮

[@jimgray774]

Hi buddy.that is a real strat and don't worry about the dumbasses bro.its people that don't no shit❤don't let idiots bother you it's really not worth it.i got ur back brother and it's a real strat yes it is

[@dennislydon-dt4mq]

It’s a Strat, some people have a hard time accepting the Squire name. They seem to disassociate Fender from Squire, similar to Gibson and Epiphone.

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

I like squires... Epiphones don't get anywhere near Gibson's to me, unless they are Japanese Epis.

[@ranman58635]

Squiers are now reaching into the 600 dollar range. There's one for everyone. That was Leo's desire. All students can play one.

[@rickbrunet2559]

I dnt care what anyone says, I have a fender squire. Forest green with a black sparkle pick guard. I put a dimarzio pickup in the bridge and plays and sounds beautiful for 3 1/4 less the price!

[@jeffmccrady9456]

Awesome video!!!! I've had lots of USA strats,teles. And squires!!!! Keep shredding!!😅😅😅😅😅

[@retromacman620]

The higher end Squiers are nicer than a lot of Fender Stratocasters! The lower end are often really nice for the money. If Fender says it's a Strat... it's a Strat 😂

[@wickedbishop]

Lmao stratocaster it is people don't like the fact that squier by fender has been putting out some quality stratocasters and telecasters and so on 😅😂😮

[@senseiruss]

LOVE this video! Thanks for this! I have 3 Stratocasters (2 Fender Squiers, 1 non-Squier Fender). All three are great guitars and fun to play. They all sure seem REAL to me! You had me cracking up at several points in this vid - very entertaining and very true! Subscribed to your channel right then and there!

[@thebaldshredder]

Thanks dude!

[@jeffreyschned4200]

Well said shredder have a great day...strat style...guitar looks and sounds killer...

[@nychold]

No, you don't get it. It's not that it's their opinion or fact...it's that their opinion IS fact, and we're all wrong because Fender is really only Fender Made in America. 🤣🤣 Oh serious question...how's it routed under the pickguard? Could you upgrade it to HSS for example?

[@thebaldshredder]

Route is H-S-H

[@catch_this_mirage6564]

What 😮?! I thought a US Custom shop Strat was 199$ 🤯 This video ruined my day 😢 .. .. .. .. 😄

[@csh9853]

made by fender? check , 3 single coil pickups? check . its a f ing strat. imho if if has anything other than single coils,its a super strat.

[@stephennewlin]

There's just alot of hardcore idiots out there!Just have to get used to it!Hah!I love your reviews and playing!!!!Keep it up!!!

[@luisvillarreal5262]

If it sounds and feels good, play it. That’s all I’m going to say. METAL DUDE APPROVES OF THIS VIDEO 💯%.🎸🤘🏼🤪🤘🏼👍🏻

[@tankdarla637]

It is definitely a Squier Stratocaster, I like it. 100%real. Way more true to a Fender than Epiphone is to Gibson...

[@vanhalen5150jhs]

F is for fun. best part. LOL

[@wasteddude9387]

Well, I have a 2024 perspective on all guitars made by Fender in the last few years. If you buy a CHEAP FENDER, you get what you pay for. If you buy a COSTLY FENDER, you DON'T get what you pay for. I'd rather buy a cheap guitar and buy the parts to mod it up to MY preferred specs. I might be paying for what I get, but I'll get what I pay for. GAME BALL.

[@22knightx]

I've never once, gotten tone from the logo on the headstock. Ive played a Squier Tele at gigs, stock. But, the action, intonation, tuning stability all apot on. Someone that was 50 feet away walks up, "that guitar sounded killer, is it American or Mexican" ??? It's a Squier.... Them..." ohhh, a Squier....yeah i thought so" Um, no, you didn't...

[@mmmira606]

I love your channel and your vids and I honestly think it's a strat but I really think it was a click bate. You knowing that ppl maybe click on it because you said real and then added the price. Anyone will click on it. You could have just put on your title a " real squire strat and I bet ppl would have reconsider the view . Just saying. Still loving your work I watch yours vids all the time . 😎🤘🏽

[@thebaldshredder]

Not clickbait dude. Come on! I didn't say Fender anywhere. LOL. Thanks!

[@royhardy5566]

I bought one too, I think it's a decent strat. Thanks for sharing.

[@Strato13]

Yeah, I have a USA Strat, but my go to right now is my Squier Sonic STRATOCASTER (Modded with Dimarzio HS-4 p/ups, fender style 5-way switch, and upgraded wiring, and a complete setup by my favorite luthier. plays, feels, and sounds great. My only gripe is that as a left handed player, I only had the choice of the Black one with the white pickguard.

[@soniarodriguez4276]

Just like Epiphone is owned by Gibson, so is Squier Debut owned by Fender and I am proud to say I own both an Epiphone Les Paul limited Vintage edition and the NEW DEBUT Squier Strat by Fender...both affordable excellent quality guitars without breaking the bank. Thank you for confirming the real deal and making a fool of those snobs.

[@bluematrix5001]

If FMIC (Fender) owns the Trademark of Stratocaster, So legally is a Stratocaster and is up to Fender to decide what is a stratocaster... now, the Design is like a Stratocaster, and for the fools, are so many Stratocasters variations under Fender, so this by Squier can be easily another one...is a Stratocaster CASE CLOSED!

[@Greg-kj5rr]

Rich I loved this video & your 'logical' reasoning with the 'illogical' masses!! You had me chuckling a few times!! But I wanted to stand in solidarity with you because I saw your previous video re: the Debut model & the 'names' issue to me is just a matter of semantics .. what's more important to me is how well an instrument plays & what kind of tones you can get from it!!! And YOU my friend, are right on the money with your evaluations & I've learned I can trust YOUR judgment & evaluations more than 'anybody' out there!! Thanks for being the technical guitar wizard you are & keep on jammin' w/your brilliant shredding ways!! I am NOW & will always be a BIG FAN OF YOURS!!! - SINCERELY - Greg Leonard - Cottage Grove, MN 👍👍

[@eddiefisher8921]

Squire was a string company. Not a guitar company. Japan was causing Fender to lose a lot of money. Fender had purchased Squier and put their name on the package. They were fixing to go under when they purchased the Japan company and started making guitars that was cheaper to make . When they came out with the Squier guitars, they had Fender Stratacaster just like their guitars made in the USA. They also had inspired by Squier on them in small print. They were good guitars and selling good so Fender rebranded them to Squier Stratacaster, by Fender. Fender started making these guitars. Squier was the name of the string company. Fender to this day calls all the shots on Squire guitars. Everything. People need to go back to the beginning of Squier and Fender. That is why Stratacaster and telecaster can be put on the guitars. Same as les Paul on the epiphone. Gibson calls the shots on epiphone. Nobody can do that because they own the rights. If another company puts Stratacaster or Telecaster on there guitars, Fender will sue. Squier also kept Fender from going under. Facts are facts. Nobody has to like it, but at the end of the day, Fender has always said how Squier guitars are made since Fender started the guitar brand Squier. Just look it up. It's not a hidden secret.

[@samsonjpedroza]

BS SCHOOLING THE HATERS !!! LOL ... LOVE IT....GOOD SHIT BRO !

[@jonathanrees6122]

I have one of these (the black one). I’m blown away by this thing. I have guitars that cost 10 times or more what this thing cost, and it would be silly to compare them. But if you’re a kid who wants a REAL STRATOCASTER for a good price. You cannot go wrong with this. The strings were great-which surprised me. I’ve had a couple cheap guitars and the first thing it needed was new string. The only thing I did was intonate it and float the bridge just a little. 5 star guitar for the price.

[@robertwinter6974]

I think people are just guitar snobs. It's got to be a Fender or it isn't a proper guitar. Me I don't care what it is. If plays well, great. If it doesn't mod it. I'd rather pay £60 Sterling. And mod it than pay £6000 just to show off. By the way love your channel. Keep going. From the other side of the pond.

[@robertvarner8195]

Great video! It's most definitely a Stratocaster period. 😮

[@MashaT22]

Omg, what is wrong with people. Looks real enough to me!! If it looks like a Strat, and sounds like a Strat, and literally said “Stratocaster” and “Fender” on the headstock. . . and it’s sold by Fender . . . . Boy, maybe those cork sniffers should put more effort into actually learning to play their expensive showpieces instead of forming an angry comment mob about what qualifies as a Stratocaster. Like who cares if it’s real, a copy, or an alien guitar?! Like go buy more showpiece guitars and stay in your own corner of the internet, guys! Why are you watching and commenting on a channel that reviews affordable gear when you’re supposed to be rich and on your yacht?! At least let me lounge on your yacht or at your vacation home if you’re gonna spend more time on your computer busting Richard’s chops! 🤣🤣🤣

[@BillyTheKidsGhost]

It's exactly like a Stratocaster in every f#%&ing way. (Fact) Only the most insufferable people would say something like that. Some people need to get their mothers to drive them to a bar so they can meet a woman, and stop making stupid comments.

[@bwyou812]

Can correct me if I'm wrong, Didn't China and Japan produce guitars for Fender for the asian market? And when they started to show up in the U.S.A., Fender didn't want to compete with it's self and started to rebrand them as Fender Squier , then Squier by Fender. It may be a low end Strat, but still owned by Fender. I wish we had this amount of quality in a budget guitar in the 60's.

[@susantompkins8810]

Richard, much love to you❤! Please don't stress yourself with all the assholes who will comment... Unfortunately the more successful you get, the more comments come that can be nasty. Those idiots probably can't play half as well as you or could afford a so called "real strat". Your original video was spot on, and your demos are smokin! Jam On! and keep your head held high 🤘.

[@robertyoung7027]

I wouldn't start explaining myself to nobody if they're that dumb and don't understand that the company on that headstock is own ed by Fender and Fender licensed. The product is a Stratocaster then they're stupid... You start explaining yourself on these videos. You're going to get people hating on every video and then you're going to have to start explaining yourself on every video. "F"orget that!!

[@jeffreydooley3745]

Can we call all of those complainers "Butt Hurt Morons?" I like how you threw them under the bus.

[@Barbarapape]

There are some who think that unless it has a "Fender" decal on the headstock that it won't be as good as a USA one. I have seen plenty of shoddy USA samples whilst trying to find a good one. Squires are just the same and this also applies to other brands that make S shaped guitars. Forget about that decal and judge each sample on how good it is and what upgrades are required. The perfect "Strat" has yet to be made.

[@zuperdee]

ABSOLUTELY! I once heard a guitar tech say that he’s had to work on brand new guitars costing THOUSANDS of dollars from Fender and Gibson that still had issues like neck misalignment, or at the very LEAST, still needed things like fret leveling, crowning, and fret end dressing. Even some VINTAGE guitars are not that great, while others are amazing… It’s NOT just Squiers or Epiphones that have such issues. I find that really, the level of quality consistency in guitars has more to do with what factory they come from than the brand name. Fender’s USA factory is really NOT particularly impressive compared to others out there-Phil McKnight has even said this before. Some Squiers, especially ones like the Classic Vibe series, are possibly even BETTER than some USA-made Fenders. All that said, Philip McKnight has also said that Fenders are still some of the best “investment guitars,” simply because they hold their value better than almost anything else on account of the brand.

[@Barbarapape]

@@zuperdee Having recently sold a number of guitars that i havn't played for a long time the only ones that didn't lose a lot of money on were the Fenders, which proves that brand names but not quality sells guitars like a lot of other goods. The G&L's which were better than the Fenders went for less than half of what i paid for them.

[@dannagle2319]

The people that say things like that isn't a real Stratocaster are just gear snobs. The Stratocaster name isn't about the quality of the build or where it was built. It is a trademark name by a company for the shape of the guitar full stop. Squire is a real Stratocaster shape from the people that Own that trademark and that is what makes it real. If you want to get picky about types of Stratocasters then fine, Fender players have better materials than Squiers so you can make the argument that Squiers suck compared to more expensive Fender versions, and you would be right. But to say that a Squier isn't a real Stratocaster just makes you sound dumb. Hey, you didn't pay 10,000 dollars like I did for my Custom ferry dust Stratocaster, so your 2000-dollar Fender Strat isn't a real one!

[@lievenbousard7351]

"The F does not stand for Fender, it stands for fun." Good one His Royal Baldness! You make great videos man.

[@derekclacton]

The answer’s there on the headstock - it’s a budget version but it’s a Stratocaster 🎸👍

[@gilbertrodriguez1960]

Richard just ignore that ignorant people because I don't know what kind of body style they are looking at it's not a dinky for sure it's aaaaaa "Strat" believe it or not.🎸👍

[@myblues6532]

That's a good looking Stratocaster!

[@ericrichard5237]

What exactly would you call a Fender "Starcaster" then???? (A strat)

[@philliprowe2656]

I bought one and it is a good guitar with good intonation and action.Amazing they can produce it for such a low price!

[@carpathus]

Squier Debut is a true blue authentic strat right down to the proper Fender headstock. Cheers!

[@frosty_de_hitman5406]

I agree 100%, it's a damn authentic Fender Stratocaster. Fender designed it, they put their name on it and they said it is a Stratocaster, regardless if it has the Squier name or not. Those that say different just simply don't respect the Fender company or reality.

[@rubenmedina5050]

To me, does't matter, as long as playability and sound Is good 🤘🎸

[@RekEighty]

I'm not one of those weirdos who stuck on it's gotta be Fender to be Stratocaster.. anything S shaped off the Stratocaster build is a Stratocaster to me. You can get cute with the names all you want but a strat is a strat no matter the brand! Awesome vid Bald Shredder!

[@jeremiahgjg3313]

I just want to say I enjoy all your videos and think you are doing great. I call my Squiers strats so i fully agree

[@JamesCollinsworth-p2h]

My Fender Squire Strat kicks a-!!

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

Most real guitarist think Squier are Strats. So do I. The question of non Americans being real Strats or not is crazy! I prefer Japanese and Mexican Fender Strats over American, so did Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen who are guitar Gods! Only one I prefer to be American are Teles. Oh btw, I absolutely love the plate you put on it!

[@jodyferguson3068]

Well this is the way I look at it if it plays well and it sounds well then all is well I'm not hung up on a names I've got Gibsons real stratocasters and guitars made in China Indonesia I pick out the guitar because it plays well and it sounds well then all is well some people are a little hung up on the name not me

[@shakeyourguitartutorials]

You did good modifications on it ! It's not a Fender but it's a Strat ! Great playing on it too!!

[@walnawk]

We support you! You are very clear, with or without this video of you accentuating all the facts. Regarding this guitar, the only bummer is the slimmer body.

[@Stratisfied22]

They're all cut from a cnc machine and made almost perfectly, so to me anything with the same specs is a "real" Stratocaster. The design is the best ever but they're is nothing that special that Fender does to make their guitars any different than a Squier or parts guitar other than being made in an actual Fender factory with little attention to detail. Fender's do retain some value however and are easy to sell.

[@jjcollins]

Haters gonna hate, end of story. It's a cool guitar for the money, and it has been embraced by many as a great modding platform. I have one and have done a review as well. Many people can't "justify" that it is a real strat, and also can't understand putting money (with the mods) into something that is a "piece of junk". As a player for over 30 years, and as a certified tech for almost just as long, I can attest that it is more than worth the money, and with some upgrades will compete with some of Fenders $500+ guitars. And yes it is a REAL strat! LOL. The haters even hate on some of my made in Japan Strats, which in most peoples eyes are built better than USA models, but hey...those aren't "real" strats either I guess. I love the video Richard, Thank you for doing what you do!

[@overcome8628]

The B shredder makes any guitar sound good.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Hey man, your videos are awesome. Let the haters hate, you just keep creating and know we love what you do. JediJingleMaker is a fan and I love what you did with that guitar. I think it is absolutely amazing and awesome that you can get a decent guitar for a little over $100, this means lots of kids and families without much money can experience music which may be one of the best things in their lives. Music is like medicine for the soul, keep up the great work.

[@rodaxsom]

It’s a real strat!!

[@theubie]

It is my opinion that it is a fact that you are holding a guitar with the name Stratocaster that is made by a company owned by Fender. And that your's sounds pretty damn good.

[@VFusco]

After watching the early videos, I figured what the hell and ordered one - now mind you I have a collection of many Strats, going back to an original 1963 Strat and several other Fender Strats. I love them all. I also have some non-Fender Stats and several Squiers. You know what, this little debut Squier Strat is one hell of a nice quitar. It was nicely set up and played well right out the box, and it sounds like a Strat should. It reminded me of my 63 when it was new. So, let me thank you and the other reviewers who gave this a thumbs up. I concur wholeheartedly. I brought it to a band practice and asked our guitar player to handle it. He was equally as impressed, and he is another "real" Strat guy.

[@zuperdee]

Fender absolutely has the right to define “real” in terms of what name gets put on it. Apparently, some snobs have their own ideas about what Fender should and should not be allowed to do with THEIR OWN BRAND… For example, “It has to be American Made, so Made in Mexico/Japan Fenders don’t count,” or “It has to be pre-CBS, back when it was really Leo Fender himself.” Never mind the fact that FMIC itself owns Squier, and has since 1965, or that they started making Squier guitars in 1982, or that FMIC itself has authorized or even ordered various OEMs to make these Squier models for them!

[@daleagner8980]

It's a guitar. It sounds great. I have one of those 'squire series' 'black label' Fender strats made in Mexico. My guitar snob friends says its a Squire. Others says it's a Fender. I have no clue what it is but it sounds fantastic.

[@Timmy70]

You kill me!! You are the best on KZbin!! I hate missing your live gigs! I get up early here on East Coast!! Love you Man!!

[@thebaldshredder]

Thanks!

[@matta1899]

By the definition on a Strat has to be a Fender, the a Les Paul can only be a Gibson... If it looks like a strat, it's a strat, even if fender is written smaller on the headstock.

[@christopheraaron8299]

I ignore the guitar snobs.

[@gmac1451]

that's a nice looking Strat for the price . thank's Bro, i didn't have a 40th squier strat i would get one.

[@Raul1971xxx]

Michael Rutherford from Genesis use a Squier.. And he said that it is awsome.. He did some little modifications and that was it.

[@jasonalmgren3050]

I bought one of these when I learned it was a thing. I was expecting a horrible guitar because of the price. What I got punches way above it's weight.

[@bobisonline]

Wanted to say I really enjoy your videos. I had to edit the previous comment as auto correct changed re-fretted to regretted! Also, I'm sure Jack Pearson would totally agree with you!

[@marlan3rd]

Interesting rant but you make a very valid point. I like Squier Strats because they are one of my favorite modification platforms, I like the pickguard change but I would have gone more extreme with locking tuners, a low friction nut, a shorty bridge with a heavier block , and a set of noiseless single coil pickups but then that just me. I do recommend checking out the Squier Sonic series because sometimes, you can catch them on sale for 159.99 and the quality and finish is a little better.

[@michaelthomas9991]

Great commentary, Richard! I loved the original video of this guitar. To me, it sounds awesome, mainly because you’re playing it. The guitar sounds like a Strat, looks like a Strat, huh, it must be a Strat.

[@gsstrings339]

That there guitar is a Fender Squier Stratocaster!!! To many cork sniffers that have to justify their $1500 purchases!!

[@christopherharrold3045]

well done bald man 🤘

[@timesurfingalien]

Fan Bois hurt feelings. Paid too much for vanity!!!

[@texanleons]

Its a Stratocaster.

[@AngryTruckerBob]

Hi Richard , I just pulled the trigger and ordered a Firefly FFST with a Floyd this morning !

[@thebaldshredder]

Enjoy it

[@keovongvilaykeo4799]

Know worry just keeps doing what is best. Thank you 🙏 for sharing 😊

[@CDNelson87]

This is just silly guitar snobbery. Just like cars have various sub-models that vary in build quality and features, so do guitars. I've lost count of how many different versions of Strats there are between Fender & Squier (Player, Affinity, Bullet and now Debut, etc...). But the bottom line is they all come from Fender owned companies so they can call it whatever they want. This is simply one way for them to combat the budget models and provide a "brand name" model in the beginner guitar price range. Don't let the idiots get to you! :) Great job on the mods by the way!

[@justsumguy2u]

It's totally a geniune Stratocaster----Fender wouldn't have put it on the headstock if it wasn't

[@MainPrism]

There's a reason an entire genre? Subsection? Of guitars are known as superstrats. They're made by every company imaginable but they all have one thing in common. A Strat body style...

[@j.t.cooper2963]

Looks like a Strat to me.