This Squier Has Some Crazy Gibson Features

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Congratulations to Seth Dunfee. We sent the guitar and Swag and through in a rechargeable Snark tuner. Thank you to all who entered and reminder we are giving away a PRS now if you watch the new PRS video

[@lancefielden]

One of your best demos/reviews on a Squier. That's an awesome guitar, it looks great, very cool looking but Fender owes you a debt of gratitude for showing how awesome this guitar really is. I've seen it a thousand times this year, I just now found out what it's capable of. 🤘

[@barbmelle3136]

I have a Strat with 2 P-90's that I put together years ago. It is a good tonal variation for someone that likes the feel of a Strat better.

[@johnnolan4312]

Nice new studio! Also love how your fret rocker sounds like a banjo

[@townshendshean]

Surprisingly, it actually sounds quite good! I didn't think the pickups sounded bad at all!

[@RobertFisher1969]

I’ve been very happy with mine. Like my Toronado, it gives me things I like about Gibsons but with all the things I like about Fenders too. And I’m impressed that they included all the wiring mods I would’ve wanted to do. I also got lucky and got some cool figuring in the wood on the back of the neck. I’ll probably eventually switch the pickups out for some of Dylan’s, but that’s all I ever see myself changing on it.

[@ericbgordon1575]

Thank you very much for mentioning Landon Bailey and the little tips and details he picked out on this model that were synonymous with Epiphone, Mr McKnight. When you mentioned that Fender was distributing an Epiphone model, my brain was searching around for the instance when Landon put it out that Fender and Gibson were having their economy-grade instruments assembled at the same factory. When you said it felt like a Strat with a shorter scale, it came to me that it might have been based on the scale of the Mustang. That particular model is recognized as being one of Fender's most notorious short scale guitars.

[@chancemiller9340]

This guitar is a 24.75” scale. (Like nearly all Gibsons.) Mustang is a 24” scale, though originally it was even shorter than that back in the first half of the 1960s.

[@jray5363]

Nice Review! I love that guitar! Squire is really stepping up their game here lately with style and variety! That’s my favorite color on any guitar. I’d be proud to add that to the collection! And having Epiphone on the bridge is actually kinda cool!

[@thseed7]

My favorite part of your videos on gear are the incredible insights, tips and tricks peppered throughout. I always feel like I'm learning new things or touching up on established techniques/skills in a really fun and interesting way. Thanks for always being such positive and helpful resource across the community man 🤘

[@nellayema2455]

I have one. It's pretty cool. I don't see any obvious issues with mine. I haven't taken it apart or changed the strings yet. I do like the "kill switch" aspect of the one pup /switch combo.

[@chancemiller9340]

I thought that mine had a wiring issue until I watched another video that mentioned the circuit cutoff, but Phil’s video explains it much more clearly.

[@JEDiTV]

I really like the streak in this fretboard, gives the guitar a really unique look. Thanks for the deep-dive AND the opportunity to win this guitar. 🤠 👍 👍

[@Natenie]

I can’t believe how many tonal variations this guitar actually produces… I love my epiphone SG with p90s but this thing slaps.

[@Gene_Cali]

Thanks Phil, I really enjoy these deep dives into the instruments for a few reasons. I'll learn about different guitars, and build confidence to do basic maintenance and simple upgrades. win-win.

[@ChaseTheHeat]

I loved Gibson until i bought one. A custom shop black beauty. Gibson's remind me of my x-wife. Sure, she's pretty, but I fought her every time I touched her. The crazy thing is I never realized it until I played a Strandberg. So, I bought one and my Gibson's are in their cases. I can't see playing them again. Had I been handed a Strandberg when I began my journey, I would be 10X the guitarist I am now. I can't put it down. I have improved so much since getting it.

[@traydillon6246]

I recently purchased 2 Squier Sonic HSS Strats. Tahitian Coral & Black with maple necks. Quality is wonderful. Packaged perfectly & flawless out of the boxes. I purchased from two major vendors. The Tahitian Coral was first and played well out of the box. This guitar is gorgeous but not intonated or set-up as string heights were slightly high. Now plays and sounds like/better after set-up than my 2 Mexi-Strats. The black Squire Sonic HSS came almost perfect out of the box. She was completely set-up, intonated and the single coil ceramic PUPs and been tweaked to insane perfection with every individual height set just right. It’s very impressive how well the Indonesian factory has done with this line. My Indonesian Ibanez and Schekters are also impeccable. These new Squiers are worth the money and then some. Powerful. Perfect.

[@brontis]

Fascinating. Always wonder why Fender and Gibson don't outright collaborate more often. Reminds one of political party devision. Consumers are left to their own modifications prowess or other manufacturer offerings. Thanks for your work, Phillip. Totally enjoy your channels. Cheers!

[@huntergalloway3944]

That fretboard is gorgeous!

[@norseman61]

Each time I see a demo for this StratoSonic, I like it better. It’s as cool as it’s name. To my ears, the tones are fantastic. On that note, I’ve got to say the tones you get from your setup in general are KILLER! Your amp choice(s), mics, settings, etc are exactly what I like. Another great video with even better audio!

[@postoffice146]

I don't like the shape of that pickguard at all.

[@zflash3088]

I can only wish for the day he does a video on his favorite jazz bass pickups. Still happy to check this out.

[@henryhunter5026]

Excellent review! You really went to some trouble with your in depth inspection in order for a potential buyer to see what they’d get for their money. I particularly liked the look under the pickup covers, not many reviewers would do that but it did go someway to explain the difference in tone from Gibson P90s.

[@sordidsentinel]

As someone who's always liked the sound of P90s, but have just never found Gibsons nearly as playable as Fenders - this is exactly up my alley. Good quality for reasonable price and gets more than close enough for me to that P90 tone when I'm in the mood for it.

[@lidor2856]

You can check Harmony they have the juno and some new models with p90, as well as G&L fallout.

[@papasteve7376]

Thanks Phil. Good luck everyone.

[@wallyhynds8067]

I upgraded my strat-o-sonic pickups to Seymour Duncan Vintage P90s and could not be happier. Plus, I really like the neck carve and that sculpted strat body. The high bridge requires a slight angle between strings and body ... uncommon for a Fender/Squier.

[@barberelectronics5672]

I wanted to learn about what is happening at 4:55. When Phil is playing the string open, then checking the harmonic and says "that's really good", what is he checking here? It seems like any string divided in half should produce the perfect octave, regardless of overall length. He says "Let's go ahead and check the intonation" but Phil is not checking the octave fretted note by pressing the string to meet the fret, and checking to see if the bridge adjustment has compensated for the string stretching to the fret, and any pressure beyond that. I'd love to hear about what is happening here. The new studio looks nice!

[@zaphodrahja]

He should have checked fretted at 12th vs harmonic or open, not sure why he made that mistake.

[@barberelectronics5672]

@@zaphodrahja I've seen Phil do it in another video or two, I was hoping to learn how this intonation method works, although I could not make sense of it. It also could be this is something he should learn a little more about for himself, guitar tech-ing is all about filling in holes in our knowledge. I usually check 3rd fret then 15th fret, then go back and check open against 12th fret to make sure the nut placement and nut filing are correct. In my experience, intonation is all about the fretted note. DylanTalksTone made a episode a month ago where he asserted humans can't hear the difference in intonation. All this KZbin info from experts, what a great time to be alive! 🙂

[@_Yep_Yep_]

I picked up a now "vintage" Squire Master Chambered Tele a few months ago. Its one of those early set neck 24.74 scales with LP controls and humbuckers. The guitar is so good its like someone really mad at Gibson was running Squire at the time and wanted to give them a solid middle finger. One of the really rad things about Squire, in my opinion, is their limited series.

[@Jef-sj6zc]

I really like how consistent in these videos Phillip tests guitars ; always the same patron and it gives you a very good impression what you are dealing with . Also good tips how to check some things ( action , neck , nut ) at a simple way . And every part of the guitar gets a check. Very good videos to judge a guitar at a certain price . 👍👍👍

[@joejoesoft]

Every time a fret rocker rocks, a banjo gets its wings.

[@adrianvanwormer3327]

Speaking as a guitar kit builder, okoume may as well be mahogany, in how it reacts to tooling, sanding, and finishing. It can also be just as beautiful under a natural or translucent finish. The eBay-sold kit brand 'Bexgears' is known for using okoume, and with a fretjob and some hardware upgrades they can be great players.

[@retread1083]

The Gibson one-piece wraparound bridge/tailpiece is totally rock & roll. They also have one that's compensated for a wound G-string. But I reckon most rockers will be using a plain G.

[@GuitarGearGyan]

The giveaway looks amazing, the US viewers are so lucky.

[@vomonurmomdotcomlol5878]

Thank you Phil, another interesting deep dive! This is definitely an interesting one

[@christopherclarke5254]

Wow Phil you have got these reviews down to a science *and* an art! Covered every bit, not so easy with a complex beast like a modern guitar. My tech once hit a loose bridge post with shrink tubing. Caused me concern, but sounded fine lol! Really enjoy your reviews!! 🎶🎸

[@jamesskaggs7691]

This is only the 7th, but when I click the link, the only contest is for a Snark tuner.

[@Ray-Angel]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago and absolutely love it!

[@stug5041]

I have a few fender partscasters with warmoth 24.74 conversion necks - it’s a different feel, but, like this axe, it doesn’t make your guitar sound much more like a Gibson - there’s too many other factors, so that straty or tele flavour still comes through quite a bit

[@thatsoutstanding]

Do they intonate properly?

[@stug5041]

@@thatsoutstanding 100% - their conversion necks are specifically designed to do just that on standard fender bodies!

[@radel1102]

I was holding myself from buying a LP Special because I have too many LP shaped guitars, what a great model and with such a great timing! I finally can justify my GAS since it's almost a strat 😄

[@RoyceTeal]

Fenders' version of a melody maker IMO. I like it and now I have to try it! I have had the bridge posts wiggle problem on both of my L.P. type wraparound bridges. My solution was to use a single wrap of tin foil (not aluminium foil) around each post, worked like a champ. No grounding issues afterwards either. Great informative video. Thanks Phillip

[@donald-parker]

I have not played one but when I first saw it I said to myself "JA Tele at 1/4 the price". In fact, it has more versatile wiring. Seems like a win win.

[@AndrewAHayes]

Col of The Guitaristas channel recently modded a Strat with Gibson P90 pickups and it sounded awesome, nothing like that bright chimey Strat sound, more an SG of a sound

[@dugbert5]

I've heard it suggested to use shielding tape on the bridge studs to maintain the ground.

[@craigmcclanahan8693]

What is the manner by which the scale length was changed? Is it simply a conversion-style neck, or was the distance between the neck pocket and bridge changed? I've had my eye on a fancy, third-party neck, but it is only available in the standard 25.5 inches.

[@pauledwards1807]

Thank you for detailed and interesting review of the stratus sonic one of the best I’ve seen on KZbin. Thank you very much . Paul

[@bradyazell]

I put some used Gibson P90's, Kluson tuners and a Tonepros wraparound adjustable bridge in mine. It is a killer guitar with a total cost of $650.

[@tomisham9900]

That. is a really nice looking and sounding guitar. Love that color! Thanks for another great video!

[@atin8996]

The new studio shop looks amazing, Phil. I really appreciate these videos, it's a good place to find out about interesting guitars like this. All it needs is some McKnight p90s lpl

[@TommySG1]

Cool video Phil, I dig the dent puller trick ahah! Definitely better than trying to slide a thin screwdriver or a butter knife in there to lift it 🤣🤙

[@makearunat]

I LOVE THE FRETBOARD! I wish more off the shelf guitars and basses had similar "stripes"

[@lisah336]

What a nice contest. Good luck!

[@wheels845]

Great review PHIL. Playing it like a boss! Nice tones.

[@MB57]

Studio shop looks great, I love this guitar!

[@jefflemieux8890]

Phil makes every guitar sound good!!!

[@guillermo3564]

How did he make that guitar sound like a banjo with the fret rocker?

[@timwilliams990]

Sounds great Phil! I actually entered this give away, I usually do not, but this guitar intrigues me. Had an issue with posting to 'Twitter' (X), oh well, fingers crossed. Keep up the good work, thanks for the content!

[@Kevinlbright]

Thanks Phillip, I really appreciate all that you do here....

[@JohnLloydDavis]

The pickup switching reminds of the Frank Zappa's Gibson Roxy SG. It has that switch option but on 2 toggle switches mounted on the scratch plate. Nice guitar and great review.

[@mikeapplegate5845]

Wow! The new Studio Rocks big time..!!

[@D14V0R05]

Would be cool to see a Fender/Squier with 25,5" scale, a p90 on neck with humbucker at bridge, also with a TOM bridge.

[@Tiburcio1950]

Wow. I really like the variety of tones you get with the push pull controls. A have a number of short scale guitars along with Epi SG, Epi Les Paul, strats and this one seems to produce sounds from each. Very nice guitar and another great review.

[@viperocco]

Great video Phil. Pretty cool guitar.

[@Guitardist]

Mine wasn't set up as well. High action and too much bow. Had to set it up and level out the frets. I really dig it though. Has a nice medium flame on the maple neck. Bonus! Replaced the tuners and bridge with gotoh. A must imo. It's a keeper.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Really cool tones this thing makes. Cool review Phil!

[@tonynoon8693]

I'm really happy you did a review of this guitar. I ordered the web-exclusive Blue transparent one from Fender and I think I got lucky because with the exception of the output jack, it was perfect out of the box and I love playing it. I am glad you explained the series wiring. I was switching back and forth between the neck and the middle and not hearing the difference and then the bridge not working. I thought it was defective! the only issue I have is the output jack is loose on all of my cables. I will probably have to switch that out at some point. Did you notice if the soap bars are standard P90 size? will they be a direct replacement for other soap bar pickups?

[@eezar21]

Hey, I got one of these a month ago. I replaced the pickups with a Lollar P90 in the neck and a Tonerider P90 in the bridge, so yes it is a standard size. If you are not requiring electronics just be aware that you are going to be wiring up to push pull pots so be aware/remember where the hot/grounds are going! Good luck

[@bakedbean37]

If it's a standard jack socket you can probably just bend the contact tab that holds the plug in place to be a little tighter.

[@tonynoon8693]

@@bakedbean37 Yeah you can but it almost always just bends back out after a while. I usually replace it with the one that Phil recommends in the sharpen your axe series.

[@robertiboy7315]

The new studio looks great! I think you should’ve had done this a while ago 👍🏻

[@davidsummerville351]

A ton of good info in this episode. Thanks. 😎🤓

[@sentforth5]

Dammit, Phillip, you got me one time already with that Schecter C-1 Exotic! Now I want this to go with my Squier '51

[@cj.sabella]

Studio looks great Phil!

[@rwest8905]

Obviously, it sounds different online, but it sounds great from here. Full sounding clean and dirty. I think PRS is driving companies like Fender to step up their game on their imported models. Good for everybody! Thanks as always for the great, detailed review.

[@SpiralJucifer]

I wish they all had that skunk stripe down the fretboard. Looks really cool. Great sounding piece, too. Not sure if I'd play the bridge only position much, though.

[@jimmyheathmusic3779]

Nice video. Always like your deep dives. I think an alternative would be a used Godin LG P90. I think it is a mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard and Seymour Duncan P90s.

[@raymondsurace2575]

Cool to hear a Super Champ X2. Great, versatile little amp / head.

[@The-11]

Love the new studio Phil !!!

[@alxmrls1]

New studio is badass!

[@hellboy31376]

I just bought that on Monday cool

[@ThatGuysGuitars]

I’ve had a couple of these come thru my inventory. (A blonde, red, and blue) All were fantastic guitars, very reminiscent of a Les Paul special

[@docf.n.t.2310]

I have a few higher quality, low price guitars. (LTD, Squier, Ibanez, Agile, etc...) . I like the idea of a Squier/Gibson crossover guitar. I may have to pick one up myself for modding. I'd use Fender locking tuners, Graph Tech trees and nut, an adjustable wrap around bridge, and Gibson Mini Buckers, like in a Les Paul Deluxe. I'd go "hog wild" with 4 pots, all push/pull, single/double coils, and phase. I'd move the selector switch to the lower horn, route it out under the pick plate, ( like an Explorer). Maybe even make a custom peghead decal that says "Squison"...

[@bobboyle7629]

Great video. I have a 1986 Squier by Fender MIJ with the same short scale length and 2 Humbuckers looks similar to the one in your video. I think the model was ST-335. I've seen a video of Kris Kristofferson playing one. Its a strange guitar by Fender bit I DO like how easy the short scale is to play.

[@AlphaAchilles]

I think it’s impossible to point at the pickups without doing this 🤘

[@randywarren6925]

Awesome video brother, keep them coming.

[@mikelaffey5159]

Cool studio and guitar Phil...great review too

[@philipbeasley72]

Dude thank you for the post/rubber trick. It tightened up much better!

[@MisterRorschach90]

In my band in highschool we had a rich kid that followed us around everywhere. He would bring party favors, and help set up. He had a custom shop Gibson sg and offered it to me to use at shows. I played it one time and immediately switched back to my squire Tom delong strat. That guitar literally played and sounded better than almost every guitar I’ve ever played. It was like what? 250 bucks new? Since fender just rereleased the fender version, squire should too. I’m thinking about getting the fender. But honestly I might consider the squire if they do it. Especially since I would probably switch the pickup to a 59 or jb. Although back in the day I wanted to put an emg 81 in it lol.

[@DJPLAYNICE]

Best review on this model yet! Thanks @Phillip McKnight

[@tobykraft5180]

Said he would change out the pickups... In the meantime it's the best sounding guitar that I've heard through my headphones on the KZbin videos. Oh, there's a lot more expensive guitars with better pickups, but they haven't sounded as good as that one. 🤦‍♀️😀

[@dbmabe]

I recently got a Squier Nashville Stratocaster and its been a great purchase. Squier is really coming out with some great products now. This one looks quite tasty as well.

[@akwamarsunzal]

Fretboard looks amazing

[@jamesmusicproducts]

Mine, out of the box, was un-playable; the "fret sprout" was entirely atrocious. 😐

[@thesmellycatjazz]

I tried this guitar at the shop. I was pretty excited to try it, but it was just "fine". Idk if replacing the neck would solve my issue, but the scale length just needs like it'll making buying a neck a headache.

[@tacobreather]

Thanks Phillip!!

[@maxpuppy96]

Squire has really stepped it up. I would have loved to had a quality entry level guitar in the 70's. Back in the day we used to call them copies and they were not really that good.

[@cori1396]

Sorry, but I'll stick with my Gibson lp junior with a marshall amp

[@MitchellHudson]

Does this guitar have 24.75” conversion neck? In other words, could you put a standard strat neck on this?

[@jaymarble5282]

The "new studio" looks great! Hopefully it is much cooler too!!

[@dejadejayoutube]

my Greg Bennett made in Indonesia guitars all came with Epiphone tailpieces in 2005-6 (Samick factory), occasionally scratched out somewhat. *Not sure about Greg Bennett made in Korea guitars.

[@JimHawkins808]

I've wanted this guitar since it was released!

[@KarenBasset]

Are you checking intonation with a harmonic or by pressing/fretting the 12th fret?

[@Nif339]

With so many tonal options available it would make quite a good studio guitar.

[@TheSavagederek]

I'm disappointed, I was looking forward to the livestream earlier this evening . I looked a few times but nothing there .

[@GeorgeVaaeth-kc9wc]

I like the vibrato when you play.

[@DavidHBurkart]

The new shop space is amazing!!

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

cool guitar and loving the new shop