And then there were the right two
I finally understand why guys chase after vintage guitars now
(The one in front is the "new" one.)
Buying a second '89 Squier II Stratocaster breaks several personal rules of mine, such as:
- Don't buy a duplicate of a guitar you already have
- Don't buy a guitar you can't return
- Don't buy a vintage guitar
Those rules obviously got thrown out the window with this guitar purchase.
At this point in my guitar playing life, what I was trying to find is something that felt as good as my original '89. I found one, in the same color, same generation, same everything. And it plays about 98% as good as my original does, which is as good as it gets. The feel is there, the sound is there, the comfort is there. I got it.
I have a full video below of this guitar, but before you watch that, I have some words of wisdom.
DO NOT buy this guitar. You will hate it. I love it because I know every single inch of this guitar backwards and forwards. I know all its strengths and flaws.
The Squier II Stratocaster is not like a vintage Fender at all. This is a guitar with ratty sounding ceramic magnet pickups, barely any electronics shielding, a plywood body (yes, really,) incorrect fretboard markers at the 12th fret that are spaced too wide apart, garbage tuners, tuner buttons made of plastic that wear out easily, noisy electronics, and so on.
You'll hear how this guitar sounds in the video below. If you like it, like the ratty ceramic magnet pickup sound and want something similar for yourself, I strongly suggest you seek out a 2007-2012 Squier Bullet Strat instead. That guitar has slightly better tuners, a basswood body instead of plywood, and can easily be found for well under $200. Alternatively, you can get a Bullet Strat HT (hardtail) brand new for under $200 that has a similar tonal character.
I bought the guitar I did because I know it very well, and that's why I have a much better understanding of why some guys chase after vintage guitars. Certain guitars have a sound and feel to them that the new stuff just doesn't have...
...which is NOT to say Squier used to make them better in the past. Not at all. The Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster and Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster guitars are far superior in every way. I know this. But the Squier II character is the one I prefer. That doesn't make it superior. It just means I prefer it.
I love this thing. You wouldn't for reasons I mentioned above, but I do.
Published 2021 Sep 16
