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Post subject: Looking at a Squire Strat need help
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:24 am
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Hello,

So ever since I Bought my MIM HSS Strat I've been looking around for a project guitar to play around with for the winter and maybe learn to do a few upgrades on. I love my HSS and dont want to mess with it but since learning that my friend built a guitar last winter I want to learn the ins and outs of an electric guitar

Im quickly becoming a gear head..... anyway this is what i found in a local pawn shop in what looks to be great shape:

White on White Squire Stratocaster with SSS pickups, its a made in Indonesia and the serial number is:SN IC020717730

The guitar looks like its in great shape but Im curious on what to look for when purchasing used. They are asking 145 for it but Im going to offer 120 b/c i know what they pay for musical instruments and they will still be making some big money on this.

If someone could help me out on the details that would be awesome.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:37 pm
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Location: In a house....unless I'm at work....then I'm in a shop.
By the time you replace the tuners and hardware, you will be money ahead getting another MIM, you can find them cheap on e-bay.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:51 am
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Keep looking. Pawn shops always ask ridiculous prices. I see Indoneisan Squiers for around $80 on craigslist. You can buy a new Affinity Squier Strat for about $30 bucks more than what the pawn shop is asking. You got it right that learning to mod on a budget guitar is smarter than doing it to your more expensive guitar.

As to what to look for in a used guitar....plug it in and check if the pickups, switch, and controls are working. Make sure the neck isn't warped beyond repair. Many times it is the previous owner (not Squier) that is at fault for problems you see on used Squiers. Previous owner gets a Squier as a birthday present from mom and dad, plays it a couple of times and then gets bored with it, forgets it in the trunk of a car out in the elements for a year, finds it and discovers it's more difficult to play then he remembered (warped neck, corroded electronics), sells it to pawn shop for peanuts, pawn shop marks it up at almost the price of a new one.

On the other hand, if you find a mistreated Squier or other budget brand guitar for super cheap, there is a great feeling of satisfaction to "bring it back to life" and you'll learn a lot about how guitars work in the process for not much money.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:17 pm
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Metropolis you understand exactly what I am trying to do.

I understand that the pawn shop is asking way more then that guitar is worth especially since I would still have to check the pick ups and the neck..( only took a quick look at it and the price) and as you have already stated I could find a nice cheap one and do the same thing... I was first drawn to this one because of the colour; white pick guard on white body :)

I know its not the exact same thing but i build, customize, maintain and adjust golf clubs for a living, and draw parallels to guitars. I want to understand what the subtle differences are and how i can adjust them to make different sounds as well and creating something that is unique to me.

You can have a set of golf clubs that work okay but with the proper adjusting they can become great. From what I have tried to read the same is true with guitars when it comes to setting them up, changing pick-up, changing strings, using different amps and wiring and so on....

I own an awesome guitar right now that to me is setup perfect and sounds great to me but I want to find a squier or a cheaper les paul (which is probably not as cool to talk about on this forum) but the bolt on neck of the start is more appealing to me.

Where is the best place to find a used squier in good shape?


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 11:03 am
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tobybear wrote:
Where is the best place to find a used squier in good shape?


Yep scratch pawn shops off your list. And most guitar shops won't take Squiers as a trade in. Do you have a Music Go Round near you? They are the only shop I can think of that buy/trade in used Squiers. The only other way to find a decent priced Squier and be able to inspect it in your own hands for issues is criagslist, flea markets, and garage sales. Good luck!

Sometimes I wish we had a "Buy and Sell" section here like many other forums do.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.


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