My nephew wants to learn to play (good for him!), and he's looking at having his parents get him the Squier Affinity Strat Pack (guitar plus amp) as a first guitar.
Anyone with experience with this nice little package? I suppose, considering his age and the fact that he's just learning, I want to make sure that if nothing else it is good enough quality for a starter guitar that it won't give him any problems.
(And anyway, I told him I'd ask around.)
Thanks!
SB

I Wished there was something as Cool as the Squire Affinty Strat Pack out when I was 11 years old. I had to make do with a $10.00 Yard Sale Acoustic that never could be tuned, and action so high An elderly man could limbo under the strings. But Man, Did I love that Guitar! That Affinity would make a Great Christmas Gift for an 11 year old in my opinion.

Hi Sunburst Blues,

That would be a nice package for a beginner, and should last long into intermediate to amateur player also. But, definitely have the guitar setup properly, even if it costs a little extra (the store may be able to set it up). Out of the box, the Strat will likely need a proper setup including string height, action, bridge and truss-rod adjustments. With a proper setup the guitar will be easier to play, more encouraging the beginner. Even the best guitar with a poor setup will be very discouraging to play.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Sunburst Blues, very cool gift for sure, if you get to look at it make sure the fret wires aren't protruding from the neck I have seen a couple of them come into the pawn shop with that issue and for a young player it could make a difference.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I'm buying my 12 year old grandson a strat for Xmas. I have been trying to decide between the affinity or the 3/4 size Squier mini strat. The music store in our little town doesn't have either, so I would probably have to order them via the Internet (breaking my own rule about never buying a guitar sight unseen). So any additional feedback on both of these models would be greatly appreciated.

Doc

PS: I still have my first guitar, a short scale '62 Harmony Stratatone. And, I still play it, even thought it's only 3/4 size. As a kid I found it a lot easier to move around the neck, as an adult I find it's a great 'couch potato' guitar to noodle on in my favorite chair. I installed Humbuckers and electronics from an old LP, upgraded every component and used it for gigging for many years. So I am thinking that even if the mini strat is a short scale, he might enjoy it for the rest of his life, along with the many other guitars he will acquire - likely even some of mine. LOL.

My personal feelings are that a mini is for younger than 12. Maybe 10 and under. But at 12, I would go with a full sized guitar. That's just my opinion.

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The affinity strat pack should be a great starter setup for a kid of that age. I'm sure many of the musicians on this very board started with something of much lower quality than that.


@Doc Waters...
I think for a 12 y/o the fullsize would be the way to go...even if it's for someone that's on the small side for being 12...it wouldn't be very long until they outgrew the 3/4 size guitars.

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thanks guys, I think you're right. My gut says go with the full size too.

I wonder what the bullet strats are like? Would give me a bit more room in my budget to get him a decent practice amp too.

Sorry, didn't mean to steal this thread. Appreciate our help

Doc

A friend of mine picked up a Bullet starter pack for his kid a few years ago. Eventually he needed me to look at it for him. It was made of plywood, and the strap button ripped right out of the horn side leaving a big hole. I also suspected that the neck came with the truss-rod too tight. The neck was bowed backward so much it was unplayable. I told him just to get the kid a new guitar.

Based on that encounter, I would stick with the Affinity.

_________________

HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

good grief! thanks for the tip. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet (LOL) and bag an Affinity.

Thanks again.

Doc

I wish they had had a setup like thst when I was a kid,my 1st guitar had 1/2 inch action and strings like suspension bridge cables.The Squier package is a perfect starter for young and old.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I got my first guitar and amp when I was 11. It was an Affinity Strat with a piece of crap Squier amp. They were both used former rentals so I got them both for what a Bullet costs now. The amp died shortly after so I replaced it with a Roland Micro Cube later when I really started playing it. I still play the guitar, it's the main one I use in fact. I put Texas Specials in it and it sounds great! But stock it was still a good guitar for a beginner. I'd highly recommend it.

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By way of follow up: I took the advice on this thread and bought my grandson an Affinity instead of a Bullet or 3/4 size. Bought it used on Ebay for $86. It's got one minor ding in the finish on the back. Gave it the once over, adjusted truss, set it up, adjusted pup height, cleaned and polished it and changed the strings. And, in the process we bonded. Might just have to keep this little beauty. LOL.

But seriously, I would have loved to have this as my first guitar. I'm proud to give it to him, and i think he'll love it. I'm confident it will serve him well as he learns to play.

Oh, also got him a like new 15 watt Crate amp for about $30. Surprisingly decent little amp.

So, bottom line was I managed to get him a nice used beginners set up for Xmas that didn't break the bank - and is far better quality and cost less than a cheap new one.

Thanks for the advice, guys! Much appreciated.

Doc

The private message is not working.

Don't forget your local craigslist, at least here in Chicago, there are tons
under $150 in great condition. I looked for a month on Craigs and the free ebay classifieds, even posted on free Ebay "want it now" for our 8 yr old wanna be.

now that I finally found a red mini Fender and extras with a seller 50 miles away and went to buy it last weekend for $120, there are several within 10 miles of my house recently posted on Craigs this week.

OH well, I hope yours enjoys it.

+1

The Strat Pack concept is one of the best marketing ideas that FMIC has ever come up with. And thousands of eager kids get their start with a nice set that rocks.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY