I hope someone can help settle a question for me (and someone who disagrees with me!). Though I have not applied the calipers to any of these (Standard Strat, Squier '51, Pawn Shop '51), it seems to me they ARE the same body thickness, and as an old -- and thankfully retired -- manufacturing process engineer, it doesn't make any sense to me that Fender would reset all their CAM processes to produce different thickness of what is essentially the same body. Can anyone tell me if these bodies are dimensionally the same (allowing, of course, for the different routings and cut-outs: the Standard Strat's tremolo, the Squier '51's hardtail bridge and S/H pickup configuration, and the Pawn Shop '51s string-through body and solid bridge)?

Thanks for any info!

Bart Brown

Hi there Bart, and welcome to the forum.

I have a nice honey blonde Squier 51, but don't have a Fender Pawnshop 51 to compare it against. So I compared it against my Highway Strat for you, as tooling logistics would suggest that the 2 Fenders would come from the same body blank. The overall body shape is the same and the length/width is the same. But the Squier 51 is about 1/4" less deep. So I would confidently confirm that the Fender 51 is thicker than the Squier 51.

I have played a Pawn Shop 51, as I did fancy a matching brother for my Squier, and because I love the single coil & splittable humbucker format. The feel of the Fender is a little nicer than the Squier, and the bridge is undeniably better, with the string thru body anchoring.

Before I comment on the sound, I should add that I've sympathetically upgraded the hardware on my Squier 51. It has replacement Mini Grover tuners, a new hand carved Tusque nut, new saddles and 2 Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro pickups. I also did some fret work on it, to tidy up some ragged ends. So I'm not talking about a standard stock guitar.

In terms of sound - and to my ears at least - my Squier 51 is the better sounding guitar (although it's close). The slightly thinner (basswood?) body makes it at least as resonant as the Fender and the pickups are more vintage sounding than the Fender, which is actually a very hot guitar. It's more of a rock n roll machine - very much a Strat & Tele hybrid. It's a bright percussive edged sound. It doesn't have the same level of sustain as the Fender as you would expect. The Fender is a little warmer and pluumier, not quite as bright. But for eyes down, no messing, full tilt boogie, I'd take the Squier.. Just..

In terms of finish, the Fender 51 wins hands down. It's a very good looking guitar indeed. The polyester paint job on the Squier is thin and patchy. Very inconsistent. But from a distance, only the logo tells you which is which.

So the Fender 51 is a one stop solution, while the Squier will inevitably take some effort (and about £200) to get to the same place. But it can get you there.

I didn't buy the Fender 51 as it wasn't streets ahead as I expected. And because a lot of love and care has gone into my Squier. I'll post a photo later..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

ha! told ya!



im just kidding, no malice intended.

The truth shall set ye free!

Peace

Bart

Have I walked in on a private argument?

Nevertheless, I'm sure you appreciated the effort I went to, to provide a response to your enquiry..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

No argument, just a discussion. Please excuse me for not thanking you earlier for the information you provided, I really do appreciate it!

Regards

Bart

No problem..

Enjoy your time here.

_________________
Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!