Squier by Fender Strat Full Size Electric Guitar £90 Free Collection (+£3.95 P&P) @ Argos

About time there was a proper price drop on this... It’s the highest price Argos have sold it for!

At this entry level consider a Harley Benton from Thomann. They are well made and sound good and cheaper. On a par almost with an Affinity. I have one so can recommend.

thomann.de/gb/…htm (edited)

I've played for years, been in bands, done the odd repair job for cash as well as free and would say with exception of the odd factory fault these guitars are brilliant to get started out on. If buying for yourself as a beginner adult, any rare issues that may arise will be an opportunity to learn basic guitar maintenance which sounds like a bit of a sad defence, but at this price you can't argue, and if you're planning on taking up guitar as a hobby you're at a disadvantage if you don't want to learn how to fix the odd bit of buzz or service the instrument.

SPRR0W17/08/2020 10:42

What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be …What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be better quality than this lol? Still a Squier by Fender even if it's cheap and made in ChinaRead lessRead more

I've owned 3 Squiers and 5 Harley Bentons and at that price point there is no contest. This is trash manufactured to sell in Argos or Costco or somewhere.

Play like Clapton.........if he used a Squier and and wore mittens

deleted9864516/08/2020 11:33

At this entry level consider a Harley Benton from Thomann. They are well ma …At this entry level consider a Harley Benton from Thomann. They are well made and sound good and cheaper. On a par almost with an Affinity. I have one so can recommend.https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_st_20hss_ca_standard_series.htmRead lessRead more

Fully agree. Even the cheapest Harley Benton guitars are much better quality than these Squiers. I buy them as a modding platform and I’ve never had a bad one so far.

SPRR0W17/08/2020 10:42

What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be …What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be better quality than this lol? Still a Squier by Fender even if it's cheap and made in ChinaRead lessRead more

From experience of owning them obviously. You are badly mis-informed if you think Harley Benton guitars are the lowest of the low and clearly have no knowledge on this subject?

I think you’d be better off getting a guitar from a local music shop because at least then it can be properly set up before you buy it

deleted9864517/08/2020 09:23

Definitely recommend as I have one. It's a great starter guitar. The build …Definitely recommend as I have one. It's a great starter guitar. The build quality for price is excellent. I was very surprised? It has a nice straight neck with 'modern C' profile which means it is very slim ideal for smaller hands. For £79 delivered it has to be worth the initial investment even if he gets a better one this will always be a good back-up guitar for practice. You wont see them on HUKD as Thomann prices are rarely discounted.Read lessRead more

Second this, I've had a couple of HB's, they are very difficult to beat for the money

Can get red for the same price as well

Solid guitar for beginners (and unpretentious pro's)

Trouble is two fold....one you can't get on with it...give up trying to play for whatever reason....next to zero resale value..so you've lost your money.

.....or you keep trying to play and you want a better guitar...again no resale value and you've lost your money.

Like I say if it gets someone playing then great

One thing I could see these being good for is a modding project ...could practice on it

Me..I'd go second hand..all day long though I do appreciate this doesn't suit everyone (edited)

Jo_D16/08/2020 01:31

Bought one. its not very good. lots of fret sprouts and buzz. Your better …Bought one. its not very good. lots of fret sprouts and buzz. Your better off buying used on ebay. Couldnt find serial on the internet and theres no skunk stripe like the other bullets or squiers. Prob excess stock.Read lessRead more

To be fair, it sounds like you haven't had it set up. A factory set up is useless on a guitar at most price points. The first thing you should do with any guitar is spend £30-£50 on a set up and it'll be grand. Then repeat every year/few years depending on how much you play/care. Most things can be set up to play reasonably well, especially modern factory constructed stuff.

Either that or learn how to do it. There's tons out there on youtube. It doesn't take much to crown frets, fix intonation and sort the action out.

MrAkagi17/08/2020 10:19

Definitely. Unless you are really struggling for cash, I wouldn't go for an …Definitely. Unless you are really struggling for cash, I wouldn't go for an Affinity like this one, I would grab a higher end used Squier off eBay or Reverb. Probably not gonna cost much more than this, too. Likewise I would get a used decent amp like a Katana 50. Lots of people pick up guitar and quit after a few weeks, so new players should be taking advantage of that.Read lessRead more

The guitar is not a Squier Affinity it is a bottom of the range Bullet. Affinity is about £170 and much better than the one posted!

Support your local music shops, not huge, faceless corporations.

KVP17/08/2020 12:02

Support your local music shops, not huge, faceless corporations.

Most of my expendable cash has gone to PMT over lockdown. On the plus side I've now got a sweet pedal board and 6 guitars

SPRR0W17/08/2020 10:42

What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be …What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be better quality than this lol? Still a Squier by Fender even if it's cheap and made in ChinaRead lessRead more

Utter nonsense. HB are very well regarded, I've had my share of Squier guitars, intonation has been a nightmare on most of them - even the local luthier struggles to get it sounding good. Scratchy volume knobs and poorly grounded pups all common issues too.

Whereas, the few HB I have owned at the same price are all much better guitars. The last one I got was a SC-550 and its miles better than my old epiphone Les Paul that cost nearly double.

Plus look at it....

(edited)

joedredd17/08/2020 20:53

Thanks for the tip!

this is the video I was referencing.

for £90, as far as guitars go this isn't bad at all. Mine arrived yesterday and was surprised at just how playable it was out of the box, low action and nice setup. After changing the strings and polishing the frets its a nice guitar. The only downside to me is its really light (which could be considered a bonus) If you want something new to play around with i can recommend this, doesn't feel too far away in play-ability from my Fender Tele.
Just to add too, the fret ends on mine were better than any other Squier I've played, better even than a Sterling Sub bass i own which was over 3x the price. Also the pickups are a bit weak but that's what you get at this price point (edited)

SPRR0W17/08/2020 10:42

What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be …What makes you think a Harley Benton, the lowest of the low, will be better quality than this lol? Still a Squier by Fender even if it's cheap and made in ChinaRead lessRead more

Owning some Harley Bentons. 7 at various times, 3 i still do. ST62 not far off a classic vibe ...

this is the lowest of the low squiers...

Also available for delivery for £3.95 extra

Bought one. its not very good. lots of fret sprouts and buzz. Your better off buying used on ebay. Couldnt find serial on the internet and theres no skunk stripe like the other bullets or squiers. Prob excess stock.

Been at (or around) this price for months
hotukdeals.com/sea…gos

Still think these are a bit of a false economy..but hey if it gets someone playing all well and good

jimithesaintkl16/08/2020 11:45

But a better second hand for a little more.

As long as you don't get covid-19 from the fretboard. Be a bit awkward checking out with a mask and gloves!

deleted9864516/08/2020 11:47

As long as you don't get covid-19 from the fretboard. Be a bit awkward chec …As long as you don't get covid-19 from the fretboard. Be a bit awkward checking out with a mask and gloves! Read lessRead more

deleted9864516/08/2020 11:47

As long as you don't get covid-19 from the fretboard. Be a bit awkward chec …As long as you don't get covid-19 from the fretboard. Be a bit awkward checking out with a mask and gloves! Read lessRead more

Lol! Imagine someone dumb enough to do that! Actually I sold guitars and a keyboard in deep lockdown and they were the easiest sales I’ve made.

If only it was the bass

livid_chimp16/08/2020 23:21

Thanks for this - looking to get my young son into an instrument and he's …Thanks for this - looking to get my young son into an instrument and he's very keen on taking up the electric guitar. Looking for something that he wouldn't outgrow if he takes to it (but not too expensive if he doesn't!)You think this is the one to go for?Read lessRead more

Definitely recommend as I have one. It's a great starter guitar. The build quality for price is excellent. I was very surprised? It has a nice straight neck with 'modern C' profile which means it is very slim ideal for smaller hands. For £79 delivered it has to be worth the initial investment even if he gets a better one this will always be a good back-up guitar for practice. You wont see them on HUKD as Thomann prices are rarely discounted.

MrAkagi17/08/2020 03:45

The amp is much more important than the guitar. That's where the majority o …The amp is much more important than the guitar. That's where the majority of your budget should go, if you are a new player. This guitar is okay, but you might want to buy something with a humbucker in the bridge position like an HSS Strat for some more versatility.Read lessRead more

A crap guitar will sound good through a good amp but play bad. A good guitar will sound naff through a crap amp but play good.
I think your point is get a good guitar and good amp separately. Avoid the Encore starter kits!!

KVP17/08/2020 12:02

Support your local music shops, not huge, faceless corporations.

Most have already closed because of huge faceless corporations.

Any strings attached.

joedredd17/08/2020 11:10

I bought one a couple of months back and have been very pleased with it at …I bought one a couple of months back and have been very pleased with it at the price. Mine too had a buzz, but tightening the screws on the jack output cured that nicely!It's fair to say they just need a little fettling - I plan to get a tool to work on the frets a little at some point, but mine isn't too bad.As a cheap toy to decide if I want to play properly it fits my requirements perfectly.Read lessRead more

Just use a sanding sponge and masking tape, there's videos on YouTube, unless you plan on buying and fixing a load of guitars, dont spend the money on a bespoke tool. I actually did this recently on a friends £200 Squier Tele, which would take your fingers off trying to play anything by muse. 😄

Just be careful with the pressure your applying, i.e. gently does it.
You can also get fairly cheap files. Sure the fret tool is great but same results can be achieved with a bit of patience. You'll like your guitar more as well, the IKEA effect

My advice
If you do buy this as a learner have a look on Google about setting the guitar up. It's quite easy to higher and lower the strings or slightly bend or straighten the neck and there are plenty of good guides out there. The closer you can get the strings to the fretboard without buzzing the easier it will be to play.
My no 1 tip is to play along to songs you personally like. Obviously learn a few chords as you go but just strumming along to a tune you like will hold your attention much longer than a song you don't know or don't care for.

Pandamansays18/08/2020 11:46

Which Orange bass amp did you go for please? I'm trying to decide between …Which Orange bass amp did you go for please? I'm trying to decide between the Orange 25 or 50 and the Fender Rumble 25 & 40.Read lessRead more

The Crush Bass 25. Plenty loud enough for a home studio and it has a tuner built in - I'm too lazy to plug things in and out, though I guess I could have put the bass into the TU-3 pedal.

Complements my Super Champ X D nicely. (edited)

Most expensive it has ever been.

But a better second hand for a little more.

I have one of these and, unmodified, the action is low, no fret rattle and stays in tune, even with the stock strings. At this price range I think you can do a lot worse.

Jo_D16/08/2020 01:31

Bought one. its not very good. lots of fret sprouts and buzz. Your better …Bought one. its not very good. lots of fret sprouts and buzz. Your better off buying used on ebay. Couldnt find serial on the internet and theres no skunk stripe like the other bullets or squiers. Prob excess stock.Read lessRead more

I think these might be a 'made for general retail' version. So not the one you'd get from an actual music store, but one for high street retailers.

deleted9864516/08/2020 11:33

At this entry level consider a Harley Benton from Thomann. They are well ma …At this entry level consider a Harley Benton from Thomann. They are well made and sound good and cheaper. On a par almost with an Affinity. I have one so can recommend.https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_st_20hss_ca_standard_series.htmRead lessRead more

Thanks for this - looking to get my young son into an instrument and he's very keen on taking up the electric guitar. Looking for something that he wouldn't outgrow if he takes to it (but not too expensive if he doesn't!)
You think this is the one to go for?

The amp is much more important than the guitar. That's where the majority of your budget should go, if you are a new player. This guitar is okay, but you might want to buy something with a humbucker in the bridge position like an HSS Strat for some more versatility. (edited)