►Squier Affinity Stratocaster FMT HSS Sweetwater imp.i114863.net/zaey20 Thomann bit.ly/3id2R82 Amazon geni.us/SquierAffStratHSS ►Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Sweetwater imp.i114863.net/2rKer0 Thomann bit.ly/35M0diM Amazon geni.us/FenderPro2Strat Timestamps: 0:00 - What we are doing here today 1:50 - the Blind Tone Challenge 2:07 - Clean tones 4:42 - Dirty tones 7:30 - the Blind tone chaLLenge Results 7:54 - Tyler 8:00 - Talking until the end of the video and what most people will skip 8:30 - Specs and the shirt I'm wearing: kzitem.infostore
@lilymae4131
3 жыл бұрын
Right from the start I could tell, but was surprised how good the Affinity was. If I heard them with a band in a busy bar I would not be able to tell the difference.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
ya in a mix, none of this matters much :)
@lilymae4131
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey Wondering is there any difference in playability or do they both feel close to each other? PS: I' waiting for photos on the Musicians Friend site on a new Affinity Tele in Ice Blue. It does not say yet what the fingerboard material is. Ice blue is the color I want, but it is a coming soon reserve listing and very vague.
@erickallan78
2 жыл бұрын
as a proud owner Squier Affinity FMT HSS (in Sienna Sunburst, just like the one on the video) owner, I say SQUIER ROCKS, HELL YEAH!!!!!! Cool video!
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
cheers!
@mariac5432
3 жыл бұрын
I really like when you do comparisons like this Landon!! Thank you🤩
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you like them!
@doogledog1740
3 жыл бұрын
In both this and the earlier Tele sound test I found it pretty evident which was which. The ceramic pickups have less definition - are muddier for want of a better term - particularly noticeable on clean tones. However, ceramics can give you want you want sometimes. It seems that the various grades of Alnico pickups are tricking down the price levels of late, on Fender and other brands, and will likely be more available in economy models sooner or later. Thanks for the vids, Landon.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
cheers!
@0000song0000
2 жыл бұрын
Totally. I remember when the cheapest offer of alnico was the Classic Vibes (and other manufacturers when using ceramics on their $300 range guitars too)... They have upped the game in the last 10 years
@stopthink9000
2 жыл бұрын
I was sure X was the cheaper one (thin and bright) until it came to the bridge comparisons. You really can't mistake a single coil for a humbucker. It is stunning how good that Affinity sounds!
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
Good call!
@fuzzypanda1684
2 жыл бұрын
Plus it's boootiful!
@jkro30a
2 жыл бұрын
Interesting! I knew the bucker would give it away so I decided to choose a favorite before you got there...I liked the Squier a little better clean and a LOT better dirty with the bridge. You saved me $1200. Thanks!
@retromacman620
2 жыл бұрын
Honestly went back and forth, was right at different points. I think the squier actually sounds better in a couple cases, at least to taste.
@truthwinseverytime8805
2 жыл бұрын
agreed
@aitken1965
2 жыл бұрын
WTF?? I preferred every single tone from the Affinity over the USA Strat
@xCousinCletusx
3 жыл бұрын
The clean tones had a big difference. But when the distortion was added both guitars could have been used in a hit song on the radio.
@dangoleshootnetwork6036
2 жыл бұрын
So, I actually ordered that exact Squire Affinity HSS model a couple days ago with the sienna sunburst finish because it just looks fantastic. I actually did get the X and Y models mixed up during the video. Sounds like the only difference between the them to me is how much it costs for Fender to build them, because other than that the difference is almost imperceptible. I really can't see spending over $1,000 + more for a guitar just because it was made in California instead of China or Mexico.
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
cheers! 👍🎸
@fuzzypanda1684
2 жыл бұрын
Same, I got the black burst though. How you liking yours? I'm loving mine!
@dangoleshootnetwork6036
2 жыл бұрын
@@fuzzypanda1684 It's great, I love the option of the double humbuckers when I want to get loud, and then switching to the softer jazzy/funk tones.
@fuzzypanda1684
2 жыл бұрын
@@dangoleshootnetwork6036 Lol, I just kinda flip through the switch positions because I'm not really sure when to use which position.
@gregr1154
3 жыл бұрын
i hated X, thought it was kinda sharp and thin and harsh. i much preferred Y, felt more chimey and more alive and springy. wow.
@Joksys
Жыл бұрын
I completely agree
@Canadianwheelchairguitar
3 жыл бұрын
They sounded very similar, for me a Stratocaster just has a certain sound. Humbucker to Single coil is always distinct though, especially on a clean sound.
@steroge
3 жыл бұрын
I got it right - the Fender is clearer sounding. However, I'd say the difference in sound is smaller than the difference in price, hehe...
@sweetnsourchick1761
3 жыл бұрын
WOW! I really thought guitar Y was the more expensive model. To my ears, it had the better tone. What a surprise!
@gregmock6808
3 жыл бұрын
I got it right...won't say here which one to keep the mystery for future watchers..this was much easier than the tele comparison you did not long ago...I really had a hard time telling them apart
@runningwithscissors0911
3 жыл бұрын
Both yesterday and today, I like the Squire better than the Fender. Hmmmm . . . Nothing wrong with a Squire and they keep getting better.
@lunarsoundstage8327
3 жыл бұрын
I just got one of the new affinities same one you have here and picked it out after the 2nd sample I've been playing it non stop for 3 weeks and I actually really like the ceramics in it I've done this same test against my mim hss strat there so close its really just preference over quality they both sound great
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
nice!
@leamanc
3 жыл бұрын
The humbucker in the Affinity gave it away. Otherwise, the tones were very close to each other. I like the Pro II better, but not necessarily because of this challenge.
@DavidHBurkart
2 жыл бұрын
Got them right. Whether the tone difference is worth $1100-1600 more is left to the ear or personal tastes of the beholder. In a band-gig setting, both will slay the beast.
@nikosmagnisalis6080
3 жыл бұрын
First time was so easy for me. I think the difference is too big. Not that the affinity was bad, still the Pro was clearer. The video was great (as usual).
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
cheers!
@alainlacerte3752
3 жыл бұрын
That proves to me that my partcasters aren’t as bad as I thought. Thanks fellow Ottawan!
@adamd2090
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve owned an American professional ii telecaster and then bought a classic vibe and ended up selling the fender. Can’t beat the squier for the money!!
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
no way! I prefer the Pro II necks
@adamd2090
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey for sure the pro ii is a better guitar but I don’t think it’s 4x better than a classic vibe like the price suggests!
@TheSookean
3 жыл бұрын
Yay, got it right. Which did I like more? For rock the American Pro 2, but for blues I’d prefer the Squier.
@frankpaparo6002
Жыл бұрын
I got it wrong, affinity surprised me. So I just got the black burst, it just goes to show a name is just a name, this guitar has great feel. A couple tweaks and top teir.
@landonbailey
Жыл бұрын
👍🎸
@MarkK01
Жыл бұрын
So I stated in another video that I want to learn to play electric guitar. Unfortunately I am left handed and live in Canada so that limits what I can buy vs what shops in Canada stock. Anything left handed that is around the $400.00 - $500.00 range has to be ordered in. I do want to buy a guitar that can be upgraded using quality Fender, Squier components. There is a huge debate with some people saying the Squier Affinity being a 3/4 or a full bodied guitar. My options are if the Squier Affinity is a full body guitar I may go with that or I am also looking at buying the Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS Left-Handed, Maple Fingerboard - Black. I can not afford to buy the Affinity and then another one that can be upgraded as my experience allows. The Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster price seems to vary but the Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS Left-Handed, Maple Fingerboard - Black seems to be priced at around $550.00 Canadian. Not sure what to think or what has better value.
@nacholens3228
9 ай бұрын
Hi! I got it right! I personally like the squire sound better. Not sure why but it sounds better to me. Which is great since I just bought this squire as an entry level guitar for my kids.
@mattwilliam4803
2 жыл бұрын
-I honestly thought the Squier sounded better in most of the positions - warmer
@NWTMasterWolf
3 жыл бұрын
Got them right but I must say which one has better sound depends on settings and add effects over all it seems. I own the Glarry Burning fire and it's tone is very adjustable by the strings you choose and the way it's setup. I am changing all hardware and electronics soon but honestly only because I want to hot rod the guitar. Glarry makes a really good instrument especially for the price IMO.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing
@chriskoch2465
3 жыл бұрын
I got them right but both sound great
@bradfordshaw5091
3 жыл бұрын
Yep. I got it right. The Squier wasn't bad, but it's tone was narrower, and it didn't stay in tune as well...as has been my experience.
@chuckHart70
Жыл бұрын
I had an Affinity Telecaster was a total piece of crap wouldn't stay in tune at all. I hated it. I was ready to give it away or throw it away. Then I read and nine times out of ten issue is the nut. Even though I didn't notice anything about it as soon as I changed that nut to a bone nut it now stays in tune as good as any guitar I own.
@RayRayStar
3 жыл бұрын
Could tell right away. The fendy just sung in the cleans; however, if you weren’t A/B’n em…that squier could convince anyone the doesn’t have ultrasonic bat hearing…
@jimmarinella9455
3 жыл бұрын
Great job 👏. I love to watch your vids. The difference was clear but I like that seeing your vids. Always a good time. 👍
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
@DutchGunny
2 жыл бұрын
Got it wrong. The squier sounded amazing!
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
try again!
@1951kbz
3 жыл бұрын
Got it right this time . X sounded much cleaner than Y. Like the sound of The American but preferred the looks of the Squire.
@DaringDan
3 жыл бұрын
Your videos are great, man. Cheers.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
I appreciate that!
@SevanStick
3 жыл бұрын
Got it. Liked x way more. But was totally surprised that the overdriven bridge on the humbucker sounded worse than the single coil bridge????!!!!!😳
@fuzzypanda1684
2 жыл бұрын
This is why I'd never spend more than a few hundred on a guitar, I'm not a professional and I can't tell the difference lol. I actually liked the Affinity more in most of the comparisons.
@generatornoiseheavy_a6546
2 жыл бұрын
Happy holidays. With the clean tones I thought the opposite but with overdrive the ceramic pickups really stood out, harsh, bright, lacking definition, but they sound good especially in the bridge. The Pro II sounds really good in the bridge with overdrive, did you rollback the tone? I’ve a Pro II Tele in Miami Blue, amazing neck and color, and the coolest thing about it is that my birthday is in the serial number 🤩
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
Happy holidays!
@tonyharley5230
2 жыл бұрын
I preferred Y but I was convinced it would be the Fender. I'm blown away by the fact it was in fact the Squier. This is good seeing as I just won one on ebay for £138
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
just remember a recorded tone is only one part of the guitar 🎸👍
@tonyharley5230
2 жыл бұрын
I'll be good. I already gig Squiers exclusively.
@patrickkeating5329
2 жыл бұрын
I got them right. I love the American Strat and wanted one just like that silver burst. They make it in a lefty, but not right handed, with the maple board.
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
I know right! kzitem.info/news/bejne/mZ9nv6ZsbHSekqA
@gavinhutton8455
3 жыл бұрын
I win all the tone tests that u do , I would like you to take this to a next level by comparing the cheap gtr plugged into a cheap amp that an average person wud get if he is buying a 300$ gtr against an expensive gtr plugged to an average or expensive amp which a player would get when he gets a 1700$ gtr. The amp plays a crucial role in the tone , since both are plugged to the prinston even the cheaper gtr wud sound better . tx for the video
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
I've done that kinda. kzitem.info/news/bejne/xX5mroKeiH1emII
@JDKingStratslinger
2 жыл бұрын
Got 'em right. The Squier ceramics sounds mellower. Both sound good. Both sound like Strats.
@valueofnothing2487
2 жыл бұрын
No one will believe how good the frets are on this guitar. Mine was perfect. I did block the term and replaced the pickups, but Warmoth pick gaurds fit perfectly, as does GFS harnesses.
@Giggiyygoo
3 жыл бұрын
I could tell on the bridge pickup, but not on the others. I guess that's why I've never really been into swapping out pickups, my ear is too unsophisticated.......
@tonedriverss8629
2 жыл бұрын
From a players point of view , the smart money goes to the Squier . Much better value for same guitar . I still have my 2007 US Strat . Just got this upgraded Affinity , and its not at all a lesser instrument . Actually its an even better Strat on quite a few points . Very happy with it . Cant put it down . Its that good , and much better looking . Its light weight and slimmer body is a big plus as well .
@Spaceman-jo5mz
3 жыл бұрын
Hey Landon, Love the tribute to "Fight Club". Am I the only one who caught it?
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
you're not supposed to talk about it
@Spaceman-jo5mz
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey Right....The First Rule of Fight Club. lol
@Mexxx65
2 жыл бұрын
The ceramic passives have a clear more well defined crunch.
@Ardolynk
2 жыл бұрын
I was wrong here. Y sounded surprisingly more clear than X so I guessed it's alnico.
@philos212
Жыл бұрын
Right from the beginning I liked Guitar X, but wasn’t sure which guitar it was. Although Guitar Y is not very different, Guitar X was very clear and had excellent note separation.
@Furtheronmusic
3 жыл бұрын
I could only really fully tell on the bridge. But I was leaning the right way before that. However I can tell you if you did that test with any non guitar player they'd really struggle to understand the cost difference I'd wager
@brianhenson4128
Жыл бұрын
I liked the affinity Hss better. I got it wrong which surprised me since I have one very similar. I thought the squire had more sustain. I like my squire affinity hss because you can play super clean and also play very dirty and get thise heavy metal and Nirvana sounds with the humbacher pick up. That's just what I like though. I know some people who really hate it. I like having that option though.
@mindfall82
3 жыл бұрын
I got it right the Ampro II just sounded sweeter with more clarity
@planzed463
2 жыл бұрын
Could tell from the first riff.. I think the cheaper versions sound brighter harsher & less umpf in the low mids... I have a 2020 Tele player but dream of an American made one!
@paullanglois3768
3 жыл бұрын
I guessed wrong! That Mercury Strat is beautiful!
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
ya the body is awesome
@edwardthompson9981
2 жыл бұрын
Got it right.
@ScottDreyfus
2 жыл бұрын
You can decidedly tell when the humbucker is in there but that's not necessarily a good thing. It muddled the sound almost instantly
@peskypesky
Ай бұрын
I usually get these blind comparisons wrong, but this time I preferred X the whole way. And for me, on the speakers I'm using, it wasn't close.
@superweak
3 жыл бұрын
Affinity is pretty good.
@kkarx
3 жыл бұрын
Neck: Strat easily Neck & Middle: Strat but it is closer Middle: TIE! it sounds almost the same Bridge: Ehm Strat sounds better but comparing H to S is not fair and cheap humbuckers sound way worse than cheap singles! I'd get the squire with single pickup in bridge position.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
it's a Strat in all cases
@kkarx
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbaileyTrue but I call it Strat vs Squire. ;-)
@stephandelaney4097
3 жыл бұрын
Some people just sand and put a Fender logo on it, and think it adds $1200+ value to it. Lol Someone tried to rip me on a 'Fender MIM strat'. But luckily I don't buy blind, looked at it in person and played it.. found out was fake and called him out when I played and inspected the guitar which he admitted after he was selling as a COPY.. Twas only a Squier posed to be a Fender. But he knew what he was doing trying to rip a dumby off. Nice vid BTW 👍
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
ya there's always going to be people doing stuff like that.
@andrewroberts8349
3 жыл бұрын
Yeap, as I thought...Right as I've heard clean tones of the neck position, I new that Y is ceramics magnets. Y is slightly less rounded tone and out of tune Second thing was crucial...Cheaper guitar, new strings....
@SwainBjornstrandt
3 жыл бұрын
Love these vids!!
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you like them!
@SwainBjornstrandt
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey big fan of yours sir!
@user-yt1uo1eg4o
2 жыл бұрын
Только что купил себе такую, только black burst. Буду учиться играть
@landonbailey
2 жыл бұрын
Ницца! веселиться (гугл переводчик)
@jimhicks8871
3 жыл бұрын
I got it right, although it was a scientific wild ass guess. Guitar x had more definition on all of the tones. This led me to think that it was probably the higher end Axe. The squire sounded very good though and if you're on a limited budget I think it would be a great guitar. Landon thanks for doing this video. I love what you're doing keep it up!
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
cheers!
@callfourzero1931
Жыл бұрын
X sounds better throughout. This is interesting, I own a Squire Afinity ($350) and a base clone China Strat ($100). My Squire Afinity sounds like your test Squire, my base China brightness sounds closer to the Fender in your test. Both my guitars are using 2227 10/48 strings with similar action and pickup settings. The bridge and tuners on the China base barely cut it, this is the difference, really cheap parts.
@CitizenSoldier500
3 жыл бұрын
got them right but i do like the muddy ceramic rawness for some reason
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
that's how I would describe the ceramics too. muddy, loud and raw.
@isaiahj117
3 жыл бұрын
Start from the Middle and Middle & Bridge I prefer the guitar X sound more because it is more clean and the treble tone is more noticeable. For Stratocaster, I will go for Fender. The player series sounds good to me already !!
@eaqwallbender8269
2 жыл бұрын
I got it right. You can hear the difference in the pickups. Affinity's are muddier in direct comparison
@thseed7
3 жыл бұрын
Comments are good for creators' videos
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
that's true
@in-rust-we-trust2831
2 жыл бұрын
Love my candy apple HSS its an animal of a guitar for the money and can play the cleanest of stuff right down to the heaviest of metal
@muse0679
2 жыл бұрын
I like the Y
@PaulCooksStuff
3 жыл бұрын
Preferred X clean, less muddy. No real preference on dirt (though Y mid sounded odder than X). I've done enough blind tests to know what I prefer is no reliable indicator of price. 50% I get the expensive one, 50% the cheap one. So I got the Fender this time, but only because the cleans appealed to me more. If it had been the Squier I'd still be "right" for me.
@aquacat3552
2 жыл бұрын
I got the affinity and honestly I barely heard a difference lol so glad I I bought it
@pancak3898
2 жыл бұрын
Guitar Y is definitely thicker in tone I think the Treble is higher on X
@jesusfosiles
2 жыл бұрын
the bridge pickpus!! it's the key!!
@stevemarks9360
3 жыл бұрын
I changed my mind as I thought the humbucker was definitely a single coil!
@hassanchop7096
3 жыл бұрын
Who's the ghost in your room at 7.54?
@sanyamkalra4
3 жыл бұрын
I liked sound of y more i don't know why 😅 though i would like to have pro over squier.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
trust your ears
@sanyamkalra4
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey yeah i really should my wallet will also be very happy with that 😅
@deanmccaskill5495
3 жыл бұрын
Next amp I buy is gonna be a Princeton then an AC 15. Say Landon have you tried the Tonemasters yet? I have one. I got a bunch of other amps too but I think I play that more than anything
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
nice! I love my Princeton
@deanmccaskill5495
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey Yeah man I want one. BTW I traded my Pink PRS for Highway One Telecaster. I just couldn’t love it.
@donkrause
3 жыл бұрын
The humbucker gives it away, but they both sound great.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
I almost thought of using the push/push option in the bridge for the Pro II (combines neck/bridge)
@shanesanko1408
2 жыл бұрын
You could tell the humbucker right away, the strat way nicer sound
@robertsguitarsandgear
3 жыл бұрын
I was wrong until the bridge distorted. Both sound good.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
humbucker bridge should give it away
@robertsguitarsandgear
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey For sure, great job as always Landon.
@DXXFUS
3 жыл бұрын
You should try the Squier Paranormal Series maybe?
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
I plan to again :)
@david197o
Жыл бұрын
Clean neck tone of Affinity sounded better to my ears vs the Fender.
@gillamb8669
3 жыл бұрын
I was given an ice cream cone and I lost it. Then I realized I was reading the reveal 😂🤘👍
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
well that sounds like something
@tuco8734
2 жыл бұрын
I could not differentiate them . Turned out the affinity is the one I choose for the more expensive guitar.
@doneriksen5599
2 жыл бұрын
I got them right!
@potlickerhound7262
3 жыл бұрын
the X clearly the fender here...more clear and has a bit of bite than the squire. X tone way better. Squire's always seem to have a brighter tone, even with pedals.
@jackcollins5818
3 жыл бұрын
Guitar X is the one I prefer guitar why sounds a little weak to me
@frankhunt2800
3 ай бұрын
One good for bedroom play fender, one great for gigging squire
@CraigFlowersMusic
3 жыл бұрын
Who is Tyler Durden?
@jah8859
3 жыл бұрын
Is that Squire a gold burst, I'd choose that on looks alone. BTW what's with the subliminal guest?
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
Flame Maple Top is the name. Shhhh
@benallmark9671
3 жыл бұрын
Landon , do you prefer playing a maple fretboard ?
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
I don't have a preference anymore
@benallmark9671
3 жыл бұрын
@@landonbailey me either , I’ve come to the conclusion that both are top notch and if fortunate enough, it’s nice to be able to switch back n forth from time to time. Wonderful luxury. Love the video Landon , thanks for making em.
@santin4reel
Жыл бұрын
I git it wrong ..i own the HSS, but mine is not an affinity, just a squier vibe 70's
@landonbailey
Жыл бұрын
play again! 😊
@BladeDoomer86
3 жыл бұрын
I bought an Affinity Tele following one of your comparison vids. I thought it sounded just as good as USA model. But in person, it really is different, and inferior. The US and Classic Vibes pickups are much clearer and pleasant to the ears. Now i don't know for the Strat models, but I'd guess they suffer from the same issues.
@landonbailey
3 жыл бұрын
Mic'd vs in the room are always very different sounds.
@michaelolz
3 жыл бұрын
Yay! I won!
@MickeyP91
2 жыл бұрын
Just curious are the newer model squire affinity strats the same body size as a proper fender body now? I’ve heard they have thicker body’s then before was wondering if a official fender neck would work on a affinity body without any problems
@palidiciovermingagurainia1760
2 жыл бұрын
thank you -
@chrisbliss7
2 жыл бұрын
got them wrong, y had more volume and sustain hmmmm
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