My First Surf Guitar

aSurfer

Joined: Jul 06, 2006
Posts: 9
Galveston, TEXAS

Posted on Jul 11 2006 06:07 PM

Hey guys I am looking for a new guitar that I could use to play surf with. Tell me what you think of this one.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Series-Stratocaster-Special-Electric-Guitar?sku=511276

I know it might not be the best guitar out there, but I am just learning. Do you think this would be a good one to start with? It has the single coil pick up that everybody has told me I need. Just let me know. Thanks

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maxtib

Joined: Jul 10, 2006
Posts: 47
United Kingdom

Posted on Jul 11 2006 06:24 PM

I reckon it's a good choice, the Squiers that I have come across have all been superbly built and I don't think you can get much better for the cost really.

Not many colour options it seems? Not worry though, I have a sunburst strat myself. =)

Thanks,
Max

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JetBlue

Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
United States

Posted on Jul 11 2006 06:27 PM

I haven't played a Squier Affinity Strat so I can't comment on the quality, but as far as the style/features for surf, I'd say that's an excellent guitar to start with.

—

Don

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Jul 11 2006 07:08 PM

That is also a blues/hard rock/and every other genre guitar.

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dp

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
United States

Posted on Jul 11 2006 09:08 PM

looks like it'll do the trick to get you started...

and at $149.00, it looks like a bargain!

happy reverberating,
-dp

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2340
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Jul 11 2006 11:38 PM

It is an excellent choice for a beginner's surf guitar.

—

Bob

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Jon

Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1076
Columbus, OH
United States

Posted on Jul 12 2006 11:43 AM

Yeah, I'd say that would be a good beginner guitar. It's cheap, and you can probably get a decent sound from it. I bought a '57 reissue Stratocaster (MIM), and I'm playing on that until I can afford a nice Jaguar or Jazzmaster.

Good luck, and have fun!

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DannySnyder

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11045
Berkeley, CA
United States

Posted on Jul 12 2006 11:54 AM

Go for it, but spend another $30 to $50 getting it a set up with thicker strings, and try flat wounds to see if you like. Why handicap yourself with a poorly tuned up guitar, as they typically are out of the box.

$.02

Danny Snyder

—

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

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WR

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
2 Link Pins

Posted on Jul 12 2006 03:02 PM

yeah looks nice enough - I 'm surprised to see they have alder bodies now - didn 't use to be pine or whatever? cool.

as for set-up - danny's totally right, these low budget guitars can be great players - if set up's right. strings, I'came off flats on a strat - just doesn't work well imho - I prefer nickel rounds .... matter of opinion really.

good luck, let us know what it's going to be and how you like it!

WR

—

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

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voodoodentists

Joined: May 21, 2006
Posts: 62

Posted on Jul 18 2006 03:56 PM

Some of the Squiers have dodgy fret ends which are great for surf glissandos that end in hospital trips.

Try before you buy....I know a kid who got a Squier '51 model ( bit like a cyclone ) and it's amazing. His dad went and got him a backup 6 weeks later ( for his own use aswell I suspect ) and it is a pile of......smelly stuff.

Luck of the draw mate.

Roger

ps. Good Luck .....Hope you get a good one. !!

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Richard

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1683
Georgia
United States

Posted on Jul 19 2006 10:33 AM

This is an Affinity series Squier and the ones I've played were all crap. Don't waste your money. Standard series Squiers are better, and used Mexican Standard Strats are great for the money. Save up a little bit more and troll eBay for a standard Strat, even if it's an older one. Other things to look out for are Mexican made Squier Strats from the 90's (really good and not ridiculously expensive) and older Korean or Japanese Strats, though these have a reputation that usually pushes the price on eBay far beyond what they're worth. I spent $450 on a Mexican 60's reissue Strat and I'm totally Strat-happy.

—

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

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Xotie

Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 22
Las Vegas NV

Posted on Jul 21 2006 12:14 PM

I'd take a look at Indiana Guitars and the Samick Malibu series. Both have good reviews at Harmony Central, and you won't spend much over $150 or so. Don't waste money on a small amp though. Start with maybe a Carvin Nomad or Fender Hotrod/Blues deluxe, or 50W Marshall if you don't like to wait for warm ups.

I have a program called "Riffster", cost me $25 from the UK - it slows down the music while keeping the pitch, but you can vary that too. I use it to listen to (repeatedly) different riffs until I figure it out confortably, then output it to an MP3 player at a slower pace so I can practice with the Penetrators, Nebulas, Surfaris and even Estaban. His stuff is cool with lotsa reverb.
Have fun!

—

<i>"In the beginning there was Nothing. Then it Exploded"</i>

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tonybologna

Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 796
Oakland

Posted on Jul 21 2006 12:19 PM

HAHAH! Estaban

alright, I'm done.

—

Science friction burns my fingers.

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Xotie

Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 22
Las Vegas NV

Posted on Jul 21 2006 12:24 PM

I meant 'Steve Paul' of Phoenix. Sells stuff on TV, wears hot sticky leather. Isn't that surfy? or Smurfy?

—

<i>"In the beginning there was Nothing. Then it Exploded"</i>

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aSurfer Joined: Jul 06, 2006 Posts: 9 Galveston, TEXAS	Posted on Jul 11 2006 06:07 PM Hey guys I am looking for a new guitar that I could use to play surf with. Tell me what you think of this one. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Series-Stratocaster-Special-Electric-Guitar?sku=511276 I know it might not be the best guitar out there, but I am just learning. Do you think this would be a good one to start with? It has the single coil pick up that everybody has told me I need. Just let me know. Thanks Top
maxtib Joined: Jul 10, 2006 Posts: 47	Posted on Jul 11 2006 06:24 PM I reckon it's a good choice, the Squiers that I have come across have all been superbly built and I don't think you can get much better for the cost really. Not many colour options it seems? Not worry though, I have a sunburst strat myself. =) Thanks, Max Top
JetBlue Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 746 Cool, CA	Posted on Jul 11 2006 06:27 PM I haven't played a Squier Affinity Strat so I can't comment on the quality, but as far as the style/features for surf, I'd say that's an excellent guitar to start with. — Don Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Jul 11 2006 07:08 PM That is also a blues/hard rock/and every other genre guitar. Top
dp Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california	Posted on Jul 11 2006 09:08 PM looks like it'll do the trick to get you started... and at $149.00, it looks like a bargain! happy reverberating, -dp Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2340 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Jul 11 2006 11:38 PM It is an excellent choice for a beginner's surf guitar. — Bob Top
Jon Joined: Mar 15, 2006 Posts: 1076 Columbus, OH	Posted on Jul 12 2006 11:43 AM Yeah, I'd say that would be a good beginner guitar. It's cheap, and you can probably get a decent sound from it. I bought a '57 reissue Stratocaster (MIM), and I'm playing on that until I can afford a nice Jaguar or Jazzmaster. Good luck, and have fun! Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11045 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Jul 12 2006 11:54 AM Go for it, but spend another $30 to $50 getting it a set up with thicker strings, and try flat wounds to see if you like. Why handicap yourself with a poorly tuned up guitar, as they typically are out of the box. $.02 Danny Snyder — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
WR Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 3832 netherlands	Posted on Jul 12 2006 03:02 PM yeah looks nice enough - I 'm surprised to see they have alder bodies now - didn 't use to be pine or whatever? cool. as for set-up - danny's totally right, these low budget guitars can be great players - if set up's right. strings, I'came off flats on a strat - just doesn't work well imho - I prefer nickel rounds .... matter of opinion really. good luck, let us know what it's going to be and how you like it! WR — Rules to live by #314: "When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is." https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/ Top
voodoodentists Joined: May 21, 2006 Posts: 62	Posted on Jul 18 2006 03:56 PM Some of the Squiers have dodgy fret ends which are great for surf glissandos that end in hospital trips. Try before you buy....I know a kid who got a Squier '51 model ( bit like a cyclone ) and it's amazing. His dad went and got him a backup 6 weeks later ( for his own use aswell I suspect ) and it is a pile of......smelly stuff. Luck of the draw mate. Roger ps. Good Luck .....Hope you get a good one. !! Top
Richard Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1683 Georgia	Posted on Jul 19 2006 10:33 AM This is an Affinity series Squier and the ones I've played were all crap. Don't waste your money. Standard series Squiers are better, and used Mexican Standard Strats are great for the money. Save up a little bit more and troll eBay for a standard Strat, even if it's an older one. Other things to look out for are Mexican made Squier Strats from the 90's (really good and not ridiculously expensive) and older Korean or Japanese Strats, though these have a reputation that usually pushes the price on eBay far beyond what they're worth. I spent $450 on a Mexican 60's reissue Strat and I'm totally Strat-happy. — The Mystery Men? El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists SSS Agent #31 Top
Xotie Joined: Apr 29, 2006 Posts: 22 Las Vegas NV	Posted on Jul 21 2006 12:14 PM I'd take a look at Indiana Guitars and the Samick Malibu series. Both have good reviews at Harmony Central, and you won't spend much over $150 or so. Don't waste money on a small amp though. Start with maybe a Carvin Nomad or Fender Hotrod/Blues deluxe, or 50W Marshall if you don't like to wait for warm ups. I have a program called "Riffster", cost me $25 from the UK - it slows down the music while keeping the pitch, but you can vary that too. I use it to listen to (repeatedly) different riffs until I figure it out confortably, then output it to an MP3 player at a slower pace so I can practice with the Penetrators, Nebulas, Surfaris and even Estaban. His stuff is cool with lotsa reverb. Have fun! — <i>"In the beginning there was Nothing. Then it Exploded"</i> Top
tonybologna Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 796 Oakland	Posted on Jul 21 2006 12:19 PM HAHAH! Estaban alright, I'm done. — Science friction burns my fingers. Top
Xotie Joined: Apr 29, 2006 Posts: 22 Las Vegas NV	Posted on Jul 21 2006 12:24 PM I meant 'Steve Paul' of Phoenix. Sells stuff on TV, wears hot sticky leather. Isn't that surfy? or Smurfy? — <i>"In the beginning there was Nothing. Then it Exploded"</i> Top

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My First Surf Guitar