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Started By
Message
Help me spend some money
Posted on 8/20/21 at 9:15 pm
Posted on 8/20/21 at 9:15 pm
I've been self-learning guitar for 2 years. I'm making progress and would like to make an investment in more/better gear. I'm currently playing a Squier Bullet with a Fender Champion 20. I love the feel of the Strat style. I have a few ideas on where to upgrade but would like some advice.
1. Upgrade the Squier with new strings, electronics, tuners, etc. My Squier has some obvious manufacturing shortcuts (expected for such a cheap instrument).
2. Upgrade to a Fender Strat (MIM or USA).
3. Better amp and some pedals.
I don't currently have any pedals but the Champion has built in effects.
Budget would be up to the retail price of a new USA strat.
Thanks!
1. Upgrade the Squier with new strings, electronics, tuners, etc. My Squier has some obvious manufacturing shortcuts (expected for such a cheap instrument).
2. Upgrade to a Fender Strat (MIM or USA).
3. Better amp and some pedals.
I don't currently have any pedals but the Champion has built in effects.
Budget would be up to the retail price of a new USA strat.
Thanks!
9
Posted on 8/20/21 at 9:48 pm to aileron
An upgraded Squier can be a fine axe, and definitely all anyone really needs, but if you know deep down that you really want a real American Fender just do it now and be done. That way you won't always be wanting. I play a MIM tele that I love, but when I get a strat I plan on buying the one I really want from the jump.
Posted on 8/20/21 at 9:54 pm to aileron
Check out the Boss Katana amps. Amazing! If you can find someone who knows what they’re doing, a Squier Bullet can be upgraded to a really nice guitar.
This post was edited on 8/20/21 at 9:55 pm
Posted on 8/20/21 at 11:43 pm to aileron
While some Squiers might be upgraded to a nice guitar, a Bullet is the least likely to make it. If you have the price of a USA Strat (which seems to be about $1300), you can get a nice rig. If I were in your spot, I'd get a much better guitar and a somewhat better amp. You could get the USA Strat which will be a lifelong instrument, but running it through the Champion 20 seems somehow wrong.
A Player Strat (MIM) and a 1x12 Katana 100 will set you up well for a long time. The Player Strat is $800 and the 1x12 Katana is $380. If you call the right place, you can probably get them to throw in a dirt pedal, strings and/or a case or bag.
There are also less expensive amps, like the Katana 50 (also 1x12) that would save another $100.
A Player Strat (MIM) and a 1x12 Katana 100 will set you up well for a long time. The Player Strat is $800 and the 1x12 Katana is $380. If you call the right place, you can probably get them to throw in a dirt pedal, strings and/or a case or bag.
There are also less expensive amps, like the Katana 50 (also 1x12) that would save another $100.
Posted on 8/21/21 at 1:18 am to aileron
quote:
Upgrade the Squier with new strings
Posted on 8/21/21 at 1:41 pm to awestruck
If you get a Katana, you won't need any pedals at all, dirt or otherwise. It has plenty of high quality tone grease onboard. Great amps for bedroom, studio, and DI'ing in higher volume applications. You'll never outgrow it.
Posted on 8/21/21 at 2:48 pm to aileron
Have you tried other types of guitars? I played a strat exclusively for 15 years. Then I tried an ES335 at a store. Ended up buying it and it's pretty much the only instrument I play now. Something to think about before laying out more cash for another strat.
Without knowing anything else, I'd say upgrade your amp first if you are currently happy with your guitar. I've heard good things about the Katana. I'm partial to tube amps, but if you are just starting to find out what you like, a modeling amp is probably the way to go and it's probably cheaper.
If you are deadset on a better strat, the MIM ones are a great value, and if you want, you can experiment with pickups without breaking the bank.
Without knowing anything else, I'd say upgrade your amp first if you are currently happy with your guitar. I've heard good things about the Katana. I'm partial to tube amps, but if you are just starting to find out what you like, a modeling amp is probably the way to go and it's probably cheaper.
If you are deadset on a better strat, the MIM ones are a great value, and if you want, you can experiment with pickups without breaking the bank.
Posted on 8/21/21 at 3:16 pm to TheFretShack
quote:I bought the Katana Boss 100 off recommendation of this board and could not be happier. I guess reading the manual will eventually unlock all the magic but I have been just fiddling with it and it's a blast.
If you get a Katana, you won't need any pedals at all, dirt or otherwise. It has plenty of high quality tone grease onboard. Great amps for bedroom, studio, and DI'ing in higher volume applications. You'll never outgrow it.
To the OP: If you got the money buy the higher end guitar you want. I waited years to pull the trigger on a PRS and the only thing I mad about is I didn't just spend the money years ago. However, if I was going to only have one guitar it would probably be a Strat*.
*or a Les Paul or an SG or an Tele or a Martin D28 or a Taylor GS
ETA:
quote:The only piece to puzzle left!!
Then I tried an ES335
This post was edited on 8/21/21 at 3:18 pm
Posted on 8/21/21 at 7:44 pm to aileron
quote:
Budget would be up to the retail price of a new USA strat.
No, take out a loan..
Posted on 8/21/21 at 8:17 pm to aileron
If you’re looking to upgrade your sound, your amp is always the biggest difference maker. However, you can get more bang for your buck via pedals if you have some idea of what sounds you’re looking for. The fender champ 20 amp takes pedals pretty well, so unless you’re looking for a warm tube overdrive tone or pristine cleans, you may get more mileage out of pedals with your existing amp verses investing in a more expensive amp depending on what kinds of sounds you’re looking to make.
When it comes to upgrade your guitar, the biggest thing that upgrading from a squire to a Mexican, Japanese, or American made strat can do for you is improving the tuning stability. If you’re tired of constantly retuning, this might be the most worthwhile upgrade available at this time.
I would never waste money upgrading a squire guitar with improvements like better pickups or locking tuners because those features are available on Mexican models that you can find used for a better overall deal than the cost of upgrading your existing instrument.
When it comes to upgrade your guitar, the biggest thing that upgrading from a squire to a Mexican, Japanese, or American made strat can do for you is improving the tuning stability. If you’re tired of constantly retuning, this might be the most worthwhile upgrade available at this time.
I would never waste money upgrading a squire guitar with improvements like better pickups or locking tuners because those features are available on Mexican models that you can find used for a better overall deal than the cost of upgrading your existing instrument.
Posted on 8/22/21 at 8:01 am to aileron
MIM Strats are really nice guitars, bang for the buck in my opinion. Also check out Guitar Centers used equipment, a lot of times there are some pretty decent deals. You might be interested in the Spark amp. My cousin has one that I played around on and it would definitely fit your situation. If you stick with it you can always upgrade to the higher end stuff in the future.
Posted on 8/22/21 at 8:13 am to aileron
I would upgrade to a MIM Strat or Yamaha Pacifica (but go to a store and PLAY it - don't buy it online).
Hold the rest of your budget until:
1. You sell the Squier for whatever,
2. And then you have about what you spent on the MIM/Pacifica for an amp.
Others may disagree, but I think you're fighting a losing battle upgrading the Squier - it is never NOT going to be a Squier.
As for effects - avoid the temptation to get something for a single song. Get something that is used in a lot of songs and you can widely adjust - chorus/delay, overdrive, etc.
Hold the rest of your budget until:
1. You sell the Squier for whatever,
2. And then you have about what you spent on the MIM/Pacifica for an amp.
Others may disagree, but I think you're fighting a losing battle upgrading the Squier - it is never NOT going to be a Squier.
As for effects - avoid the temptation to get something for a single song. Get something that is used in a lot of songs and you can widely adjust - chorus/delay, overdrive, etc.
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