Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $300

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster, crafted under the legendary Fender umbrella, offers a perfect blend of classic styling and modern playability for guitarists at any level. This electric guitar is your ticket to that iconic Strat sound, without breaking the bank. Whether you're playing blues, rock, or even jazz, the HSS pickup configuration—featuring a humbucker at the bridge and single coils in the middle and neck positions—ensures a versatile tonal palette to match your creative expression.

With a sleek agathis body and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck, this Strat feels just right whether you're in the studio or on stage. The rosewood fingerboard features 22 medium jumbo frets, allowing for smooth bends and effortless solos. The die-cast tuners and twin-pivot tremolo bridge ensure that staying in tune is a breeze, even during those energetic performances.

Enhanced with a large '60s style headstock and a classic 3-ply pickguard, the Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster is both a nod to the past and a step into the future. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this guitar offers a robust playing experience that’s hard to resist.

Key Features:

  • Body: Agathis
  • Neck: Maple, C-Shape
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5" Radius
  • Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
  • Pickups: HSS Configuration (Humbucker/Single-Coil/Single-Coil)
  • Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck), Tone 2 (Middle)
  • Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade
  • Bridge: Synchronous Twin-Pivot Tremolo
  • Tuners: Standard Die-Cast
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Width at Nut: 1.650"
  • Large '60s Style Headstock

Product specs

Brand Squier
Model Standard Stratocaster HSS Black and Chrome with Laurel Fretboard, Standard Stratocaster HSS Black and Chrome with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish Black
Year 2006 - 2018
Made In China, Indonesia
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Laurel, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 9.5"
Frets Medium Jumbo
Model Family Squier Stratocaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.65"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Squier Standard
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What does the HSS configuration mean on the Squier Standard Stratocaster?

The HSS configuration stands for Humbucker-Single coil-Single coil pickups, offering a versatile range of tones from the powerful humbucker at the bridge to the classic single-coil sounds in the middle and neck positions.

Is the Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile, versatile pickup configuration, and affordable price point, making it a great choice for learning various music styles.

What kind of music genres is the Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster best suited for?

The Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster is well-suited for rock, blues, and pop music, thanks to its humbucker pickup providing a thicker tone and single-coil pickups offering bright, clean sounds.

Does the Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster have a tremolo bridge?

Yes, the Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster features a tremolo bridge, allowing players to add vibrato effects to their playing for enhanced musical expression.

What is the neck profile like on the Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster?

The Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile, which is easy to play and suitable for a wide range of hand sizes, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced players.

The Guitar Manifesto

The Guitar Manifesto

Squier Standard Stratocaster HSS Review Demo

Video thumbnail for Squier Standard Stratocaster HSS Review Demo by The Guitar Manifesto

Squier Standard Stratocaster HSS Review Demo

The Guitar Manifesto

The Guitar Manifesto

Video thumbnail for Squier Standard Stratocaster H S S Guitar by chatreeo

Squier Standard Stratocaster H S S Guitar

chatreeo

chatreeo

Video thumbnail for Squier Std Strat Hss Guitar by chatreeo

Squier Std Strat Hss Guitar

chatreeo

chatreeo

Reviews

PROS

  • Affordable entry-level guitar with decent sound quality

  • Versatile tone options with humbucker and single coil pickups

  • 22-fret neck offers more range than typical Squier models

  • Lightweight alder body is easy to handle during play

  • Mirror pickguard adds a unique visual touch

  • Pre-shielded cavity reduces unwanted hum

  • Easy playability makes it suitable for beginners

CONS

  • Tremolo block is low-quality, upgrade recommended for better sound

  • Original saddles may cause tuning issues with tremolo use

  • Sound lacks sustain; compressor might be necessary

  • Neck feels bulkier compared to standard Fender Stratocasters

  • Body is lighter, affecting the feel and balance for some players

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners emphasize the ease of upgrading a Squier Strat with a replacement loaded pickguard, allowing for quick and extensive electronic modifications.

    Source
  • Owners recommend installing Fender locking tuners for easier string changes and improved tuning stability.

    Source
  • Suggestions include wiring modifications like coil splitting and out-of-phase options for maximum tonal diversity.

    Source
  • Users often recommend upgrading to Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and Texas Specials in neck/middle for versatile tones.

    Source

User experience

  • The maple neck is frequently highlighted as a favorite feature for its smooth feel and durability over time.

    Source
  • The Squier's ergonomics, with a lighter body and thinner neck, are praised for comfort compared to the bulkier Les Paul models.

    Source
  • Specific feedback indicates that while versatile, the humbuckers in HSS Strats might not match the sustain and drive of Les Paul humbuckers.

    Source
  • Owners report Squier Standard HSS Strats as comfortable to play with a Fender headstock, appealing to both playability and aesthetic preferences.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • In the Australian market, some buyers find this model to be a good deal, especially when compared to potential higher costs for less favorable guitars.

    Source
  • It's suggested that getting a Squier starter pack provides better overall value with included essentials compared to buying a used guitar separately.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The oversized CBS headstock is a unique feature that many owners have grown to appreciate for its aesthetic appeal.

    Source
  • Owners highlight the versatility of the HSS Strat, noting its ability to handle metal with the humbucker while retaining classic Strat tones with single coils.

    Source
  • The Squier HSS Strat's tremolo bridge is highlighted as a feature that, while not always used, adds to the instrument's versatility and learning potential.

    Source

Build quality

  • The poly finish on the Squier Standard Stratocaster is noted for its durability, preventing damage from liquid exposure.

    Source
  • The Squier's maple neck is noted for being more durable than the mahogany neck of the Les Paul, especially against breakage at the headstock joint.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Strat's neck pickup is specifically recommended for blues due to its warm tonal character, despite some hum in the neck and middle positions.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some owners prefer the Player II series for better pickups over the Standard, based on sound quality comparisons from well-known video reviews.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • There are reports that Mexican HSS Strats may not have proper HSS wiring, potentially leading to a dull humbucker sound if not addressed.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
shok
shok

1464

Fun... affordable and great for live

It feels great and has a decent sound while looking exciting on stage!

From Gear Setup
mizrahy

Standard Guitar, nothing too flashy

As a person who would much rather prefer to play deeper tones, this Stratocaster does deliver on certain aspects. It is cheap and versatile and often times pretty reliable for a set amount of tones. I used this quite a lot for studio and gigs, but never relied on it heavily. I kept it in the arsenal just as a backup or a throwaway if the time needed it. The neck feels a little bulky and the body is a lot lighter than a Fender Stratocaster. The bridge itself was pretty crappy as when I would put in the tremolo arm, I would have to retune it up 3 steps because the tremolo would detune. Good guitar for the price, and not so much with the sound.

louis_dale

[deleted]

louis_dale

You wont find much luck finding these on ebay, try amazon, heres the link to the guitar - http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Standard-Stratocaster-Rosewood-Pickguard/dp/B000GAQPYE/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1442704328&sr=8-21&keywords=fender+squire+stratocaster

Artist usage

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See how Mac DeMarco uses Squier Standard HSS Stratocaster

Mac DeMarco

Singer, Guitarist

Mac DeMarco

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture of Mac Demarco, he can be seen playing a Squier HSS Stratocaster at Coachella 2017.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Community setups

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shok

shok

Gear IQ 1464

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    Gear IQ 2341