woodhead
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by woodhead on Apr 17, 2018 22:27:55 GMT
Hello, I searched and I wonder, that this question has not already been asked. Quality/hardware-wise what series of HB Stratocaster can be compared to what series of Fender/Squier Stratocasters? Like a Squier Bullet is a ST-20, a Squier Affinity is a ST-62... I think read something like that a 150,-EUR HB equals a 250,-EUR Fender/Squier. Would you say that is true? I am mainly referring to hardware and quality in the sense of e.g. how flimsy or wobbly are the head mechanics working. Things like this, but of course you can tell me everything that comes to your mind. (Years and years back I had a HB Ukulele (costed 49,99EUR back then, is sold for 19,99 today) that I had to tune every 20 minutes and after a year I had to turn the tuners 1-2cm until the string started to move). Somewhat related... but no Fender comparison: Is the ST-59HM Fiesta Red (and maybe the ST-57DG) more a ST-62 or ST-70 or even ST-90`or is it a ST-20 that is saying: "I have flimsy tuners, but I am trying to trick you into believing I am premium with my gold plated hardware, and of course I wear a higher price tag, allthough I am a 79,- piece of crap, if it weren't for the gold hardware."? Neck profiles: Is a ST-59 soft V comparable to a Fender/squier soft V? Is a ST-90 and ST-57 "C" comparable to Fender's/Squier's "modern C"? Btw. that site helped me getting my understanding more structured about all the series that Fender offers. thehub.musiciansfriend.com/guitar-buying-guides/stratocaster-buying-guide#basicfeatures (The Fender webpage sometimes acts strange). THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
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woodhead
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by woodhead on Apr 25, 2018 0:01:17 GMT
DefJef , I hope the musiciansfriend strat guide stays up to date or is up to date. I can easily imagine Fender to change specifications silently. Still no one an opinion about comparison for me?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2018 6:08:47 GMT
I never owned a Fender but my ST-62MN is certainly in the level of Squire Classic Vibe from what I see.
With HB you get fantastic value IF you get one that's without issues. Their QC as of late was not very top notch but I hope they get their shoit together soon.
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3,968 posts
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Post by salteedog on Apr 25, 2018 9:32:38 GMT
Hard to say. Thickness wise the HBs are comparable to the Squier standard and classic vibe strats. The Bullets and Affinity models are thinner. In terms of wood the HBs are mostly basswood and hence comparable to the Bullets. The ones which are ash or alder are closer to the Affinity. As regards fretboard radius then the HBs are flatter in pretty much all cases.
As regards quality...probably Affinity level overall.
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3,968 posts
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Post by salteedog on Apr 25, 2018 12:04:49 GMT
Yup similarly shaped apples and oranges here....
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on Apr 25, 2018 12:10:21 GMT
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woodhead
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by woodhead on Apr 27, 2018 19:45:30 GMT
Their QC as of late was not very top notch but I hope they get their shoit together soon. Interesting, last night I read that in a review on their site under the ST-59HM, where a customer said, he had to wait two weeks for his gutar, because - as Thomann told him - their QC had a lot to do on their HBs at the time. The review was from February, 7th, 2018. I also get the impression that it happens quiet often that one slipps through their QC, when I read this Forum (been reading here and there for two months, now). I also had to send 5 of 7 Startone classic guitars (35,-EUR guitars) back over the last two years. They even mention it themselves that they do check each instrument before shipping. I wonder why then do so many instruments seem to have not seen the QC.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2018 20:46:17 GMT
They can say whatever, Im not convinced they give enough time for QC and why would they pay someone in Germany to do so with such affordable instruments. They should get same QC in the Asian factories as they did back in the time I first got into HBs and they were really something. Still could have some issues but not big ones as I had last year when they changed factories from China to someplace else. Im sure they will get it all under better control soon. They have to as HB is getting more popular! The 2 week wait was at the time their computer system went down resulting in too many back-orders! That is fixed now. I've got my order this week after only 2 days! Even if the QC is gone down as of late I still remain HB user as I know Thomann returns lemons hustle free and once I get the one that is without blemishes I am winning a keeper for life! (or for modding as these new Rosewell pickups are not my cup of tea)
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woodhead
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by woodhead on Apr 27, 2018 20:57:03 GMT
As regards quality...probably Affinity level overall. You mean across the board? From the cheapest HB to the most "expensive" HB? I thought there were better mechanics machines(?) on the 100+ EUR HBs...?.
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woodhead
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by woodhead on Apr 27, 2018 21:12:36 GMT
They can say whatever, Im not convinced they give enough time for QC and why would they pay someone in Germany to do so with such affordable instruments. They should get same QC in the Asian factories as they did back in the time I first got into HBs and they were really something. Still could have some issues but not big ones as I had last year when they changed factories from China to someplace else. Im sure they will get it all under better control soon. They have to as HB is getting more popular! The 2 week wait was at the time their computer system went down resulting in too many back-orders! That is fixed now. I've got my order this week after only 2 days! Even if the QC is gone down as of late I still remain HB user as I know Thomann returns lemons hustle free and once I get the one that is without blemishes I am winning a keeper for life! (or for modding as these new Rosewell pickups are not my cup of tea) Thanks for the additional infos. I didn't know, that the changed factories. Well, of course one can send the guitar back until one gets a good one. If it doesn't become too annoying... Regarding the "pay someone in Germany". I agree, it's hard to imagine. On the other hand, maybe they have low skilled or non-skilled workers that they don't have to pay much and they really only need to use that PLEK machine, which would explain, that so much slips through. Or they hire so called "Aufstocker". Jobless people that get their money from the state, but are allowed to work a few hours per week on top without getting it substracted from their unemployment benefits. But using such workers would speak against Thomann's image as a social employer and firm (because as a responsible-minded employer, they would give them a half- or fulltime job with regular payment). Well, I'm getting of topic...
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woodhead
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by woodhead on Apr 28, 2018 13:51:44 GMT
Oh, another question: how is neck thickness consistency in one model line? I mean, does the neck thickness vary in different guitars of the same HB model or do let's say all ST-62s etc. have the same neck?
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woodhead
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by woodhead on May 21, 2018 15:16:17 GMT
I thought Bullets were full thickness unless they've changed specs since I last spoke to Squier. And then again that Musiciansfriend link had Bullets as laminates (which was news to me since I last spoke to Squier too!). I'm not sure the HBs are really comparable at all since they are all full thickness, which is pretty useful when it comes to modding stuff like tremolo blocks, necks and pots. Forgot to comment on this. OK, that effects playability. According to musiciansfriend or if I understand them correctly, only the Affinity has the thinner body. Thomann even market it as a perfect beginner's instrument for having a thinner nut. www.thomann.de/gb/fender_squier_affinity_strat_sfg_2013.htm?ref=intl&shp=eyJjb3VudHJ5IjoiZ2IiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6IjIiLCJsYW5ndWFnZSI6ImVuIn0%3D (I don't know if the neck is also thinner between thumb and fingers. Squier mentions c-form neck under specifications). I was more referring to the several quality steps with each model/series. Hard to say. Thickness wise the HBs are comparable to the Squier standard and classic vibe strats. The Bullets and Affinity models are thinner. In terms of wood the HBs are mostly basswood and hence comparable to the Bullets. The ones which are ash or alder are closer to the Affinity. As regards fretboard radius then the HBs are flatter in pretty much all cases. As regards quality...probably Affinity level overall. The woods are probably not that important. In the last years there seems to be a change in mindset, where luthiers and hobby builders agree that for solid body guitars wood doesn't matter, because nature/physics explain that the magnets catch transversal waves and the wood produces only longitudinal waves, therefore it was impossible for the wood to have an effect, they say. Apart from what brands, shops and reviews say, because they need it as selling argument. And it is a factor in costs. But good you mentioned the thickness of the body, I had overlooked that factor. Though my initial question was more regarding overal quality. That includes hardware, tuners, bridge. Here, if I understand the musiciansfriend guide correctly the bullets, affinities and standards have the same hardware/tuners and the Squier deluxe introduces other hardware. (Hard to guess what one should think about "vintage style mechanics" for the lower ones). Bullet mentions Chrome-covered machine heads Affinity and standard, no mention. Deluxe Hardware: Chrome Tuning Keys: Standard die-cast thehub.musiciansfriend.com/guitar-buying-guides/stratocaster-buying-guide#basicfeatures
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