Squier Standard vs. SE vs. Affinity vs. Bullet

[jcmathews]

What's the difference between a Squier SE and an Affinity? I recently started doing some mods on garage sale pickups, and I'm hearing that in order, the most desirable are Standard, SE, Affinity, then Bullet. Have I got that right? I've looked at some older threads that compare one vs. the other, but nothing that makes it clear what the pecking order is and why? I've seen a lot of SEs around at good prices, but the look of the headstock is a bit off-putting. I didn't include CV or VM here, since I know they're at the top of the heap...or are they? Thanks!

 

[Guitarmageddon]

What's the difference between a Squier SE and an Affinity? I recently started doing some mods on garage sale pickups, and I'm hearing that in order, the most desirable are Standard, SE, Affinity, then Bullet. Have I got that right? I've looked at some older threads that compare one vs. the other, but nothing that makes it clear what the pecking order is and why? I've seen a lot of SEs around at good prices, but the look of the headstock is a bit off-putting. I didn't include CV or VM here, since I know they're at the top of the heap...or are they? Thanks!

Welcome to the forum!

The SE's were a beginner guitar that came in a pack with amp and gig bag etc. They are the cheapest Strat you can buy in the last 15 years or so of production that has a full thickness body. You can get them used for like $75-150. They are considered the 'hidden gem' of the modding budget guitar community.....

An Affinity does not have a full thickness body, it's like 1/4 inch or more thinner.....and the width of the freboard is quite narrow compared to all other Squier models.....

Pickups and electronics are pretty much the same quality on an Affinity and SE. People like the SE's because of the full thickness body and the tendency to have a thicker neck back to front than most other Squier models.

We love SE headstocks here, we don't consider the logos off putting lol

 

[Atlen]

Thats the right order price-wise at least. Only you can tell wich is best for you.

Bullets and Affinity has thinner body. Affinity has narrower nut, large headstock and better tuners. Pups on the Bullet are brighter (has more treble) than Affinity (both are ceramic)

SE and Standards have "correct" size body and nut. Standard has better hardware (alnico pickups).
I think SE and Affinity has the same pups and pots.

 

[Guitarmageddon]

Thats the right order price-wise at least. Only you can tell wich is best for you.

Bullets and Affinity has thinner body. Affinity has narrower nut, large headstock and better tuners. Pups on the Bullet are brighter (has more treble) than Affinity (both are ceramic)

SE and Standards have "correct" size body and nut. Standard has better hardware (alnico pickups).
I think SE and Affinity has the same pups and pots.

They use the same exact pickups on both the Bullet and Affinity when they are made in the same factory - you must have either been comparing a guitar from China with a guitar from Indonesia, or the Bullet had 500k pots, or the models were several years apart.

 

[jcmathews]

Thanks - that's really useful info, all in one place! Is the other hardware (tuners, bridge, etc.) the same on SE and Affinity models?

 

[dbrian66]

Welcome to the forum @jcmathews ! The SE’s are my favorite Squier. They are cheap and plentiful to buy, and you can rebuild them into some really great guitars. I have done several projects with them. I am with you on the plain black logo though. I am not a fan at all. Some guys on here replace them with some real nice Squier logos. I personally make my own logo.

 

[Guitarmageddon]

Thanks - that's really useful info, all in one place! Is the other hardware (tuners, bridge, etc.) the same on SE and Affinity models?

Nothing is better on an SE than an Affinity except the neck and body. The hardware all around is pretty much the exact same quality on both. People seek out the SE's for the full thickness body and the chunky neck. They sometimes also have a flatter 12" fretboard radius, easier for lead playing.

 

[Atlen]

They use the same exact pickups on both the Bullet and Affinity when they are made in the same factory - you must have either been comparing a guitar from China with a guitar from Indonesia, or the Bullet had 500k pots, or the models were several years apart.

I have a 2015 Affinity and a 2019 Bullet HT, both are ICS and there is a difference in how they sound but pickups looks similar. Have not looked under the hood of the Bullet so can't tell for sure.

 

[Guitarmageddon]

I have a 2015 Affinity and a 2019 Bullet HT, both are ICS and there is a difference in how they sound but pickups looks similar. Have not looked under the hood of the Bullet so can't tell for sure.

4 years apart....that's why.... they change manufacturers every few years if they find a better deal....

 

[Eddie]

Stick around. There's lots of different variations. Lots of good information to know to get the best product.

 

[Brocephus]

.....I didn't include CV or VM here, since I know they're at the top of the heap...or are they?

As I understand, the Top O' The Heap/ Holy Grail Squiers would be the 80s' Japanese-made Squiers, which have gotten very collectible (and proportionately more expensive).
But yeah, the (Chinese) Classic Vibes, followed by the (Indonesian) Vintage Modifieds, are the most desirable (and expensive) of the current production Squiers, with some of the earlier ones being a little more desirable, since they had rosewood boards instead of the newer, cheaper woods now being substituted (at least on my VM Surf guitar, according to what I've read).
Also, all those are getting further shuffled up as we speak, since the Classic Vibes are about to end and get folded into the Indonesian-produced stuff (IIRC). I suspect the new ones will use basswood or other softer cheaper body woods, instead of the alder that the CV's had been made of (just speculation there).
BTW, some of the CV teles actually used pine for the bodies, same as the earliest fender teles.
As mentioned above, the Affinity models have thinner bodies and narrower necks.....except for the first few production years, with YN and NC serial number prefixes, which apparently had full sized bodies and wider nuts.
Along with this forum, this website is a very comprehensive (though not 100% complete) source of info on the various Squier models.......
http://squierwiki.com/HomePage