Fender Review: Squier Stagemaster

History:

Purchase: I had 'GAS' (gear acquisition syndrome)one day and decided to peruse a well known 'carry everything music store'.I really hadn't planned on 'buying'anything but was simply being a professional 'LOOKY LOU'.I had been eyeing a certain amplifier the last few months and thought I'd give it a go.The nice thing about large chain music stores is they let you play the more expensive quality instruments of your choice.I played your PRS and your Gibson Les Pauls and just havin a good ol time,when I picked up a Squier Stagemaster.I had heard people talk about how they just happpened to play an inexpensive instrument and loved it.There was no price tag on this beauty so while playing it I thought it was about 3-5 hundred bucks.I put it down and was getting ready to leave when I asked the guy how much it was was.....$119....I'm thinking that if I don't buy it I will be up all night wondering if it got sold before I could back.If I did buy it,I'd have it and be glad I did,but with questions.What,me the Grand POO-Ba of electric guitar knowledge, buy a cheap guitar.Well,I played an inexpensive guitar and yep....just loved it.......Sam Ash and me....we be buds.

What I Like About This Fender Squier Stagemaster: The 1st thing I look for when playng a guitar is the neck feel or playability.When I picked this up it instantly melted in my hands.It just felt right.It's rare for a guitar to be setup to the string height that you like right out of the box.The pickup configuration was SSH and just seemed to work for me giving me the best of both worlds.Having a Humbucker in the bridge position is a good choice for lead work.The single coils didn't sound cheap and tinny but full and clear.This unit is simple with no locking anything,just plug in and play!

What I Do NOT Like About The Fender Squier Stagemaster: The one thing I don't care for is the top part of the body is not contoured enough for my arm.The slope starts a little further dowm the body than I would like.The squared off edge is a little sharp but acceptable.

Fender Squier Stagemaster Quality Rating: When I'm seriously looking for an instrument I will study up on it to get all the information possible such as the wood used,pickup brand and compare products etc.I would spend hours and days mulling over the info I had gathered.I would never buy anything before I read about it's reputation and quality.While playing this guitar,all of that suddenly didn't mattered.This guitar felt solid and visibly there were no paint flaws.The marbeled rosewood fretboard is just what I like.The 2nd thing I look for in a guitar is how the pickups sound.I always figure if I bought a cheap guitar I could change the pickups to a more quality set.No need on this one.They sound just fine.The strat body is comfortable and light.The sealed tuners stay in tune and I'm a happy picker.

Review Summary: While walking out of the shop I was experiencing mixed emotions of why I had a cheap guitar in my hand while I could afford any guitar in the store.I was happy yet perplexed why this appealed and played so well for me.Shouldn't I have bought that PRS or Les Paul because they were played by succesful musicians and built with better materials and more expensive?I let my heart lead me and not get swayed by the emotional madness of 'GAS'.......and will remember to never say never.

Rating of this Fender product: 5

This Fender Squier Stagemaster Electric Guitars Review Submitted By: Ken

Review Date: 2001-07-15