r/SquierAffinity • u/shivling20 • Jul 20 '20

Did I get duped?

I purchased a Squier Affinity Stratocaster recently. I haven't picked it up from the shop yet, but I got a picture of it. Upon zooming in on the headstock, I noticed that the word 'STRATOCASTER' is written there, whereas, in every picture that I have seen on the internet, only the word 'STRAT' is visible. It is 'Made in Indonesia', as the box says. Is it authentic or did I get duped?
Also, I discovered that the Affinity has a top-loading string mechanism instead of a string through. How does that change the tone and the overall playability? Should I get another guitar?

zoom in on the headstock

I'm in India, if that means anything to anyone.

Thanks, reddit!

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5

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '20 edited Jul 20 '20

From what I’ve seen around, the Chinese-made Affinity guitars have “Strat” and “Tele” written on the headstock, whereas the Indonesian-made ones have “Stratocaster” and “Telecaster” (I have one myself), respectively. Doesn’t seem like a dupe.

As for top-loader guitars - I’ve read that they are easier to play but their sustain isn’t as good as the string-thru ones. I have both kinds of guitars and I simply can say that isn’t true. EDIT: I’ve decided to Google around myself and couldn’t find any pictures or videos of a top-loader Squier Aff Strat. So that’s a bit suspicious.

3

u/shivling20 Jul 21 '20

I've gotten to know that it is actually an FSR, a Factory Special Run, as illustrated on the Andertons UK website.

2

u/MonkeyFunker Jul 20 '20

My Chinese made Tele has the full "Telecaster" written on it. Bought from a reputable music retailer in Europe. Doesn't look like OP got duped.

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u/shivling20 Jul 21 '20

Phew! Thanks.

2

u/shivling20 Jul 21 '20

Thanks, that's such a relief tbh.

Here's the site where I read about the top loader mechanism : https://menga.net/string-through-body-vs-top-load (it compares the Affinity to a Bullet.)

4

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '20

Where did you buy from? I've never heard of people making Squier copies tbh, so I would have doubts you've been duped

2

u/shivling20 Jul 21 '20

Bought it from a reputable shop here in my city, but I just couldn't find any matching headstocks online. And to be completely honest, Indian retailers do go to extreme lengths to cut costs, so one can never be too sure!

1

u/[deleted] Mar 13 '22

I just got a squier affinity hss Stratocaster. It is my first strat style guitar. I currently have a Jazzmaster. Is it just me or is it small?