Squier Sonic Series Review: vs Bullet/Affinity

For folks who dig the look of Fender guitars but want to keep it on the cheap side, or those searching for a beginner’s guitar suited for teenagers, or even if you’re in the market for a guitar with trendy colors that are outside the box.

An ex-music store clerk in Japan Yosh (@Yosh_Guitar) has got you covered with a thorough rundown on the new Squier by Fender Sonic series that dropped in June 2023.

From the color options and features of each model to tips on how to choose, I’ll help you find the perfect axe to jam on.

Pros and Features

• The most affordable guitar with a Fender headstock
• Slim and lightweight body for easy handling and less fatigue
• Authentic Fender sound
• Trendy color options
• A wide selection of 9 guitar models and 2 bass models

The most affordable guitar with a Fender headstock

The Squier Sonic series is where you’ll find the most wallet-friendly guitar with that coveted Fender headstock. There’s something about the Strat and Tele-style Fender headstocks that just feels right. Since the Fender headstock shape is trademarked, you won’t find it on guitars from other brands. The Sonic series is where Squier’s most bang-for-your-buck models are at.

Slim and lightweight body for easy handling and less fatigue

The slim and lightweight body is a huge plus of the Sonic series. The thin body makes it comfy and easy to wrap your arms around, even for beginners. And with less weight to lug around, you won’t tire out as easily when you’re not used to jamming out on a guitar. While most Fender-style guitars usually weigh in at over 7.7 lbs, the Sonic series guitars are light as a feather at around 6.6 lbs.

Authentic Fender sound

For the sound, expect pure, unadulterated Fender vibes. Newbies who are fans of guitarists rocking a Fender will have no gripes here. From a guitar aficionado’s perspective, the poplar body and ceramic magnet pickups might mean fewer overtones and a bit less depth compared to a full-fledged Fender, but considering the price difference (we’re talking way more than double for a Fender), it’s par for the course. At bedroom jamming volumes, it’ll sound pretty darn Fender-ish to the untrained ear.

Trendy color options

As for colors, beyond the classic blacks and such, you’ve got some real head-turners like Ultra Violet, California Blue, and Flash Pink. The combination of the matte satin finish with these colors is pure gold. This kind of flavor and finish is something you might not see from other brands, and Fender’s marketing savvy shines through. It’s tailor-made for the tastes and budgets of Gen Z.

A wide selection of 9 guitar models and 2 bass models

With a bounty of 9 guitar models and 2 bass models in the Sonic series, you’re spoiled for choice.

• Sonic Stratocaster
• Sonic Stratocaster HSS
• Sonic Stratocaster HT
• Sonic Stratocaster HT H
• Sonic Telecaster
• Sonic Esquire H
• Sonic Mustang
• Sonic Mustang HH
• Sonic Bronco Bass
• Sonic Precision Bass

Keep an eye out for the short-scale Sonic Mustang and the unique specs of the Stratocaster HT. We’ll dive into the details below.

Cons

• The neck might be prone to warping
• Rough finish on the neck edges
• Playability is what you’d expect for the price

The neck might be prone to warping

The neck might be prone to warping, making the strings harder to press down. This is often the fate of budget guitars, as the quality of the wood isn’t the best, and many of them might not be able to withstand the four seasons in places like Japan. While adjustments are possible with the truss rod, there’s a chance that it might reach its limit in a few years. If that happens, it’s probably time to upgrade to a better guitar.

Rough finish on the neck edges

The rough finish on the neck edges affects how comfortable the neck is to grip. The edges of the neck and frets can be a bit sharp (not smoothed out), making them less comfortable in the hand compared to Japanese-made guitars, for example.

Playability is what you’d expect for the price

As for playability, don’t expect to be blown away. This is mainly because the finish around the neck and the nut is not good. While it’s true that guitars and basses in the over $500 range tend to have better playability and durability, the neck on these is somewhat slimmer with a C-shape, and the frets are a bit taller, making them easier to play than most budget guitars.

Differences Between the Bullet and Affinity Series

Squier specializes in manufacturing low-priced instruments aimed at beginners under the Fender brand. Here, we’ll delve into the differences between the even more budget-friendly Bullet series and the Affinity series.

Comparing Differences with the Bullet Series

First off, for the gearheads, let’s start with the specs. If you’re a beginner, you don’t need to worry about this part. To make it easier to compare, we’ve lined up the specs between Stratocaster models. The Sonic series, launched in June 2023, is the successor to the Bullet series.

Feature Sonic Stratocaster Bullet Strat with Tremolo

Specification	Sonic Stratocaster	Sonic Telecaster
Body	Poplar	Poplar
Neck	Maple	Maple
Neck Shape	C-Shape	C-Shape
Fretboard Material	Indian Laurel or Maple	Laurel
Fretboard Radius	9.5 inches	9.5 inches
Frets	21, Narrow Tall	21, Medium Jumbo
Nut Width	42mm	42mm
Pickups	Ceramic Single-Coil	Standard Single-Coil Strat
Tuning Machines	Die-Cast Sealed	Standard Die-Cast
Tremolo Bridge	6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles	6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Colors	Ultra Violet, California Blue, 2-Color Sunburst, Black	Brown Sunburst, Black
Average Market Price	$199.99	$199.99

Here’s what’s been improved:

• Better quality machine-head
• Saddle design that doesn’t hurt your right hand
• Clearer tone
• Four color options

The Bullet series used tuning pegs that were among the lowest quality and cheapest in the guitar industry, but the Sonic series has stepped it up a notch in terms of quality. This results in slightly easier tuning and improved pitch stability. The shape of the bridge saddles (where the strings rest) has been changed to a block type, making it more comfortable and beginner-friendly, as it doesn’t hurt your picking hand.

The pickups now use ceramic magnets, achieving a clearer sound that balances well with the wood. In addition to Fender’s classic colors, the Sonic series introduces new shades reflecting current trends, so players of all ages are sure to find a look they love.

The price has not changed, and considering the current inflation, this can be seen as a commendable effort by the company to improve quality. There’s no reason to go for the older Bullet series now.

Comparison with the Affinity Series

Next, let’s compare the Sonic series with the slightly higher-grade Affinity series from Squier. We will examine both using the Stratocaster model.

Feature	Sonic Stratocaster	Affinity Stratocaster
Body	Poplar	Poplar
Neck	Maple	Maple
Neck Shape	C-Shape	C-Shape
Fretboard Material	Indian Laurel or Maple	Laurel
Fretboard Radius	9.5 inches	9.5 inches
Frets	21, Narrow Tall	21, Medium Jumbo
Nut Width	42mm	42mm
Headstock Shape	Small Head	Large Head
Pickups	Ceramic Single-Coil	Ceramic Single-Coil
Tuning Machines	Die-Cast Sealed	Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Tremolo Bridge	6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles	2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles
Colors	Ultra Violet, California Blue, 2-Color Sunburst, Black	3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Black, Lake Placid Blue
Average Market Price	$199.99	$249.99

The Affinity series is about $50 more expensive, and the main differences are as follows:

• Overall finishing quality
• The difference in headstock shape
• Affinity uses tuning machines of a more traditional construction
• Affinity has a more stable 2-point tremolo bridge for whammy bar use

The most significant difference is in the “finishing quality” which is not apparent in the catalog. In the Affinity series, the nut and the edges of the frets are a little bit smooth and meticulously finished. This results in reduced stress on the left hand while playing. In my opinion, there is some variation among the Sonic series guitars; some may have rougher finishes while others may not show noticeable imperfections.

In other areas, the Sonic series is hardly inferior to the Affinity series. Affinity series offers models like the Jazzmaster and Telecaster Deluxe, which are not available in the Sonic series. If you prefer these models, the Affinity series is the way to go.

Squier Affinity Stratocaster Telecaster Jazzmaster Comparison Review

How to Choose Among Different Model Variations

In addition to the difference in colors across models, there is also a difference in fingerboard materials maple and laurel. However, if you are a beginner, you don’t need to worry about this.

Below, I am introducing all the models and their colors, and explaining which kind of person they are recommended for, but the most important thing is the appearance!

Even if the content I am recommending does not apply to you, if there is a model whose looks appeal to you, trust your preference and choose that one. It’s OK.

Sonic Stratocaster

This is a standard specification Stratocaster. With its sharp and delicate sound, it can cater to a wide range of genres including pop and rock. It comes equipped with a tremolo unit that allows for arm manipulation.

This model is the only one available for left-handed players (only in black).

Sonic Stratocaster is recommended for:

• Those who want to start with the most classic model of guitar
• Those who love Stratocasters but prefer a lighter body that’s easy to handle

Sonic Stratocaster HSS

A versatile guitar equipped with all the essentials. It features a humbucker pickup, making it suitable for powerful rock sounds when distorted. Since it also comes with single-coil pickups, it can be used for pop and funk music as well.

Sonic Stratocaster HSS is recommended for:

• Those who want an all-in-one guitar equipped with various features including pickups and arm
• Those who are unsure or indecisive about their preferred sound or genre
• Those who love Stratocasters but prefer a lighter body that’s easy to handle

Sonic Stratocaster HT

The difference between this and the Sonic Stratocaster is the presence or absence of a tremolo unit. This one does not have a tremolo unit, so you cannot create vibrato sounds with the arm. However, it has the advantages of easier string replacement and more stable tuning.

Even some professionals don’t use the arm, so for beginners, the Sonic Stratocaster HT is highly recommended over the Sonic Stratocaster.

Sonic Stratocaster HT is recommended for:

• Those who want a guitar that’s easy to tune
• Those who prefer a guitar that makes string replacing as simple as possible
• Those who don’t need an arm
• Those who love Stratocasters but prefer a lighter body that’s easy to handle

Sonic Stratocaster HT H

Similarly, this is a Stratocaster with an HT (Hard Tail) bridge that does not come equipped with a tremolo unit. However, the pickup configuration is different as it comes with only a single powerful humbucker. This results in fewer sound variations, but without switches, you can focus on playing without having to think about complexities. It’s still capable of playing pops with tone control if desired, making it perfect for beginners who prefer simplicity.

Sonic Stratocaster HT H is recommended for:

• Those who want a guitar that’s easy to tune
• Those who prefer a guitar with fewer switches and simplicity
• Those who love pop and rock
• Those who prefer a guitar that makes string changing as simple as possible
• Those who love Stratocasters but prefer a lighter body that’s easy to handle

Sonic Telecaster

This is a standard specification Telecaster. It is somewhat simpler than the Stratocaster. While it has fewer pickups, the absence of a tremolo unit ensures tuning stability. Choosing based on the shape, ambiance, or any aesthetic preference is completely fine.

Sonic Telecaster is recommended for:

• Those who love pop or rock
• Those who want to venture into guitar-vocals
• Those who love Telecasters but prefer a lighter body that’s easy to handle

Sonic Esquire H

Similar to the Sonic Stratocaster HT H, this model is simplified to the extreme. It has a vibe similar to what metal guitarists like Jim Root (Slipknot) or John 5 (Marilyn Manson) would use, making it recommended for those who are into harder genres.

Sonic Esquire H is recommended for:

• Those who prefer guitars with fewer switches and simplicity
• Those who love rock, metal, or other hard genres

Sonic Mustang

Personally, among the Sonic series, this is the model I highly recommend especially for students or beginners who are not confident about the size of their hands.

The Mustang is a short-scale guitar. The short-scale has the benefit of softer strings, requiring less pressure to press down. Short-scale guitars at beginner-friendly prices are rare, making this the model to watch out for in the Sonic series.

Moreover, it also features a hardtail bridge that helps with tuning stability.

Sonic Mustang is recommended for:

• Students or females
• Those who prefer a lighter, smaller, and more comfortable-to-hold guitar
• Those who prefer a guitar with softer and easier-to-press strings
• Those looking for an affordable yet usable short-scale guitar
• Those who love pop music

Sonic Mustang HH

The Sonic Mustang HH retains the ease of pressing strings and the compact body of the Sonic Mustang but differs in pickups. In contrast to the delicate sound of single coils, the Mustang HH is equipped with powerful humbucker pickups.

However, for beginners, there is no need to be too concerned about differences in tone, and choosing based on color is likely to make you happier. This is my firm belief. Having a guitar you are attached to is likely to increase the frequency you play it, which in turn helps in improving your guitar skills.

Sonic Mustang HH is recommended for:

• Students or females
• Those who prefer a lighter, smaller, and more comfortable-to-hold guitar
• Those who prefer a guitar with softer and easier-to-press strings
• Those looking for an affordable yet usable short-scale guitar
• Those who love rock music

Sonic Precision Bass

In the Sonic series, with delightful features making it easy for beginners to play, is Fender’s standard Precision Bass model, which has been adapted for the series.

It has a thinner and lighter body than usual, making it easy to handle and less tiring to play for those who are not accustomed to playing. The neck is slim and narrow, making playing with the left hand comfortable.

Sonic Precision Bass is recommended for:

• Those who want to start playing bass with a standard model
• Those who love Precision Bass but prefer a thinner neck, lighter, and more playable body

Sonic Bronco Bass

Recommended for Students, females, or beginners who are not confident about the size of their hands, is this Bronco Bass. It is a short-scale, which is easier to play even with a lighter touch on the strings. Additionally, it features the common advantages of the Sonic series – a slim, lightweight body, and a slim neck, ensuring comfort that allows beginners to focus on playing.

Being able to get a usable short-scale bass at an affordable price is something you don’t find with other brands, making this the top choice.

Sonic Bronco Bass is recommended for:

• Students or females
• Those who prefer a lighter, smaller, and more comfortable-to-hold bass
• Those who want a bass that is easier to fret with the left hand
• Those looking for an affordable short-scale bass guitar