Squier Affinity Strat FM HSSBB

Squier Affinity Strat FM HSSBB review

The Squier Affinity Strat FM HSSBB is an affordable electric guitar with a Black Burst finish, a maple veneer top, and a pickup layout designed to cover more ground than a traditional three-single-coil Strat. Its listed price is $266. The formula is straightforward: a ceramic bridge humbucker for a thicker rock sound, two ceramic single-coil pickups for brighter tones, and a five-way switch to move between them.

Owner experiences vary, as they often do with a mass-produced instrument at this price. Some report clean fretwork, a comfortable neck, and satisfying sound straight away. Others received guitars that needed setup work or had issues with the electronics, tuning, or finish details. The reports point to a guitar with useful potential, though a careful inspection and setup are sensible parts of the buying decision.

Construction and playability

The body is poplar, topped with maple veneer. The neck and fingerboard are maple, with a C-shaped neck profile and satin finish reported by owners. The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches, and the fingerboard radius is 241 mm, or 9.5 inches. There are 21 medium frets and a 42 mm nut width.

Several players describe the neck as comfortable for practice and note that the guitar feels light compared with some full-size Strat-style instruments. One owner found the fret ends smooth, with no dead spots or high frets, and managed to lower the string action without unwanted buzz. Other buyers mention slightly sharp fret ends, which can usually be addressed with careful fret-end work. One report describes a raised strip along the back of the neck, while another mentions variable movement in that area. These are individual experiences, not a feature of the specification.

The Black Burst finish and maple veneer are part of the model's visual appeal. Some owners found the top striking in person; another felt the figuring was much less pronounced than in product photos. The veneer's appearance can vary, so buyers should not assume every guitar will have the same visible grain pattern.

Pickups and controls

The HSS configuration combines one ceramic humbucker at the bridge with ceramic single coils in the middle and neck positions. Controls consist of one volume knob, two tone knobs, and a five-way pickup switch. There is no listed coil-split control, so the bridge humbucker cannot be switched to a single-coil mode using the stock controls.

Owners describe the pickup arrangement as versatile for a first electric guitar. The single coils can provide brighter, clearer sounds, while the bridge humbucker offers a fuller option for rock and higher-gain settings. Several buyers were pleased with the pickups for the price. Others found the sound less convincing, or reported unwanted hum or defective electronics. Amplifier and effects settings also shape the result, so reviews based on different equipment may not be directly comparable.

The guitar can make a solid starting point for modifications. One owner replaced the pickups and tremolo block, while another considered changing the selector and other parts. Such changes are optional, not necessary for every player. Before spending money on upgrades, check that the instrument is correctly set up and that its existing electronics work as intended.

Tremolo and tuning

The two-point synchronized tremolo has block saddles. Players who use it lightly report acceptable tuning stability, while several say heavy use can pull the guitar out of tune. One owner also noticed a mechanical metallic sound when using the arm. As with any guitar with a floating tremolo, setup, string condition, and playing technique can affect tuning behavior. Buyers who rarely use the arm may find it less of a concern.

What to check before buying

Some reported examples arrived ready to play, with good intonation and a solid feel. Others needed adjustments, including work on the action, intonation, or fret ends. There are also reports of misaligned strings and faulty electronics. Inspect the guitar on arrival, test every pickup position and control, and check whether the strings sit evenly across the fingerboard. If you are not comfortable making adjustments, a technician can assess the setup.

No case or gig bag is included, so factor that into the total cost if you need one. Production country may vary, according to owner reports, and should not be treated as a reliable indicator of quality by itself.

Verdict

The Squier Affinity Strat FM HSSBB offers a comfortable, versatile starting point for players who want a Strat-style guitar with a bridge humbucker and a two-point tremolo. Its maple veneer gives it a distinctive look, though the visible figuring varies. Reports on sound and finish are generally encouraging but not uniform, and setup or quality-control issues do occur. At $266, it makes the strongest case for beginners and budget-conscious players who are willing to check the instrument carefully and arrange basic adjustments if needed.