Squier Mini Strat Electric Guitar Review

The Squier Mini Strat electric guitar is a surprisingly well-made and comfortable piece of equipment. While it is on the low-end of the price scale and certainly far from the best travel electric guitar out there, its quality genuinely out-performs what you'd expect from the price.

The sound quality of this particular mini electric guitar tends to be very good for what it is, although it may help to have some slight adjustments made to lower the action slightly. While this is possible, it is also something of a hassle and can take considerable time to get just right.Another flaw of the Fender Mini Strat is in the tuning pegs. They seem to be of somewhat lower quality than the rest of the guitar (which is fairly well made for the most part) and do not hold tuning like an experienced guitarist would expect.

The other complaint a guitarist would be likely to have about this guitar is simply the fret size. While many travel electric guitars boast a full size fret board with a compact head and body, the Squier Mini electric guitar actually has a smaller scale and more compact fret board.

The smaller scale also contributes to the issue with keeping this guitar in tune as the shorter length of strings also requires less tension to achieve the same sound, meaning more bending and more frequent tuning. Changing to higher quality tuning pegs will help but you cannot expect the issue to be entirely resolved by this.

The other effect of this more compact frets is that, if you are used to playing a full size guitar or even other travel electric guitars with full size frets, you will likely feel somewhat cramped. This can be a hassle and many experienced players will not appreciate the compact space but, for players with smaller hands and children (for whom, with its economic price, this guitar is perfect) the smaller area can be a blessing.

Likewise, however, experienced guitarists can also appreciate the Fender Squier Mini. Despite its small stature, this mini electric guitar is comfortable to hold and play. Like its larger counterpart, it fits comfortably in your lap or across your body when using a strap. Although the materials are far from perfect, it's generally sturdy and well made. While not the first choice for a serious musician, the Squier Mini Strat is a perfect travel guitar for a person on a budget or a young person just starting to play and lives up well to the Stratocaster name in sound and playability, if on a comparably smaller scale.

Features

• Small-scale neck
• (22-3/4")
• Three single-coil electronic pickups
• Master volume and tone controls
• Maple C-shaped neck
• Rosewood fretboard
• 20 medium frets
• Hard-tail 6-saddle bridge

Around the Campfire with Jamie Anderson

OK folks, we are starting a new "Around the Campfire" series and it's going to be fun. We will be inviting guest musician/bloggers to take a seat around the campfire with us and share a little about themselves. In this weeks "Around the Campfire" we talk with Jamie Anderson.

Jamie Anderson writes a weekly blog that includes true stories gathered from 20 plus years of touring, how-to articles for musicians and profiles of performers. Also, she loves dark chocolate, can play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" behind her head, and twirls the baton badly.
You may find these articles by Jamie a fun read:

- Flying with instruments and mastering the fine art of Bambi eyes
- Winning the lottery, flaming skull tattoos and flying with guitars

1.) Do you check your guitar in at the airport?

Back when I had an anvil-style case I usually checked it in. That baby was made of 1/4 inch plywood and cushioned inside with a lot of foam. The only damage ever done was when the pick-up dislodged - easily fixed with some duct tape until I could get it to a luthier. You could tell that the case had been dropped and abused many times because it was covered in scrapes. The metal corners that were held on with grommets were knocked off one by one but still it protected the guitar.

As airline regulations changed it became harder to check it in without paying a lot of money. (The case was oversized.) Also, it was quite heavy.

Now I have a plastic molded SKB case with wheels. It's not a flight case per se but it's a lot lighter. I try to avoid checking it in but some airlines don't let me do anything but that. If I manage to slide past, I try to gate check it. It's rare that I can carry it on the plane with me because it's too big for most overhead compartments.

2.) Insurance, do you use it?

Yes. I have great insurance through my union, Local 1000, which is affiliated with the AFM. It doesn't cost very much and is well worth the investment.

3.) What's the worse Horror Story you've heard involving planes and guitars?

There are so many. It seems that when ever touring musicians get together, we all have at least one story. My favorite one was a musician who retrieved his instrument and found tire tracks over the case.

4.) What's the worse thing that has happened to your guitar while traveling?

See above. I consider myself very lucky.

One time it didn't show up until after the gig. I was told there wasn't room on the plane. I did the gig with a borrowed guitar.

5.) Has anyone, perhaps another passenger ever given you evil glares over your traveling companion guitar?

Sure. They look at me like I'm some broad who just over packed.

6.) What single piece of advice would you give a friend thinking about traveling with a expensive guitar?

Don't do it. If you're going to travel, get an inexpensive travel guitar. If you're performing, it's really all about the pick-up anyway. Jill Sobule does all her touring with a little travel guitar that sounds great.

If you really must travel with that vintage Martin, you might consider shipping it via UPS or FedEx. Put it in a hard shell case with padding under the head stock. Wrap bubble wrap around that, then put it in a box. Get insurance. It'll cost you a lot but given what the guitar cost you, it'll be worth it.

7.) Do you have a favorite story from the road?

Back when I was using the anvil-style case I flew from North Carolina to San Francisco. I checked the guitar with a sky cap and didn't have to pay any extra fees, probably because I gave the guy a good tip. I was to change planes in SF and head to Hawaii. The ticket agent there wanted to charge me $80 because my case was oversize.

My expenses were already so high I could barely afford a cup of lousy airport coffee so I knew the fee wasn't in my budget. I calmly reasoned with the employee and told her I hadn't paid anything for the flight there so I shouldn't be charged for the next one. Nothing could convince her.

I asked for the manager and got a pimply faced kid. I was old enough to be his mama. In his best big boy voice he admonished me about my big case. I crumpled my face into one of concern with tears just behind my Bambi eyes, amped up my Southern accent and told him I had no idea my little guitar would cost so much. Couldn't he waive the fee just this time? After a few minutes of pleading he sighed and said, "Okay but don't do it again." Sure, honey.

8.) What's your favorite campfire guitar song?

"Bamboo," an old Peter, Paul and Mary song. Great harmonies on that one. I'm also fond of "Brown Eyed Girl."

9.) Would you ever consider buying a travel guitar? If so which one?

I don't have the dough to buy another guitar. Even if I did, I would probably buy other things first since I'm really happy with my current (full sized) guitars. I do like the little Taylors, though. Don't know the model number but I played a friend's and liked it.

10.) Who is your favorite folk musician?

I have several - Cheryl Wheeler, Patty Larkin, Dave Nachmanoff, Chris Rosser, Catie Curtis and Cosy Sheridan.

Thanks Jamie

-Michael from Best Travel Guitar