NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
User avatar
Surfysonic
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
Location: Walkersville, MD
Contact:

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Surfysonic » Tue Nov 08, 2022 9:28 pm

mbene085 wrote:
Tue Nov 08, 2022 5:36 pm
Dang, those look great. Congrats! Frankly, I could see myself buying either (or both) of those exact models/colours if this deal was accessible to Canadians. I've always wanted both of those, and those are (IMO) the coolest colours available for each!
Thanks, Mike! :)
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...

User avatar
Surfysonic
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
Location: Walkersville, MD
Contact:

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Surfysonic » Tue Nov 08, 2022 9:32 pm

BoringPostcards wrote:
Tue Nov 08, 2022 12:22 pm
Throw some CuNiFe WRHBs in that Starcaster!
Oofa, the Fender CuNiFe WRHBs ain't cheap! $200 per pickup! :derp:

If I end up not happy with the stock pickups, I'll have to do some research to find some affordable alternative pickup options.

Update: Had a look at the usual suspects - Novak, Lollar, Fralin - the Fender CuNiFe WRHB pickup cost is actually competitive. 8)
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...

User avatar
MayTheFuzzBeWithYou
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2408
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 12:28 am
Location: Linz, Austria

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by MayTheFuzzBeWithYou » Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:45 am

Oh man, that Mystic Seafoam Toronado was on my list. A shop in Munich would have had one when I was there last time… but we didn‘t make it within the opening hours. Only ever have seen and tried the LPB one (and hated it, everything felt loose…knobs and stuff but it just wasn‘t set up properly I guess). I probably would have put Surf 90s in it…

Do you mean the „Squid“ design of the Les Trem? I love that one too!
https://www.thomann.de/at/goeldo_lt2_st ... molo_n.htm

User avatar
Futuron
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1213
Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2017 3:19 am
Location: Australia

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Futuron » Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:15 am

I got that Toronado and also a Cyclone last year. Very cool.

User avatar
Jonesie
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 4047
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:00 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Jonesie » Wed Nov 09, 2022 6:37 am

Surfysonic wrote:
Tue Nov 08, 2022 9:32 pm
BoringPostcards wrote:
Tue Nov 08, 2022 12:22 pm
Throw some CuNiFe WRHBs in that Starcaster!
Oofa, the Fender CuNiFe WRHBs ain't cheap! $200 per pickup! :derp:

If I end up not happy with the stock pickups, I'll have to do some research to find some affordable alternative pickup options.

Update: Had a look at the usual suspects - Novak, Lollar, Fralin - the Fender CuNiFe WRHB pickup cost is actually competitive. 8)
My buddy has the Mojotone WRHB's in his Tele Deluxe and they sound incredible, and I think they're a little less expensive.

User avatar
pikmin
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 357
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 5:03 am

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by pikmin » Wed Nov 09, 2022 7:59 am

I have both guitars in other colors and I love them 😍

I’m a big guitar modder and I didn’t change anything on those 2 guitars . Even the pots are full size on both and the switch is good .
I find the stock Starcaster pickups really good … I don’t know how they are build but They don’t really sound like regular humbuckers to me and they are very articulate …

Image09C9CF74-653C-4F63-BD9D-D57E74C75ED9 by Eric in the kitchen, sur Flickr

ImageE0521989-AE6B-402E-B840-9C782FA99220 by Eric in the kitchen, sur Flickr

Here’s a livestream I did with the Starcaster at the beginning of the pandemic …
Eric in the kitchen livestream

User avatar
ryanthellama
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:02 pm

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by ryanthellama » Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:08 am

Congrats! Both look gorgeous. I picked up a walnut Starcaster in the ProAudioStar sale a month or two and love it. I used to have the 2013 Fender Modern Player Starcaster and I actually think that the pickups in this Squier are significantly better. Can’t compare to the actual CuNiFes, but I’m really happy with the way mine sounds.

User avatar
Surfysonic
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
Location: Walkersville, MD
Contact:

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Surfysonic » Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:32 am

MayTheFuzzBeWithYou wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:45 am
Oh man, that Mystic Seafoam Toronado was on my list. A shop in Munich would have had one when I was there last time… but we didn‘t make it within the opening hours. Only ever have seen and tried the LPB one (and hated it, everything felt loose…knobs and stuff but it just wasn‘t set up properly I guess). I probably would have put Surf 90s in it…

Do you mean the „Squid“ design of the Les Trem? I love that one too!
https://www.thomann.de/at/goeldo_lt2_st ... molo_n.htm
I've never tried the Surf 90s, definitely something to look into! 8)

No idea about the "Squid" design, but the Les Trem is a strong contender for the Starcaster. :)
Futuron wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:15 am
I got that Toronado and also a Cyclone last year. Very cool.
Nice! I modded the beejeebus out of my Cyclone - it's a keeper! 8)
Jonesie wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 6:37 am
My buddy has the Mojotone WRHB's in his Tele Deluxe and they sound incredible, and I think they're a little less expensive.
Cool, I'll check them out, thanks! :)
pikmin wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 7:59 am
I have both guitars in other colors and I love them 😍

I’m a big guitar modder and I didn’t change anything on those 2 guitars . Even the pots are full size on both and the switch is good .
I find the stock Starcaster pickups really good … I don’t know how they are build but They don’t really sound like regular humbuckers to me and they are very articulate …

Image09C9CF74-653C-4F63-BD9D-D57E74C75ED9 by Eric in the kitchen, sur Flickr

ImageE0521989-AE6B-402E-B840-9C782FA99220 by Eric in the kitchen, sur Flickr

Here’s a livestream I did with the Starcaster at the beginning of the pandemic …
Eric in the kitchen livestream
I'm definitely going to put some time in on the stock pickups. I like your take on the pickups being "very articulate"! I'm leaning towards leaving things be at the moment, factoring cost of new pickups and the pain in the neck work that it takes to swap out pickups in a semi-hollow. ;)
ryanthellama wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:08 am
Congrats! Both look gorgeous. I picked up a walnut Starcaster in the ProAudioStar sale a month or two and love it. I used to have the 2013 Fender Modern Player Starcaster and I actually think that the pickups in this Squier are significantly better. Can’t compare to the actual CuNiFes, but I’m really happy with the way mine sounds.
Thanks! Another vote for the stock pickups, much appreciated! 8)

I'm primarily a single-coil pickup guy but the only humbuckers that I ever get on with are Gretsch Filter'Trons, TV Jones Classic Filter'Trons, Gretsch Blacktop Filter'Trons, and Gibson '57 PAFs. I really need to hear some decent demos to understand CuNiFe WRHB pickups better. 8)
Last edited by Surfysonic on Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:50 am, edited 2 times in total.
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...

User avatar
dropthebeat
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 190
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:52 pm
Location: NB, Canada

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by dropthebeat » Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:40 am

mbene085 wrote:
Tue Nov 08, 2022 5:36 pm
if this deal was accessible to Canadians.
It is. Free shipping too. I clicked through because I couldn't believe it and wound up accidentally ordering a baritone Cabronita for $345 CAD shipped - suppose it's possible that they'll cancel the order, but they haven't yet and my CC was charged.

User avatar
Surfysonic
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
Location: Walkersville, MD
Contact:

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Surfysonic » Wed Nov 09, 2022 10:17 am

Spent some time today with the Starcaster. Gotta say, the stock pickups sound great to me. Articulate and clear as pikmin mentioned. Played with some pedals - fuzz, delay, distortion, overdrive, tremolo - sounds amazing! :? For me, they're keepers. :)

Image

I'm enamored with the neck pickup, dark, clear, soulful. I guess I'm appreciating the neck pickup more and more but man, the Starcaster's neck pickup is lovely. :-*

I put on a Tru-Arc Copper SerpenTune bridge. It's a 12" radius bridge and compensated for plain G. Dropped in fine but I get the radius is a bit flatter than the neck. Not really noticing any issue. I'll see how it goes. Loving it so far.

Image

Image

Next thing on my "to-do" list is put in an order for the Les Trem II. I think it'll add another wonderful dimension to this beastie.

FWIW, if you've been on the fence about getting a Starcaster like I was, take advantage of the Pro Audio Star's Squier sale and go for it. 8)
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...

User avatar
Embenny
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 10363
Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 5:07 am

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Embenny » Wed Nov 09, 2022 10:36 am

dropthebeat wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:40 am
mbene085 wrote:
Tue Nov 08, 2022 5:36 pm
if this deal was accessible to Canadians.
It is. Free shipping too. I clicked through because I couldn't believe it and wound up accidentally ordering a baritone Cabronita for $345 CAD shipped - suppose it's possible that they'll cancel the order, but they haven't yet and my CC was charged.
Wait, what?!? Free shipping to Canada?

Oh boy. This is bad/good...
The artist formerly known as mbene085.

User avatar
ainm
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 286
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2022 11:36 pm

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by ainm » Wed Nov 09, 2022 11:53 am

Nice looking guitars! I've the Toronado in the same finish. Mine looks a lot different in person - it photographs green but has a lot more blue to it.

Like you, I feel the necks are a bit thin. Pickups are okay but like any other Squier humbucker. I find many of these Squiers share are the same sound in a different shape with slightly different wiring. I'll possibly swap the pickups out if I can get on better with the neck. Or maybe swap the neck out for something more substantial.

dinosaurkale->
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2989
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:07 pm
Location: illadelph halflife

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by dinosaurkale-> » Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:40 pm

classy bridge mod. suits the guitar just fine visually

User avatar
Surfysonic
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
Location: Walkersville, MD
Contact:

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by Surfysonic » Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:18 pm

ainm wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 11:53 am
Nice looking guitars! I've the Toronado in the same finish. Mine looks a lot different in person - it photographs green but has a lot more blue to it.

Like you, I feel the necks are a bit thin. Pickups are okay but like any other Squier humbucker. I find many of these Squiers share are the same sound in a different shape with slightly different wiring. I'll possibly swap the pickups out if I can get on better with the neck. Or maybe swap the neck out for something more substantial.
Thanks! Yeah, I can live with the Toronado's thin stock neck for now but I might get a custom Musikraft neck at some point.

I don't mind the stock pickups so far. If I do decide to swap them out, I'll probably look into some TV Jones or Gretsch pickups. :whistle:
dinosaurkale-> wrote:
Wed Nov 09, 2022 12:40 pm
classy bridge mod. suits the guitar just fine visually


Thanks! I've got Tru-Arc bridges on a few of my Gretsch guitars and my Gibson ES-135. 8)
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...

User avatar
s_mcsleazy
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 18424
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:30 am
Location: glasgow

Re: NGDx2 - Guess Which Squiers...

Post by s_mcsleazy » Wed Nov 09, 2022 4:30 pm

i have both too. the toronado quickly became my main. i did mod it a wee bit but it's now the ultimate post-hardcore guitar.
Image

as for my starcaster. i removed the pickguard and put on a dusenberg drem. oh and a cautionary sticker
Image
offset guitars resident bass player.
'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'

Post Reply