Squier Bullet Strat HSS BSB

an excellent entry level guitar at a super price

Disclaimer: I'm a bass player. I bought it so that I don't have to use my acoustic guitar when in need to record e-guitar parts (my fingers are not made for those super slim, sharp strings).

The array of sounds is excellent, especially thanks to the H bridge PuP. The build quality is miles above the Harley Benton: this one feels like a real guitar. Actually, almost like a Fender.

The electronics is also quite good: only the selector is a bit on the scratchy side, when you move it fast (but, hey, who doesn't?); however, the pots return a superb linear response (again, nothing to share with the entry level HB).

Nothing to complain also about the hardware: the guitar is easy to tune (no dead spots) and stays tuned. And one could set it up in his/her own way, although I could play it straight out of the box.

What else to say? it's a winner. Only, I've heard that there might be a huge variability between one specimen and the other. If that's the case, then I was very lucky.

Good for it's price

The white plastic part was slightly scratched and the pickups were coated in plastic foil which I found terrible to unpack. However, the guitar is done pretty ok. I guess perfect for its price. Nice guitar to start with and it looks amazing

Good budget guitar

It has been a while since I last owned a guitar, but the lockdown over the last year had me seeking a hobby and gradually I came back round to the idea of playing the instrument.

I wanted something inexpensive, so if my desire to play again was fleeting then I wouldn't have spent too much money. This brought me to the Squier Bullet Strat, nicely priced and from a manufacturer that's a known quantity.

The build quality of the guitar is not bad, I noticed a few improperly set frets but they do not affect the playability or the sound of the guitar. There was also some stray gold paint on the tone and volume controls which needed to be removed. The tuners are not great either, so the guitar occasionally slips out of tune a little, although this is only a minor inconvenience overall.

The neck is chunky and round but also smooth, it makes the guitar very playable. I would recommend a set up first though as the stock string height is a little high.

Soundwise, it is strat-like as you would expect but it is noticeably lower in quality than even the more expensive Squiers. That's not to say that it's bad, just that if you're familiar with a typical strat sound you'll noticed that the Bullet Strat is not quite there. This should be expected however, and the quality of the components are reflected in the price. The bridge pickup (humbucker) is responsive, but in the stock position the single coil neck pickup is weak. Fortunately, I found that this problem was alleviated by raising the pickup.

Who would I recommend the Squier Bullet Strat to? Beginners mainly, but also anyone who needs a simple practice guitar or just wants a simple strat sound without having to break the bank.

For the price is great guitar -tuner keys -pick ups are cheap

if u need a start up guitar this is it! (the bottom line of frets are a bit sharp u can feel it on your palm) nice weight !

First Guittar

Bought it by a friend recommendation and so far I'm extremely happy with it. Honest sound and amazing look and feel!

Wonderful Strat

My girlfriend bought this as her first guitar and from my experience with it I have no complaints. Came in perfect shape, didn't need to be set up or anything. Works very well for blues, indie, rock... very versatile but a classic strat sound.

Beginners guitar

After a 30 years break, I started playing again. And bought this. After playing a year it now, I feel that it is ok, but not perfect for my needs. Even with my quite low guitar playing capabilities, I think that the quality is "just" ok and the sound is not that great. Also, the HSS mics saved me as if I was to buy some guitar now, I'd choose Humbuckers only.

Sounds amazing, quality is average at best

I was looking for a beginner's electric guitar, strat primarily. Was torn between this one and Yamaha Pacifica 012. However, I liked the sound of Squier Bullet more. It is more bright and has more classic strat feeling to it. I mean, this guitar does sound like a proper strat, like an expensive strat. For this price, it's simply amazing. Playability is quite good too.

But obviously, the very same price is the reason for many tradeoffs and cut corners quality-wise. Tuners are not terrible, but I can't call them nice either. They are so-so.

Also, slight traces of glue, uneven tightness of screws, bolts and nuts. One specific bridge saddle was very bad. It's leg didn't move properly and scratched the bridge.

But these are minor annoyances. The bigger one is the misaligned neck which I discovered when was trying to identify the source of a fret buzz. It's just bolted to the body so poorly that one side is slightly raised, leading to crazy fret buzz on lower strings that only goes away when action is raised so high that it's unplayable. Sent it back, but asked for a replacement. Still like it.

What a game changer

It has everything you need on a strat and also the finsih is perfect ! sounds like a strat plays like one !

Mine came poorly mounted

It's nice but mine came poorly mounted.