Squier Affinity Strat Pack Review: Everything in One Box
A Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS pack review covering the HSS pickup layout, C shaped maple neck, sealed tuners, the included Frontman amp and what a setup adds.
A guitar, an amp, a bag, a tuner and a cable, which is the entire reason a starter pack exists.
The verdict: An electric guitar needs an amp, a cable and a tuner before it makes a sound, and the Affinity pack removes every one of those decisions for around four hundred and forty dollars. Buy it if a beginner wants electric guitar and you want them playing the day it arrives. Skip it if you already have an amp, because buying the guitar alone and spending the difference on a proper setup and a better amp is the better instrument.
Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS Pack with Frontman 15G amplifier
~$442
A Squier Affinity Stratocaster with an HSS pickup layout and a C shaped maple neck, bundled with a Frontman 15G amplifier, gig bag, tuner, cable, strap and picks.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Pickups | Humbucker bridge with two single coil pickups, HSS layout |
|---|---|
| Neck | C shaped maple |
| Tuners | Sealed die cast with split shafts |
| Amplifier | Fender Frontman 15G |
| Included | Gig bag, tuner, instrument cable, strap and picks |
| Body | Stratocaster |
Specifications above come from Fender's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Everything is in one box. A beginner who has to source an amp and a cable separately frequently does not, and a silent electric guitar is a guitar that goes back in the case.
- The HSS layout covers more ground than a standard three single coil Stratocaster, so the same guitar handles clean playing and heavier styles.
- Electric strings are lighter than acoustic strings, so sore fingertips end fewer electric guitar careers than acoustic ones.
- A C shaped maple neck is the most widely liked beginner neck profile, and Squier's Affinity necks are consistently reported as comfortable.
Where it falls short
- Starter pack guitars almost always benefit from a professional setup. Action and intonation from the factory are variable, and a setup costs a fraction of the pack and transforms playability.
- The Frontman 15G is a practice amp. It makes sound and it will not satisfy anyone for long, and it is the first thing players replace.
- The included tuner, strap and picks are functional rather than good, which is what a bundle means.
- An electric guitar through a small amp is still audible in a house. Headphone practice needs an amp with a headphone output or a small interface.
What owners report
Published owner reports describe the Affinity Stratocaster as a genuinely good beginner guitar, with the neck and the fit and finish exceeding expectations for the price. The pack format draws praise for removing the guesswork.
The consistent criticism is the amplifier, which is described as adequate for a bedroom and no more. The other repeated point is setup: reports from players who had the guitar set up describe a noticeably better instrument, which is the standard experience with any guitar at this price.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want to play electric and need everything at once.
- Gift purchases where nothing else will be bought.
- Players whose fingers struggle with heavy acoustic strings.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who already owns an amplifier, who should buy the guitar alone.
- Players who want acoustic tone, where an acoustic guitar is the instrument.
- Buyers who will not arrange a setup, though this matters less on electric than on a cheap violin.
Alternatives worth considering
Yamaha FG800J Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
~$260
A hundred and eighty dollars less and no amp needed. A solid spruce top and a full body, and heavier strings that are harder on beginner fingers. The right pick if the goal is campfire chords rather than distortion.
Check price on AmazonTaylor Guitars GS Mini Mahogany Acoustic Guitar
~$599
A hundred and sixty dollars more for a Taylor with a short scale that is easy to fret and a guitar the player is likely to keep. Nothing else needed to make a sound.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Acoustic vs electric guitar
- Squier Strat pack vs an acoustic guitar
- Best beginner guitar
- Yamaha FG800J review
- Taylor GS Mini review
- How to tune a guitar
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a guitar starter pack a good idea?
For a true beginner, usually yes, because an electric guitar without an amp and a cable does not make a sound, and a partial purchase often stalls. The compromise is that every component is entry level. If you already own an amp, buy the guitar alone and spend the difference on a setup.
Should acoustic or electric come first?
Whichever the beginner actually wants to play, and that is not a hedge: motivation is the strongest predictor of whether someone continues. Electric has lighter strings and quieter headphone practice; acoustic needs nothing else and travels. Our acoustic versus electric comparison covers both sides.
Does it need a setup?
It will play better with one. Factory action on guitars at this price is variable, and a setup adjusts the truss rod, action and intonation so chords fret cleanly and stay in tune up the neck. It costs a fraction of the pack and it is the best money you can spend on any beginner guitar.
What is HSS and why does it matter?
A humbucker at the bridge with two single coils, rather than three single coils. The humbucker gives a thicker, higher output sound suited to rock, while the single coils keep the classic bright Stratocaster tones. It makes one guitar cover more styles, which suits a beginner still finding out what they like.
Can it be played quietly?
Through the amp, only somewhat. For genuinely silent practice you want an amplifier with a headphone output or a small headphone amp, which is an inexpensive addition. Our noise level chart compares the beginner instruments if a quiet house is a hard requirement.