hi Dave , im 70 years young , I've heard them all , Man you are a cut above all of them , fantastic , keep going and inspire more to play f..k... fantastic , Regards John
I have to say, watching your videos have taught me a valuable lesson. I was very concerned a few months ago about chasing the correct tone and getting the right pedals and spending money on stuff. I have since realized that true “tone” is using what you have and playing well. Currently playing a 200 dollar Yamaha Pacifica into a katana 50 and letting my playing make the world fade away. No need for tweaking the tone or worrying about set up, just plug and play what ever the amp is set to. Music comes from the heart, gear is optional.
You are so right, I am really a bass player and have a few nice guitars and a few cheap guitars and I spend my money on bass gear, I have a few guitar pedals. My mom passed away about a week ago, she is buried and most of the things that I had to do is over, mom took care of lots of things way before she passed so me and my sister did not have to worry about, thats the way she was. When everything was over I came home and grabbed my guitar and just played, some playing was good, some was average at best and when I was done 4 hours had passed. A bad day at work, come home and play, when sad when glad playing is therapeutic. Sometimes I feel sorry for ppl who don't play an instrument, I'm sure they have there way of getting through things, I am glad I play bass and guitar.
This intro progression is just gorgeous. Please do some lessons explaining your ideas and embellishments. I try to figure out some of your stuff but always seem to miss some bits, such as open strings and cheeky extra added notes.Your playing is just sublime. I could spend a life time studying your intro jams, Incredible!?!
Dave you are a real study in overcoming fear and insecurity to succeed. As you have told us and those with a trained eye can see, you are an anxious guy at times and probably don’t love being on camera. Your passion for the guitar enables you to kick your fears in the nuts to bring the people great content. Good on you man it’s great to see you succeed. Peace
Dave, to date I own Gibson’s, Fenders, Squiers, Taylor’s and a bunch of others collecting dust. Without a doubt the only one I have connected with is my 2005 Squier Tele Standard. Just something about it that fits me. I bought it used from a bloke who needed the cash, he sold it to me reluctantly. Over a couple of beers he gave me the history of the guitar which was not rock star by any stretch but it was loved by him and now me. Has to be something in what your saying otherwise they are bits of wood, plastic and metal on the whole.. Keep up the good vibes..👍🐨🇦🇺
Max cooper Yep, I am with you. I also have a couple of Squier Standards, one 2005 and one 2015. Both sound different and for second hand values on the market I would be crazy to let them go. Suppose I just get the whole Squier thing. All the best.. 👍🇦🇺
7:39 on keeping it clean, and distortion masking differences in pickups: THANK YOU, and spot on, Dave. Brian Ewald made precisely this point when doing an official demo for PRS on humbucker vs. split/single-coil on some new PRS electrics. I could mention a very prominent UK-based TH-cam guitar video channel which drives me crazy on this: a particular guitarist insists on playing all the instruments heavily distorted: I'm sure that's the way HE likes it, but it means the point of much comparison is simply lost.
He mentioned before how he has body shame issues since his teenage years and wearing layers of clothes because of that... He's very thin but what's wrong with that? I just got a gym membership to get rid of all my belly fat 😋 So I wish I had a body like that! Nothing to be ashamed of... But I get it... It's all between the ears after all
Great vid Dave. Everything you say resonates with me, our guitars are our best mates. The more we play em the better they fit us. Inspiring.... Off to pick up my strat! Rock on.
Holy fuck that outro jam had me in serious goosebumps.. you had me pullin guitar faces with you. Boy oh boy did you pump emotion into those notes You sir have blown my mind this last week going through your channel . Much much respect
Oh Dave, before I forget ... The intro was something special. That was the best I've heard from a Strat in over 20 years. Everything was there ... feeling but also skill. You are a very special person and guitarist. Ingenious in all areas. Greetings from Germany
Interesting concept Dave, but listening to you play both just proves one thing, which is it’s got nowt to do with the guitar, it’s the insanely talented guy twanging it... you could play two strings stretched across a Badgers bung hole & make it sound epic.
Loved the very end of the outro - reminded me of Rory's 74' tour when he would place the guitar on the stage after hitting a note and fan it with a towel whilst it kept feeding back the note into the amp.
Alan Artt none better than the legend Rory Alan... as a teenager I never missed his yearly gig here in Belfast.... greatly missed but never ever forgotten.....
62 pickups are more detailed compared to Squier. For an everyday guitar the Squier is great, I would worry about damaging the 62 in some way! Your love for the 62 really shines through, you don't have to analyse it 😊
What I like is how you appreciate the intrinsic qualities of each guitar. The '62 has a pedigree an impressive lineage but I watched your face light up when you fist played the Bullet and I've seen the bond grow between you and that guitar. If I were only to watch you from the neck up and listen to you playing each of these guitars, well... I may be biased as I could never afford or justify buying a vintage guitar but I would certainly take you up on your offer to play that '62 or any other. Very kind of you to offer. Thanks Dave.
Hi Dave. I am just getting back into my guitar after an accident in my other world of engineering. Just listening to this peace of music has stund me and given me the kick that I needed to get with it. Thanks mate and just keep giving your time. Keith C on the not so sunny Isle of Wight.
I can’t believe the depth of the black strat, just had a ‘beautiful’ sound, the squier sounded fine but totally missing that magical thing that the 62 has(whatever it is, pick ups wiring and wood) 👍
I have a lot of cheap used guitars and they mostly feel similar. But recently, I got an old and heavily played Marathon Strat where somebody put a nitro finish over the fretboard. It plays great and you can feel that somebody loved and modified it. To add my part to the history of this instrument, I painted only the top of the body and the headstock with fiesta red nitro lacquer to complete the look and feel and added a bottle opener. This 30€ guitar is now my main Strat.
The "played-in" value of vintage guitars is under-rated. Collectors are focused on mint condition, players are generally focused on how the guitar feels and sounds when played. The vintage Case Queens I've played just never have the same feel as the beat up and well played "player gig axe". The favourite guitar I own is a '72 re-issue Japanese Strat from the mid-80's that had a hard life as a pub gigging "tool". It has a very well played in rosewood fretboard, a body full of dings and a small crack in the neck pocket, but...wow...is it a player.
I often wondered how many closeted guitars just never got set up right, hence no fun to play, and then stayed mint. In 1980, I got to play a '54 Gold Top that had only had the tags discarded then went under a bed in its spotless case for 26 years. The original factory strings were still bright and shiny, and it played VERY well. Dude just never played it. I almost got the thousand bucks together but someone else got it. 😿
Guy at the shop was recommending that I replace the trapeze tailpiece with a stop like all of the rockers did, but I thought it might be worth more if I didn't. 😝
hello again my friend dave,,as i mentioned before i've played for over 30yrs and my friend you are a special gifted musician,,now lets get to the guitars,,i have a very well trained ear maybe because of how long i've played or maybe when i started playing we did'nt have access to digital tuners and i would tune up with tune'n fork if anyone remembers those things,,ok to me the 62 sounded i guess fuller as if u was in a corner of a room and it filled every nook and cranny of the room and beyond,,the bullet still a great sound'n guitar was less fuller but still amazing,,sounded less bolder,,but very much stratty 4 sure,,i think the journey of any guitar starts at the end of the factory line,,to me no 2 guitars of the same make and model sound nor feel the same,,for instance i bought a les paul special some yrs ago and the store had 4 of the same,,i played all 4 and to me they all had a little different feel and sound so i got the 1 i thought was for my taste better and it had a few finish blemishes although it was'nt as pretty as the others i still had to get it,,now thru the yrs of playing it,,,,it keeps sound'n better and feel'n better,,the neck is wore in,,the pickups are seasoned,,,etc,,etc,,u should know what i mean because u have that gifted musicianship engrained in you,,,so thats my 2 cents and btw i will be get'n a squire bullet HT strat,,i already purchaced a bullet tele i fell in luv with a few months ago,,so peace out my brother and enjoy this never end'n musical journey of play'n guitar that has brought so much joy to us
I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts, especially the story about the '62 strat. It's heartbreaking that Malcolm could easily have just kept the guitar and put it on the wall or something but he chose to pass it on to someone he knew would appreciate it so it would continue its life in good hands.
Dave talking about is '62 and I feel the same thing for my old acoustic guitar, how many hours we pass together; good and sad day's, for about 25 years now! And she already old when i buy it ! Pieces of wood with soul ? maybe it's become part of me?
The main factor between these is clearly how they feel to the player. I was scrolling down, reading the comments when you started the comparison and I didn't even realise you'd changed guitars. The differences in tone (small) could be easiliy compensated with amp eq, but really, the best one is the one that feels best to play, which is always the most important thing!
Fantastic, great playing and comparison, the 62 is more detailed and open but not so much you'd worry about it. I think guitars are like that in general and not really related to vintageness either way. I've had really expensive guitars, Custom Shop Strats, Gibsons, Guild and they were fine but occasionally you play a guitar that's awesome and completely plugs into your musicality and physicality. Best Strat I ever played was a Mexican Standard and best Les Paul was an Epiphone. Yep, I've got a Squier.
Pick attack was the difference that swayed me towards the 62. It had more tink, plink, pop. The Squire tone easily fit within the Fender tone in terms of upper mids to highs.
Hello Dave - i'm really enjoying your channel - I actually bought a Squire Bullet Strat (£99 - amazing!) after watching your review a couple of weeks ago - love it. All the best! Iain.
Really interesting topic this one. I whole heartidly agree, if I see a prestine condition vintage guitar I dont get excited at all, I just assume it must be crud as no ones been interested in playing for the last 50 odd years!
Dave, I think you're somewhat correct about the playing "life" of vintage guitars but I don't think it's really anything like some undefinable "mojo" from being played a lot, but rather it has to do with the fact that those guitars were manufactured in a way and an era that to a large degree lacked precision, or uniformity, and they were given to the randomness of human error with some ending up being really outstanding instruments, while others were just unimpressively complete, utter duds. It's not an accident that Clapton's favorite Strat was a vintage era mongrel, pieced together by purchasing 6 used bargain bin ones, and then ultimately hobbling together his favorite with different parts from the best parts of several of the bunch. Given these facts it's just obvious that great playing, sounding instruments are the ones that are going to get played and cherished a helluva lot more vs those that were the stinkers. Keep up the fine work Dave! \m/
dave, i love you and i'm very glad about that i was able to meet you even in a youtube, you're not just a excellent player, you have a "soul" and innocent kindness.
Never too late to care about things. I'm really digging vintage stuff, relentless upgrades drive me crazy. Humankind have already invented things that are enough to keep us happy, we just need to look after them.
I've played hi-end Fenders that had horrible playing necks. I still own a Squire Tele that I payed less than $200 for and the neck on that beast absolutely kills. It's perfect in every regard. A players dream. The only thing I've done with that guitar is change pickups. Moral is, you don't always get what you pay for.
Your improvised melodic playing reminds me a lot of Gary Moore. The way you blend and stitch the chords together with varying levels of dynamics and intensity really reminds me of Gary’s playing. I love your videos. Keep on rocking in the free world dude!
i think the older sounded better, and fuller and a little sweeter but the Squire sounded really good as well. Probably just the player making it sound great tho lol. I'm supposed to be getting my first Strat tomorrow. One of the new Vintera 60's models...Sea Foam Green :)
So, a "player" '62 Strat in the UK goes for around £15K. And the Squier is about £100. This has to do with the ~ 19:00 "elephant". There *is* something about an intrinsic ... "spiritual"?? ... connection with an instrument. True, that, Dave. And you can't put a £$€ on that.
Every guitar has it's own story. Each one also has it's own voice. The connection is a real thing, a tangible vibe that cannot be reproduced. Some guitars speak to us and some don't. That said , the guitar that you don't connect with will be someones else's dream guitar. Made from trees and injected with differing electronics, they are brought to life by the hands that play them. This is a great tutorial on finding that balance of cost verses hands on feel. Very cool video.
That intro has just put me in a more relaxed frame of mind after a stressful day. You have fingers of gold Dave. After watching your review of the Squire Bullet I bought one for my 11 year old son for his Birthday and have ressurected my love of the instrument all over again as we start on the learning journey, together this time.
@@thedavesimpson I know you have had your own troubles Dave and as someone who has suffered with Severe Anxiety Disorder for most of their life (only diagnosed 4 years ago), I want you to know that your gift brings me an abiding peace and joy. I hope that you overcome your own difficulties and draw comfort in knowing that the 'people of the tube' are thankful for all the honesty, soul and humanity you share with us through your humility, grace, humour and your incredible musical talent. It's a privelege to be able to watch you do what you do so well. All the best fella. Onwards and upwards 👍🎸
At the end of the day, I think it's really about what guitar speaks to you the most, and what one inspires you to play your hardest and feels the best. I've had Gibsons, Epiphones, Gretsch, PRS, Schecters, Fenders...the one I resonate with the most is my Squier Affinity Tele I got earlier this year. It's upgraded/modded to all hell, but it just plays fantastic and I could never part with it. It just has something special to it that I can't explain, the neck is insane.
I know exactly what you mean Dave. My most precious guitar is a Harley Benton HB 35 Plus. It was bought at a time of great trauma, Ive physically and mentally used it during an ongoing long term rehab. I’ve poured blood sweat and tears into it and although I now have dearer guitars, this one has something special and is my most played. Another great one Dave 👍
Been playing Squire guitars since I got my hands on it, it's a 20th anniversary edition just got to get the frets replaced since I have it 2009 always use it for gigs & play it at home now bought a BCRich Warlock for heavy & light tones getting myself into more riffs & licks 🎸😎👍🎼👌
I have the same experience with an ibanez lawsuite i own. I know what you are talking about and you are totaly right . She have a soul inside that the other don't have.
Dave, you are amazing. I'm lying in bed, Headphones on and you're drawing beautiful worlds with your magical sound in the intro. Thank you Dave. You're an "experience" just like Jimi.
62 just edged it in terms of sound for me but I would have the Squire - I don't have the skill to explore the potential of the 62, that's for people like you Dave who can really play the instrument properly not just fart around like me . I have never been consumed by the lust to have the best money could buy just what is usable for my abilities and functional (you should see my car !). You on the other hand deserve the very best of instruments to play on. A Stradivarius is special as a violin and so are original old Strats as guitars.
Thanks for demo. I'm new on your channel, and being French I have to accustom my ears to your English . Anyway, I came to your channel after finding your lesson of A Million Miles Away by the great Rory Gallagher. Rory said about his 61 strat : the neck is everything of the tonal quality of his strat. In your comparison , as you said your 62 has a more even tone between frequencies, while the Squier has more scooped tone, low mids. I remember testing a Squier 70 vintage modified, it was the same scooped zinguish sound. On my side I have an American Vintage 62 reissue 3 tone sunburst fitted with Bare Knuckles Irish Tour pick ups, and it's my #1 guitar. With a Vox AC15, I'm close to the Rory sound.
I used to have a 40th Anniversary Affinity Telecaster I owned it for 10 years then gave it to one of my best friends but he who owned a guitar shop said the maple neck on it was the smoothest he ever played and the pickups had this weird Pink Floyd type tone , really clear on the clean channels and very dark on distorted channels , I regret giving it away but it needed a new home as due to its age a lot of work would be needed to keep it in top condition , anyway my point is it dont matter what guitar you play , its the history that makes a guitar great.
Way more separation and detail with the 62. And more 'stratty'. For once I heard a massive difference. You get what you pay for. That said, the Squier sounds great too, nothing wrong with it. In isolation nobody would kick the Squier out of bed.
Hello Dave! The old one sounds more complex and sweeter. A much played vintage guitar feels so good, and there has to be something of been properly worn in: all parts settled well due age and vibration- the nut, bridge, all screws and all. There are a lot of old ones, that sat in the case for decades rarely played and are'nt sounding good... Could be, that those were'nt nice sounding from the very first day, therefore not getting playing love... and if those would've been played , who knows if it would make them better sounding...
I think the 62 sounded more articulate. It seemed like you could hear each individual string ringing out as the Squire seemed a little muddy. But for the price the Squire can't be beat. I see one in my future.
Another thing I thought about. The bullet pickups appear to be the same spec for all positions (except the middle being RWRP). They're not calibrated for each position as far as I can tell. This may be why some listeners hear the neck pickup as being a bit boomy. The pickup height is a bigger factor with this set than with a calibrated set IMO.
I put away my nice guitars and the pedals. I have been playing a $160 epiphone melody maker straight through a 90s fender solid state amp. The simplicity is refreshing, and I think I am enjoying music more because of it.
I have some handmade Vanzandt pickups that I was going to drop into a bullet strat, after hearing this comparison it seems when I buy me a bullet strat it's going to remain stock until something in it breaks and I actually have a reason to change things! Awesome video, and thank you for being awesome, Dave!
My first guitar was a used Squier strat with aftermarket locking tuners and an aftermarket maple neck (probably a Warmoth... I've never taken it off to check). I bought it in 1991 for $220 from a pawn shop. Looking up the serial number on the neck plate, it (or at least the body) seems to be Made in Japan in 1983 or 1984. I remember when I got it, it had a little visible wear on the fretboard around the 2nd or 3rd fret, and I remember thinking " wow, somebody's played this thing quite a lot." Now, 30 years later, there's visible fretboard wear all over the neck, even though I mostly moved on to Ibanez RG guitars for most of those years. That first strat though, I'll never sell it, it's definitely a keeper, and a great player.
I preferred the Squier, just. It seemed to have more "ring" in the mids, seemed to sing more. However, that might not be a good thing with a distorted tone.
I have a Squier SSS HT that I got for litterally very cheap locally. I am planing on making it my 62 by playing it a lot and I am already on it. I am in the begining of this journey after 20 years of playing the bass guitar. You gotta love your instrument and play it as if there is nothing else. That was the case with an Ibanez bass that I had. It was made in Japan 1984 and I played it so much and for more than 10 years that it become a part of me. However, I always wanted a Fender Precision so I sold the Ibanez, got myself a mexican p-bass - brand new and I can really feel that lack of mojo due to it not being played a lot. I am about to fix that as well! :)
The bridge sounded better to me on the Squier. The sound was practically the same but Squier had a bit more punch, which I like for the bridge pickup. The 62 definitely wins on the neck pick up, the Squier sounded more muffled than the 62, still good tho!
I started out on a squier bullet 10 years ago. since then I owned 2 fenders, but I sold them after a while, because I always played the squier. That guitar is the one for me, that one that I'll never sell.
Listened to this without the video and I thought the difference was minimal - I very much doubt anyone would notice the difference in a mix. What cracks me up as someone who focuses on recording is that no guitar every gets onto a record without compression, dynamics, and a lot more post processing. So you never hear your guitar "tone" on a record anyway. To those commenting on Dave's neck relief - when he brings the neck to the camera it is plainly distorting (bending, in fact) the neck due to the focal length of the camera which seems to be slightly wide-angle. Plus, and this may astonish you, different people like their necks set up in different ways - a cursory glance at any book that details the neck setup of famous guitarists will tell you this. But go ahead, tell Jeff Beck he hasn't got sufficient relief in his neck?
Oh my... the intro and outro's you played, were stunning, such nuance and feel! Anyway, it does not surprise me about the Squier at all. It too can be awesome as a vintage strat. You can find lots of so-so ones, but when you happen upon a good one, then apply yourself as it's missing component, as your friend and then you did with the fiesta red '62... the guitar becomes another body part to you and you to the guitar, what completes it. And history is instantly made. But you obviously know this mate. Very much so 😏
Both of the Strats sound great. Keep in mind that the Squire is still very green. Older guitars have had time to "harden" and are perhaps more resonant. An extreme example is wood in ancient churches. The hardwood is so hard that it is almost petrified and is very difficult to burn. But, this is a classic case of David taking on Goliath, and for that reason the Squire puts a smile on my face. Squire all the way. Good job.
I have a 2004 Gibson SG faded, and it's got all the marks where previous owners have dinged it, and tried to put the cable in and missed, and rubbed it on the wood surface to find the jack socket. Every small scratch, rusty screw and whatever, has a story attached to it. My 2018 Ibanez RG, while a more technologically advanced guitar, has no feel, it's stale.
I prefered the sound of the Squier, the difference is small, but the output is a bit hotter it seems, becoming a bit more distorted, but in a way it's driving your playing further. It's more blocky (graphics analogy) but more contrasty in a good way.
...it's risky but ironically the shadier part of town would give it more sleaze and soul and guts and all that stuff. Dave talks about this here and it makes sense. Some of the best sounding guitars seem to have been played to death in smoky bars.
@@bradford_shaun_murray This guy is onto something really... yeah the yellowed guitars will be fewer though, no more smoking in bars...I tried a 80's japan Squier a few months ago and had to adjust the trussrod (under the scratchplate) and it had watery drips of cigarette smoke, tar, nicotine underneath. The guitar had a lot of soul but the trussrod was not able to lower the strings enough to be a great player.
@@killainmaccallan4700 A shim in the neck pocket could fix that. Giving the neck a little more back angle. I had the same problem with my 96 Squire Strat. I made a very thin shim for the neck on that and it now plays great.
@@buskerbrown9980 thx for the reply, yeah I thought of that but the guitar was 400 euro, so I thought I will wait for another one to come along that was playable from the start
My two cents... The bullet strat for the price and the vintage strat for durability/sustainability (ignoring the fact that you're afraid to use the trem and rip the screws out) - air dried vs kiln dried wood - pure (orange) copper wire vs mixed (pink) 'copper' wire - hard steel vs molten 'steel' I'd almost be willing to bet your bullet strat will have a shorter lifespan than your vintage strat has had already
I hear more lower midrange in the Squier and more upper mids in the '62. I think the sound from the '62's pickups is more detailed. To be fair, I think if the Squier had the same pickups as the '62, then it'd be a much closer comparison. Then we'd probably be talking about the difference between the tremolo/block on the '62 v. the Squier's top-mount bridge, or the subtleties of the body woods or the fretboards.
Hey Dave, I just discovered you just a few days ago and its because I love old vintage guitars, elec, acous, class. I got into the japanese made copies like Lyle, Alvarez, Hohner, Aria to name a few Teisco. Anyway the word you are looking for is MOJO and I completely agree with you on the feel and that's how I judge a guitar is how it makes me feel along with its voice. The amount of love, aggression, pain ,hurt, and joy poured to overflowing capacities until its completely saturated with emotion and grip yeah. You remind me of how I would like to be expressing myself but haven't got there yet. Anyways not to get too corny but I have a love of guitars for the whole work of art thing all the way to the make it sound any way you can to make it speak too you kind of deal. Just the amount of work just to get it to look and feel the way it does is is a work of art. I was collecting acoustic guitars for a bit now into Squier Strats. I have a few different models all older a mexican strat 2000's, a japanese 84 squier, mexican early 95 squier, chinese 96 squier, 04 chinese squier, and just picked up a couple others and I am a collector but I try not to spend that much money on the guitars. For example range 0-120$ bucks(U.S. dollars). I also don't like to mod the guitars as well I feel like they have made their home and unless something is broken don't fix it kind of mentality. Like I said I am a collector so don't really know too many songs to play took some guitar lessons then realized what I really love about the guitar how they are made, for some reason the strat just speaks to me and feels like and old friend. I was thinking about what you said about the neck on the 62 I wonder if it got wore down from all the playing and that is actually the inside of Malcolm's grip(read into it as much as possible). Just a thought anyway keep up the good work and I will keep watching. I like what you said about how some guitars don't have that mojo and its because it was put away and not used. I kinda have a shit ton of guitars and every so often I will pull them out clean, tune, and play them just to keep that good relationship going. I have a problem with selling or getting rid of my guitars too, I put a lot of effort in tracking down and researching them that I build a relationship and its becomes lasting. Rambling on. Lastly the feel could be compared to an old pair of shoes that just fits a new pair has hard edges but the old worn in pair edges are gone. I believe if you hold onto that bullet it too can have that mojo for someone else to get.
Wow, that Squire sounded epic.. More low end, and slightly ‘wetter’ sounding than the Fender! That really surprised me 😯, I always assumed, ignorantly, that Squires were cheap and flimsy! But that sound 👍👍👍
For me the fact that quality and tone of the Squire is more important..Being able to confidently gig with it with a low cost. And enjoy it. I am rough on my gear. I dont like to worry about the chips and dings that happen etc. because they do. The guitar in my picture is an Ibanez I bought on sale for $110 US at a Guitar Center in Northridge CA. I played it in a special sound proof room they set up for trying gear at high volume. There were $5000 Les Paul's in that room that I ABed it against through a blasting Marshall half stack..It sounded just as good and had a better neck..I have since played 100s of gigs with it..Scratches dings and all.
I think exactly like you the 62 is more thiner and delicate from how the notes go out. And the squier get a very beautiful low end and deeper basses but the sound is not as thin as the 62.. Very nice video.👍🤗
I preferred the Squier Bullet HT for sound. Feel is another thing. The Squier sounded "boomy", more so in the neck position with the enhanced low end. That's kind of weird, feeling the love the previous owner had with the instrument. I get it though, my Bullet is a 2005, 17 years old today in 2022. I've had it for 3 years and corrected a lot of abuse on it, I don't think it ever played this well because the neck never was shimmed properly for the bridge & saddles. Anyway, you spend enough time & energy making the instrument better enough, it has some of your blood, sweat & tears in it. With the Bullet I have, I felt the original attempt Squier made & later abuses and I put it back to as close as tight new wood as I could and it's so much better for it. I made it mine for lack of a better way of putting it. My saddles aren't decked at a downward angle, the neck isn't decked & the saddle foot screws don't stick out of the saddles to take flesh off my hand. It has pretty much the same neck angle, a flat 1/16 inch shim raised the heel of the neck for low action and my saddles are now level. I raised the pickups and the area between the neck & saddles is 1/16 inch deeper. the sound is more like a modern Affinity Strat. I have one of those too, a 2016, pre-Rosewood ban fretboard. Thinner Rosewood than the 2005 Bullet, but still Rosewood none the less. The previous owner(s) put the Fender laser etched replacement tuners on it. It's my favorite Strat, but the trem block upgrade on the Affinity makes favorite a mater of what my mood is. Outside of that, they are both pretty much OEM Indonesian Corts.
The tint on the 62 is nicer than the painted headstock w/ matte poly finish of the Squier. Is your 62 a worn gloss poly neck finish for the maple ? My Bullet has an experienced yellowish played in gloss tint, the Affinity is the newer matte poly feel. I prefer the Bullet > Affinity neck of the 2 that I have. All I can think to say is to give that Bullet a little love each day, give it a few songs on stage to audition & have it's turn at bat, it might even win a couple of games for you in a performance. When you're older it'll have the Dave Simpson vibe of your lifetime in it. Might even have a memory or few of the venues you played it. It's your new puppy, it's never going to be the old dog you still have or lost, but it loves you with it's own personality, they are like children.
hi Dave , im 70 years young , I've heard them all , Man you are a cut above all of them , fantastic , keep going and inspire more to play f..k... fantastic , Regards John
I have to say, watching your videos have taught me a valuable lesson. I was very concerned a few months ago about chasing the correct tone and getting the right pedals and spending money on stuff. I have since realized that true “tone” is using what you have and playing well. Currently playing a 200 dollar Yamaha Pacifica into a katana 50 and letting my playing make the world fade away. No need for tweaking the tone or worrying about set up, just plug and play what ever the amp is set to. Music comes from the heart, gear is optional.
Amen, bro...you've got it all right!
❤
yes yes yes!
You are so right, I am really a bass player and have a few nice guitars and a few cheap guitars and I spend my money on bass gear, I have a few guitar pedals. My mom passed away about a week ago, she is buried and most of the things that I had to do is over, mom took care of lots of things way before she passed so me and my sister did not have to worry about, thats the way she was. When everything was over I came home and grabbed my guitar and just played, some playing was good, some was average at best and when I was done 4 hours had passed. A bad day at work, come home and play, when sad when glad playing is therapeutic. Sometimes I feel sorry for ppl who don't play an instrument, I'm sure they have there way of getting through things, I am glad I play bass and guitar.
Yeah they don’t make a pedal for confidence and practice but that’s what people think they are buying when they get all the gear
This intro progression is just gorgeous. Please do some lessons explaining your ideas and embellishments. I try to figure out some of your stuff but always seem to miss some bits, such as open strings and cheeky extra added notes.Your playing is just sublime. I could spend a life time studying your intro jams, Incredible!?!
Dave you are a real study in overcoming fear and insecurity to succeed. As you have told us and those with a trained eye can see, you are an anxious guy at times and probably don’t love being on camera. Your passion for the guitar enables you to kick your fears in the nuts to bring the people great content. Good on you man it’s great to see you succeed. Peace
Thank you very much. : )
Dave, I could listen to you ramble and play all day my friend
Thank you very much. : )
@@thedavesimpson I luv your English. Makes me a better person. Being a Finn I copy your way of talking, don't take it personally :D
Dave, to date I own Gibson’s, Fenders, Squiers, Taylor’s and a bunch of others collecting dust.
Without a doubt the only one I have connected with is my 2005 Squier Tele Standard. Just something about it that fits me. I bought it used from a bloke who needed the cash, he sold it to me reluctantly. Over a couple of beers he gave me the history of the guitar which was not rock star by any stretch but it was loved by him and now me.
Has to be something in what your saying otherwise they are bits of wood, plastic and metal on the whole.. Keep up the good vibes..👍🐨🇦🇺
Jimmy Jimmy mate I have a 2019 squire standard tele and there’s something about that for me as well
Max cooper Yep, I am with you. I also have a couple of Squier Standards, one 2005 and one 2015. Both sound different and for second hand values on the market I would be crazy to let them go. Suppose I just get the whole Squier thing. All the best.. 👍🇦🇺
7:39 on keeping it clean, and distortion masking differences in pickups: THANK YOU, and spot on, Dave. Brian Ewald made precisely this point when doing an official demo for PRS on humbucker vs. split/single-coil on some new PRS electrics. I could mention a very prominent UK-based TH-cam guitar video channel which drives me crazy on this: a particular guitarist insists on playing all the instruments heavily distorted: I'm sure that's the way HE likes it, but it means the point of much comparison is simply lost.
Dave, I think this may be the first time I’ve seen you without long sleeves! I never knew you had a tattoo!
You’ve got fantastic arms 😊🤙🏽
Casual Friday - barefoot too!
It must be the heat wave
He mentioned before how he has body shame issues since his teenage years and wearing layers of clothes because of that... He's very thin but what's wrong with that? I just got a gym membership to get rid of all my belly fat 😋 So I wish I had a body like that! Nothing to be ashamed of... But I get it... It's all between the ears after all
UkeliDokeli So true. I still think I’m fat after my mother telling me that for all her life.
@@erictoniaschwab1009 sorry to hear that man 😔 that's kinda cruel
Great vid Dave. Everything you say resonates with me, our guitars are our best mates. The more we play em the better they fit us. Inspiring.... Off to pick up my strat! Rock on.
Holy fuck that outro jam had me in serious goosebumps.. you had me pullin guitar faces with you. Boy oh boy did you pump emotion into those notes
You sir have blown my mind this last week going through your channel . Much much respect
Oh Dave, before I forget ... The intro was something special. That was the best I've heard from a Strat in over 20 years. Everything was there ... feeling but also skill. You are a very special person and guitarist. Ingenious in all areas. Greetings from Germany
Interesting concept Dave, but listening to you play both just proves one thing, which is it’s got nowt to do with the guitar, it’s the insanely talented guy twanging it... you could play two strings stretched across a Badgers bung hole & make it sound epic.
Loved the very end of the outro - reminded me of Rory's 74' tour when he would place the guitar on the stage after hitting a note and fan it with a towel whilst it kept feeding back the note into the amp.
Alan Artt none better than the legend Rory Alan... as a teenager I never missed his yearly gig here in Belfast.... greatly missed but never ever forgotten.....
62 pickups are more detailed compared to Squier. For an everyday guitar the Squier is great, I would worry about damaging the 62 in some way!
Your love for the 62 really shines through, you don't have to analyse it 😊
17:00 My Fender Vintera Jazzmaster does the same. Love the neck
I love Dave's videos. Everyone is like a mini-concert of awesomeness.
What I like is how you appreciate the intrinsic qualities of each guitar. The '62 has a pedigree an impressive lineage but I watched your face light up when you fist played the Bullet and I've seen the bond grow between you and that guitar. If I were only to watch you from the neck up and listen to you playing each of these guitars, well... I may be biased as I could never afford or justify buying a vintage guitar but I would certainly take you up on your offer to play that '62 or any other. Very kind of you to offer. Thanks Dave.
Hi Dave. I am just getting back into my guitar after an accident in my other world of engineering. Just listening to this peace of music has stund me and given me the kick that I needed to get with it. Thanks mate and just keep giving your time. Keith C on the not so sunny Isle of Wight.
I can’t believe the depth of the black strat, just had a ‘beautiful’ sound, the squier sounded fine but totally missing that magical thing that the 62 has(whatever it is, pick ups wiring and wood) 👍
Man I'd love to have your talent, just for a day, awesome
It would be too addictive
The intro was absolutely beautyful! Thank you for that nice piece of music.
Oh, yes! The first guitar sounds much better to me.
Thank you very much. : )
+1 for the Malcolm interview video :-)
I have a lot of cheap used guitars and they mostly feel similar. But recently, I got an old and heavily played Marathon Strat where somebody put a nitro finish over the fretboard. It plays great and you can feel that somebody loved and modified it. To add my part to the history of this instrument, I painted only the top of the body and the headstock with fiesta red nitro lacquer to complete the look and feel and added a bottle opener. This 30€ guitar is now my main Strat.
The "played-in" value of vintage guitars is under-rated. Collectors are focused on mint condition, players are generally focused on how the guitar feels and sounds when played.
The vintage Case Queens I've played just never have the same feel as the beat up and well played "player gig axe". The favourite guitar I own is a '72 re-issue Japanese Strat from the mid-80's that had a hard life as a pub gigging "tool". It has a very well played in rosewood fretboard, a body full of dings and a small crack in the neck pocket, but...wow...is it a player.
I often wondered how many closeted guitars just never got set up right, hence no fun to play, and then stayed mint. In 1980, I got to play a '54 Gold Top that had only had the tags discarded then went under a bed in its spotless case for 26 years. The original factory strings were still bright and shiny, and it played VERY well. Dude just never played it. I almost got the thousand bucks together but someone else got it. 😿
Guy at the shop was recommending that I replace the trapeze tailpiece with a stop like all of the rockers did, but I thought it might be worth more if I didn't. 😝
hello again my friend dave,,as i mentioned before i've played for over 30yrs and my friend you are a special gifted musician,,now lets get to the guitars,,i have a very well trained ear maybe because of how long i've played or maybe when i started playing we did'nt have access to digital tuners and i would tune up with tune'n fork if anyone remembers those things,,ok to me the 62 sounded i guess fuller as if u was in a corner of a room and it filled every nook and cranny of the room and beyond,,the bullet still a great sound'n guitar was less fuller but still amazing,,sounded less bolder,,but very much stratty 4 sure,,i think the journey of any guitar starts at the end of the factory line,,to me no 2 guitars of the same make and model sound nor feel the same,,for instance i bought a les paul special some yrs ago and the store had 4 of the same,,i played all 4 and to me they all had a little different feel and sound so i got the 1 i thought was for my taste better and it had a few finish blemishes although it was'nt as pretty as the others i still had to get it,,now thru the yrs of playing it,,,,it keeps sound'n better and feel'n better,,the neck is wore in,,the pickups are seasoned,,,etc,,etc,,u should know what i mean because u have that gifted musicianship engrained in you,,,so thats my 2 cents and btw i will be get'n a squire bullet HT strat,,i already purchaced a bullet tele i fell in luv with a few months ago,,so peace out my brother and enjoy this never end'n musical journey of play'n guitar that has brought so much joy to us
I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts, especially the story about the '62 strat. It's heartbreaking that Malcolm could easily have just kept the guitar and put it on the wall or something but he chose to pass it on to someone he knew would appreciate it so it would continue its life in good hands.
Dave talking about is '62 and I feel the same thing for my old acoustic guitar, how many hours we pass together; good and sad day's, for about 25 years now! And she already old when i buy it ! Pieces of wood with soul ? maybe it's become part of me?
The closing shot, when you left the Squier on feedback, was the perfect analogy. This guitar plays itself.
The main factor between these is clearly how they feel to the player. I was scrolling down, reading the comments when you started the comparison and I didn't even realise you'd changed guitars. The differences in tone (small) could be easiliy compensated with amp eq, but really, the best one is the one that feels best to play, which is always the most important thing!
Dave, you are an exceptional guitarist. You are playing what I have always wanted to for over 20 years, and didn't achieve.
Fantastic, great playing and comparison, the 62 is more detailed and open but not so much you'd worry about it. I think guitars are like that in general and not really related to vintageness either way. I've had really expensive guitars, Custom Shop Strats, Gibsons, Guild and they were fine but occasionally you play a guitar that's awesome and completely plugs into your musicality and physicality. Best Strat I ever played was a Mexican Standard and best Les Paul was an Epiphone. Yep, I've got a Squier.
Pick attack was the difference that swayed me towards the 62. It had more tink, plink, pop. The Squire tone easily fit within the Fender tone in terms of upper mids to highs.
Hello Dave - i'm really enjoying your channel - I actually bought a Squire Bullet Strat (£99 - amazing!) after watching your review a couple of weeks ago - love it. All the best! Iain.
Thank you very much. : )
Absolutely love your style bro! It's melodic and haunting at the same time! Beautiful stuff!!!
Really interesting topic this one. I whole heartidly agree, if I see a prestine condition vintage guitar I dont get excited at all, I just assume it must be crud as no ones been interested in playing for the last 50 odd years!
Dave,
I think you're somewhat correct about the playing "life" of vintage guitars but I don't think it's really anything like some undefinable "mojo" from being played a lot, but rather it has to do with the fact that those guitars were manufactured in a way and an era that to a large degree lacked precision, or uniformity, and they were given to the randomness of human error with some ending up being really outstanding instruments, while others were just unimpressively complete, utter duds. It's not an accident that Clapton's favorite Strat was a vintage era mongrel, pieced together by purchasing 6 used bargain bin ones, and then ultimately hobbling together his favorite with different parts from the best parts of several of the bunch. Given these facts it's just obvious that great playing, sounding instruments are the ones that are going to get played and cherished a helluva lot more vs those that were the stinkers.
Keep up the fine work Dave!
\m/
dave, i love you and i'm very glad about that i was able to meet you even in a youtube, you're not just a excellent player, you have a "soul" and innocent kindness.
Thank you very much. : )
Things that are used well but are cared for have "soul", can apply to many things be it guitars or motorcycles. I totally understand!
Never too late to care about things. I'm really digging vintage stuff, relentless upgrades drive me crazy. Humankind have already invented things that are enough to keep us happy, we just need to look after them.
What a lovely opening song Dave. Just lovely.
Thank you very much. : )
I've played hi-end Fenders that had horrible playing necks. I still own a Squire Tele that I payed less than $200 for and the neck on that beast absolutely kills. It's perfect in every regard. A players dream. The only thing I've done with that guitar is change pickups. Moral is, you don't always get what you pay for.
Your improvised melodic playing reminds me a lot of Gary Moore. The way you blend and stitch the chords together with varying levels of dynamics and intensity really reminds me of Gary’s playing. I love your videos. Keep on rocking in the free world dude!
Thank you very much. : )
Not only are you a awesome guitarist, you are a beautiful human being. ☮️
Amen to that!
i think the older sounded better, and fuller and a little sweeter but the Squire sounded really good as well. Probably just the player making it sound great tho lol. I'm supposed to be getting my first Strat tomorrow. One of the new Vintera 60's models...Sea Foam Green :)
So, a "player" '62 Strat in the UK goes for around £15K. And the Squier is about £100. This has to do with the ~ 19:00 "elephant". There *is* something about an intrinsic ... "spiritual"?? ... connection with an instrument. True, that, Dave. And you can't put a £$€ on that.
Every guitar has it's own story. Each one also has it's own voice. The connection is a real thing, a tangible vibe that cannot be reproduced. Some guitars speak to us and some don't. That said , the guitar that you don't connect with will be someones else's dream guitar. Made from trees and injected with differing electronics, they are brought to life by the hands that play them. This is a great tutorial on finding that balance of cost verses hands on feel. Very cool video.
I am leaning toward the 62 because my Squier Bullet is black and looks just like it..I love Squiers.
That intro has just put me in a more relaxed frame of mind after a stressful day. You have fingers of gold Dave. After watching your review of the Squire Bullet I bought one for my 11 year old son for his Birthday and have ressurected my love of the instrument all over again as we start on the learning journey, together this time.
I am very happy to hear it calmed you. : )
@@thedavesimpson I know you have had your own troubles Dave and as someone who has suffered with Severe Anxiety Disorder for most of their life (only diagnosed 4 years ago), I want you to know that your gift brings me an abiding peace and joy. I hope that you overcome your own difficulties and draw comfort in knowing that the 'people of the tube' are thankful for all the honesty, soul and humanity you share with us through your humility, grace, humour and your incredible musical talent. It's a privelege to be able to watch you do what you do so well. All the best fella. Onwards and upwards 👍🎸
At the end of the day, I think it's really about what guitar speaks to you the most, and what one inspires you to play your hardest and feels the best. I've had Gibsons, Epiphones, Gretsch, PRS, Schecters, Fenders...the one I resonate with the most is my Squier Affinity Tele I got earlier this year. It's upgraded/modded to all hell, but it just plays fantastic and I could never part with it. It just has something special to it that I can't explain, the neck is insane.
Matt Prentice what upgrades have you done?
I know exactly what you mean Dave. My most precious guitar is a Harley Benton HB 35 Plus. It was bought at a time of great trauma, Ive physically and mentally used it during an ongoing long term rehab. I’ve poured blood sweat and tears into it and although I now have dearer guitars, this one has something special and is my most played. Another great one Dave 👍
Thank you very much. : )
Been playing Squire guitars since I got my hands on it, it's a 20th anniversary edition just got to get the frets replaced since I have it 2009 always use it for gigs & play it at home now bought a BCRich Warlock for heavy & light tones getting myself into more riffs & licks 🎸😎👍🎼👌
1960s Fender "Oval C": 20.1 mm at 1st fret, 23.6 mm at 12th fret
2016 Squier Bullet Strat' : 20,6 mm at 1st fret, 22 mm at 12th fret
Oh! Science! No!
Last solo is the best of the best, I have tears in my eyes, perfect gradation and the strongest emotion. Greetings from Slovakia ... Thank you
Thank you very much. : )
I have the same experience with an ibanez lawsuite i own. I know what you are talking about and you are totaly right . She have a soul inside that the other don't have.
62 ‘ pickups has clearer sound the Squire sounded a little more muffled. I liked both
Me to. :)
Dave, you are amazing. I'm lying in bed, Headphones on and you're drawing beautiful worlds with your magical sound in the intro. Thank you Dave.
You're an "experience" just like Jimi.
62 just edged it in terms of sound for me but I would have the Squire - I don't have the skill to explore the potential of the 62, that's for people like you Dave who can really play the instrument properly not just fart around like me . I have never been consumed by the lust to have the best money could buy just what is usable for my abilities and functional (you should see my car !). You on the other hand deserve the very best of instruments to play on. A Stradivarius is special as a violin and so are original old Strats as guitars.
Thank you very much. : )
Brilliant Dave iike both guitars but the v6 has got soul sounds amazing cheers ol'boy
Thanks for demo. I'm new on your channel, and being French I have to accustom my ears to your English . Anyway, I came to your channel after finding your lesson of A Million Miles Away by the great Rory Gallagher. Rory said about his 61 strat : the neck is everything of the tonal quality of his strat. In your comparison , as you said your 62 has a more even tone between frequencies, while the Squier has more scooped tone, low mids. I remember testing a Squier 70 vintage modified, it was the same scooped zinguish sound. On my side I have an American Vintage 62 reissue 3 tone sunburst fitted with Bare Knuckles Irish Tour pick ups, and it's my #1 guitar. With a Vox AC15, I'm close to the Rory sound.
Thank you very much for watching. : )
I used to have a 40th Anniversary Affinity Telecaster I owned it for 10 years then gave it to one of my best friends but he who owned a guitar shop said the maple neck on it was the smoothest he ever played and the pickups had this weird Pink Floyd type tone , really clear on the clean channels and very dark on distorted channels , I regret giving it away but it needed a new home as due to its age a lot of work would be needed to keep it in top condition , anyway my point is it dont matter what guitar you play , its the history that makes a guitar great.
Way more separation and detail with the 62. And more 'stratty'. For once I heard a massive difference. You get what you pay for. That said, the Squier sounds great too, nothing wrong with it. In isolation nobody would kick the Squier out of bed.
Hello Dave! The old one sounds more complex and sweeter. A much played vintage guitar feels so good, and there has to be something of been properly worn in: all parts settled well due age and vibration- the nut, bridge, all screws and all. There are a lot of old ones, that sat in the case for decades rarely played and are'nt sounding good... Could be, that those were'nt nice sounding from the very first day, therefore not getting playing love... and if those would've been played , who knows if it would make them better sounding...
I think the 62 sounded more articulate. It seemed like you could hear each individual string ringing out as the Squire seemed a little muddy. But for the price the Squire can't be beat. I see one in my future.
Very nice Dave. There is as much tone in the hands as the guitar.
Another thing I thought about. The bullet pickups appear to be the same spec for all positions (except the middle being RWRP). They're not calibrated for each position as far as I can tell. This may be why some listeners hear the neck pickup as being a bit boomy. The pickup height is a bigger factor with this set than with a calibrated set IMO.
I put away my nice guitars and the pedals. I have been playing a $160 epiphone melody maker straight through a 90s fender solid state amp. The simplicity is refreshing, and I think I am enjoying music more because of it.
I have some handmade Vanzandt pickups that I was going to drop into a bullet strat, after hearing this comparison it seems when I buy me a bullet strat it's going to remain stock until something in it breaks and I actually have a reason to change things! Awesome video, and thank you for being awesome, Dave!
Thank you very much. : )
Never worry about the rambling we know you're passionate about your guitars and music always great vids, Thanks, Dave.
Thank you very much. : )
My first guitar was a used Squier strat with aftermarket locking tuners and an aftermarket maple neck (probably a Warmoth... I've never taken it off to check). I bought it in 1991 for $220 from a pawn shop. Looking up the serial number on the neck plate, it (or at least the body) seems to be Made in Japan in 1983 or 1984. I remember when I got it, it had a little visible wear on the fretboard around the 2nd or 3rd fret, and I remember thinking " wow, somebody's played this thing quite a lot." Now, 30 years later, there's visible fretboard wear all over the neck, even though I mostly moved on to Ibanez RG guitars for most of those years. That first strat though, I'll never sell it, it's definitely a keeper, and a great player.
I preferred the Squier, just. It seemed to have more "ring" in the mids, seemed to sing more. However, that might not be a good thing with a distorted tone.
You kidding that is a good thing with distortion.
I have a Squier SSS HT that I got for litterally very cheap locally. I am planing on making it my 62 by playing it a lot and I am already on it. I am in the begining of this journey after 20 years of playing the bass guitar. You gotta love your instrument and play it as if there is nothing else. That was the case with an Ibanez bass that I had. It was made in Japan 1984 and I played it so much and for more than 10 years that it become a part of me. However, I always wanted a Fender Precision so I sold the Ibanez, got myself a mexican p-bass - brand new and I can really feel that lack of mojo due to it not being played a lot. I am about to fix that as well! :)
The bridge sounded better to me on the Squier. The sound was practically the same but Squier had a bit more punch, which I like for the bridge pickup. The 62 definitely wins on the neck pick up, the Squier sounded more muffled than the 62, still good tho!
I think the word is 'Pedigree' Dave. Good video. Enjoyed it immensely.
I started out on a squier bullet 10 years ago. since then I owned 2 fenders, but I sold them after a while, because I always played the squier. That guitar is the one for me, that one that I'll never sell.
Beautiful...in Hospital getting heart checked...you bring Peace to an ailing heart...with love Bebop Deluxe 1956
I haven't forgot about sending you that mug I will do that when I get out of the hospital
Listened to this without the video and I thought the difference was minimal - I very much doubt anyone would notice the difference in a mix. What cracks me up as someone who focuses on recording is that no guitar every gets onto a record without compression, dynamics, and a lot more post processing. So you never hear your guitar "tone" on a record anyway. To those commenting on Dave's neck relief - when he brings the neck to the camera it is plainly distorting (bending, in fact) the neck due to the focal length of the camera which seems to be slightly wide-angle. Plus, and this may astonish you, different people like their necks set up in different ways - a cursory glance at any book that details the neck setup of famous guitarists will tell you this. But go ahead, tell Jeff Beck he hasn't got sufficient relief in his neck?
Oh my... the intro and outro's you played, were stunning, such nuance and feel!
Anyway, it does not surprise me about the Squier at all. It too can be awesome as a vintage strat. You can find lots of so-so ones, but when you happen upon a good one, then apply yourself as it's missing component, as your friend and then you did with the fiesta red '62... the guitar becomes another body part to you and you to the guitar, what completes it. And history is instantly made.
But you obviously know this mate.
Very much so
😏
Thank you. : )
Both of the Strats sound great. Keep in mind that the Squire is still very green. Older guitars have had time to "harden" and are perhaps more resonant. An extreme example is wood in ancient churches. The hardwood is so hard that it is almost petrified and is very difficult to burn. But, this is a classic case of David taking on Goliath, and for that reason the Squire puts a smile on my face. Squire all the way. Good job.
Thank you very much for watching. : )
Really hope you'll be able to do the video on Malcolm. :)
I have a 2004 Gibson SG faded, and it's got all the marks where previous owners have dinged it, and tried to put the cable in and missed, and rubbed it on the wood surface to find the jack socket. Every small scratch, rusty screw and whatever, has a story attached to it. My 2018 Ibanez RG, while a more technologically advanced guitar, has no feel, it's stale.
Yep I agree with you mate. The Squire has a bit more low end, but tonally they are almost identical.
i’d like to learn these frusciante chords, amazing
Hendrix
I prefered the sound of the Squier, the difference is small, but the output is a bit hotter it seems, becoming a bit more distorted, but in a way it's driving your playing further. It's more blocky (graphics analogy) but more contrasty in a good way.
I've got a Strat with a fab neck. A 1993 Japan Squier '62 neck...which is a replica of a 1962 fender neck I believe.
Wow. That squier jam was stunning!
Use the '62 in the good neighborhood and the Squier in the shadier parts of town.
...it's risky but ironically the shadier part of town would give it more sleaze and soul and guts and all that stuff. Dave talks about this here and it makes sense. Some of the best sounding guitars seem to have been played to death in smoky bars.
@@bradford_shaun_murray This guy is onto something really... yeah the yellowed guitars will be fewer though, no more smoking in bars...I tried a 80's japan Squier a few months ago and had to adjust the trussrod (under the scratchplate) and it had watery drips of cigarette smoke, tar, nicotine underneath. The guitar had a lot of soul but the trussrod was not able to lower the strings enough to be a great player.
@@killainmaccallan4700 totally get that brother, shame about the trussrod. As you know the watery drips would be the sweat and smoke giving the soul.
@@killainmaccallan4700 A shim in the neck pocket could fix that.
Giving the neck a little more back angle.
I had the same problem with my 96 Squire Strat.
I made a very thin shim for the neck on that and it now plays great.
@@buskerbrown9980 thx for the reply, yeah I thought of that but the guitar was 400 euro, so I thought I will wait for another one to come along that was playable from the start
Dave..that 5 minutes of your emotional playing sent all my worries away....my heart rate must have relaxed to about 45bpm.... many thanks
My two cents... The bullet strat for the price and the vintage strat for durability/sustainability (ignoring the fact that you're afraid to use the trem and rip the screws out)
- air dried vs kiln dried wood
- pure (orange) copper wire vs mixed (pink) 'copper' wire
- hard steel vs molten 'steel'
I'd almost be willing to bet your bullet strat will have a shorter lifespan than your vintage strat has had already
Amazing playing! Playing musically with nice dynamics and class! I could listen to this all day!
I hear more lower midrange in the Squier and more upper mids in the '62. I think the sound from the '62's pickups is more detailed. To be fair, I think if the Squier had the same pickups as the '62, then it'd be a much closer comparison. Then we'd probably be talking about the difference between the tremolo/block on the '62 v. the Squier's top-mount bridge, or the subtleties of the body woods or the fretboards.
Hey Dave, I just discovered you just a few days ago and its because I love old vintage guitars, elec, acous, class. I got into the japanese made copies like Lyle, Alvarez, Hohner, Aria to name a few Teisco. Anyway the word you are looking for is MOJO and I completely agree with you on the feel and that's how I judge a guitar is how it makes me feel along with its voice. The amount of love, aggression, pain ,hurt, and joy poured to overflowing capacities until its completely saturated with emotion and grip yeah. You remind me of how I would like to be expressing myself but haven't got there yet. Anyways not to get too corny but I have a love of guitars for the whole work of art thing all the way to the make it sound any way you can to make it speak too you kind of deal. Just the amount of work just to get it to look and feel the way it does is is a work of art. I was collecting acoustic guitars for a bit now into Squier Strats. I have a few different models all older a mexican strat 2000's, a japanese 84 squier, mexican early 95 squier, chinese 96 squier, 04 chinese squier, and just picked up a couple others and I am a collector but I try not to spend that much money on the guitars. For example range 0-120$ bucks(U.S. dollars). I also don't like to mod the guitars as well I feel like they have made their home and unless something is broken don't fix it kind of mentality. Like I said I am a collector so don't really know too many songs to play took some guitar lessons then realized what I really love about the guitar how they are made, for some reason the strat just speaks to me and feels like and old friend. I was thinking about what you said about the neck on the 62 I wonder if it got wore down from all the playing and that is actually the inside of Malcolm's grip(read into it as much as possible). Just a thought anyway keep up the good work and I will keep watching. I like what you said about how some guitars don't have that mojo and its because it was put away and not used. I kinda have a shit ton of guitars and every so often I will pull them out clean, tune, and play them just to keep that good relationship going. I have a problem with selling or getting rid of my guitars too, I put a lot of effort in tracking down and researching them that I build a relationship and its becomes lasting. Rambling on. Lastly the feel could be compared to an old pair of shoes that just fits a new pair has hard edges but the old worn in pair edges are gone. I believe if you hold onto that bullet it too can have that mojo for someone else to get.
Totally biased toward Squier bullet strat fiesta red - cuz that's my first guitar ever and I still play it just as much as I used to!
That opening playing was beautiful. I could really tell how much you love the instrument
Thank you. : )
Wow, that Squire sounded epic.. More low end, and slightly ‘wetter’ sounding than the Fender! That really surprised me 😯, I always assumed, ignorantly, that Squires were cheap and flimsy! But that sound 👍👍👍
Let's not forget that Dave's playing style/techniques contributed to awesome sound. He cn even make my Jackson JS11 sound very good.
For me the fact that quality and tone of the Squire is more important..Being able to confidently gig with it with a low cost. And enjoy it. I am rough on my gear. I dont like to worry about the chips and dings that happen etc. because they do. The guitar in my picture is an Ibanez I bought on sale for $110 US at a Guitar Center in Northridge CA. I played it in a special sound proof room they set up for trying gear at high volume. There were $5000 Les Paul's in that room that I ABed it against through a blasting Marshall half stack..It sounded just as good and had a better neck..I have since played 100s of gigs with it..Scratches dings and all.
I always enjoy Bullets because they have that warm thump to their sounds
Thanks for this Dave, I was hoping you'd compare these two.
I came up with two cool solo licks just jamming along with what you were playing with.
I think exactly like you the 62 is more thiner and delicate from how the notes go out. And the squier get a very beautiful low end and deeper basses but the sound is not as thin as the 62.. Very nice video.👍🤗
Thank you very much. : )
I preferred the Squier Bullet HT for sound. Feel is another thing. The Squier sounded "boomy", more so in the neck position with the enhanced low end.
That's kind of weird, feeling the love the previous owner had with the instrument. I get it though, my Bullet is a 2005, 17 years old today in 2022. I've had it for 3 years and corrected a lot of abuse on it, I don't think it ever played this well because the neck never was shimmed properly for the bridge & saddles. Anyway, you spend enough time & energy making the instrument better enough, it has some of your blood, sweat & tears in it. With the Bullet I have, I felt the original attempt Squier made & later abuses and I put it back to as close as tight new wood as I could and it's so much better for it. I made it mine for lack of a better way of putting it. My saddles aren't decked at a downward angle, the neck isn't decked & the saddle foot screws don't stick out of the saddles to take flesh off my hand. It has pretty much the same neck angle, a flat 1/16 inch shim raised the heel of the neck for low action and my saddles are now level. I raised the pickups and the area between the neck & saddles is 1/16 inch deeper. the sound is more like a modern Affinity Strat. I have one of those too, a 2016, pre-Rosewood ban fretboard. Thinner Rosewood than the 2005 Bullet, but still Rosewood none the less. The previous owner(s) put the Fender laser etched replacement tuners on it. It's my favorite Strat, but the trem block upgrade on the Affinity makes favorite a mater of what my mood is. Outside of that, they are both pretty much OEM Indonesian Corts.
The tint on the 62 is nicer than the painted headstock w/ matte poly finish of the Squier. Is your 62 a worn gloss poly neck finish for the maple ? My Bullet has an experienced yellowish played in gloss tint, the Affinity is the newer matte poly feel. I prefer the Bullet > Affinity neck of the 2 that I have. All I can think to say is to give that Bullet a little love each day, give it a few songs on stage to audition & have it's turn at bat, it might even win a couple of games for you in a performance. When you're older it'll have the Dave Simpson vibe of your lifetime in it. Might even have a memory or few of the venues you played it. It's your new puppy, it's never going to be the old dog you still have or lost, but it loves you with it's own personality, they are like children.
Fantastic playing,,,as a beginner I wish I could play like you