Separated at birth (slight return)

This is the affordable Squier Bullet HH- looks simple & attractive if you are an objective player, shopping on a budget.

The Aria STG 005 bears an uncanny resemblance (save for some differences) & it's less than $160... I played this guitar a few days ago at Davis GMC, I won't hesitate to recommend it to those in need of an above average player that's very reasonably priced.

Squier Jaguar bass

Squier has this new Jaguar Bass SS (Vintage Modified series) which sports a shorter scale length (30"); it's too attractive (for me) to ignore.

Selling: Squier Hot Rails Strat

That's right- my Squier Hot Rails Strat is for SALE: $399. It's currently set up with very low action sporting a set of .009 strings, condition: 9/10. Bag included. Do I have any more discount for this guitar upon confirmation? That's for you to find out...

Squier VMs: Jaguar & Jazzmaster

These are the new Squier Vintage Modified offerings this 2011; the Jaguar HH...

...& the Jazzmaster.

In the true spirit of Squier economics, both guitars sport a much simplified bridge & controls.The Jag & JM spirit lives on in the overall outline of the instruments. While I'm definitely interested in both guitars, I'm inclining towards the JM for its maple fretboard.

Squier: Hot Rails Strat

At the close of 2010, my final guitar purchase was Squier's Deluxe Hot Rails Strat. It's nothing fancy despite what the name suggested; a basswood body, 22-fretted guitar but...

...equipped with a trio of Duncan Designed HR-101 humbuckers. Yes, these are indeed the budget reproduction of Seymour Duncan's Hot Rails pickups but they aren't to be marginalized just because they are of Eastern origins. If you like saturated distortion, the HRs are superb for the job. I considered this guitar after reading the manufacturer's spec sheet; it actually sports a basswood body so I thought it'd be a perfect complement for the pickups (the HRs, should they replicate the original Duncan's pickup specs, would be a solid performer with a neutral body- nothing too inherently bright & massive) & given the right amp, it's a wonderful player indeed.

Sonic retainer

My first tinkering for 2011..

...is the swapping of my (Squier) Duo-Sonic string retainer. I have the rounded version in place of the former, 'vintage' version. The rounder version is more responsive to tuning, it is also devoid of sharp edges so it reduces the chances of string snapping at this part of the headstock.