Fender Squier ProTone Strat

just about what all strats have.

i like it alot. I bought this off of the internet as a backup for my gisbon sg. I often find myself playing it instead of my sg though. It's really starting to grow on me.

The action was a little low for my liking, but that was nothing a little tweaking couldn't fix. unfortunately two of the frets buzz. Not a terrible buzz, but its still evident when played.

It seems to be doing just fine. I bought it used january of this year (2005) used back from the golden year of 1997. It looks like it was made yesterday. It seems to have held up just fine!

I have never had a reason to call. so i have no expierence that could form an opinion.

I've been playing for about 7 years. I haven't owned too many guitars. I'm more interested in playing them than in shopping for them. It's a very nice guitar, especially for the price. I'd tried out alot of strat style guitars before buying this one-including a usa strat. The sound of course was not AS good as the usa, but very good. Through my amp, it sounds like something you'd have heard in the 1970's. I run my guitars through a jtm600, with a 1960a cabinet. Unto a ds-1 distortion pedal, and a snarling dogs wah pedal. all in all VERY good value. I would recommend this to any guitarist of almost any genre, and any experience level.

The Fender Squier Protone line was made in Korea in 1996 and 1997. Word has it this model was so successful that it was cutting into Fender's USA and MIM strat sales and that's why Fender decommissioned it. Mine is a 1997 trans-aqua solid ash body with flamed maple slim "C" cross-section neck. The fretboard is lacquered maple with 21 frets and black dot position markers. The frets are regular size and nicely finished. The gotoh-type tuners on the small headstock are tight and positive. All the hardware is gold. The S-S-S pickups are alnico staggered pole-piece and have that characteristic 60's strat sound. The pup selector is the standard 5-position strat type. The guitar has the standard strat 1-volume and 2-tone pot config.

I play mostly blues along with some country-rock. My main amp is a self-built all-tube P-to-P wired Fender Deluxe clone. I use a Boss OD-1 when I want more overdrive than what the amp's 6V6's will give me. The guitar has all those sounds you expect from the best strats, ie, as bright or as dark as you want it. The volume and tone controls are positive and quiet. The alnico pickups are hot enough to overdrive nicely when really attacked.

I bought the guitar used but it was very playable just the way it was, with a nice low fast action. I had to adjust the intonation on the 6th string but that was it. A bit of the gold plating had disappeared from one of the pickup mounting screws and from a couple of pickguard screws but that's to be expected on a guitar that's 7 years old. Other than that, this guitar is perfect. Rivals anything Fender has made in the states or Mexico over the last few years.

This guitar seems rock solid. I've had it for a year now and played the bejeezus out of it and it never ceases to amaze me. Easily as good a guitar as any MIM or USA strat made in the last few years, and for a lot less money. The finish is durable and the hardware is standing up well. If you're a "strat man" (or woman) this is all the guitar you need. Treat it with a bit of respect and I'm sure it'll last a lifetime.

I've been playing for over 35 years and have owned many guitars, including 80's Ibanez's, Tokais and other Fenders and Gibsons. One of my favorites was a Strat Plus with gold lace-sensors which I sold 10 years ago. This Protone cost a lot less and I like it every bit as much. This one is bound to become a "classic" so if you get a chance to buy one, go for it. You won't regret it!

Bought used, unkown date of nmanufactur but these were only made for a brief period in the sixties.Classic Strat. This one has a transparent blue finish over a two piece ash body. Gold hardware, vintage style tremelo. vintage alnico pick ups. Classic rounded neck,maple with maple fret board small vintage fretts, sealed tuners. Small headstock.

This guitar sounds like a vintage strat, bright,crisp twangy.I play mostly blues now I can get a Eric Clapton 70-80's type cleaN SOUND AND A bUDDY gUY SOUND.I USE DIFFERENT AMPS. rIGHT NOW I,M MOSTLY USING A cRATE VINTAGE CLOB 30 CLASS a WATTS THROUGH 1X12" FROM 4 el-84'S. I,ve played it through a friends vintage bandmaster and vibrolux through all of them its great..

I bought it used and it was in sad shape.I think anyone who buys a used guitar and doesn't excpect to have to set it up is a bit niave.Their were no defects in the guitar.Took about a half hour and a new set of strings.I,m giving it a ten because the basic parts all were of a great quality and there were no problems setting it up.I've played many strat's and strat like guitars over the years. I first played one of these in a Guitar Center in the mid 90's and this is my 4th pro tone. 2 blue M/N and 2 Sunburst r/w all of thesae guitars were the equal of any strat I,ve ever owned or played. I,ve Had American and Japanese Fenders, and Squires, Tokai's, Fernandez,Ibanez silver series and rodstars.My #1 guitar is an '80's Ibanez roadstar and this feels and plays as well.

As I said thuis guitar is as good as any strat you will find anywere at any price. I never gig without back ups.

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I.ve played on and off for 35 years.I own some 14 guitars I have a few I keep the rest I buy and sell. I play all the guitars I have. I will sell this just because I have a #1,2 and 3 guitar I,ve used for years. My #1 is an customized Ibanez Roadstar. It was the top of the line with a carved birds eye maple cherry sunburst top. I changed the neck to a maple neck and had a high power single coil added in between the two Ibanez humbuckers.#2 is a Fernandez Strat, MIJ r/w fretboard that I painted myself with a metal flake sunburst finish, this pretty much makes it worthless to anyone else so I 'll keep it.Right now I,m trying out humbuker guitars I have a Dillion PRS copy an Electromatic Gretsh Duo-jet,a Jay Turser JT-134 DCV and a dew others.
The pro tones are the absolutly comparable to any strat made by anyone any where at any price.

korean made like all the others. three singles, 5-way selector, maple neck. ugly tan color, but I still love this guitar!

very versatile, you can an ary of different sounds with different pick-up configurations. It sounds like a good strat sounds like, kinda twangy. I play through a 1967 vox pathfinder. good overall sound, I prefer humbuckers over single coils, but I've had this guitar for a long time so I'm very attached.

good action, good bridge, pickups are perfect. The only thing is the bridge was set to high at the back, so I just tightend the tremolo springs and it's great now.

I've had this guitar for 4 years and it's as good if not better than when I first bought it. durable finish. No need for backup with this guitar. and all the pickups and other electronics still work great.

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I've had it for 4 to 5 years. It was my second guitar so I love it. If it were stolen I would try my hardest to get it back, but if I couldn't I buy something with a humbucker. I love the bridge pickup on this guitar though. Good guitar it has served me well over the years.

"Crafted" in Korea. I think it was made in 1996. I've owned it long enough to do a real review. (I love those reviews that say, "I've had this for almost a week and it sucks!") Cream color, 22 frets, maple finger board. 5-way pick up switch, S/S/S configuration. I like a real crunch, so I installed a Duncan JB Junior in the bridge PU slot. Sounds real nice.

Ash body, I believe. Kinda heavy. Nice tremlo system to it. Rarely have the bar installed because that just screems "Grab me!" to a kid. If this guitar ever hit the floor, man, I'd hit the ceiling! No problem with my tuners. Stays in tune very nicely. I may upgrade because it's easy to do, and I understand there is some good aftermarket stuff out there. Came with a deluxe gig bag. Got by on that for 5 years. As I'm falling more in love and appreciating this guitar more, I've gotten a hard shell.

This suits my musical style very well. Play in church for our youth group, rock pretty hard in my garage with friends (Improvisation, VH, SRV, Tom Petty, Eddie Cochran, Ramones, Stones, the Cult). I've got a Fender Deluxe 90 amp. Love that thing. I use a Digitech RP 200 multi effects pedal. That's fun. A butt load of sounds.

You get some hissing. Now that I've read more about single coil hissing and how to fix it, I'm more aware of it though. You can shield your guitar though to stop it.

Nice Strat sound. Nice pick ups. Bight crisp sound via maple finger board. For a good crunch, I often wish I had a rosewood board.

Guitar was set up at the shop where I purchased. No major flaws. I wouldn't cry if there was.

It has a slight finish crack where neck meets body. I think I may have done that though... Duh.

Nice quiet pick up selector. Firm pots. 3 layer pickguard. Nice look.

I wish I could see wood grain...

I play live. Without a back up. No one has paid to see me yet... I'll soon play an open mic. I don't think I'll bring a back up, as I'll be playing only a short time, AND the guitar has been perfect for reliability. I notice that no one else brings a back up. Some guys seem to play all night. No cover charge there. If you're getting paid, you'd better bring a back up.

I put locking strap buttons on all my guitars. Never had a broken neck, but it seems like cheap insurance.

Never had a reason to call.

I've been playing music all my life. Guitar for 7-8 years, maybe more. I've also got a Jay Turser Jazz Box DC, new Silvertone Bass, Peavey Minx 110 bass amp, Deluxe 90 amp, small Crate guitar amp., Marshall half-stack (mini, that is...), my Digitech, 12 picks, 6 chords, Korg tuner, an extra E-string and some unidentified fuzz-like substance in the bottom of my gig bag.

If a Pro Tone sells for less than $200, consider it stolen.

I seem to go through periods of time where I hate and love equipment. I've been loving this guitar for more than a few years. I play it all the time. The reason why I'll never sell it is that last time I started hating it, I played US-made Strats and Les Pauls (ugh, those have a strange feel) in local shops, and they either felt the same or worse. If I had to buy a starter guitar these days, I'd seriously look at the Squire Standard Strat (GREAT feel) or a used Pro Tone.

If it was stolen, I'd be really bummed. I don't know what I'd do. Maybe buy a set-neck Strat (yeah, that'd ease the pain). I'm not sure if they made Japanese set-necks, so it'd probably be US-made. That'll be the next big purchase. I'd research set-necks with shielded electronics.

sunburst, ash body, great finish! Tremolo is great, but I'll replace with lefthand tremolo.

I use Boss BD-2 and MT-2 trough Marlboro sound works combo (50W), It sounds good, a bit noisy, great tone almost for every style! but i replaced these stock pickups to Fender Texas Special, because i play Blues, and i wanted more middle and bass. Now this guitar sounds Very Good!!!!

When I bought this guitar, strings were too high, but i made it good!

no problems....

don't need...

For this price, you cannot get better instrument! buy it!

ash body,tobacco sunburst,finish excellent. thin neck w/satin finish replaced a good trem system with an american fender system. didn't need to replace the pickups they are great.

using this great guitar through a hot rodded 72 fender twin and a 64 fender super reverb. i play classic rock, blues and a little country. what a hot sound!!!!

Very Good

i play live quite a bit, very reliable

i have been playing for 40 years. i use MJ guitars, which i love. i checked out american strats before i bought this one. it is FAR superior to the strats made here in the good ole USA.

This guitar has great features for the price. It was "Crafted in KOrea". I think it has 22 frets. Its has one volume control and two tone controls. its has three pickups one of which is diagonal. That allows great real stratocaster sound. A nicefeature has to be the Ebony fretbord with pearl fret dots. It has nice and shiny silver hardware. Mines black and has the ash brown body inside the black. I'm a pretty good guitar player I just don't know all these fucking terms like whast kind of hardware it has and shit. I just know this guitar has great looks and great sound.

I like to play kind of a fast type of rock with fire and emotion in it. You need a good guitar for the deep and changing tones and this has great sound for it. One bad part of this guitar is when you put it on the treble pickup it can sometimes buzz ..... Doesn't matter to me because cause i like deep not as scratchy tone. The tone is very rich and is definatly better than 250$. This tone is as good as and 1500$ strat tone.

The set up is so well configured I'd even say it is better than my 900$ strat's by far. I like the pickup layout alot, 3 single pickups one curved.The only problemed i noticed is that the bolt around the plug in comes loose. But that happens with alot of guitars.

THis guitar would be great for live playing. It has the looks and great sound , It's light, and easy to play. The hardware has lasted me about a year and trust me ,it's good . This is the kind of guitar for a clumbsy player thats good and expeienced. So if it gets danmaged it's not too expensive to replace.

WHO CARES ABOUT THIS IM REVEWING A GUITAR HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT THE FUKCING COMPANY OR WHATVEVER

Ive been playing about uh... maybe 1-3 years I don't really keep track. I own a deluxe fatstrat, a great guitar processor, a couple roadhog stereocables, a cry baby wah peddle thing,a rocktron r20 amp, a voxbull dog amp,a tuner, ok and im tired of listing almost everyone has this stuff.

If this guitar was stolen I would hunt down te robbber and KILL HIM HAHAHA....Nah I'd just be pissed atleast i'd still have my fender fatstrat still...hehe.i wouldnt waste money on another guitar one would be fine.I love this guitar and it loves me back with great sound I like to kiss it... notreally. I compare it to all sorts of guitars .. to tell the truth the only guitar I found better was a gibson les paul... those r damn good waste of money too

I'm guessing that these guitars were made in the mid to late 90"s ?
Real Swamp Ash body, 3 piece, But, It's impossible to find a 1 piece body unless it's from the Custom Shop.
Mine has a Translusive Blood Red Rosewood fretboard and all gold hardware.
Bridge has the 6 seperate piece like the old Pre-CBS strats do.
Nice Staggered Pole Pick Ups that sound every bit as good as a USA Strat sounds.
Mine came with a fender Gigbag.

Sound's exactly like a true Stratocaster should.
Play's and sound's Great !!
I love the Twang it has !!

Hard to believe that this is made in Korea ? Excuse me, It say's "Crafted in Korea"......

The action in great, I play 9's on mine.
Finish is stunning, Translusive Blood Red with Plenty of Wavey Gravey Grain in the Body. Swamp Ash, Nice and Light !!

The one & only Flaw that i could find was; Some of The Pickguard screws were stripped out, Same with the back plate covering the Tremolo. They don't fall out, But, When you tightien them up, They just kepp going around forever.....
No Big Deal !!

I've had this guitar now for 2 years, Usually, I would never own a Korean Nor a japanese, But, I heard about these Protone Guitars, I had to try one out, I've had USA Strats before, These measure every bit up to a USA Strat. How they can sell them so cheap, I'll never know ?

Never had to call before......

I have been playing since 1968.
If it got stolen ? I would get another one as long as i could get one at the price that i bought mine for.

I have noticed that there are Tons of Protone Necks for sale on the Internet, Something tells me that people are Putting USA Necks on the Protones and selling them as USA Swamp Ash body Strats ?? $1000.00 ?