Affinity Junior

Fender's Junior end of things now include the above Squier model; it's an HSS Strat featuring the oversized 70s headstock (yes!). Junior here refers to the scaled down body dimensions (90% of the standard outline) plus a 24" scale length. This isn't something special as the standard sized Jaguar are indeed 24" in scale length. The fretboard is laurel & frets go up to 20 only. 

Pics: Fender Japan

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Thanks for you generous contributions: Brother Juzryn

Review quickie: Fender Super Sonic

Background 

• The Super Sonic started off as a Squier. It was part of the Vista Series (1997, made in Japan) together with the Venus, Jagmaster & Musicmaster models. 
• The Super Sonic then became a member of the Pawn Shop series (Mexico) with both humbuckers slanted.
• The Super Sonic was re-introduced as a Squier model in 2020 as part of the Paranormal Series.
• The current limited edition Super Sonic (Japan) is a replication of the original Squier version with only the bridge pickup slanted. It features a basswood body, Dragster humbuckers, 2 volume controls & 24" scale length. The 75th Anniversary decal is printed on the headstock rear but the Super Sonic is not a commemorative model in conjunction with this anniversary.

Construction / fit / finish

• First class treatment from the Japanese factory, high standards all round
• Whammy felt a little stiff in use

Playability / tone

• C-profile neck has a chunky feel.
• Cutaways were designed for maximum upper fret access, will appease the shred camp
• Dragster pickups sound flat; neither excellent clean nor menacing under intense distortion. Lacks a tone control to provide tone variation but putting both humbuckers on simultaneously with differentiated volume levels for each pickups provide some consolation.

Conclusion

This is an identity crisis offset Fender guitar which is still a beloved model today. That quirky look is a visual escape from the usual Fender offerings & stamps a firm deviation identity on the user. Playability-wise, despite its mutant outline, is excellent. The chunky rounded neck profile would put both Fender & Gibson fans at home in terms of feel. It has a residual appeal to the shredders among us as upper fret access is superior to the average Strat / Tele. The potential deal-breaker here are the Dragster pickups which sounded flat from the get-go, compounded by the fact that no tone control exists to sculpt the sonic offerings. Remember, this is a 24" instrument & will never snap like a Strat / Tele. Personally, I find the price repulsive.

Final rating: 85%

Fender Super Sonic ($1,699)

• Availability: Swee Lee
• Bag included

Pic: Gearnews

Fender Juniors

New by Fender Japan - the Junior Collection. The very inclusion of 'junior' here would naturally invoke a student profile but that's not the case. For those smaller built players, there's the Mini series which are currently in the Squier range. The Junior features a 24" scale length which is not a strange measurement for Fender - the Jaguar is 24". The basswood body size is reduced by about 5% & chambered but not entirely, enough to match the reduced scale length.

There's the Telecaster version as well.

I sincerely feel the Jazzmaster version is unnecessary. As mentioned before, the Jaguar is already sporting a 24" scale length but I guess the reduced body size is the difference that necessitates this inclusion. 

The Jr collection also includes a bass - the Jazz bass. However, like my Jazzmaster sentiment, it's unnecessary as the Mustang bass sports the exact, reduced scale length - 30". A P-bass version would be a wiser consideration. Looking forward to see these here.

Pics: Fender Japan

Longest & shortest

I had these two guitars out today: Ibanez RGD320 & Squier Duo-Sonic, the former sporting the longest scale length in my line-up (26.5") & the latter, the shortest (24").

I started with the RGD as the longer scale length helped me warm up; some slow, doom-type riffing then moving on to licks & finally all out acceleration.

Switching to the Duo-Sonic put me in 'rest' mode despite still playing on. I did not feel the strain of having to stretch-fret my notes & this helped me play faster of sorts. Psychological really; it's the human mind interpreting 'lesser strain' as 'going faster'.

Sonic Rails

This is my latest commitment; the DUNCANization of my Squier Duo-Sonic.

I'm growing fond of the Duo-Sonic's 24" scale length which matches very well with the .0095 (D'Addario) set of strings. I've also been using it for some intense drive-type music hence the consideration of having a pair of humbuckers in there:

• Neck: Seymour Duncan Cool Rails
• Bridge: Seymour Duncan Hot Rails
  

The Duo-Sonic comes with a ready, full-size humbucker routing should you wish to have some of your favourite pickups in there.

Of course, not forgetting the master who is responsible for this make-over: BEEZ the magnificent. Thank you, sir!!