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Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT - Sunset Metallic

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 3 Single-coil Pickups - Sunset Metallic
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Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT - Sunset Metallic
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Contemporary Strat with a Novel Sound

The Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT puts a new twist on a Sweetwater favorite with several novel, unique upgrades. Starting with eye-catching black hardware and a painted headstock with sharp chrome logos, the Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT makes it known that this isn’t your ordinary Strat. But where things get really interesting is in the unique pickup configuration that puts all three single-coil pickups on a slant and shifts the middle pickup closer to the bridge, resulting in a totally new Strat sound. On top of that, the Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT boasts an eminently playable roasted maple neck with a speed-promoting 12-inch radius fingerboard. Surely made for adventurous guitar players, the Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT is a bold addition to the Strat lineage!

Unique pickup configurations for all-new tones

What makes the Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT so . . . “special”? Its totally unique pickup configuration, of course! The Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT’s pickup set comprises three angled Squier SQR alnico single-coils with the middle pickup scooched closer to the bridge, allowing you to access never-before-heard sounds. Plus, with special switching options available on its 5-position blade, you’ll be blown away by the amount of tonal variation from this idiosyncratic axe!

5-position blade with special switching options

  • Position 1: Bridge and Middle (Series, Hum-Cancelling)
  • Position 2: Middle
  • Position 3: Middle and Neck (Parallel)
  • Position 4: Bridge, Middle, and Neck
  • Position 5: Neck

Ultra-stable roasted maple neck

Lead players will enjoy exploring the Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT’s quick, comfortable roasted maple neck, whose 12-inch radiused fingerboard flattens out toward the body to facilitate faster playing styles. Jumbo frets make bends and vibratos a cinch, too. Additionally, a sculpted neck heel enables high-register exploration without the struggle of a traditional heel!

Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Electric Guitar Features:

  • A new twist on the classic Stratocaster design
  • 3 Squier SQR alnico single-coils in a unique configuration
  • 5-position blade with special switching options
  • Fast, comfortable Slim “C” maple neck with 12-inch radiused fingerboard and jumbo frets
  • Painted ’70s-era jumbo headstock with chrome logos
  • Premium black hardware, including hardtail bridge and die-cast sealed tuners

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Solidbody
  • Body Shape Contemporary Stratocaster
  • Body Material Poplar
  • Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
  • Color Sunset Metallic
  • Neck
  • Neck Material Roasted Maple
  • Neck Shape C
  • Neck Joint Bolt-on
  • Radius 12"
  • Fingerboard Material Indian Laurel
  • Fingerboard Inlay Pearloid Dots
  • Number of Frets 22, Jumbo
  • Scale Length 25.5"
  • Nut Width 1.650"
  • Nut Material Graphite
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece 6-Saddle String-through body
  • Tuners Die-cast Sealed
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup Squier SQR Alnico Single-coil
  • Middle Pickup Squier SQR Alnico Single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup Squier SQR Alnico Single-coil
  • Controls 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
  • Switching 5-way blade pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings Nickel Plated Steel, .009-.042
  • Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 0370235570

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Big Surprise!

I will preface this by saying that I did not buy this guitar from Sweetwater, though I have bought MANY guitars here in the past and have never once had a negative experience. Sweetwater service is top notch. I found this guitar used for a ridiculously low price, so low I really couldn't not get it. It came to me in near mint condition. The pickup layout here intrigued me. Couple that with the cool metallic burst finish, roasted maple neck, and painted headstock and buying this was a no-brainer. What surprised me right off the bat was the build quality and the wonderful thick neck! I like a bigger neck, and the neck on these is thicker than on any Squire guitar I've ever had. I've owned several Classic Vibe Strats, Teles, and a Jaguar and Jazzmaster and this guitar has a much thicker neck and honestly nicer fretwork than any of them! I own a Fender American Pro II Telecaster with the claimed "modern Deep C" neck profile. This Squier is noticeably chunkier than even that one! It came with perfect neck relief and great action straight out of the box. I've had the guitar for a month and played it FAR more than I thought I would because the stock pickups and switching options sound great. I had a set of Player Series Strat pickups sitting around and I planned to put them in this guy but I've changed my mind. I don't want to risk it not sounding as good as these stock pickups do. Position 2 on the 5-way switch is all 3 pickups on, and it sounds full and gorgeous, a surprisingly usable tone. I finally got around to setting the guitar up yesterday and put on a set of EB Slinky 10-46. Fresh strings made this even more of a joy to play. I also swapped in a set of matching black Hipshot locking tuners (no reaming of holes required!). The stock black tuners are adequate but the lockers are a big improvement. I tend to put them on everything. Another thing is this guitar is super LIGHT weight. It's close to 2lbs lighter than my alder bodied Strats, which is immediately noticeable and welcome! The output jack is on the side on this, and it's a nice change! I am liking this oddball guitar so much that I think I'm going to copy its wiring scheme into another of my more expensive Strats. I'm so glad I took a chance on this. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another new if I lost this one. SO worth the money.
Music background: I've been playing for over 30 years. I'm a serious hobbyist; guitar, bass, and keys.
Rated 5/5

My Favorite Electric Ever

Had never seriously considered nor understood the Squier Contemporary Strat until I played one out of curiosity one day at a local Indie Music store. They only had the white/black one in stock, but I was blown away by the tone of the SQR pickups and the overall playability! Later learned that the voicing and angled, alternative spacing of these single coils allow this guitar to deliver familiar Strat sounds with a little added coloration. The roasted neck and split shaft tuners are other features that appeal to me, personally. Anyway, when I saw this model in metallic sunburst, I was smitten and knew I just had to have one. My Sales Engineer, Daniel Rivera-Tre, as always, was there to help me place my order and get it shipped quite quickly. BAM......Couldn't be happier with it. Arrived in perfect condition. Maybe I was just lucky, but it played perfectly right out-of-the-box. Feels like a guitar that has actually been set-up or plek'ed. Sweetwater team did a great job inspecting and packaging this guitar for shipment. This not only has become my Favorite Strat ever, but it's the electric that I always grab first and play more than any other. Records really well, too. Thank You, Daniel and Sweetwater!
Music background: Musician, Singer-Songwriter, Guitarist, Home Recorder & Producer
Rated 3.5/5

Pleasantly Surprised

I was looking for a unique and cheap Strat to use as a format to upgrade for gigs. I traditionally buy US made guitars by Fender, Gibson, PRS and will. When I ordered it, I had Sweetwater upgrade the pups to Fender hot vintage noiseless and Fender locking tuners, as well as slotting the nut for GHS 10-46 Boomers. I contemplated upgrading the Chinese bridge and neck.
When I received the guitar, the upgrades had been done first rate. The OEM 12" neck was a surprise. It was straight and the frets were smooth-well dressed. Better than the fret jobs coming out of Mexico. Bridge is nice, too. This is now a relatively low cost great Strat.
WARNING: I added strap locks. The button screws used on this guitar are much smaller diameter. So, I had to enlarge the screw holes.
Music background: Gigging lead guitarist.
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