NGD: Squier Cyclone

[sonicmansuperb]

I discovered at a local music store a couple days ago that they had a used Cyclone. So I offered to trade a mexican standard stratocaster from 2002 for it, long story short after a little bit of waiting, I got it with a soft case. Onto the pictures

[Aeon]

. So I offered to trade a mexican standard stratocaster from 2002 for it,

This makes no sense to me. You traded a better guitar for something worse?

Don't get me wrong, I like the aesthetics of the cyclone, but in terms of quality of components, the MIM strat was probably wayyy better. What led you to do this? Just curious.

[hotrodperlmutter]

i wouldn't trade my mim strat for anything except a MIJ/CIJ strat. esp. not for a squier cyclone.

[endsjustifymeans]

Yeah... those usually go for about 150-200 on ebay. You could have probably traded for a Fender Cyclone if that's what you were after?

That being said, I've always loved that guitar in exactly that color... so if it's what you wanted and you play the hell out of it, I'm happy for you.

[sonicmansuperb]

. So I offered to trade a mexican standard stratocaster from 2002 for it,

This makes no sense to me. You traded a better guitar for something worse?

Don't get me wrong, I like the aesthetics of the cyclone, but in terms of quality of components, the MIM strat was probably wayyy better. What led you to do this? Just curious.

I really only lost 30 bucks on the thing, I didn't buy the MIM new, I bought it at a Guitar Center in Akron Ohio after the staff wouldn't talk on a Jag-stang. I've already got a Strat, and I have always wanted a Mustang style guitar.

[Aeon]

I have always wanted a Mustang style guitar.

And so you got... a Strat styled guitar. Besides the shape of the body/pickguard, the cyclone is essentially a stratocaster due to the bridge. The only way you're going to get an offset-style sound is to have the bridge system those guitars employ. Cyclones and Jagmasters are essentially strats with different body shapes in terms of how they sound.

[hotrodperlmutter]

The only way you're going to get an offset-style sound is to have the bridge system those guitars employ. Cyclones and Jagmasters are essentially strats with different body shapes in terms of how they sound.

[sonicmansuperb]

I have always wanted a Mustang style guitar.

And so you got... a Strat styled guitar. Besides the shape of the body/pickguard, the cyclone is essentially a stratocaster due to the bridge. The only way you're going to get an offset-style sound is to have the bridge system those guitars employ. Cyclones and Jagmasters are essentially strats with different body shapes in terms of how they sound.

I compared it hand to hand with the Strat, the only similar sounding aspect was the neck pickup, and that was if I picked around the twelfth fret, Scale length makes a bigger difference in sound than the tremolo style, and I don't use the tremolos on my guitars any way that would fit in a song.

[Will]

I'd say it's mustang style. Same body and such, and the neck is shorter then a strat.

I'm fine with it. $30 isn't crazy and pretty much anything is cooler than a strat.

[sonicmansuperb]

Here is a list of Differences and Similarities.
Difs
Large Headstock
24 3/4 scale
No middle pickup
3-way switch
Neck and Bridge can be combined
Master tone instead of a tone for the non-existant mid and neck pup
Tremolo Feel- This tremolo due to scale length and different springs, it feels more like a floyd rose
Body Shape
Pickguard Shape
Sims
Tremolo
Same Company owner.
Restring method

[Aeon]

I define a strat thusly: bolt on maple neck, alder/ash/similar wood body, and strat-style trem. A stratocaster with humbuckers or P90s or whatever still essentially sounds like a strat, because the way the string vibrates [the origin of sound] is not changing. You can throw a PAF in a stratocaster and it's not going to sound like a Les Paul; it's going to sound like a strat with a PAF in it. Maybe you'd get a bit closer if you had a tune-o-matic bridge installed. Closer still if the neck was set-in and the body was a mahogony/maple archtop. But by then you're not really playing a strat, are you?

Besides the change in scale length, which will change the sound -somewhat-, the sound of a Jagmaster or Cyclone, or any style of guitar for that matter utilizing a bolt on neck construction with a synchronized tremolo will sound essentially 'stratty'.

If you wanted a Mustang sound, get a Mustang. The sound associated with that guitar is mostly coming from the bridge construction, and its effect on the way the strings vibrate. You're not going to get that quick punchy attack and fast decay with a synchronized trem. Pickups are only emphasizing certain frequencies, they aren't changing the fundamental character of a guitar. The only thing Mustang about your cyclone is the shape of the body. Heck, it's not even 24" scale length. (And FWIW I don't think that there is a world's of difference of sound between 24, 24.75, 25, and 25.5 scale lengths assuming all other factors are equal)

I'm only bothering telling you all this because I think you really ought to return that guitar to the store and get your strat back. That $30 would be better spent towards installing a humbucker in your strat and some more switching options if you really want to get that Cyclone's sound (getting neck and bridge both on is a relatively simple mod!). I know for a fact that the hardware on a MIM strat is better than most recent Squier models (until you get into the classic vibe series, anyways), and IIRC the body on the Cyclone is made of something inferior to the alder used on the strat. The strat is a much better platform for modifications and will retain it's value way better. FWIW MIM standards are selling for $499 via musicians friend, and the cyclone you have will never really appreciate in value esp. considering there was a superior Fender version of the model.

OR at the very least you could sell the strat for more and put that towards getting the model you actually want. Getting a used Mustang for $450~ isn't unheard of.

I'm not trying to be a jerk by telling you all this, and by all means if you prefer the Cyclon go ahead and be happy with it, but I just hate to see someone lose out on a deal.

tldr: return it and get your strat back

[skinfrakki]

I have a Strat and a Cyclone. To say they are the same is like comparing Strats to Les Pauls

[Bacchus]

I define a strat thusly: bolt on maple neck, alder/ash/similar wood body, and strat-style trem. A stratocaster with humbuckers or P90s or whatever still essentially sounds like a strat, because the way the string vibrates [the origin of sound] is not changing. You can throw a PAF in a stratocaster and it's not going to sound like a Les Paul; it's going to sound like a strat with a PAF in it. Maybe you'd get a bit closer if you had a tune-o-matic bridge installed. Closer still if the neck was set-in and the body was a mahogony/maple archtop. But by then you're not really playing a strat, are you?

Besides the change in scale length, which will change the sound -somewhat-, the sound of a Jagmaster or Cyclone, or any style of guitar for that matter utilizing a bolt on neck construction with a synchronized tremolo will sound essentially 'stratty'.

If you wanted a Mustang sound, get a Mustang. The sound associated with that guitar is mostly coming from the bridge construction, and its effect on the way the strings vibrate. You're not going to get that quick punchy attack and fast decay with a synchronized trem. Pickups are only emphasizing certain frequencies, they aren't changing the fundamental character of a guitar. The only thing Mustang about your cyclone is the shape of the body. Heck, it's not even 24" scale length. (And FWIW I don't think that there is a world's of difference of sound between 24, 24.75, 25, and 25.5 scale lengths assuming all other factors are equal)

I'm only bothering telling you all this because I think you really ought to return that guitar to the store and get your strat back. That $30 would be better spent towards installing a humbucker in your strat and some more switching options if you really want to get that Cyclone's sound (getting neck and bridge both on is a relatively simple mod!). I know for a fact that the hardware on a MIM strat is better than most recent Squier models (until you get into the classic vibe series, anyways), and IIRC the body on the Cyclone is made of something inferior to the alder used on the strat. The strat is a much better platform for modifications and will retain it's value way better. FWIW MIM standards are selling for $499 via musicians friend, and the cyclone you have will never really appreciate in value esp. considering there was a superior Fender version of the model.

OR at the very least you could sell the strat for more and put that towards getting the model you actually want. Getting a used Mustang for $450~ isn't unheard of.

I'm not trying to be a jerk by telling you all this, and by all means if you prefer the Cyclon go ahead and be happy with it, but I just hate to see someone lose out on a deal.

tldr: return it and get your strat back

What a load of balls.

[benecol]

I'm happy you're happy, and glad that you didn't choose to run it past the committee first.

[Mike]

+1

Aeon is talking out of his arse (again).

[Fran]

You should have traded your Strat in for a VAX by the look of your carpet

Srsly, if your happy thats good. Technically its a worse guitar but them Squier Cyclones are hard to come by where as Strats are ten-a-penny.

[skinfrakki]

Yeah I have a Fender Strat 60th Anniversary and a Squier Jagmaster. I use the Jag more on stage than the strat. Best stage guitar ever

[Noirie.]

I've played one of these was exactly the same. Wasn't great if i remember correctly (weakass pickups, rough frets, etc)

but if your happy with it, good on yer

[Aeon]

Tell me where I'm wrong ya'lls. You can defend the Cyclone all you want, but at the end of the day it's an Indonesian guitar with junk hardware and a 24.75" scale length. The only tonality difference from the strat is the result of a slight scale length change, a mediocre humbucker, and a 3-way switch. It's like those Gibson people who own an SG, an explorer, a flying V, etc... and say that they all sound world's apart when they essentially the same guitar with a different body shape.

Regardless of aesthetics, the Strat at least had better resale value and passable hardware. My whole argument was just to try to convince this guy not to lose out on the deal.

[Bacchus]

Tell me where I'm wrong

the sound of a Jagmaster or Cyclone, or any style of guitar for that matter utilizing a bolt on neck construction with a synchronized tremolo will sound essentially 'stratty'.