"It’s fair to say that the design of this model will divide people, but what isn’t up for debate is this Strat’s build quality": Squier Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster review

The cat is out of the bag – Squier’s famous feline-themed Strat is back and better than ever… but it's also pricier

Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster
(Image: © Olly Curtis / Future)

Guitar World Verdict

Looking past the Hello Kitty attire, underneath is a remarkably well-made Strat that is seriously playable and a lot of fun. That said, the Fender-Designed humbucker leaves much to be desired, while the higher price tag makes us wonder exactly who this new model is aimed at.

Pros

  • +

    An improvement on the original

  • +

    Very comfortable neck

  • +

    Impeccably finished

Cons

  • -

    Pricy compared to the original

  • -

    Machine heads aren’t the greatest

  • -

    Pickup could be better

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Squier Limited Edition Hello Kitty Stratocaster: What is it?

There’s no doubt that if you are a regular consumer of six-string-related content on social media, you’ll have come across a hot-shot virtuoso ironically putting a bubblegum pink feline-clad Strat through its paces. Well, the electric guitar in question is the original run of Hello Kitty-inspired Affinity Strats from 2006, and since then, the guitar has gone on to garner a cult following, with second-hand prices skyrocketing in recent years.

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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Build qualityVery well put together.★★★★☆
PlayabilitySeriously comfortable neck.★★★★☆
SoundsLacks bass and the mids are muddy.★★★☆☆
OverallThis is a good guitar with a unique look, but lacks tone.★★★1/2

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Daryl Robertson
Senior Deals Writer

Daryl is a Senior Deals Writer at Guitar World, where he creates and maintains our 200+ buyer's guides, finds the best deals on guitar products, and tests the latest gear. His reviews have been featured in prominent publications like Total Guitar, Future Music magazine, and MusicRadar.com.

During his career, he has been lucky enough to talk to many of his musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of Sum 41, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Feeder, Thrice, and more. In a past life, Daryl worked in music retail. For a little under a decade, he advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the right gear for their needs. 

Daryl is also a fully qualified sound engineer, holding a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay.