I got this one buy looking on Craigslist list and sending low ball offers. About two years ago I was fiddling around with acoustics in the local guitar shop without paying attention to price or brand when I came across this beautiful guitar that felt so good and projected so well that I bought it even though I hadnt planned on purchasing. Heres the good news Fenders child company, Squier, makes a cheaper version of the famous axe thats more accessible for the Average Joe. Where the difference lies is not in the choice of tonewood, rather in the amount of detailed attention paid to quality control during the manufacturing process. Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! A squire was my first guitar, and even though its not the best sounding thing in the world, its still a great starter. To put it simply, Squier offer budget versions of Fender guitars. at Costco for $125, mostly on a lark but primarily because it had a Fender insignia on it. Just take a look at the Affinity HSS Stratocaster Electric Guitar Pack. My sister has an Alvarez also its normally a 1000$ guitar but plays like a high end Taylor would highly recommend an Alvarez. The most fundamental difference between the guitarsthe choice of tonewoodis the primary component to thank for the decrease in both price and tone. I Have had the pleasure of playing Les Paul Customs,Frnder American Strats and Mexican strats and now have a Squire strat (very low end,I purchased for about $400) Im just a Left handed player (strike one against me) That makes it difficult to walk into any shop to sit down,grab what I want and play (strike 2) so right now,Im stuck with this one.It looks great,the feel is awful,sounds terrible, and not knowing how to make this thing sound the way I want it to?? Get Directions | For example, the Squier Bullet Strat has a basswood body, which may absorb some high frequencies most (though not all) Fender Strat bodies are made from alder. 5501 U.S. Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 I just dont know!! Thank you for your request. Ash typically delivers more brightness on higher frequencies, while alder provides a deeper low-end. Regardless of where you are in your playing career, Id definitely recommend trying one out you might be pleasantly surprised! The first question I always get when discussing Squier as a cheaper alternative to Fender is: Well, is it the same as Fender? The answer to this question is: NO but, well, kind of. Thanks to Squier, both entry-level and working musicians on a budget can be proud owners of the most recognizable guitar model of all time. Whilst a Fender guitar is the better instrument, its not always the best option if youre trying to go easy on your wallet. The Strats sound like Strats and the Teles sound like Teles, plus theyre built well and theyre great to play. But maybe try a Squire before you spend too much money on a fender, because Squires still trade in decent. Squires arent awful. Squier was acquired by Fender in 1965 and started producing cheaper Strats, Teles and more in the 80s. A Sweetwater Sales Engineer will get back to you shortly. Sweetwater's Sales Engineers have the experience to help! All over the world, aspiring rockers dream of the day they can own a Stratocaster - after all, they've made their way to the hands of countless legendary artists, including Dick Dale, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Billy Corgan. Squier and Epiphone top models are as easily as good as bottom models of Strat and Gibson and probably as good as guitars two and three teirs up. Online orders dispatching as normal. Phone Hours | I have a number of acoustic guitars, including a Taylor (which I regret ever buying) and a Martin. This is my go to acoustic now. Comparatively, basswood may sound a bit blurred-out across the frequencies, with less acuteness in the tone production. Also the Affinity Strats and Affinity Teles by Squier are probably better for a beginner on a budget. You cant just look at the brand and expect a quality playing experienceeven from the same company. The Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified Squiers are under 500 and they sound amazing, almost as good as a Fender. The body of the Squier is a little bit softer and lighter than the Fender, and the finish job will be less pristine. But, its pretty damn close. Fantastic value and a great budget way to get your hands on such an iconic guitar. A great guitar for first-time and early beginning players who want classic tones in an easy-to-play electric guitar that's incredibly affordable. Available in a wide range of colors for both right and left-handed players, Squier Stratocasters represent everything that makes the company so respected in today's music scene: beautifully-crafted guitars at an affordable price. Again,Being a lefty player for over 30 years,I would Never play A Low end Squire.Right now,its wall art,sadly. Squier Classic Vibe 50s Strat in Sherwood Green. Modern electronics make the specific guitar less important with the modelling available. ( yup,strike 3) and In the long run,is it worth it, just because it is the particular colors I desire? The string manufacturing continued, but under the name of Fender, which meant the Squier name became buried in history as a bygone brand that is, until 1982, when Squier by Fender produced its first guitar: the Squier JV, or Japanese Vintage. I tinker until I get the right sound or sometimes I just stumbled on something I like. For the price, it absolutely cannot be beat. The hardware is slightly lower quality, but replacing the tuners and pots at some point is a small price to pay when youre already saving hundreds of dollars. Bottom Line: I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars (in the budget guitar department). Home Electric Guitars The Ultimate Squier Stratocaster Review. I got it for 300$ and its easily one of the best acoustic guitars Ive ever seen. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Your email, test has been entered to win this giveaway. We want to spread the love for music to anyone with the heart to play. Also, if youre going for an American made Fender, its going to hold its value much better than a Squier made in the Far East. I have been playing 25 years and always longed for those expensive guitars when I was younger. A lot of people complain how it sounds tinny, and it does, but for $200-$500 guitar, the Squire is not god awful for a starter. When jumping on the Squier boat, replacing the tuners with some higher-quality ones will be a quick and cheap upgrade that youll thank yourself for later. Most Squiers are made using cheaper woods, pickups and hardware a saving that is then passed on to you. But just remember: when youre shredding and the crowd is going wild, nobody is going to pay any attention to the fact that youre playing a Squier instead of a Fender. But remember that things like upgrades and feel are matters of personal preference, so the most important thing here is to know what youre looking for. If youre a gigging guitarist, having a Squier as a backup for your Fender can mean youve got a spare guitar, should you snap a string or something. But the wood is the same and should deliver comparable tone. Im all in for under $300 and I have a guitar that plays now like many Fender Strats Ive had in my hands. You also might find that, through a distorted amp, you get more feedback from the Squier. OK. Tone-wise, the Squier is a tad bit less rich than the Fender and displays less tonal complexity, but its not by a huge margin. Our product catalog varies by country due to manufacturer Along with the guitars themselves, Squier also specializes in value packs. From twangy highs to creamy mellows, the sound of a Strat has long been a favorite with musicians of many tastes and playing styles, and a model from Squier is a great way to get closer acquainted with the instrument. all of the items in your cart may not ship to the I got a used American strat at a steal and its my go to guitar, but I wouldnt buy another one at the regular price. Also, it should be noted that Squier tuners arent quite as reliable as the Fender ones. You might see other Fender copies around produced by other brands, but none of these are in partnership with the real deal Squier is. I was raving about the value to the kid at the chain guitar store, and I could tell he thought I was just some idiot. The 2nd is as dumb as the first. I replaced the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan humbuckers, which makes it a poor mans PRS. One guy rejected me, but a month later messaged to ask if the offer was still good. Squiers are used a lot by guitarists just starting out, though more experienced players and even pros play them too. So, what is the difference between Fender and Squier? Humbucker vs Single Coil: Which is Best for You? As a wannabe Randy Rhoads I put a hot rails in the bridge. Your email address will not be published. There's something truly classic about the look of 2-tone Sunburst, and up-and-coming southpaws will be happy to know that Squier Strats in this color are very easy to find. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. The sound may not be there because of the electronics, but for a modest investment I have a Strat pretender that plays like a dream. Founded in the late 1800s by Victor Carrol Squier in Michigan, its remarkable that the company remained independent until 1965the big year when Fender purchased Squier. If youre just starting out, the sound of your pickups or the thickness of your finish might not matter as much as it would to someone who has been playing for years and is familiar with the alternatives. I started with a squier strat when I first started playing. Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster HSS Maple Fingerboard Left-Handed Ele Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster Left-Handed Electric Guitar, Used Squier Bullet Stratocaster With Tremolo Solid Body Electric Guitar, Used Squier 2020 Classic Vibe 1950S Stratocaster Solid Body Electric Guitar, California Transparency In Supply Chains Act. The quality control on Fender guitars generally tends to be better than that of the Squiers. 2021 Reidys Home of Music. Throw on some good distortion or modulation effects and the difference will be even less noticeable. Ever since then, beginners have been able to get these legendary guitars, without having to spend big money on a Fender. If you really want to tinker, you will have at least $300 to $400 worth of space to add different pickups and make the guitar what you really want. ), it just isnt practical for everyone, and with prices ranging from $600 to several thousand dollars, depending on the year and model, a nice Stratocaster can be extraordinarily elusive. While it was never goo it to sound like a federal, it actually played really nice. While some of us may be able to dish out several months paychecks on an instrument (who needs to eat, anyway? 1. While I absolutely make no claims that the Squier Bullet Strat sounds identical to Fender Stratocasters, it does still sound great. When using a Squire the answer is no. On the surface, they look very similar so understandably, something we often get asked is what is the difference between Squier and Fender?. Thank you for your request. new destination. Both Fender and Squier make many of the same models Strats, Teles, Jaguars, Jazzmasters, Jazz Basses, P-Basses and so on. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is the 2nd article from you guys that Ive read. This site uses cookies to provide and improve your shopping experience. The main difficulty to overcome with the purchase of a Squier is gulp your pride. Along with the killer Affinity Strat HSS guitar, this collection also includes a punchy 15-watt Fender Frontman 15G amp, tuner, gig bag, strap, picks, cable and even an instructional DVD. Feel and ease of play are the most important factors. and alder. Squier are manufactured in the Far East, where labour tends to be cheaper; Fender on the other hand are made mostly in Mexico, Japan and America though the Modern Player range is made in China, and there have been a few made in Korea too. (800) 222-4700. Does your hand not fit around the neck? Logic Pro vs Pro Tools: Which is the Best DAW for You? We may receive compensation from the companies whose products we review. Consider swallowing your pride and trying out a Squier Bullet Strat. The guy couldnt believe how hard it was to get his asking price of $800. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Learn More. Squier Stratocaster Limited-Edition Electric Guitar Pack With Squier Frontm Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Pack with Fender Fr Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT Electric Guitar, Squier Bullet Stratocaster Hardtail Limited-Edition Electric Guitar, Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar, Squier Affinity Mini Stratocaster V2 Electric Guitar, Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar, Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HH Electric Guitar, Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster Electric Guitar. If you want to benefit from this improved service, please opt-in. Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster FMT HSS Maple Fingerboard Electric Guit Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster HSS Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar, Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold Edition Electric Guitar, Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar, Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar. If you change the Ship-To country, some or Equipped with three single coil pickups, this axe is a perfect way to enjoy playing those iconic Hendrix riffs. I wanted to add that the fender is my go to because it is the most versatile option I have. That said, basswood is nonetheless a reputable wood for electric guitars and has been used not only on budget guitars, but by high-end guitar manufacturers as well. Back in the 60s, Fender bought V.C. 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