It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:07 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 46 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Author Message
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:19 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:23 pm
Posts: 101
Location: Southeast US
Wow! What a thread!

I've been playing 30 years and have a fine '85 MIJ Telecaster, Alvarez D28 copy acoustic and a Rick "Wave" solid body, and recently bought my oldest daughter a Squier Strat "Stop Dreaming" kit at GC. I figured it would make an OK backup if she decided to quit playing. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality for the money. The Squier ain't bad for a "cheap" guitar, and Lord knows, I've seen quite a few at Walmart that I might use to paddle a canoe. It plays fine for what it is, plus I've got band mate who plays one through a POD XT Live who can flat wear it out! We both have families to support, so we can't exactly go to GC and pick out $1000 guitars that often anyway! :)

I have to agree with LilBoyBlues and Gravity Jim about spending wads of cash to initiate someone into guitar. Try buying a clarinet on time and taking a few hundred dollar loss when the child loses interest! Been there, done that! All that said, The Squier kits aren't bad. If I had an improvement for them I would recommend that they do a little better job on the fret ends as they need filing and tend to grab the chord hand. I haven't played it much, so I'll get back to you all with further impressions, maybe after I take a file to that fretboard! :lol:


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:39 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:42 am
Posts: 258
telecaster1987 wrote:
Wow! What a thread!

I've been playing 30 years and have a fine '85 MIJ Telecaster, Alvarez D28 copy acoustic and a Rick "Wave" solid body, and recently bought my oldest daughter a Squier Strat "Stop Dreaming" kit at GC. I figured it would make an OK backup if she decided to quit playing. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality for the money. The Squier ain't bad for a "cheap" guitar, and Lord knows, I've seen quite a few at Walmart that I might use to paddle a canoe. It plays fine for what it is, plus I've got band mate who plays one through a POD XT Live who can flat wear it out! We both have families to support, so we can't exactly go to GC and pick out $1000 guitars that often anyway! :)

I have to agree with LilBoyBlues and Gravity Jim about spending wads of cash to initiate someone into guitar. Try buying a clarinet on time and taking a few hundred dollar loss when the child loses interest! Been there, done that! All that said, The Squier kits aren't bad. If I had an improvement for them I would recommend that they do a little better job on the fret ends as they need filing and tend to grab the chord hand. I haven't played it much, so I'll get back to you all with further impressions, maybe after I take a file to that fretboard! :lol:


That's not bad advice at all...

Anyways.....This is a non marketing guy who has spent time in marketing in other industries tossing in his 2 cents...

It seems that after reading all of these responses, by and large people are satisfied with what they buy. But....how could they improve?

Perhaps it's the argument that this is an instrument that can be customized at an affordable price. (In other words....it's something that can grow with you, and perhaps it's a question of a "Personalize your Squire!" campaign.)

How could Squire benefit from this? Well, in another thread I tossed out some ideas on how Squire could team up with other manufacturers to put out limited runs of "customized guitars"...You could start with pickup manufacturers, send one to a renowned luthier and make a limited run based on specs of a Squire he/she modified, or dumping active electronics from a computer company like Apple. (Even giving it a transparent pickguard and including a slot for a memory card for recording.)

Perhaps in case of a question of image...limited runs of "customized" guitars with other manufacturers engaging in a partnership (which would be collector items since they were limited runs) and a campaign that implies that the Squire is the most affordable and highest quality product available that can be customized with the end result at a mid-price range for a solid-body electric that fits the player perfectly because the player himself made the choices.

(They could even include recommendations for customizing based on some artists and what might be ideal for a genre or subgenre of music.)

And if a limited run guitar has successful results....they they could incorporate them on the higher end Fenders...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:59 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:08 pm
Posts: 2472
Location: Virginia
I have been enjoying this thread, BUT ITS SPELLED S-Q-U-I-E-R!
ImageImageImage

Perhaps if you spelled the name correctly, that would improve Squiers image a bit because usually you will find more SQUIER guitars than SQUIRE guitars in stores.

_________________
RAMA LAMA FA FA FA


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:47 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:58 pm
Posts: 779
Location: Miami
Quote:
I have been enjoying this thread, BUT ITS SPELLED S-Q-U-I-E-R!


Perhaps if you spelled the name correctly, that would improve Squiers image a bit because usually you will find more SQUIER guitars than SQUIRE guitars in stores.


There are advantages to having the guitar right next to you while you are posting. Glad I haven't sanded the headstock.

I just can't help but wonder what all those corporate fat cats including marketing guys where thinking when they kept letting the car builders continue to make 12 MPG SUVs which currently reside in unsold vehicle lots. Workers lives are getting ruined as the assembly lines get cut. Did they not understand that consumers couldn't afford the gas anymore?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:47 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:42 am
Posts: 258
bowlfreshener wrote:
I have been enjoying this thread, BUT ITS SPELLED S-Q-U-I-E-R!
ImageImageImage

Perhaps if you spelled the name correctly, that would improve Squiers image a bit because usually you will find more SQUIER guitars than SQUIRE guitars in stores.


Whoops!

:oops:

I saw it spelled that way and subconsciously rolled with it. Hmmm....


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:02 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:50 pm
Posts: 54
Location: Canada
i really don't know whats wrong with the Squier brand besides its image.

the guitars are looked down upon by every friend i know who plays guitar. i was talking to him about how i was going to get a Squier Tele Custom [Vintage Blond] and he told me "dude Squiers suck" [he prefers BC Rich or Gibson]

the only Squier he likes is the '51 -- which he had planned to buy except they had discontinued it...

i disagree with the price raising of Squiers -- because they're basically an entry level of brand for Fender -- which is aimed at students like me who's just starting to play guitar.

i don't expect beginners to buy a really expensive guitar for their first. :?
[i've seen spoiled brats though. :roll: ]

**

on the 350$ customized guitar -- looking from a beginner's point of view, i'd probably pick the MIM Strat because Squier IS known for its entry level guitars OF Fender.

"well its only 50 dollars away from a REAL Fender... why not that?"

:roll: thats what i did... :cry:

_________________
"we loved you ya ya ya... we loved you ya ya ya"


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:29 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 am
Posts: 7282
Location: Washington
bowlfreshener wrote:
I have been enjoying this thread, BUT ITS SPELLED S-Q-U-I-E-R!
ImageImageImage

Perhaps if you spelled the name correctly, that would improve Squiers image a bit because usually you will find more SQUIER guitars than SQUIRE guitars in stores.


Maybe Squier should attempt to drill the correct spelling of its name into people's head. That would be some AD campaign!

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:50 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:08 pm
Posts: 2472
Location: Virginia
orvilleowner wrote:
bowlfreshener wrote:
I have been enjoying this thread, BUT ITS SPELLED S-Q-U-I-E-R!
ImageImageImage

Perhaps if you spelled the name correctly, that would improve Squiers image a bit because usually you will find more SQUIER guitars than SQUIRE guitars in stores.


Maybe Squier should attempt to drill the correct spelling of its name into people's head. That would be some AD campaign!


I think advertising is part of the image problem. You see Epiphone ads everywhere, but I don't really see too many Squier ads other than the ones that they might use in Frontline or something, but they don't seem to be on a regular advertising schedule like Epiphones are. Then the Epi ads feature a lot of famous musicians in their ads, many of which don't actually use Epis, like Tony Iommi, Joe Perry, Slash, etc, but have signature models on Epi. Now granted I personally would not choose something just because someone famous uses it, but I guess those ads sort of do bring a bit of legitimacy to the Epi brand for some people. Either that or a few years from now if Epis end up being crap, people will just realize that the efforts by Gibson to legitimize Epi by using celeb endorsers were actually just seen as easy paychecks for the celebs featured.

So if this is the case, if Squier puts out an ad featuring Eric Clapton holding a Squier Strat, would people think more highly of Squier? Or do they think less of Eric Clapton and just figure he's going for a paycheck?

I think if Squier was interested in getting more girls to buy their guitars they should have put out a John Mayer signature model and not Avril or Hello Kitty, cause the girls go crazy for him. This would be like Gibson and Epi both having Zakk Wylde LPs, one is for the more well-paid or serious player, or collector, and the other is geared for the more lesser paid player, or collector, or younger players/consumers who are more likely to buy something just cause of a signature.

_________________
RAMA LAMA FA FA FA


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:05 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:42 am
Posts: 258
bowlfreshener wrote:
orvilleowner wrote:
bowlfreshener wrote:
I have been enjoying this thread, BUT ITS SPELLED S-Q-U-I-E-R!
ImageImageImage

Perhaps if you spelled the name correctly, that would improve Squiers image a bit because usually you will find more SQUIER guitars than SQUIRE guitars in stores.


Maybe Squier should attempt to drill the correct spelling of its name into people's head. That would be some AD campaign!


I think advertising is part of the image problem. You see Epiphone ads everywhere, but I don't really see too many Squier ads other than the ones that they might use in Frontline or something, but they don't seem to be on a regular advertising schedule like Epiphones are. Then the Epi ads feature a lot of famous musicians in their ads, many of which don't actually use Epis, like Tony Iommi, Joe Perry, Slash, etc, but have signature models on Epi. Now granted I personally would not choose something just because someone famous uses it, but I guess those ads sort of do bring a bit of legitimacy to the Epi brand for some people. Either that or a few years from now if Epis end up being crap, people will just realize that the efforts by Gibson to legitimize Epi by using celeb endorsers were actually just seen as easy paychecks for the celebs featured.

So if this is the case, if Squier puts out an ad featuring Eric Clapton holding a Squier Strat, would people think more highly of Squier? Or do they think less of Eric Clapton and just figure he's going for a paycheck?

I think if Squier was interested in getting more girls to buy their guitars they should have put out a John Mayer signature model and not Avril or Hello Kitty, cause the girls go crazy for him. This would be like Gibson and Epi both having Zakk Wylde LPs, one is for the more well-paid or serious player, or collector, and the other is geared for the more lesser paid player, or collector, or younger players/consumers who are more likely to buy something just cause of a signature.


I agree with this statement. Now, of course one can dismiss these arguments of "Just because so and such plays one...big deal"...

But isn't it? How many times do you get these questions about "what kind of equipment did so and such use to get their tone?"

The only thing, to be fair about this, is that Squier SHOULD release a model that's comparable to what the artist is using.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:53 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:58 pm
Posts: 779
Location: Miami
You might want to take a look at the Squier web site aniversary section. Although this refers to Squier bass guitars it seems like they are planning an ad campaign using famous artists.

Might be interesting to see if they can pull it together and get on the guitar mags with one of these bands and a Strat or Tele.



The Future: Artist Associations; Stop Dreaming, Start Playing!™


Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz with his Squier
signature model Precision Bass.
Photo by Pamela Littky


Artist associations have been an important part of Fender from the beginning, not only in terms of brand awareness, but also as part of product evolution. Squier has now entered that arena, too, with the three new Squier Artist Model basses that debuted in April 2007—one apiece from Green Day's Mike Dirnt, Anthrax's Frank Bello and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. In the future, Squier will seek more artists who want to be part of the Fender family and be associated with products that give their young fans an affordable instrument of inspiration and expression.

Squier is Fender—sharing its product platforms, trademarks, standards and iconic designs. Squier is the launching pad for beginners, pointing intermediate and advancing guitarists toward their ultimate goal—owning a Fender! With those goals and others in mind, Squier will continue to offer products with features and prices that deliver truly excellent value, from beginners to hobbyists to working musicians alike.

Squier. Stop Dreaming, Start Playing!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:49 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:42 am
Posts: 258
mustangtoo wrote:
You might want to take a look at the Squier web site aniversary section. Although this refers to Squier bass guitars it seems like they are planning an ad campaign using famous artists.

Might be interesting to see if they can pull it together and get on the guitar mags with one of these bands and a Strat or Tele.



The Future: Artist Associations; Stop Dreaming, Start Playing!™


Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz with his Squier
signature model Precision Bass.
Photo by Pamela Littky


Artist associations have been an important part of Fender from the beginning, not only in terms of brand awareness, but also as part of product evolution. Squier has now entered that arena, too, with the three new Squier Artist Model basses that debuted in April 2007—one apiece from Green Day's Mike Dirnt, Anthrax's Frank Bello and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. In the future, Squier will seek more artists who want to be part of the Fender family and be associated with products that give their young fans an affordable instrument of inspiration and expression.

Squier is Fender—sharing its product platforms, trademarks, standards and iconic designs. Squier is the launching pad for beginners, pointing intermediate and advancing guitarists toward their ultimate goal—owning a Fender! With those goals and others in mind, Squier will continue to offer products with features and prices that deliver truly excellent value, from beginners to hobbyists to working musicians alike.

Squier. Stop Dreaming, Start Playing!


That is really good stuff. Thanks for sharing!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:58 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:31 pm
Posts: 27
Location: walled lake Michigan
Quality control would help. I just took back my Vintage Modified Tele. Sonded great but it was causing a popping sound in my Bandit amp so I took it back and got an SG...I love it.

_________________
You are not drunk if you can lie on the floor without hanging on.........Dean Martin


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:43 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:16 pm
Posts: 13
I just joined this forum and am really enjoying this thread.

I personally find the marketing of guitars these days (both high-end and low-end) to be fascinating, particularly since it's only recent advances in manufacturing that allow such good instruments to be made (and therefore marketed) so cheaply.

I would think product-line cannibalization would be a HUGE concern, not just at Fender itself but throughout their entire dealer network.

I think of "Squier By Fender" as entry-level products that have impressed me in terms of their value proposition (except for the sharp fret-edges mentioned here - what's up with that???)

I've been playing for almost 30 years but I've never been much of a Fender-player. I own a Gibson, a Gretsch, a USA BC Rich, and an old Silvertone 1448 Amp-In-Case (made by Danelectro), but when my daughter wanted to start playing, there was no way she was touching my more expensive guitars. After trying out some Squier guitars I found a Tele (an Affinity no less) that I liked so much that I bought it more for myself, but she could play it too ;)

Flash-forward a few years - my daughter no longer has ANY interest in playing guitar but I still love my Squier Tele and now I'm seriously thinking about a Fender Tele. In my case Squier probably worked out just like Fender wants it. I bought it because it was decent quality that was inexpensive, and now that I like it I'm looking to move up their product line.

It's the $17K SRV models and 'aged' Andy Summers guitars, etc. that I have trouble understanding.

Not to be too lengthy, but on the flipside I bought a really small First Act guitar for my 2-year old and I've been so disappointed at their obvious lack of quality/value that I feel cheated by them and even though they make supposedly higher-end guitars I don't want anything to do with them. They lost a potential future customer by thinking that their low-end 'kid' guitars can be firewood.

THAT would be the only potentially HUGE mistake for Fender. By calling it "Squier By Fender" they ARE judged by what they put out there. But as I said, other than the sharp frets I've been really happy with my Squier Tele.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:36 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:58 pm
Posts: 779
Location: Miami
The_Sentry wrote:
Quote:
You could literally build a guitar that sounds great, weighs less and changes color...and raw materials-wise, it would be cheaper since you're not buying steel or another ore. (You could even have graphic fret markers with the plastic because they're based on the tensile strength of mother-of-pearl.)

It seems to me that Squire would be a great testing market. But if something does go wrong, Fender has to stand behind it...you can't just throw something out there and not expect it to eventually come back to you.


You might want to check out the latest Sam Ash Gear Guide which shows a light that you mount on your guitar to make it change color. Funnily enough it is mounted on a Squier. It's also here at http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem. ... itemsearch
but no picture of the actual device which looks like a keychain LED.

Guitar Hero and technology could very well be changing the way we purchase and play guitar in the future. I'm still in shock over the myspace Guitar Hero kid on Ellen 030608. Could that be the future of guitar music?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 46 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: