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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:59 pm
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There definitely are differences in material, components and assembly practices...
but I feel the need to say:

You can get great, and professional stage and recording quality tones out of many Squier Guitars.

Don't let anyone tell you that you have to have a US Fender in order to play live and sound great. I have heard some great tones from a $200 Squier playing through a $250 Superchamp XD. I bought my Classic Vibe 60's Squier for $180 on Craigslist, and I LOVE the tone that I can get from it. Same thing with my Joe Trohman Signature Squier Tele which I paid $300 for. Both guitars have necks that feel perfect to me. There is no buzzing, no sharp fret edges. Great quality. They also both stay in tune very well.

They have unique tones. They don't sound like a Made in Mexico standard, they are unique and sound better for much of the stuff that I like to play.

My feeling is: If you can get an amazing sound on a Squier that feels great to you, don't pay more for a Mexican Fender or a US Fender. Get a guitar that feels great, and sounds good, and you will learn to make it sound great.


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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:10 am
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As they say, "It's the dancer, not the shoes." But the difference in the way that the guitar is built is going to have a pronounced effect on the way it plays. My epi LP goldtop sounds and plays good, but my Gibson studio has a totally different feel to it.

Same with an American over a Squier, not that I am saying that there is anything wrong with Sqiers, I own three now and have owned 7 of them. I think that they are hands down the best choice for lower priced guitars. I'm in the market for another American Strat though. However thanks to my CV, I am in no big rush to buy one. My CV Srat gives me a far better tone than my MIM did, that is why I sold the MIM after I bought the Squier.

I was sold when my teacher who owns a 1961,and a 70 Strat was saying that a new student came in with a Squier Classic Vintage Strat, and Kevin switched guitars for that lesson and let him play his 88 Strat so that he could check out the Squier. He told me, after playing this, I can't see why anyone would even consider a MIM.

Image

I'm happy with mine and love the blue color. Fender used to have such great colors.


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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:37 pm
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[quote="Joe357"]I must admit I like my Squier. I saw a comment somewhere else here that unless you're good enough to sign autographs then the Squier is probably better than you are or something to that affect. I definitely think that's true and it certainly is in my case.

well joe357,a SQUIER IS A FENDER.now does'nt that BLOW YOUR MIND?the strat snobs will tell you that the squiers are junk.in their mind,if you don't spend 600.00 and up,then you have a piece of sh-t.the only squier that i own is a 1998,affinity series strat,crafted in indonesia.i also own a 99 mia strat,and a 03 mim strat.i ENJOY this affinity so much,that i have to play the other two once in awhile.i like the way this guitar FEELS as that is a deal breaker for me.if it does'nt feel right,i pass and pick up a few more.your squier is a QUALITY PRODUCT,and don't let anyone tell you anything different.the snobs feel that because it don't cost a ARM AND A LEG,then it's a pile.


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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:40 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
IsabelM wrote:
Joe357 wrote:
Allow me to explain. First off, I don't even play the guitar... yet. I am also not the typical teen learning how to play either. No, I am 42 and endeavoring to prove it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. Without going into why I've decided to start learning to playing guitar now suffice it to say it's something I've always wanted to do and I am finally doing.

I'm 32 and will be buying my first one this month, too. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks it's not too late to start :-) I can't agree more with your last sentence.


I played from the late 60's into the early 80's and quit. I started playing again in 2010. I am now taking lessons, something I never did before. I'll be 58 this year. :lol:

i'm in my sixties,and had'nt played a guitar since i left viet nam.it's coming back to me however,i'm not above taking a few lessons.enjoy!


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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 3:32 pm
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I'm loving the thread.
First of all I recently turned 41 and was afraid working up a band was just a mid life cry for help. I am so relieved to hear it's not just me. I've been playing pretty consistently since I was 13. Then I got into home recording and try to improve every day.
That said,
I have recorded with a lot of guitars over the years and the digital age has changed a lot of things. I've used Squire, Fender, Gibson, Jackson, Ibanez, and ESP. plus several off brands. By the time you run it through effects and eq, they all pretty much sound the same. some louder than others but thats about it.
A lot of what makes the difference is the hardware. particularly screws, bridge parts, tuners, etc. The more expensive guitars will have parts that can hold up to the rigors of a professional player who has to have an instrument that can hold up. A Squire is well built and not too many corners were cut. Will it hold up over years of being on the road? Somewhat. Just because its cheaper doesn't mean it's crap. to compare it to cars, Squires are the Hondas and Toyotas. Fenders are the Lincolns and Caddys. The custom shop guitars are the Farrari and so on. Most strat snobs are mad because the quality of Squires has really improved over the years and they are still pretty inexpensive. Be proud of the guitar you have.

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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:23 pm
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IsabelM wrote:
Joe357 wrote:
Allow me to explain. First off, I don't even play the guitar... yet. I am also not the typical teen learning how to play either. No, I am 42 and endeavoring to prove it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. Without going into why I've decided to start learning to playing guitar now suffice it to say it's something I've always wanted to do and I am finally doing.

I'm 32 and will be buying my first one this month, too. I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks it's not too late to start :-) I can't agree more with your last sentence.


Same here, I'm 41 (wow how'd THAT happen??) and got a Squier a few months ago. Lost it in a fire but I was really groovin on it and I will get another someday. Came here to find the difference between the Squier and Strat, because I just found out that my fav axe man (David Gilmour) has a Strat like my Squier. LOL! Unbelievable, looks just like mine. Miss my axe (though I couldn't play it worth a....)

Thanks for the info on this thread!

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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:29 pm
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Been playing acoustic for over 45 years, mostly southern rock, blues and bluegrass. Decided to venture into electric several years ago and bought a Mexican made Squire but was never happy with it. Luckily I sold it for about same as I paid. Then earlier this year I received a China-made Squire Bullet Strat as a gift. It is a dream to play. Bought myself a G-DEC 30 amp which is a pleasurable way to enhance personal play also. The tuners were cheap but I found ideas for replacements through this forum. Bought replacement set online that were a drop-in fix with no problem. Definitely recommend the China version of the Squire as a way to go for a new player without having to drop a load of cash.


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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:12 am
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Hi, Joe357! You're right--it's never too late to start playing. I was 43 when I started. I'm still not very good at 48, but I'm having a lot of fun with it.

As to your original question about the differences between Fenders and Squiers: In addition to the quality issues that others have raised, there are also some physical differences. For example: you mentioned wanting to change out your pickguard. You may find that the screw holes of a Fender pickguard don't match up exactly with the Squier guitar. Similarly, bridges and saddles will not necessarily be compatible between Fenders and Squiers. Some Squier guitars (especially in the Bullet series) have shallower bodies than their Fender counterparts. The key is to make sure you pay attention to the specs of any replacement parts you buy so you'll be certain they'll fit your Squier.

My first guitar was a 2007 Squier Standard Stratocaster. I've been very happy with the build quality, appearance and sound of the instrument. I believe you'll also get lots of joy from your Squier.

Congratulations on making the decision to play. And welcome to the forum! 8)

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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:24 pm
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I started playing agian at 49 and have 2 Squiers a Standard Strat and a Custom II Tele, both are good playing and sounding solid instruments.

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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:31 am
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In 1959 my band was fronted by my friend Gary with a '58 Strat, and me with a '59 black Dano. Budgets being what they were for me in those days, it sure would have been great to have had something like a Squier CV 50's to set against that MIA guitar. There was only ONE Stratocaster back then. Fender has done a great job evolving a quality player and looker at an affordable price point. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 6:13 am
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Hi Guys

:) Love this thread. I am 40 (yesterday) and for my Birthday my wife bought me a Squire Strat and a G-Dec 15 Amp. I have no idea how to play but plan to get lessons and learn. I have always had ambitions to play in a band but never bitten the bullet so all the talk must have made my wife take action! I love the look, feel and sound of my guitar and despite my incompetence I have a permanent smile on my face when I have a play around with it. It's nice to know that I am not the only one starting out my guitar journey late in life. I look forward to seeing how you are all doing in the future!! :D


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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2012 6:37 am
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chrisg4uk wrote:
Hi Guys

:) Love this thread. I am 40 (yesterday) and for my Birthday my wife bought me a Squire Strat and a G-Dec 15 Amp. I have no idea how to play but plan to get lessons and learn. I have always had ambitions to play in a band but never bitten the bullet so all the talk must have made my wife take action! I love the look, feel and sound of my guitar and despite my incompetence I have a permanent smile on my face when I have a play around with it. It's nice to know that I am not the only one starting out my guitar journey late in life. I look forward to seeing how you are all doing in the future!! :D

Welcome to the Forums. Hang out here long enough and you'll be a rock star in short order. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:47 pm
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So let me see if I got this. So Fender specifies different quality (components and materials) levels for different models, and if the quality is below some arbitrary threshold, they put a Squire label on it. Was Squire ever a separate company with its own models (like Epiphone)? Or has it always just been a label to differentiate this quality threshold?


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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:20 pm
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ScreamingBlueMessiah wrote:
So let me see if I got this. So Fender specifies different quality (components and materials) levels for different models, and if the quality is below some arbitrary threshold, they put a Squire label on it. Was Squire ever a separate company with its own models (like Epiphone)? Or has it always just been a label to differentiate this quality threshold?


Read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squier

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Post subject: Re: What are the actual differences between a Squier and Fen
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:12 am
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ScreamingBlueMessiah wrote:
So let me see if I got this. So Fender specifies different quality (components and materials) levels for different models, and if the quality is below some arbitrary threshold, they put a Squire label on it. Was Squire ever a separate company with its own models (like Epiphone)? Or has it always just been a label to differentiate this quality threshold?

You're talking costs of production, parts and labor, not quality of build and perfomance. There is presently a high degree of satisfaction among consumers with current Squier guitars.

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