I have long wondered this. When you see used Strats for sale, the standard Strats hold their value and so on, but Squire strats take a huge hit. What is the major difference? I just got into Strats (a few days ago, actually) and have been playing mainly ESP, Jackson and Gibson.

I love, and I mean LOVE, my Strat and I do feel a some what difference between the Strat and a Squire strat but I wasn't sure if there actually was a difference or just the fact that I was expecting the $1000+ Fender to play better than the $150 one.

-Mike

Squiers are nice guitars. But if we are comparing an MIA Std to a Squier Strat, there is really no comparison. The MIA Strat will have noticably better quality everything over a Squier (wood used, finish, detailed neck, tremelo, elect components, HSC, pups, tuners, etc.). The gap will be closer for a MIM Std but still exists.

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I own a MIM Standard Strat, and a Squier Affinity Strat. And I've played numerous American Standard Strats. There is no comparison between the American Starts and the Squier. Don't get me wrong, I love my Squier, but the overall quality is much better on Fenders and you can feel it.
There is a gap between American Fenders and Mexican Fenders too, but less noticeable than the gap between Squiers and MIMs. For $100 (I'm talking used here), Squiers are about as good a guitar as you can get. In some ways I like it better than my MIM Fender (the neck and the fact that the Squier is a little more light weight). But the hardware is much better on MIMs, and the MIMs just seem more solid.

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A Squier what? It depends on the model, though none match up to Fender in quality. Some like the Affinity have smaller bodies even on them. The standards and the Vibes are spec true size though that way.

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The best Squier Strats are getting damn close now to their standard Mexican cousins. Not that I need them, but if someone offered me the choice of a Squier Classic Vibe 60s or a standard mexican, then I'd say thanks very much and take the Squier..

Lower to Higher Quality/Features/Prices:
Squire-

Squier Bullet
Squier Affinity
Squier Standard
Squier Classic Vibe or other Squier-Deluxe models

With four levels of Squire guitars, it is difficult to call a Squire a Squire. My Affinity is better than beginner guitars were 20+ years ago. However, in hindsight, wish I'd saved for a Squire Standard or better, and now my main axe is a 2007 MIM Standard. Keep in mind, the MIM were 'upgraded' in 2006 with more shielding and a solid block. Now (2009), Made in Mexico Fender Standard guitars have the 2006 upgrades plus a gig bag, and tinted maple on headstock/neck.

Play 'em before you buy them, and feel/hear the difference...

+ 1 to that.

In fact I bought a Squire Classic Vibe 60 in leu of a
MIM Standard. I might not get much of a re-sale on it, but I usually keep mine until they either break or I decide to trade up. But...If someone was to offer me a Fender MIA Standard or a Squire CV 60's, I'd take the American Standard in a heartbeat.

SonicBlur,

Yes there is definately a difference between a $150 and a $1200 Strat no matter which brand is on it.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head