What's the difference between Fender and the lower Squier stuff? Like seriously, I've played a ton of Squiers in my life time and I have played plenty of legitimate Fender Strats as well. I can honestly say that I'd rather save my money and go the route of Squier. If you take time to set it up, they play and sound just as good, if not better than a Fender Strat. AND, while I'm asking, what would you get, an S Series Ibanez or a Fender Stratocaster? They can be geared towards the same styles? And in most cases can be had for much less? Is Fender just being uptight like some Gibson preachers I know? What is it with this brand-snobbery? I just don't get it.

Well, even in the Squier line there's quite a bit of difference in terms of quality, for instance the Bullet and SE models you find in boxes aren't nearly as nice as Vintage Vibes or Modifieds. The Vintage Vibes and and Modifieds often have better pups and hardware, sometimes the same pups as found on higher tier Fenders.

As par the difference between a Squier and lets say a Fender standard (Made in Mexico):
1. Nut Width
2. Neck Profile
3. Hardware differences-Different bridge blocks, tuners, pickups, pots, switches.
4. Body dimensions, contours
5. Name

Other than that, I'd say most of the difference comes in quality control. The Mexico has tighter manufacturing tolerances than that of the Squier facilities and is held to a higher standard in terms of fretwork and overall assemble quality. You have a better chance in finding a bad solder or defect in a Squier than a regular strat.

I'm sure there's more differences, but I can't really think of them at the moment. That being said, let me answer your other questions:
1. I'd take a strat over the S series Ibanez. Of course I'm assuming you're allowing me to have my strat for this comparison which in that case I'd prefer it over most if not all guitars. If I were to argue between an S Prestige and a new American Standard though, I'd take a closer look at both before making a choice ^^
2. An instrument's style is limited only by the user. That being said, I feel like both the S series and Strat have versatility and could both cover a wide range of sounds.
3. Depends where you get it. I've gotten very good deals on my Fenders from my local shop, hundreds cheaper than GC.
4. Nah, they're too good at marketing to be uptight.
5. You think people who spent $1000+ on a guitar want to be told it's as good as a box guitar? >_>

Even with me being the owner of an American strat, I could easily see myself getting a Squier and after a setup and maybe a few tweaks have a nice beater. I've met people that gig with Squiers because you're right, they don't sound bad at all and when they get stolen you don't break down, cry and then swear you'll rip out somebody's spine o_O

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

"break down, cry and then swear you'll rip out somebody's spine o_O"

bahahaha made my day with that. literally choked on my coffee.

But true, if someone stole mine...i would end them

Hi TbagChopra,

Are you kidding? Seriously, the Am and Mex Strats are much better quality parts, and better fit and finish, by far over a Squier. Like you said, you can put the time and effort into a Squier and have a fantastic guitar, but still not as good as an Am or Mex Strat, and never "better" IMO. If you were to upgrade all of the hardware and pickups on a Squier, finish the frets, etc, you would still not have as nice a neck or body as the Am Strat has, but will have spent nearly as much as you would by just buying the better Strat to begin with. Look at the cost of a high end Squier, it's close to, or more than the cost of the Mex Standard, so I would say that those two choices are close to being on par with each other. But, there is no comparison between a Squier and an Am Strat. It isn't a matter of brand snobbery, you simply get what you pay for.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Granted Squiers can be great guitars-Jeff Healy always used Squiers,albeit with Evans pickups-but American and Mexican brand Fenders are usually quite frankly better made with higher quality materials.That's not brand snobbery it's just quite simply a fact.
Someone posted a video on the forum a while back where a guy took the time to set up the intonation and whammy on a Squier Strat perfectly and he got incredible performance from it even with wild whammy use it wouldn't go out of tune the slightest bit.I can't say I'd pick a Squier over an American or Mexican made Strat but then again there are exceptions and there may be some that really are exceptional guitars.In any case whenever I try out and compare guitars when guitar hunting I'll pick the one that feels and sounds right for me and if there was a Squier that fit the bill I'd certainly go for it.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

"You get what you pay for."

In the beginning we don't know what quality feels like. My first electric was a Sears Slivertone Strat copy. I paid, in 1980, the price of a modern Squire. By comparison you are far more blessed than I in my time. As student, I suppose a Squire is more than enough to get through the basics but as you get better you will know what quality is. Then you will agree--Pros pay big money for gear not for the sake of spending money but because they have the touch to know what will benefit they're business with the best tone, feel and pleasure principle.

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

I Looked At Alot Of Guitars Before I Bought Mine. I Also Consider A Guitar A Lifetime Investment In Fun And Stress Relief. Really I'd Say Save More Money And Buy Quality From The Start. You'll Know Why After A Short While.

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Vintage Hotrod '57 Strat, 81 G&L L2000 Series E Bass, Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp.

+1
Yeah, that's what I did with my first guitar, I bought a guitar I'd grow into rather than one I'd grow out of.

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2010 American Special HSS 3TSB
Marshall MG15FX

Right. Me Too. 32 Yr's Ago Yea I'm 46. I Rented A Few Bass'es To Know If I Really Wanted To Stay With It Then Saved Money For A Good One. I Never Regret Waiting For Something Awesome.

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Vintage Hotrod '57 Strat, 81 G&L L2000 Series E Bass, Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp.

Thats kinda funny

Being My Age Lol I've Seen Alot Of Great Bands And They All Had One Thing That Made Them Sound Better. Good Equipment. Sure We Have Best Buy, Target Etc... Here But In The Long Run Are You Going To Be Happy In 30 Yr's ?

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Vintage Hotrod '57 Strat, 81 G&L L2000 Series E Bass, Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp.

I own three Strats. An Am Standard, An AVRI '57 Reissue, and a Squier Bullet. The Squier is definately NOT a piece of crap or anything but to play all three and compare them, the differences in tone and feel between my American Strats and the Squier are like night and day. The Squier just isn't anywhere at all close to being as nice an instrument as my American Strats. At least this is the case with these ones that I have. It's just not fair to the Squier to compare it to the others. There's no contest.

I bought the Squier mainly to experiment with. And for my kids to play with, so they don't play with my REAL guitars.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

A year or two ago a buddy went shopping for a Tele and took me along to get my opinion. We played MIM, MIA and the Squire Classic Vibe (I Think that's what they're called). Personally I thought the Squire played and sounded just as good as the MIM and MIA. The quality of the Squire was very eye opening. My first Fender was a Squire (Early 90's) and I didn't really like it. I have a '98 MIM that I don't think is nearly as good as my '92 SRV or '78 Strat. These days the MIM and Squires are quality guitars and despite what a lot of people may have you believe are just as good as their MIA brothers even without upgrades.

I am a bit of a brand snob, when I had the Squire and only had the MIM I constantly fretted over the "Made In Mexico" stamp and wished it said "Made In USA". I thought it had to be MIA to be a real Strat. Now that I'm much older and a little wiser I know that doesn't matter.

P.S. My buddy got the Vibe and it's still his main guitar today.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

I guess that I am a gear snob, but honestly I am a little tired of reverse gear snobbery (if there is such a thing) like my cousin who has an epi les paul studio (like the one I had in the beginning ) and he loves to tell me how dumb it is to pay big money for guitars
his epiphone plays just as well and sounds just as good as mine... well I am sorry it doesn't . In my experience higher end guitars just flat out play
better ands ound better they are more inspiring to play.

Yes there are cheap guitars that are great I still have my First Act HSS that
I completely disassembled and repainted just to see what it would be like.
There is always some person trying to downgrade my quality instruments
and saying they are a waste of money, I am not gonna make fun of your import
guitar if you want to play that then thats fine many fine players play cheaper
guitars and play better than me .
BUT NO OFFENSE A SQUIRE CAN'T COMPARE TO MY CUSTOM SHOP

two analogies to prove my point
1. Sure I can get to and from work in a Geo Metro it will drive
just fine BUT I would rather have a CADILLAC!

2. Mario Andretti can drive a Ford Festiva better than anyone on the planet
BUT HE IS STILL IN A FORD FESTIVA!

sorry for the long post I am don't people trashing MIA

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1956 Gibson CS Lemon Les Paul
1957 Fender CS Aged Cherry Strat
1958 Gibson CS Pg 85 Les Paul
1960 Fender CS 3tsb Strat
1961 Gibson SG Wildwood Pelham blue
1966 Fender CS Firemist Metallic Silver Strat

There are differences in Squires and Fenders...too many to list. As you have already read some specs are different, ect... I have no issues playing a Squier. Until a few weeks ago I was a proud owner of a CV 60 that was a pretty well made instrument. I would still own it, except I had made promises to my wife a long time ago, and I keep my word.

You have to be comfortable playing instruments. Name does not matter, the person playing does.

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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