Squier guitars have become synonymous with affordability and quality, offering a gateway to the iconic Fender experience without the hefty price tag. Whether you’re a beginner guitarist or a seasoned player looking for a reliable backup instrument, Squier has a range of electric guitars that deliver classic tones and comfortable playability. In this overview, we’ll explore some of the top Squier models that stand out in the market.
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Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster – Maple Fingerboard – Fiesta Red
- 100% designed by Fender
- Inspired by 1950s-era Stratocaster models
- Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster is a testament to the timeless appeal of the Fender Stratocaster, offering a vintage-inspired design and sound at a budget-friendly price point. This guitar features a poplar body, known for its balanced tonal qualities, and a comfortable maple neck, contributing to its overall playability.
This model uses a trio of alnico single-coil pickups. These pickups deliver a warm, balanced tone, with the bridge pickup providing that classic Stratocaster punch. The neck position pickup, on the other hand, offers a smooth, mellow sound, perfect for blues and jazz styles. The 5-way pickup selector further enhances the guitar’s tonal versatility.
The build quality is impressive, especially considering its price point. It boasts a vintage-tint gloss neck, ’50s-inspired headstock markings, and a 9.5″ fingerboard radius, providing a comfortable playing experience. The guitar’s finish is also commendable, with no noticeable flaws or imperfections.
Despite being a budget guitar, it doesn’t compromise on sound or build quality. It’s a fantastic choice for both beginners looking for their first electric guitar and seasoned players seeking a reliable backup instrument. Its vintage aesthetics, coupled with its modern playability, make it a worthy addition to any guitarist’s collection. This is the Best Squier Guitar .
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar
- Thin and lightweight body
- Three Squier single-coil pickups
- 2-point tremolo bridge
Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar stands as a beacon for beginner guitarists, offering a blend of quality and affordability that’s hard to beat. This expert review delves into the specifications, playability, and overall value of this iconic entry point into the world of electric guitars.
At the heart of the Affinity Stratocaster lies its solid poplar body, a choice that ensures a balanced tonal foundation, suitable for a variety of musical styles. Coupled with a comfortable maple neck, the guitar offers a smooth playing experience, essential for those long practice sessions that beginners often face. The “C”-shaped neck profile is particularly noteworthy, providing a comfortable grip that will accommodate a wide range of hand sizes.
The guitar’s hardware includes a traditional 5-way pickup selector, allowing players to switch between the crisp, articulate tones of the three single-coil pickups. This versatility makes the Affinity Stratocaster suitable for genres ranging from rock and blues to jazz and beyond. The inclusion of a 2-point tremolo bridge adds to the guitar’s expressive capabilities, offering smooth vibrato effects without compromising tuning stability.
Finish options for the Affinity Series Stratocaster are varied, catering to personal preferences and ensuring there’s a look to match every musician’s style. Whether you’re drawn to the classic aesthetics of a Stratocaster or seeking a guitar that stands out on stage, the Affinity range has you covered.
When it comes to price range, the Affinity Stratocaster is positioned as an accessible option for beginners and those on a tight budget. Despite its affordability, the guitar doesn’t skimp on quality. The build quality is solid, reflecting Squier’s commitment to providing instruments that beginners can grow with, rather than outgrow
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH Floyd Rose Electric Guitar
- Squier SQR Atomic humbucking pickups with coil-tap options
- Double-locking tremolo system by Floyd Rose
- Roasted maple neck
The Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is a modern twist on a classic design, offering a fresh take on the traditional Stratocaster body shape. This guitar is designed to meet the needs of today’s players, combining contemporary features with a timeless aesthetic.
The body of the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is crafted from poplar, a tonewood that provides a balanced sound suitable for a variety of musical styles. The guitar’s sleek body shape is not only visually appealing but also ergonomic, allowing for comfortable play over extended periods.
At the core of the guitar’s tone hardware are the Squier SQR alnico single-coil pickups, which deliver crisp and articulate tones. The bridge pickup offers a bright and punchy sound, ideal for cutting through a mix, while the neck pickup provides warmer tones perfect for rhythm playing or jazzier lines. The versatility of these pickups is further enhanced by the 5-way selector switch, which allows players to combine the pickups in various configurations, each complementing the other to produce a wide array of sounds. It features a master tone control, which provides players with the ability to shape their overall sound. This is paired with a master volume control, ensuring that the perfect balance between tonal shaping and output level can be easily achieved.
For those who prefer a more stable tuning and intonation, it also comes with a hardtail option. This string-through-body design enhances sustain and stability, making it a great choice for more aggressive playing styles or for those who frequently use alternate tunings.
The maple neck of the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is another highlight, offering a smooth and comfortable playing experience. This is especially important for beginner guitars, as a comfortable neck can make the learning process much more enjoyable and less daunting.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a reliable addition to your collection, the Squier Contemporary Stratocaster is a guitar that won’t disappoint.
Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Jaguar Electric Guitar
- 100% designed by Fender
- Inspired by 1970s-era Jaguar models
- Fender-Designed alnico pickups
The Jaguar is a guitar that can play everything, from surf rock to grunge. This guitar has so many tone options that it might end up being the only one you ever need. It has beautiful offset aesthetics and comes with high-end accessories like alnico pickups and a real bone nut because it is a member of the Classic Vibe Series.
Jaguar is another Fender guitar that went on to become a recognised piece of popular culture. Despite not being Kurt Cobain’s sole guitar, this model is currently the one that is most strongly associated with him because it was most famously played by him during the Nevermind period. You may now purchase your very own Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jaguar for a fraction of the cost.
We were happy to test Surf Green, our preferred finish. Although the Black and Sunburst choices are stunning on their own sound quality, the Green and Tortoiseshell pickguard combination has such a classic appearance. With the high calibre of the finish on this Jag, Squier really outdid themselves. The neck had a C shape, just like all of the test guitars, which by this stage we were accustomed to. Fortunately, the Jag’s neck featured the same premium finish as the Jazzmaster’s 40th Anniversary, making it a complete delight to play.
We thought this Jaguar’s pickups were really strong. They were alnico single coils that Fender designed, and they excelled in practically every metric. We wished that these Squiers had been around in the ’90s because they provided us crisp, clear cleans and nasty, grimy, raucous grunge tones when we wanted to break up. The Jaguar’s trem system, notably the arm, was our only significant complaint. The tremolo arm on Jags and Jazzmasters slots in rather than being screwed in like it does on Strats. On the Squier, we discovered that it came out considerably too quickly, making practical use challenging.
Among all the Squier models, the Classic Vibe ’70s Jaguar has to be one of the nicest looks. It generates powerful tones in just about any musical style and has a classic Fender feel and playability. This is the Best Squier Jaguar Guitar .
Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Telecaster Thinline
- 100% designed by Fender
- Inspired by 1970s-era Telecaster models
- Fender-Designed Wide Range humbucking pickups
Given that we’re looking at Squier guitars, you might be wondering why this pick isn’t a solid-body instrument. Semi-hollow guitars are among the most underappreciated Fender and Squier electric instruments; in our opinion, the Thinline Telecaster is the most misunderstood guitar in the Squier product line.
Aside from the body’s large empty space, the Thinline Tele has that unique quality that makes it stand out from the competition. The tone still has hints of the vintage Tele vibe, or the “twang,” but the guitar’s semi-hollowness and the two wide-range humbuckers add something entirely new to the mix. These are some of the best electric guitar pickups that are currently available for any guitar, in our view. The guitar’s tones are deep, open, and expansive, just what you’d expect from a semi-hollow instrument, yet the humbuckers, in contrast to other pickups, offer surprising clarity. No compressed, fuzzy sounds that you would often associate with a pair of inexpensive humbucking pickups.
There are plenty of opportunities to bring home something unusual that will blow your mind. The Sunburst and Natural finishes are both lovely, with a really nice grain showing through on both occasions. There’s also an Olympic white ‘FSR’ model that’s around for a short while. At greater volumes, there will be a little bit more feedback than usual, but not enough to seriously disrupt a performance or practise session. This is the Best Squier Telecaster Guitar .
Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster
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The Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster is located in the midst of Squier’s lineup of Classic Vibe Strats, which also includes models from the ’50s and ’70s. Unlike the other models we evaluated for this collection, the body of this 1960s Strat was constructed from nato, a substitute for mahogany. Thankfully, it didn’t significantly affect weight because the CV topped the scales at little under 8lb.
We really liked the sweet apple red paint on our test vehicle. The paintwork was expertly applied and has a deep gloss. The neck was made of maple and had a wonderful antique tinge that complemented the red paint job superbly. Indian laurel covered the fretboard around the front. Indian Laurel has a hit-or-miss history in our experience, and sadly in this instance it was lacking moisture and appeared washed out, especially when compared to the Jazzmaster and the Jaguar. As we frequently mention, this is a simple remedy that just requires a few drops of lemon oil, but we would expect that it would be carried out before the instrument leaves the manufacturer. Fortunately, the rest of the neck—especially the frets—was nicely finished.
It was a vintage-style guitar with the typical SSS setup and high-quality alnico V pickups, like those used in Fender Player Series Stratocasters. It had a notably warmer tone in all positions since the alnico magnets weren’t quite as hot as those on the Affinity HSS Strat. It still had a tonne of chime and quack and all the Stratocaster flavour you could ever want, despite the heat.
It was enjoyable to play the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster, which, if it hadn’t had a dry fretboard, may have been a contender for Editor’s Choice. Though it sounded surprisingly similar to the much more expensive Player Strat, it nevertheless delivered on the iconic Strat tone that players are searching for, making it a fantastic option for working guitarists on a budget. This is the Best Squier Stratocaster Guitar .
Squier Bullet Mustang
- Designed for players seeking an affordable, stylish and versatile...
- Features a pair of humbucking pickups.
- Thin body, which reduces weight and increases comfort.
The first student-grade Fender guitar, stripped down and ready to rock. This guitar is for you if you want a good-looking Squier with terrific tone and loads of attitude without spending a lot of money. It’s one of the line’s more cheap models, and sure, it maintains the level of quality that customers have come to expect from the company. Fender’s punk classic is available for less money as the Squier Bullet Mustang. You may possess a piece of the original’s enormous popularity during the punk movement because to its asymmetrical design and hard-hitting pickups.
It shared a C-profile neck with our top pick, the Affinity Stratocaster, which was, as we had previously discovered, chunkier than we had anticipated. Although it was a touch fuller than the typical beginner neck, it was still comfortable and did not make it difficult to reach the frets or wear me out after prolonged usage.
Considering the inexpensive price of the instrument, we discovered that the quality of the fretwork was once again superb. Any guitar must, at the very least, have smooth edges and frets without dead spots, and the Mustang met these requirements. Given that we’ve previously seen some subpar laurel fretboards, we were once again pleasantly pleased by the fact that the fretboard was constructed of Indian laurel. The humbuckers produced loud, powerful tones that were incredibly responsive and had a true dynamic range. Although they could provide us with some good clean tones, they really excelled when given a lot of gain, driving the amp into a luscious, voluminous overdrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Squier guitars good for beginners?
Yes, Squier guitars are an excellent choice for beginners due to their affordability, ease of play, and quality construction.
Can Squier guitars be used for professional performances?
Many Squier models are reliable enough for gigging musicians and can be seen on professional stages.
How do Squier guitars compare to Fender guitars?
While Squier guitars are budget-friendly versions of Fender models, they offer a similar aesthetic and a quality that is impressive for their price point.
What makes the Squier Classic Vibe series stand out?
The Classic Vibe series is known for its vintage-inspired designs, quality alnico pickups, and attention to detail, making them a favorite among intermediate players.
Is the Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster a good investment?
The Affinity Series offers a great balance between cost and quality, making it a smart investment for those looking for a reliable guitar without breaking the bank.
What genres are Squier guitars suitable for?
Squier guitars are versatile and can be used for a wide range of genres, from rock and blues to metal and jazz, depending on the model and pickup configuration.
Are Squier guitars easy to modify or upgrade?
Yes, many players choose to modify their Squier guitars with new pickups, hardware, or even refinishing, thanks to their mod-friendly construction.
What is the difference between Squier Bullet and Affinity series?
The Bullet series is the most affordable range, ideal for beginners, while the Affinity series offers a step up in terms of features and build quality.
Do Squier guitars hold their value over time?
While not as collectible as high-end Fender models, well-maintained Squier guitars can retain a reasonable resale value, especially limited editions or vintage-inspired models.