... the quality of the maple on the Affinity is significantly lower than that of its Fender counterparts, so the comparison in terms of quality is not as clear cut. This has been changing in recent years. For our purposes we will be focusing on the standard Squier line, including the Vintage Modified and the Classic Vibe series. The Standard Strat, Teles, offsets, and basses come in a variety of pickup and bridge configurations, from the most 1950s-inspired models to HSH models, with their flame maple tops and Floyd Rose trems. The Stratocaster was born in 1954. The message here is don't be put off by the price. On the other hand, if you’re sure about what you want and are looking for in an affordable, gig-able instrument that doesn’t require any upgrades, the Standard series—especially on the used market—consistently provides some of the best deals around. These days we consider Jimi, Texas blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan and British rock journeyman Jeff Beck as the ultimate ambassadors of the Fender Stratocaster. Most Squier Telecaster are eligible for free shipping. The Squier Classic Vibe Tele at a Glance: (4.5 / 5) The Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster Guitar is synonymous with classic guitar designs in the United States. I have personally found that many of the Squiers not made of basswood are very heavy when compared to similar MIM models of the same wood. 'EOB' stands for Ed O'Brien, the Radiohead guitarist. Of course, the problem with trying to make any direct comparisons between the Squier and Fender is that there are over a dozen models, each with different pickups and their own individual features. Many players choose only to upgrade one or two of the pickups in a Fender Standard model which is also an option for any Squier. Launch price: £799/€874/$970 | Neck: Maple | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Pau Ferro | Frets: 21 | Pickups: ‘60s Single Coil Tele | Controls: master volume, master tone, three-way pickup selector blade switch | Hardware: Chrome/nickel Licensed Bigsby B50 True Vibrato and tune-a-matic style bridge, vintage Kluson-style tuners | Left-handed: No | Finish: White Blonde, 3-Colour Sunburst. 2. If you think they sound the same, you're wrong. This new signature model is classic '59 Tele. Bottom Line: If buying new, Squiers will always be cheaper than comparable Fenders. Tone-wise, you get all the aural sexiness of a classic ash-bodied Tele with the ability to wobble the vibrato to create a shimmer effect or sustain notes and chords. Used American-made Fenders are even more expensive, typically starting at around $600. Not only are there imperial and metric size differences, but there are also several differences within the Fender models themselves. Marketing electric guitars under the Squier name would enable the company to distance itself from the venture if it failed while protecting the prestige of the Fender brand. Squier started with low end, bare-bones versions of the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaste… Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster Burgundy Mist. Read the Fender Player Stratocaster review, An affordable retro Strat with some extra firepower, Launch price: £379/€414/$460 | Body: Poplar | Neck: Maple | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Maple or Indian Laurel | Frets: 21 | Pickups: Fender Designed Alnico humbucker (bridge), 2x Fender Designed Single Coil (middle and neck) | Controls: master volume, tone 1 (neck pickup), tone 2 (bridge and middle pickups), five-way pickup selector blade switch | Hardware: nickel six-Saddle Vintage-Style 'Synchronized' vibrato, die-cast tuners | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: Black (with maple fingerboard), Walnut (with Indian Laurel fingerboard). Given that it's a ‘70s throwback, this guitar features the big version of the iconic Strat headstock. For the Fender Standard line, I have found that finish is thinner and with fewer imperfections than Squier, especially in key areas such as the neck pocket and neck. Squier by Fender Vintage Modified ’72 Thinline Telecaster – Recommended Thinline Telecaster Setup and minimal fretwork will be needed, but often, not to the extent that a Squier model would require. Bar magnet single-coils are more similar in construction to P90s than Fender single-coils and lack the clarity of traditional Fender single-coils. It's in the top 3 bestselling electric guitars and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Fender Standard Telecaster or Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS. Fret finishing on many Squiers—especially the lower-priced models—is consistently less precise than on more expensive models, fret ends are not as neatly rounded, and frets are less polished. More about pricing later. Get the best price on Squier Telecaster at Guitar Center. Those of you looking for cool Strat looks combined with more modern performance will likely prefer the Modified edition. Well, allow us to talk you through the differences between these iconic planks. The glossy urethane finish on most of these models tends to be quite thick, which is off-putting to many players. For nearly 70 years this iconic guitar has endured as a touring workhorse and staked its claim in rock history. The Fender American Professional Telecaster in Natural is one of many American Professional models that feature an ash body. Bottom Line: Squiers tend to use what are considered to be inferior woods, though the degree that this actually matters is ultimately up to the buyer. New Squiers top out at around $ The Stratocaster vs Telecaster debate has raged on ever since. From my personal experience, I have found that the MIM models tend to weigh less than the Squier models. For both brands, this is easy, as Leo Fender’s instruments are one of the finest examples of manufacturing with interchangeable parts ever achieved. He used a whole lotta '59 Telecaster. New Squiers top out at around $450, whereas the same amount of money can usually get you a used MIM Fender. These things have more punch than Rocky Balboa. If you want to ultimate rock Tele it's now easy to get on the same page as Jimmy. While it would be easy to simply say that you get what you pay for, I don’t think that’s the case when comparing Squier and Fender. Early Japanese Squiers were known for being made with quality woods, while later models became known for just the opposite after manufacturers started constructing cheaper models from plywood. Learn more about Fender electric basses. It is a level up from the basic version but below the ‘Vintage’ versions. Take advantage of that and look at affordable stuff like the Squier Classic Vibe and Fender Player and Vintera Series guitars. Soon after the two-pup Broadcaster was revealed. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster Electric Guitar (Editor’s Choice). Launch price: £749/€819/$909 | Body: Alder | Neck: Maple | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Pau Ferro | Frets: 21 | Pickups: 60s Single Coil Strat | Controls: Master volume, 2x tone, five-way pickup selector blade switch | Hardware: Chrome/nickel Vintage-Style "Synchronized" vibrato, vintage Kluson-style tuners | Left-handed: No | Finish: Ice Blue Metallic, 3-Colour Sunburst, Surf Green. Bang for your buck. Similar guitars. Both guitars are really high quality making it difficult for the music lovers to choose between the two. This Telecaster punches above its price tag in looks and sounds. There's a Strat for just about every scenario. Lest we forget, Jimmy Page employed a '59 Tele for his Stairway To a Heaven solo. After a dispute with Gretsch, Fender rechristened its new guitar the Telecaster in 1952 and it's been in production ever since. The Fender Standard series has upgraded pickups, but again, are generally considered inferior to USA models. Early MIM Fender necks were actually made on CNC machines in the USA and finished in Mexico, as opposed to today, when all wood components are made in the Mexico factory. Fenders are more expensive because they cost more to make due to using more expensive … The newer, non-MIM Standards generally use metric-sized parts of varying quality. We sort through some of the best Squier guitars, listing our favorite Stratocaster and Telecaster options from the Fender economy line. Launch price: £559/€600/$666 | Body: Alder | Neck: Maple | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Maple | Frets: 22 | Pickups: Player Series Alnico 5 Strat Single-Coil | Controls: master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle pickups), tone 2 (bridge pickup) | Hardware: nickel/chrome two-point vibrato, die-cast tuners | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: 3-Colour Sunburst, Black, Buttercream, Polar White, Sage Green Metallic, Sonic Red, Tidepool. There's a reason the Fender Standard Strat remains one of the most frequently recommended guitars in the world. Tele addict? Arguably the most iconic Strat tones are combinations of bridge or neck pickup with the middle pup. Fender vs Squier . By producing the Affinity series of guitars in Asia and using more efficient materials, Squier has managed to make the Fender Telecaster – one of Fender’s most popular models – affordable … They probably feel the same to play? But which one will be your next electric guitar? That is, it shows off its classic DNA while offering modern performance under the hood. Choose from the best guitar tuners for acoustic, electric and bass. Les Paul vs SG: which is the right guitar for you? In the company's own words, Squier is the “value brand alternative to its big brother, Fender.” Squier Teles are made in Asia. Bottom Line: If owning a Squier long term, you may need to invest more money in upkeep and upgrades than you would with a Fender. Squier, much like Fender, has factories in the USA, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and China. Rather than mercilessly tweak the Tele, Leo's team decided to create a new model. 4. The Player has a supremely welcoming C profile neck with a slippery satin finish to prevent your sticky mitts from dragging. Playability is enhanced by a modern 9.5" radius fingerboard and some hubby frets. As for the Stratocaster, it was bespectacled and doomed ‘50s rocker Buddy Holly that initially put the model on the map. It's like a hood ornament on a vintage Cadillac. In other words, they work great for purveyors of classic and hard rock. Today, that's exactly what we're going to explore. Opaque finishes also indicate that the instrument’s body is comprised of more pieces of wood than a clearly finished instrument. Here's our list of the very best. Most folk would be content with changing the world with the Telecaster, the first commercially available solid body electric. In fact, the earliest Fender models were made from the very same timber. Squier Standard Telecaster was released in 2010. The initial cost will be higher, but the long-term cost will be lower. Bringing the first solid body electric guitars, Fender really is responsible for kicking off a whole new era in music and allowed artists to express themselves in … Vintage-style models are outfitted with ‘50s-style pickups, for instance, while top-of-the-line signature models that are also MIM—such as the Dave Murray Stratocaster or Jim Root models—are outfitted with USA-made pickups by Seymour Duncan and EMG. Squier Standard Telecaster. Vintage buffs will go a bundle on the old school 7.25" fingerboard radius, thin frets, and classic six-screw 'Synchronized' vibrato of the original spec Strat. First with Fender decal and with Squier Series decal in 1982. When owning a Squier long-term, unless you love the model as is, you are paying for the wood, paint, and shape, and one can easily spend more in upgrades than on the entire cost of the base instrument. From 'classic' treatments to vintage replicas, signature models, hot-rodded modern instruments and understated metal monsters, our buyer's guide rounds up the best Fender Stratocasters currently available. Fender Vintera ‘60s Telecaster with Bigsby, Buyers' guides to all the best music gear, These are the best electric guitars on the planet right now, Play for less with the best budget electric guitars under £/$500. Both will have similar resale value relative to the original purchase price. Oops, looks like you forgot something. Fender Stratocaster Player Series from Mexico Expansion of Squier models and ranges. A Tele can mimic a big-bodied jazz guitar, a country pedal steel, and a Les Paul. This article attempts to clarify the doubts from the minds of people who are planning to purchase a new guitar. While there have been many exceptions over the years, the classic Tele and Strat share a few family traits. Squier Strat vs Fender Strat - General Criteria. While replacing parts on a MIM Fender is always a viable option, potential modders should proceed with caution as many of the models use a mix of US parts and overseas parts. Squier Standard Telecaster Review. The Squier Telecaster Custom’s one-piece maple neck is superb at any price point, let alone the sub-£200 one. My Squier Bullet Telecaster … The whole guitar is more solid than a Strat, too, because of the bigger neck pocket. For example, if you’re looking to try out a less common model—like a Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Bass VIs, baritone, or vintage reissue of some kind—the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series are an affordable way to do so. As for the body silhouettes, both are … Launch price: £559/€600/$666 | Body: Alder | Neck: Maple | Scale: 25.5" (648 mm) | Fingerboard: Maple | Frets: 22 | Pickups: Player Series Alnico 5 Tele Single Coil | Controls: master volume, master tone, three-way pickup selector blade switch | Hardware: nickel/chrome six-saddle bridge, die-cast tuners | Left-handed: Yes | Finish: 3-Colour Sunburst (with maple or Pau Ferro fingerboard), Black, Butterscotch Blonde, Polar White (with maple or Pau Ferro fingerboard), Tidepool, Capri Orange. Due to differences in measurements, upgrading stock parts may not be as simple as it seems. We'll be sharing the very best offers on MusicRadar throughout the event. Strat pickups should sound warm and woody with a hint of 'plink', like flicking the rim of a wine glass with your fingernail. One example is the ‘72 Tele Thinline reissue, which has some MIM parts with USA-made bridge saddles. An ash body, maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard with a comfortable C profile, are all highlights on the spec sheet. If you are totally new to guitar, then a Squier would be a reasonable choice. More of the recent, higher-end Squiers have had special runs of instruments made of pine, alder, and other woods. Fender vs. Squier: The Differences That Matter. Bottom Line: Pickups, like hardware, will be superior on Fender-branded guitars out of the box. Many beginner guitarist starter packs include Squier Affinity guitars and practice amps. At the bridge, for your extra $50 on the Standard model, you get a "proper" 6 saddle strings-through body … The Fender American Professional Telecaster, of course, has easy access to every string from the rear: The majority of Telecasters made by Fender and Squier are thru-body where the strings are installed from the rear. That said, models from the Fender Standard Series are generally more playable right out of the box. Previously, the core of the Squier line was mostly made up of bare-bones Strats and Teles, Precision and Jazz Basses. Bottom Line: Both brands offer a wide range of models, but more and more, Squier's lineup includes unique instruments that aren't available as Fenders. Fender literally wrote the book on electric basses, laying the foundation for musical innovation and evolution. Some of the single-coils are made with bar magnets instead of pole magnets, for example, making the sound fundamentally different from the classic Fender design. No sector of the guitar market has improved in terms of build quality and specification more impressively than sub-£/$1,000 entry level to mid-range gear. It's everything a modern Strat should be. 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Across the board though, we highly recommend looking at used options when trying to find the best value on any Fender or Squier model. You can, however, always upgrade pickups to whatever higher-end option you prefer. Shopping advice is off-topic here, but we can answer the question about Fender vs Squier so I am editing to narrow it down to that. Fender’s recently introduced Modern Player line and some of the Vintage Modified line also fall into the same price bracket as the Standard line. Read the full Fender Jimmy Page Mirror Telecaster review, The best mid-price Telecaster you can buy. Read the Fender EOB Sustainer Stratocaster review. Squier Vintage Modified '72 Tele Thinline with an Ash Body. If that's you, consider a Strat in a HSS (humbucker/single/single) format. Fender had bought Squier in the ‘60s and Fender continued to sell strings under that name until 1972. With the rising quality of Squiers and their continued low price points, I would consider buying a Squier in many scenarios. Fender The Fender MIM line—also known as the Standard line (which includes some recent Asian production)—has been gaining players’ respect for decades. Many Strat and Tele junkies can bore you rigid with tales of those times they picked up a cheap guitar that knocked their socks off. Bruce Springsteen loves them too. As I mentioned in my earlier Affinity Stratocaster review, the Squier family of electric guitars was bought by Fender in 1965. For the ultimate comparison, try this and the Tele version. It probably wouldn't be too far off to guess that at least half the experienced players reading this article have owned a Squier at some point in their lives, and for many in that group, it all began with a Squier starter pack that included a matching amp. You have to admit the Bigsby looks great in this thing. I think that the stock pickups in the Fender Standard ‘50s Strats sound great, so I personally wouldn’t upgrade them. Which one is best for you. Apples and oranges come to mind. Your purchases also help protect forests, including trees traditionally used to make instruments. The two biggest: bolt-on maple necks and single coil pickups. Many will buy a Squier for necks and bodies, which may have a faster resale value than a complete Standard model. Taking its cue from the groundbreaking guitar tweaking of Edward Van Halen, the immensely affordable Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Strat features a fat-sounding 'bucker in the bridge position. But recently, the line has expanded to include Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Tele Thinlines, signature models (J Mascis, John 5, and others), Bass VIs, baritones, Strats and Teles of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, and nearly all of the basses Fender has ever made. Visit our corporate site. Doesn't matter what anyone says about guitars, it's the look that draws you in first. Overall, if you’re looking for a legitimate Fender Telecaster and don’t want to pay the hefty price tag of an American model, then the Made in Mexico Fender Player Telecaster is your best bet. A clear standout from the Standard series is the “Classic Series," which exhibits models with the best suite of traits from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. But which guitar is the right one for you? Bottom Line: Squier uses inferior parts generally speaking. Squier Standard Vs Affinity Telecaster. A great Stratocaster will pump out what guitar connoisseurs describe as "glassy" tones. Solid colours usually conceal an alder, poplar and basswood carcass. A Telecaster made from pine might seem like an exercise in cost cutting. Models with translucent finishes will generally have an ash body as it has a prettier grain pattern. While for decades, Squier's product catalog mostly consisted of basic low-end takes on core Fender models, their offerings have diversified in recent years to include dozens of unique models, including some that were traditionally only available from the Fender Custom Shop. They might have come off the same drawing board but the Tele and Strat have very distinct tonal palettes. For our purposes, we're going to focus mostly on comparing Fender’s well-regarded Made in Mexico (MIM) line with Squier instruments of predominantly Chinese and Indonesian origin. Stratocaster vs Telecaster: The History. Do you have experience comparing Squier and Fender guitars? Until recently, these body shapes and era-specific designs were scarce and expensive, but the newer Squier variations offer an easy way to explore what you like and dislike. Hardware is where you’ll find the largest difference between models and production centers. Both guitars were made in 1997, and the Squier was Davids’ first electric guitar. You get a flatter 9.5" radius for easier string bending, hotter output single coil pickups, and a smoother two-point vibrato. From a cheaper start, Squier now produces some Telecaster’s that are virtually as good as the Fender versions. Your purchases help youth music programs get the gear they need to make music. Read the Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Telecaster review, Launch price: £2,349/€2,599/$2,499 | Body: 2-piece Ash | Neck: Maple | Scale: 25.5" | Fingerboard: Rosewood | Frets: 21 | Pickups: 2x Fender Jimmy Page Custom '59 Tele | Controls: master volume, master tone, three-way pickup selector blade switch | Hardware: nickel/chrome 3-saddle bridge with threaded steel saddles, Pure Vintage Fender Deluxe tuners | Left-handed: No | Finish: White Blonde. The bodies are generally formed by gluing many more pieces of wood together than is the case with USA-made models. More expensive models will, of course, have higher resale value, but both Squiers and Standards have consistently high demand. Vintage-style Squiers have glossy necks and bodies, while more modern or low-end models tend to have a satin neck. Fender Dave Murray Strat with Seymour Duncan Pickups. Does Fender’s Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster Deliver the Goods? Explore more of the best Fender Stratocasters around For nearly every Fender model, it’s relatively easy to swap pickups, pickguards, change saddles, replace tuners, and even swap necks and bodies. However, savvy shoppers can often find deals on used Fenders that will fit any budget. Rosewood has been an option ever since, on Japanese and American Fender models. Replacing parts on a Squier can be a tricky undertaking. Looking for a great deal on a new guitar? If you’re just starting out, the sound of your pickups or the thickness of your finish might not matter as much as it would to someone who has been playing for years and is familiar with the alternatives. For years, we all assumed he'd used a Les Paul. In previous years, the Standard line has included some diverse models, including limited runs with rare colors like shell pink, swirls and splatter paint, and other unique features. By the following year, a single pickup version called the Esquire was launched. Many of the humbuckers used in Squier instruments are ceramic-magnet-based, with more emphasis on output than tonal clarity. Mexican made Fenders now feature Pau Ferro fingerboards to give the increasingly endangered rosewood a much needed rest. Maple necks generally have the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards for most models. As always, your mileage may vary and you should look to your ears and hands to make a decision. Don't judge a guitar by its price tag. Many Squier models are made of basswood, agathis, poplar, and other cheap woods as well. Leo Fender and his team in Fullerton, California, began work on the guitar that would become the Telecaster back in 1949. Unlike the many, many, signature model recipients out there, Ed didn't want his guitar to come across as a vanity project. All rights reserved. To keep things simple, we'll include these newer models in the discussions of the Made in Mexico Standard line. Leo Fender and his team in Fullerton, California, began work on the guitar that would become the Telecaster back in 1949. We all yakked ourselves senseless over how great the guitar sounds are on the first Led Zeppelin album (1968). Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. The body wood of a Squier can be hard to determine, as the finish is, in many cases, quite thick on these models. Tele heads have been installing Bigsby vibratos on their guitars since the early 1950s. When Leo Fender produced the first Telecaster prototypes in 1949, he built them with a pine body, so the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster is just a remembrance of Fender’s original ideas. Highlights include a thin and lightweight body, an easy-to-play “C”-shaped neck profile, dual single-coil pickups with three-way switching for sonic variety, and a … Though these models are of a higher-quality than their Squier counterparts, some of them—like the Starcaster and custom set-neck Telecaster—are made in some of the same production areas as Squiers, like Indonesia, China, and Korea. The Fender Squier JVs were manufactured between 1982 and 1984. Yet, lightning struck again in 1954 when Leo unleashed the Stratocaster, arguably the most famous electric guitar of all time. Many beginning guitar players start with Squier guitars. For Fender Standard models, traditional Fender tonewoods have generally been the focus, with most models being primarily made of alder or ash. Squier Standard Telecaster is a very popular option on the lower end of the price range. Telecasters are sonic chameleons. To avoid producing 1:1 copies, other manufacturers, for example, make the horn a bit more pointed, the cutaway deeper or add a belly cut. Initially, the long-term cost of a Squier will be more, as more elements will be in line for replacement, such as pickups, tuners, and most metal parts. Fender is one of the most well-known and trusted makers of guitars around the world. Listen to Jimi Hendrix playing Little Wing for a textbook example of the neck/middle pups in cahoots. The higher quality parts and build will allow the instrument to age better and let one be more selective on what to change and keep. Once exclusively Strats and Teles, the current Standard line includes fewer overall models than the Squier catalog, but with more variety within each model. Let us know in the comments. The latter feed off the resonance of the body wood to unlock some classic Tele country, rock and blues tones. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Also, a setup and fret-dressing will be needed in most cases for the instrument to play optimally. Aside from a brilliant V shape neck profile, one of the best you'll ever play, the EOB has a Sustainer system. Squier is a division of Fender and its Telecasters are based on Fender models, sharing many of the same design features at super-affordable prices. For example, the new Mexico-built Fender Vintera 60s Telecaster comes with a Bigsby vibrato. But overall, material is a matter of taste. With Black Friday incoming, now is the perfect time to be looking for great Black Friday guitars deals. Fender’s Standard line has generally been considered to have higher quality parts all around. The historic guitar giant currently makes countless instruments, from exquisite small-batch Custom Shop offerings to its Made in the USA, Japan, and Mexico lines, and, finally, to its entry-level brand, Squier. This long list of the best Telecasters might help This range of prices makes for some hard choices about whether to save up for a more expensive stock instrument or pay a little less and use your excess budget for potential upgrades down the line. Fit and finish can be very model-dependent across all price points. This is the guitar that links country jazz players like Danny Gatton to classic rocker Pete Townshend of The Who and Slipknot's masks metalhead Jim Root. Then, from 1983 and a drop in the quality of the guitars, although it was still high, Fender decided to change the large Squier decal and separate the by Fender decal. Like our recent Gibson vs. Epiphone piece, the goal of this article is to give an overview of the main differences between the two for those who are simply curious or for those looking to purchase one or the other. Then you'll know whether you're a Strat fan, Tele nut, or one of those people that loves both of Leo Fender's mechanical wonders. Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster Fender Standard (MIM) Telecaster The release of the Classic Vibe series back in 2008 gave Squier a much needed boost in reputation, proving they could cut costs intelligently and maintain excellent quality control from their Chinese factory. Iconic Strat headstock recent, higher-end Squiers have had special runs of instruments made of alder or ash create new! Bodies, while more modern performance will likely prefer the Modified edition basswood, agathis, poplar and... Have an ash body touring workhorse and staked its claim in rock.! 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