Squier Electric Guitar 101
The amalgamation of Squier strings and Fender tuning machine resulted in producing the most affordable guitars which today are called the Squier Guitars by Fender. Squier was primarily a string manufacturer for Violins, Banjos, and Guitars; whereas Fender started as a radio repairing service that later started manufacturing Electrical Instruments and Amplifiers.
Until Fender acquired the string magnet Squier and produced the first affordable guitar: the ‘Squier Japanese Vintage’ which became a revolution in the industry at the time. Fender targeted countries with lower labor costs and set up manufacturing units to mass produce affordable versions of their classic Fender Guitars under the brand name Squier, which later turned out to be every guitarist’s household staple.
Characteristic Features of Squier Guitars-
Body-
The Squier Electric Guitar’s bodies are usually built with either Alder, Ash, Basswood, Mahogany, Mapel, Pine, Poplar, and Spruce; these being the cheaper and lighter kind of woods, provide in making Squier Guitars available at their iconic budget price ranges. These woods provide sturdiness in the middle and have a strong response.
Neck-
Squier uses woods like Mapel, Rosewood, Ebony, Pau Ferro, and Laurel as their staple for the neck, which is a great balance to the heavy middle of the Electric Guitar’s body. Squier also provides multiple neck shapes to choose from like the C Shape, Modern C, D Shape, U Shape, V Shape, and Deep C.
Pickup-
An array of magnets that transmit electrical signals to the amplifier by sensing the vibrations of the strings is called a pickup. Pickups are generally classified under two segments: Single Pickups- these are a single array of magnets that produce high-frequency sounds which make them an ideal option for pop, country, or rock ‘n’ roll; Humbucker/ Double Pickups- unlike the single pickups these are two rows of magnets assembled that produce much rounded and stronger signals making them ideal for harder genres such as hard rock and metal.
Strings-
The length of the strings of most Squier Guitars is 25.5”, which can be found on most of its leading series like the Telecasters, Stratocasters, and Starcasters. Counterparts opt for different string lengths to create accents. The 25.5” string length delivers the lively tone, which is predictable of Squier Guitars.
Bridge-
The instrument that holds the base of the strings together on the body of the guitar is known as a Bridge. This helps transfer string vibrations to the body of the guitar. Squier majorly provides 3 kinds of Electric guitar bridges: Fixed Bridges- Often described as hardtails, fixed bridges are fastened in the middle of the body of the guitar to keep the strings in place laying on the attachment adjacent to the bridge. Each end runs from the body up to the headstock; Single Locking Tremolo– With the single-locking tremolo, the bridge can be moved slightly to the center of the guitar which can be helpful while playing solos; Double Locking Tremolo- With the double-locking tremolo, the bridge can be moved both sides using a lever. This allows you to add unique accents and smooth vibrato, a definite nightmare for beginners though.
Ultimate Squier Series to pick from-
Stratocaster-
- This series has revolutionized the music market, producing the most guitars back in that epoch, and still tends to be the handiest guitar out there. Amalgamating bridge and its elevated attachment helped create quiver-like tones that are usually confined to steel guitars.
Our top two recommendations-
- Squier Affinity Stratocaster
- Squier Classic Vibe ‘70’s Stratocaster HSS
Telecaster-
Telecasters were designed in such a way with their unique body composition that allowed the player eloquence and longevity. With a single array of magnet strips both at the neck and the bridge gives an extensive reach to the tones for any style of music, let it be old-time country rock or modern western swing.
Our top two recommendations-
1) Squier Affinity Series Telecaster
2) Fender Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Telecaster Thinline
Jaguar-
Jaguar guitar’s formularized string length is 24”, which was designed to aesthetically please the upbeat accelerated kind of guitarists and also for the younger players with smaller hands. Fender in his Jaguar series has introduced multiple control panels on board thus making its functionality the most intriguing amongst any of the other Fender Squier series.
Jazzmaster-
Jazzmaster was named after its design which was jazz-inspired. The uniqueness of this series is that the bridge is kept aloft along with a connected tailpiece. The whole build put together helps create a subtle quiver when the tones are switched.
Mustang-
Similar to the Jaguar Guitars, Mustang comes with shorter strings as well as a similar 24” string length suitable for smaller hands to navigate their frets helpful to produce sleek tones with minimal pressure on the string. The bridge as in the Jazzmaster is kept aloft along with an exceptional tailpiece curated for eloquent flexes and perfect pitch on any stage.
