Introducing the Allure of the Entry-Level Brand: Squier by Fender

Greetings! This is Mark, a rookie writer.

The year 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Squier brand! To celebrate this milestone, I’d like to share my insights on Squier as of 2022 as one of its biggest fans.

■ What is Squier?

Squier is a brand under the umbrella of the well-known Fender.

Its lineup ranges from affordable, cost-efficient models to unique variations and reissues not often seen in the main Fender lineup, as well as high-end models that rival the quality of Fender itself.

What sets Squier apart from the countless copy models of other manufacturers is that it is a directly affiliated brand of Fender.

While other companies use vague names like ‘ST-style model’ or ‘JB-XX’, Squier proudly carries the official names: Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazz Bass, and Precision Bass.

Even though they are more affordable, the instrument you hold is a bona fide Stratocaster or Telecaster!

A name may seem like a minor detail, but it carries a unique charm that should not be overlooked.

■ Misconceptions About Squier

One common concern among those considering buying a Squier is its ‘quality’.

When I advise people on their purchase decisions, I often encounter comments like, “I read bad reviews online” or “Someone more experienced told me to avoid it,” which make them hesitant to go ahead.

Allow me to offer my own perspective.

As of 2022, Squier not only meets the average quality standards for instruments in its price range but, in some cases, even surpasses them.

One reason Squier is often misunderstood lies in its long history.

The longer a brand’s history, the more changes it undergoes—good times and bad. Even just considering manufacturing locations, Squier has operated in China, Indonesia, and even Japan (!) at different times.

It’s worth noting that those offering advice online or to less experienced players are often older and may have encountered Squier during one of its less stellar periods, or they might have purchased an underwhelming unit by chance. I myself have gone through times when I thought, “Squier isn’t quite hitting the mark right now.”

That’s exactly why I’ve taken up the pen to introduce Squier as it stands in 2022. I hope this helps to dispel the vague distrust some of you may have held in your hearts.

■ Squier’s Lineup

Like Fender, Squier offers a variety of series to cater to different player needs and budgets.

As of 2022, here’s the lineup:

High-Class
・Classic Vibe

Mid-Class
・Paranormal
・Contemporary

Entry-Class
・Affinity
・Bullet

Others
・Artist
・Mini

Let’s take a brief look at each series!

＜Classic Vibe＞

The flagship series of Squier. Classic Vibe blends vintage-inspired features with modern playability enhancements, striking a balance between nostalgic charm and ease of use.

With high-quality components like gloss-finished necks and Alnico pickups, along with outstanding build quality, this series has earned high praise, winning awards from international magazines and music sites. Personally, I believe the Classic Vibe Series rivals, if not surpasses, Fender’s Player Series (commonly known as Fender Mexico).

＜Paranormal＞

As the name suggests, the Paranormal Series features reissues of rare models and uniquely reimagined designs.

For example, the Paranormal Cyclone is based on the Fender Cyclone II.

While retaining the iconic Jaguar-style switches, it swaps out the pickups for Strat-style ones. This design lowers the barrier for replacement while preserving the original vibe.

This series is perfect for those looking for unconventional instruments or for those who want to own previously unreissued models at an affordable price.

＜Contemporary＞

The Contemporary Series features modern, performance-ready specs such as dual-humbucker Stratocasters and active dual-humbucker Jazz Basses (!), making them ideal for immediate use.

For instance, the Contemporary Jaguar® HH ST comes equipped with a stop tailpiece, a tune-o-matic bridge, and Atomic humbuckers (famous as pickups for the Tornado and Cyclone). Additionally, the neck is made of roasted maple—an exciting and practical feature that promises great playability.

This series is perfect for players seeking modern functionality and ease of use.

＜Affinity＞

The Affinity Series, meaning ‘connection’ or ‘familiarity’, offers models that stay true to the originals or simplify certain features.

For example, you’ll find a standard Stratocaster with an SSS pickup configuration and a synchronized tremolo, as well as a Jazzmaster that retains its pickups but replaces the bridge with a synchronized tremolo. This series is a great choice for those who prefer classic, traditional guitars.

Notably, the Affinity Series has a long history within Squier’s lineup, and its overall quality has improved over the years. In my personal opinion, it now rivals the Standard Series (a former mid-level series) in terms of quality.

＜Bullet＞

The Bullet Series, likely named after Fender’s distinctive bullet-shaped ball ends, is the most affordable line within Squier’s offerings.

While the grade of individual components and overall craftsmanship might lean towards the ‘budget guitar’ category, Squier doesn’t compromise on usability and value.

For example, the Bullet Strat HT features a hardtail bridge (fixed bridge), which makes it easier to keep in tune compared to models with tremolos, making it ideal for beginners. Meanwhile, the Bronco Bass boasts a short scale length, meaning it’s easier to press the strings without needing to stretch your fingers too far—a great advantage for players just starting out.

This series is perfect for those who prioritize affordability while still seeking a playable and practical instrument.

＜Artist＞

This series features signature models, commonly known as ‘artist’ models. A wide variety of models from both domestic and international artists are available. Since the specifications vary greatly between models, please check the official website for more details.

＜Mini＞

This series features mini guitars that adopt an even shorter 578mm scale than short-scale guitars.

What’s remarkable is its playability. Rather than just downsizing recklessly, the guitar is designed to avoid any compromises in functionality, achieving a level of comfort in both the neck grip and body fit that is far beyond what you’d expect from a mini guitar.

By limiting the scale length to 578mm, it allows the use of standard gauge strings, which is a clever touch. This makes it more cost-effective to maintain compared to mini guitars that require heavy gauge strings.

Additionally, since the pickups and saddles are the same size as those on regular guitars, modifications and repairs are easier, which is another advantage of this series.

■ Squier: A Brand Full of Appeal

I’ve explained the current state and the appeal of the Squier brand above.

As mentioned earlier, Squier is often misunderstood in Japan, a country where quality and brand orientation are highly valued. However, Squier has many loyal enthusiasts overseas. Some people buy as many as they can, while others modify their guitars in creative and extreme ways.

There are professionals like J. Mascis, who uses them extensively in live performances, and others like Mike Rutherford, who likes the Bullet Strat so much that he modifies it for use on tours.

In Japan, Sawao Yamanaka of the Pillows has used his signature model for years, and Yoshiaki Manabe of the Pillows even swapped from a Gibson to a Squier during recording to re-record a guitar solo.

Squier is truly a brand with that much appeal. If you’re intrigued, I encourage you to give one a try!

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