
Squier, Fender’s budget brand, sells guitars and basses at lower prices, making them ideal for beginners. However, many professional musicians also use Squier as their main guitars. Let’s explore the appeal of Squier along with some of these musicians!
■ Omar Rodríguez-López
He used the black Squier SuperSonic. Omar is the guitarist for The Mars Volta and modified the control panel of a right-handed SuperSonic to use it as a left-handed guitar. He has also used Ibanez and Fender electric guitars.
Squier / Paranormal Super Sonic Blue Sparkle
This is a recommended model of the Super Sonic that Omar also used. The sparkling blue finish is beautiful! With a reverse body and reverse headstock, plus two humbuckers, it has a striking appearance!
■ Jeff Healey
The blind blues guitarist Jeff Healey also used a Squier Stratocaster. He plays in a unique style, resting the guitar on his lap and using all five fingers to press the strings. This style might look cooler than the conventional way of holding a guitar. He sometimes stands while playing or even plays with his teeth. Be sure to check out the videos!
Squier / Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS Maple Black
This is a recommended model from Squier Stratocaster. The Classic Vibe 70s recreates the electric guitar from the 1970s, featuring a stylish large headstock. It has a humbucker on the bridge pickup and a slim C-shaped neck for easy playability! This is considered a higher-class model within the Squier range.
■ George Harrison
George Harrison, the guitarist of The Beatles, also used Squier guitars. He initially bought one for his son, but found the sound so good that he started using it himself. Later, a limited edition Squier Stratocaster was produced in the UK in collaboration with Fender. This guitar was manufactured by Fujigen from Japan.
■ Rob Harris
Rob Harris is the guitarist for the British band Jamiroquai, known for blending funk and acid jazz. He uses various electric guitars, including Fender and Gibson, but he also plays Squier. He uses the 1982 Squier JV Stratocaster, and the video below shows him relentlessly shredding, which is quite educational.
Squier / Affinity Stratocaster Maple 2TS Electric Guitar
This is a Sunburst model he plays in the video. The Affinity Series is a step up from the Bullet Series, designed for easy playability for beginners to intermediates, all at an affordable price. The jumbo headstock looks great!
Squier / Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar 3-Color Sunburst
If you’re looking for a Sunburst guitar, this one is also recommended. The Jaguar has a strong design impact, perfectly embodying the 70s vibe, all at a low price. Nice!
■ What Kind of Manufacturer is Squier?
Squier primarily sells budget guitars and basses under the Fender brand. In addition to budget models, they also sell signature guitars and unique custom products. The name Squier comes from the string manufacturer, V.C. Squier Company, which Fender acquired. Founded in 1982, Squier was established alongside Fender Japan.
Initially, Squier was sold exclusively in Japan, but the manufacturing spread to various Asian countries, Mexico, and India. Although Squier is positioned as a budget brand, being under the Fender umbrella allows them to officially use brand names like Stratocaster and Telecaster. This means that with Squier products, you don’t need to say “Strat type”; you can confidently say, “It’s a Strat!”, which is a significant advantage.
■ Squier is Recommended for Your First Guitar
Squier, which can proudly bear the names Stratocaster and Telecaster at a low price, is highly recommended for electric guitar beginners to purchase as their first guitar. With a variety of series, you can choose affordable models like the Affinity or Bullet, or opt for the Classic Vibe, which features Fender-designed Alnico pickups and attention to detail, depending on your budget. There are also many signature guitars available, so buying a model from your favorite musician is a great idea. Why not consider Squier products, which are used by professional musicians, as a potential purchase?
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