Squier?

[jeje]

Are Squier crap? Or do they just have a 'crap'-rumor, like Epiphone has with some people? Think I might want a Tele.. Is it worth spending $300 on?

[Steelpriest]

In any case it is worth the money, I had a Squier Stratocaster once and it was very decent. But keep away from the Squier Affinity series, that is actually the cheapest series of Squier guitars and it is made in China. But also these guitars are very worth the money. They should sell about 150,00 € or $. These Affinity series guitars are decent concerning the used woods and the good quality of manufacturing, but the hardware and the pickups are horrible. Better buy a higher priced Squier for 300,00 $ and you have a guitar that is not far away from a mexican/korean Fender Strat...

[sandman]

well, for $389 you can get a mexican fender...I love mine. They have a poplar body but you can check the reviews on harmony central. The are pretty nice for the price and your getting a genuine fender.

[dennisobell]

A little off the original topic, but. . .

I don't know, but I kind of agree with sandman here.

The fact that you can buy a "real" Fender for only $350.00 (albeit a MIM one) makes the whole Squier product line sort-of irrelevant, in my opinion. And the Affinity series even more so: for all but the "I-want-an-electric-guitar-for-as-little-as-possible crowd."

I recall reading a while back that the launch of the MIM Fenders was a very risky marketing strategy for them, as it weakened Squier for the reason(s) stated above and that it lowered the percieved status of the parent brand.

I've never owned a Squier, so I would certainly go with Steel on that one, but I guess that the larger question would be: What is the quality vs. price ratio of all the Fender/Squier (and Affinity) products, and make your decision based upon that.

Hmmm. . . A Tele in brown sunburst would be pretty nice in my guitar room too!!!

[CAFeathers]

I have a Squier Strat and it is a very playable guitar.

[zep]

jeje said:

Are Squier crap? Or do they just have a 'crap'-rumor, like Epiphone has with some people? Think I might want a Tele.. Is it worth spending $300 on?

Squire isn't known to make great instruments, but there's only so much you can do in that price range. You should probably stay away from the low end Squires like Steel said, but their better ones and the low end Fenders are good for the money.

[chrisgrimes]

Hi JeJe

I don't know where in the world you are but in the UK Squier have had a "re-birth"

I disagree that the affinity series are not good, they are aimed at beginners and are not a gigging guitar, in the UK they are GBP 120 (GBP 180 for the affinity and a frontman 15w amp), they serve a purpose and they get young uns interested.

Now my main point, they have re launched the standard series, upgraded hardware and pick ups, I have tried both the standard strat and the tele, man they are excellent guitars, wonderful lacquer finish thrown in, plus a lot more work has gone into the neck, you also have a choice of rosewood or maple fingerboard.

These are GBP 189 in UK Including the HSS Fat ), a standard Mex Strat or Tele is 320 (300 at a push) most folks have this obsession with changing the pups before they have even got to know the guitar anyway even on the Mex, it is probably a completely different scenario in the US where I believe the price differential is much less.

I wholehartedly endorse the squier standard range, my boy won't give me the recently purchased Epi LP Std back, so I am going to try and lure it off him with the promise of the Squier Standard Strat HSS all black lacquered, blacked out pups and tremolo tip and silver scratch plate, I'm too old to carry it off but the youngsters love them !!

This won't help if you are in the US but may prove useful to anyone else in UK.

Chris - UK

[Steelpriest]

Chris, I said the cheap Squier Affinity series is decent for that little money... I was able to lay my greedy hands on such a guitar a few years ago and I really gigged with it, hehe! Just had to change the pickups and the tuners. Concerning it´s tone and playability is was pretty okay.

[jeje]

Love this place lots of opinions and help, no flaming bs

And no, I wasn't expecting top of the line quality, its $300 after all.. Thanks for the help ppl, think I'll just might have to spend some money.. A yellow tele wouldn't be absolutely horribly wrong

[chrisgrimes]

JeJe

You can't go wrong with the standard Squier tele, as long as you follow the golden rule.....

Try it in the shop !!!! They are mass produced, insist on trying at least 6 until you find the cream of the crop, smaller stores usually buy at least 6 Squiers, in amongst them will be a complete diamond !!

Good luck - let me know

Chris

[gearhead41]

I think that you'll find that the cheaper strats and telecasters from Squier have improved drastically over the last three or 4 years. If you like it, buy it. I do , however, aree with the notion that if you are going to go for the "high end" Squier, you'd be better off getting a MExican Standard Fender.

Ive had an Affinity Series telecaster and it was "stupid proof" for the money. For a 170.00 guitar it was great value for the $$$

James

[samicksg]

Well my buddy just bought an affinity tele today and man this thing ROCKS!!!! let me tell you, if he didnt buy it, I would have!! Squier has deffinately improved their entire line of guitars..Go give them another shot guys!

[jeje]

Ok, I went to a guitar store here to check prices and availability.. Had a Squier Tele, black for $275, and an affinity Tele, also black, for $200.. I'm thinking the one for $275 is a good deal.. I'll go try saturday.. anything special I should look for? I know jack sh*t about fenders

[Ol Geezer]

jeje said:

Ok, I went to a guitar store here to check prices and availability.. Had a Squier Tele, black for $275, and an affinity Tele, also black, for $200.. I'm thinking the one for $275 is a good deal.. I'll go try saturday.. anything special I should look for? I know jack sh*t about fenders

Restating what has already been written before in this thread, "real Fender" MIM Standard Teles in standard colors should be $350 tops (not much more than the Squier) and they're great -- I have three!

[jeje]

Ol said:

Restating what has already been written before in this thread, "real Fender" MIM Standard Teles in standard colors should be $350 tops (not much more than the Squier) and they're great -- I have three!

Hmm yeah, they had those too, but he wanted a whopping 600 bucks for them