The Squier Army!
As you probably have already noticed, my guitar collection is primarily Fender based, but is still fairly diverse. I enjoy vintage stuff, but also love my modern Fenders, and have recently "discovered" that Fender's entry level division also has some pretty cool guitars in the lineup, at prices that are hard to believe. These guitars are proof you don't HAVE to spend thousands of dollars to own a very high quality "real" Strat or Tele... Below are a few Squier guitars from my collect that I am quite fond of. Hope you'll take a look!
Surf Green Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar
Surf Green Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar
This one is quite the looker! It's a Surf Green Squier VM Jaguar in which i refinished the headstock in matching Surf Green, and added a vintage correct logo. That's not the only modification to stock though, as it also has a modified Mustang bridge to keep the strings on this short 24" scale neck in place, as well as a Fender mint green pickguard and aged white Fender pickup covers and a set of way-cool white tone and volume knobs. I also added a Fender Mute plate for a cool retro Jaguar look. It isn't functional, but no one ever really used those things anyhow... but they do look cool! Another great looking and great playing Squier!
1998 "Salesman's Sample" Affinity Strat
I wasn't in the market for a Chinese Squier Strat, but this one was so
dang cool I had to buy it. It's a CY serial Affinity in Fiesta/Hot Rod Red...
Check out the flame on the neck! The guitar is virtually unplayed/new/old stock from 1998. Still has the protective plastic on the pickguard and the original strings on it! It was a hand-selected guitar that was given to the owner of the famous West LA Music by a Fender/Squier sales rep at the time. The guitar was never sold, and was in the owner's personal collection until the store closed and everything was liquidated. What's cool (aside from the amazing wood on the neck) is that these 90's Affinitys were much nicer than the current ones, with full thickness bodies, 22 frets, better switches and pots, and a nice chunky neck. $600.00
dang cool I had to buy it. It's a CY serial Affinity in Fiesta/Hot Rod Red...
Check out the flame on the neck! The guitar is virtually unplayed/new/old stock from 1998. Still has the protective plastic on the pickguard and the original strings on it! It was a hand-selected guitar that was given to the owner of the famous West LA Music by a Fender/Squier sales rep at the time. The guitar was never sold, and was in the owner's personal collection until the store closed and everything was liquidated. What's cool (aside from the amazing wood on the neck) is that these 90's Affinitys were much nicer than the current ones, with full thickness bodies, 22 frets, better switches and pots, and a nice chunky neck. $600.00
Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster-Sonic Blue
This one started life as a basic Vintage Modified Squier Jazzmaster, but I took it to the next level by upgrading it from top to bottom. First, I refinished the headstock to match the beautiful Sonic Blue finish on the body. I also added a period-correct Fender logo and also upgraded the tremolo unit to a Fender branded locking style for a much more vintage appearance. Inside, the cavities were fully shielded with copper foil to resist any hum or static from the pickups. Lastly, a Fender mint green pickguard and aged white knobs, pickup covers, and switch tip was added. All the original Squier serial numbers remain unaltered on the reverse side of the headstock, as my intention was not to "disguise" this Squier as something else, but rather to make it look the way a custom color Jazzmaster should look in my opinion! It plays great, is set up for .010's with absolutely no buzz or rattles. One of the best playing Jazzmasters i've ever picked up!
Squier "Pro-Tone" Stratocaster
I remember seeing these in local music stores when they were first released. I can't say I ever tried one back then, but I do recall the variety of eye catching color schemes and models available. It wasn't until years later that I began hearing of how well built and great sounding these were. When I saw a near perfect example offered for sale I decided to buy it, more for curiousity's sake than anything else. These were made of solid ash, and have a very unique resonnance that seems somewhat different than the ash bodied USA strats I've owned. I'm not sure what the factory pickup specs were on these, but this particular one has a very warm tone, yet can bark and bite in the bridge position when you need it to. It features a painted headstock with a unique Squier logo, Fender stamped saddles on a 6 screw, vintage style bridge. The pickguard is red tortoise, with white plastic parts. The neck has a very flat radious, with large sized frets and very nice factory fretwork. While I must admit I find my current "Classic Vibe" series Strat to have slightly better tone, the fit and finish on this original Pro-Tone is definitely above and beyond what you would find on any other Squier of the era. The great reputation these guitars have seems to be well deserved.
Classic Vibe 60's "Hybrid" Telecaster
Vintage Blonde with 60's Rosewood neck
I always liked the blonde/rosewood combo on a telecaster, so I decided to "create" a new model of the Classic Vibe Tele in this exact combination. In addition to the rosewood neck procured from a Classic Vibe Custom, I also added a Fender 8 hole 3 ply white pickguard for a mid 1960's vibe. I tried mint green but it didn't bring out the blonde color as well as the pure white does. Keen eyes will also notice the tophat switch tip from a CVC. Pickups and wiring are stock CV50, and they sound great. I think it's got a definite Robben Ford/60's vibe going, and I decided to take some pics outside with one of my vintage Fender tolex cases for fun.
I hear talk of the CVC necks being thinner than the maple CV50s necks, but evidently the newer ones are all the same, because both CVC necks I have are nearly identical to my maple ones when measured at the 1st and 12th frets. This particular rosewood neck also has exactly the same profile as the maple neck it replaced, which isn't huge, but far from "pencil thin" as I've heard earlier ones described as. Even with similar profiles the laminated rosewood fretboard has a much different feel and tone, and a more "solid" overall feel. Its amazing how a basic neck swap can change the entire character of a Tele. It sounds slightly warmer than my CV50's, but in no way is it dull sounding...actually right now I'd say it's my favorite CV yet!
I hear talk of the CVC necks being thinner than the maple CV50s necks, but evidently the newer ones are all the same, because both CVC necks I have are nearly identical to my maple ones when measured at the 1st and 12th frets. This particular rosewood neck also has exactly the same profile as the maple neck it replaced, which isn't huge, but far from "pencil thin" as I've heard earlier ones described as. Even with similar profiles the laminated rosewood fretboard has a much different feel and tone, and a more "solid" overall feel. Its amazing how a basic neck swap can change the entire character of a Tele. It sounds slightly warmer than my CV50's, but in no way is it dull sounding...actually right now I'd say it's my favorite CV yet!
Classic Vibe 60's Custom Telecaster
60's Custom in 3 tone Sunburst
This is my personal favorite of the Classic Vibe lineup. If you didn't look at the Squier name on the face of the headstock, you'd swear this could be an American Vintage Reissue or even something from Fender's Custom Shop. The fit and finish of this guitar is just totally phenomenal, with absolutely stunning woodgrain, perfect neck pocket, flawless finish. It sounds amazing and is as much fun to play as it is to look at. The only changes I made to this was th add a bridge cover "ashtray" and I swapped the switch tip to the early "barrel" style for personal preference. If you don't own one of these Classic Vibe Customs, go out and buy one today... they are in my opinion the best guitar value on the market today! Believe the hype... these guitars are for real! $395.00
Classic Vibe 50's Telecaster
Classic Vibe 50's Telecaster in Vintage Blonde
After converting my first CV50's Telecaster to 60's specs by adding the rosewood fretboard, I decided I missed having a maple fretboard CV tele in my stable, so I ordered this one online. I was very impressed at what I was delivered. This one has some beautiful body grain, a true quartersawn maple neck with a nice deep amber tint. It came out of the box set up perfectly, and I swapped a set of .011 gage strings on it, adjusted the pickups slightly, and added a white single ply pickguard to help give it a 50's flair and bring out the color of the finish. This guitar is everything a 50's style tele should be!
Classic Vibe Telecaster Thinline
Classic Vibe Telecaster Thinline with rosewood fretboard
This is another "hybrid" Classic Vibe I created. Squier only offers this model with a fretted maple neck. The stock neck is very pale and unappealing to look at, and I prefer the feel of a rosewood fretboard anyhow. This problem was easily solved by purchasing a complete neck from a Classic Vibe Custom, and replacing the original one. It was a direct swap, and even the intonation remained perfect. I love the way the dark rosewood looks against the natural mohogany. I'm not sure why these aren't offered with rosewood, but I'll gladly keep my one of a kind! As with every Classic Vibe Squier I own, this guitar is absolutely flawless in construction, with a perfect finish, perfect hardware, and fretwork that can only be rivaled by the Fender Custom Shop. I honestly didn't know if I would like a Thinline, but the lightweight, coupled with the unique open tone of this makes it a unique standout within my collection. I love it!
Squier Classic Vibe 60's Stratocaster
60's Strat in Candy Apple Red
This is a 60's version of Squier's Classic Vibe Stratocaster in Candy Apple Red. This color was introduced after the initial run of 3 color sunbursts, and features a "mint green" pickguard, vintage style tremolo bridge, and Kluson style tuners. The fit and finish on this one is absolutely perfect, with a neck that fits into the pocket as snug as a bug in a rug! The fretwork is phenomenal, with perfectly rounded edges, no high spots, and a nice dark rosewood fretboard with beautiful grain and a vintage tinted neck. The paint finish is gorgeous, with a metallic "glow" that makes this guitar truly look like a fresh candy apple! The finish looks like it should have cost as much as what the retail price is for the entire instrument! The pickup covers, knobs, and switch tips are a warm, aged white, and the total weight is just over 7 pounds complete! The alnico pickups produce some of the nicest strat sounds I've ever heard, which is saying plenty, because I own a LOT of Strats. Overall I must say that this is the nicest Strat money can buy for under 350.00. Try one, you'll buy one!
"Hybrid" 60's Classic/CV Stratocaster
Fiesta Red '60s Classic/CV Stratocaster
This is yet another guitar that Fender "should have built" but didn't! I always liked Fiesta Red, but am partial to rosewood fretboards and 60's style appointments.
Unfortunately the only way Fender offers this color is with a maple neck. This is true for both the Classic 50's/60's line, as well as the Squier CV line. I decided I would take matters into my own hands to create the Fiesta Red Strat I wanted.
Basically what you see below is a new Fiesta Red Strat loaded body, a mint green 3 ply pickguard and the neck is from a 60's Classic. I am a rosewood fan, and had another 60's Classic I recently sold and I always liked the neck on it. I found a mint condition neck from another 60's Classic and it fit the Squier body like a glove.
When all said and done this turned out to be the lightest Strat I own (and I own quite a few!) and it rings like a bell. The neck is a bit chunkier than the one on my Candy Apple Red CV Strat, and has a totally different tone and feel. I have a set of Custom Shop 54's I was planning to install in this from the beginning, but it sounds so damn good I think I'm going to leave the stock CV pickups in it for awhile.
Unfortunately the only way Fender offers this color is with a maple neck. This is true for both the Classic 50's/60's line, as well as the Squier CV line. I decided I would take matters into my own hands to create the Fiesta Red Strat I wanted.
Basically what you see below is a new Fiesta Red Strat loaded body, a mint green 3 ply pickguard and the neck is from a 60's Classic. I am a rosewood fan, and had another 60's Classic I recently sold and I always liked the neck on it. I found a mint condition neck from another 60's Classic and it fit the Squier body like a glove.
When all said and done this turned out to be the lightest Strat I own (and I own quite a few!) and it rings like a bell. The neck is a bit chunkier than the one on my Candy Apple Red CV Strat, and has a totally different tone and feel. I have a set of Custom Shop 54's I was planning to install in this from the beginning, but it sounds so damn good I think I'm going to leave the stock CV pickups in it for awhile.