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Squier

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For other uses, see Squier (disambiguation).

Squier is a second-line brand of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. It produces models mostly derived from the Fender line of products but at lower cost, and are marketed similarly in providing high quality instruments at affordable prices for novice players. Squier guitars are now also sold in stores that do not specialize in musical instruments.

History

Fender, under the ownership of CBS, acquired the Squier brand name in the mid to late-1960s when it bought a USA based string-making firm, but it lay dormant for many years.

In the early 1980s, several events were pushing Fender to produce a second-line brand. Firstly, CBS had sold out to new management without the factories in California. This meant there would be a drop in production before new manufacturing plants could be constructed and commissioned. Also, there was a demand for an inexpensive range of guitars that could not be manufactured in the USA at a low enough cost due to the cost of manpower and raw materials. Furthermore, companies were producing Strat copies at affordable prices to cater to a large market of novice guitarists, and this trend was eroding Fender's share of the market, especially in Europe and Asia.

As a solution to the aforementioned problems, the Squier brand name was resurrected in the early 1980s to distinguish a series of classic reproductions called the known as the Squier JV series. These were surprisingly accurate reproductions of classic 1950s and 1960s Fender guitar models. Soon, a second series followed and these were called the SQ series as seen from the prefix to their serial numbers. They were generally reproductions of 1970s models, the main difference being that they were completely made out of parts made in Japan, whereas the initial JV series used USA-manufactured pickups.

Over time, Squier slowly evolved to be positioned as the budget brand of Fender and the attention to reproduction of classic designs was dropped, Fender instead taking up that area of the market through with new series, such as the Classic series and Custom Shop series. However, out-of-production Fender series like the Esprit and old Guild models have also been available under the Squier brand at some point in time, alongside several original models.

Initial Squier JV series

When initially launched in Europe in the early 1980s the Squier range offered classic reproductions of Fender's most popular models: '57 and '62 Stratocasters, '57 and '62 Precision Basses, '52 Telecasters and '62 Jazz Bass. These were made in the Fuji Gen Gakki factory in Japan - then also used by Ibanez - using original factory blueprints. These early Squiers are referred to as "JV Squiers" due to those two letters being the prefix on the serial number stamped on the neck plate that stand for "Japanese Vintage". Initial shipments to Europe had Fender's logo in large script on the headstock with a small "Squier Series" decal but quickly this gave way to a large Squier logo with a small "by Fender" decal. These early JVs are extremely accurate reproductions of the classic models and are highly sought by guitar collectors, especially in Europe.

Original models

There have been a few Squier models that have been distinct enough in specification from standard Fender models to be notable, such as the Super-Sonic, the Squier '51 (a design that hybridizes elements of the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and 1951 Fender Precision Bass), and the Jagmaster (partially derived from the Fender Jazzmaster and Jaguar). The Bullet name, currently used for an inexpensive Stratocaster variant, was originally applied to an early '80s short-scale model which resembled a hybrid of a Strat and a Mustang.

There are also original and distinct editions of existing Fender guitar designs like the Fender Stratocaster and Fender Telecaster, such editions being the Hello Kitty Stratocaster with pink finish and fingerboard inlays and the Hello Kitty logo, or the OBEY Graphics series of Stratocasters and Telecasters with custom hand-painted bodies.

Current models

As of 2007, Fender seems to be positioning Squier as both a budget brand (with the Bullet, Affinity, and Standard series of guitars and basses) and an alternate moniker, with some original models in the Squier lineup that are not found in Fender's own catalogue. Special editions of standard production models are not listed below.

Electric guitars

Affinity Series

California Series

  • Squier Stratocaster
  • Squier Telecaster
  • Squier Fat Stratocaster

Deluxe Series

  • Squier Satin Trans Fat Stratocaster HH
  • Squier Satin Trans Fat Stratocaster HSS
  • Squier Satin Trans Stratocaster
  • Squier Satin Trans Telecaster

Hello Kitty Series

Master Series

  • Squier Espirit (discontinued)
  • Squier M80
  • Squier M80 Special (Bolt-On)

Obey Graphics Series

  • OBEY Graphic Stratocaster HSS Collage/Dissent
  • OBEY Graphic Telecaster HSS Collage/Propaganda

Series 24 (Discontinued)

  • M-50
  • M-70
  • M-77
  • M-77 Limited Edition (Gold Top)
  • S-65
  • S-73
  • Starfire
  • X-155
  • X-155 Limited Edition (White Heat)

Standard Series

  • Squier Deluxe Stratocaster FMT
  • Squier Deluxe Stratocaster QMT
  • Squier Standard Double Fat Stratocaster
  • Squier Standard Stratocaster
  • Squier Standard Telecaster
  • Squier Standard Fat Telecaster
  • Squier Telecaster Special

Vintage Modified Series

Signature Series

  • Deryck Whibley Signature Telecaster
  • Farridhusin Telecustom
  • Oh Olarn Phromhjai Signature Stratocaster
  • Avril Lavigne Signature Telecaster

Discontinued models

Vista Series

Electric basses

Affinity Series

Hello Kitty Series

Modern Bass Series

Standard Series

Vintage Modified Series

Signature Series

Serial Numbers

Approximate Fender Squier Serial Number Dating.

Japanese Squiers:

For Japanese Squier serial number dating see Fenders serial number dating service. The Japanese MIJ (Made in Japan) Squiers were made by FujiGen up to 1997 and the Japanese CIJ (Crafted in Japan) Squiers were made by Tokai and Dyna from 1997.

Mexican Squiers:

MN: M = Mexico, N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the serial number prefix is the year. For example "MN8" = made by Fender at Ensenada Mexico in 1998.

USA Squiers:

USA Squiers are very rare and some of them have a serial number with a E prefix. They were made for less than a year spanning 1989 and 1990.

Korean Squiers:

CN/VN: C = Cort, V = Saehan(Sunghan), S was already taken by Samick so Saehan(Sunghan) used V instead (Saehan(Sunghan) made the Vester guitars), N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the serial number prefix is the year. For example "CN5" = made by Cort in 1995. For example "VN5" = made by Saehan(Sunghan) in 1995.

KC/KV: KC (Korean Cort) and KV (Korean Saehan(Sunghan)), the serial number prefix is followed by a 2 number year. For example "KC97" = made by Cort in 1997. For example "KV97" = made by Saehan(Sunghan) in 1997. KC and KV serial number prefixes are usually used on Crafted in Korea Squiers.

There were also Korean Squier serials with no serial number prefix and 6 or 7 numbers, and the first number is the year.

The S and E serial number prefix Korean Squiers seem to be from the late 1980s/early 1990s and not before 1987/1988 and don't seem to have a reliable serial number dating system. Fender was changing Squier production to different countries at the time. Some Squier II's were made in India around 1989-1990.

Chinese Squiers:

YN: Y = Yako (Taiwan), N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the serial number prefix is the year. For example "YN5" = made by Yako in 1995.

CY: C = China, Y = Yako (Taiwan), the serial number prefix is followed by a 2 number year. For example "CY97" = made by Yako in 1997. CY serials are usually used on Crafted in China Squiers. Some Chinese made Gretsch guitars also have a CY serial number.

Miscellaneous Chinese serials: CD, CT, CJ, NC: C = China, the first number following the serial number prefix is the year. Probably made by Yako (Taiwan).

Squier serial numbers beginning with CA are made by Axl China.

Indonesian Squiers:

IC: I = Indonesia, C = Cort, the serial number prefix is followed by a 2 number year.

IS: I = Indonesia, S = Samick, the serial number prefix is followed by a 2 number year.

Indian Squiers:

Some Squier II's were made in India around 1989-1990. Some recent Squiers are being made in India.

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