Many people who are new to the world of guitars tend to think that Fender and Squier are the same brands. Technically, a Squier is a Fender guitar, because the brand is owned by Fender.
But, there are several differences between the two brands, including where they are manufactured, how they are manufactured, materials used, and pricing.
Today we are going to take a look at the differences between Fender vs Squier, so you will have a better idea of how they are made and which brand is best for your particular guitar-playing needs. Let’s get started.
Fender is the Real Deal
If you are looking for a true Stratocaster, then there is only one choice, and that is a Fender Stratocaster. But, if you are going to buy a Strat, be prepared to fork over a pretty big chunk of change. After all, if you want the best, it’s going to cost you.
On the other hand, if you are buying an electric guitar for a beginner and don’t want to spend a lot of money, a Squier could be the next best thing to a Strat. Most Squier guitars have the look and feel of a traditional Stratocaster or Telecaster, and they are much easier on your wallet.
A basic Strat is going to cost a minimum of $1,000, and that’s only if you are able to get a really good deal. As a rule, you can expect to spend $1,200 and up for a Strat. If you are looking for something more affordable, the Squier is a good option, and you can buy one for less than $500.
In fact, there are many available for $200 or less. You can get other Fender guitars for around $700 and up, so there are still plenty of options under $1,000.
If these two brands are pretty much the same, why is there such a huge difference in the price? Well, a real Strat is made in the USA or Mexico, with higher quality materials. And, the American Strats go through much more rigorous testing than Squier guitars, which are made in China.
Both brands offer similar models, including Strat and Telecaster models, so, depending on your budget, there should be something for everyone between the two of them.
Fender: An Iconic History
Since the 1940s, when Leo Fender started his company in California, Fender has been one of the most well-known and popular guitar brands in the world. Squier has been around for over 100 years.
Founded in the US, this company also made great guitars, but they were more budget-friendly. In 1975, Fender purchased Squier, and the rest is history. The Stratocaster was introduced to the world in 1954, and it is likely one of if not the most popular guitar ever made and the most copied.
Why did Fender decide to take on the Squier brand? Many other brands were trying to make their own cheap versions of Strats and Telecasters. So, Fender decided to get in on that game and bring out their own less expensive versions.
After all, if someone was going to make money from copies of Fender’s iconic guitars, it may as well be Fender that makes the most money from the copies. This isn’t the only brand that Fender has brought under its umbrella. In fact, the company also owns Jackson and Gretsch.
The Differences between Fender and Squier
Now that we’ve had a chance to discuss the history of Fender and Squier, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty and take a look at the differences between these two iconic brand names.
First, let’s talk about the materials used to make these guitars. Fender guitars are made from high-quality materials, with the bodies usually being made from alder and ash. Squier, on the other hand, tends to use poplar for many of its guitar bodies.
Hardware
The hardware used is also different. Fender guitars offer nothing but the absolute best hardware, whereas Squier uses lower-end materials and hardware. For instance, take a look at the pickups. Both brands build their guitars with single-coil pickups, but you will notice more of a hum with the Squier guitars.
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean a Squier isn’t going to sound great when you are playing it. Many musicians will tell you that they are more than happy with their Squier guitars and that they are the next best thing to the real thing.
Craftsmanship
When it comes to craftsmanship, you really can’t beat a true Stratocaster. Fender takes a lot of care when building their guitars, and you can be sure that much time and effort has gone into every instrument the company produces. Squier guitars are mass-produced, so less effort is put into the manufacturing of these guitars.
Value for Your Money
Both Fender and Squier offer a variety of models, many similar to one another. For instance, at a glance, you really can’t tell the difference between a Fender Strat and a Squier Strat, even though there are several differences.
You will find models ranging from entry-level to intermediate-level in Squier guitars, and Fender offers models that are geared towards intermediate to professional levels. The Squiers range in price from $150 to $500, while a Fender will set you back a minimum of $700.
When it comes to long-term value, Fender is more collectible and desirable, and, therefore, will hold their value much longer than a Squier, which has relatively little value in the long-term.
Manufacturing Region
We talked a bit about where these two guitar brands are manufactured. Most Fender guitars are manufactured in the United States or Mexico. The Mexican-manufactured guitars tend to be less expensive, but still have that amazing Fender quality. Still, if you want the best Strat money can buy, the best option is one that is made in the USA.
Squier guitars are manufactured in Asia, as are many other lower-end, affordable guitars. There is much less quality control in these factories, and there is less effort into producing instruments than there is with the American Fender guitars.
Price Range
We’ve mentioned a bit about how both guitar brands are priced. Now we are going to take a more in-depth look at the pricing for the various ranges of guitars offered by both brands.
Both Fender and Squier have a pretty good range of guitars for players of all levels. No matter what you are looking for, one or both brands will be able to offer exactly what you need.
Let’s begin by looking at the price range for Squier guitars:
- Entry Level Model – $150
- Affinity (traditional) – $230
- Standard (similar to the Fender American Pro line) – $250
- Classic Vibe (closest thing to Fender guitars) – $250
- Contemporary (a new twist on an old classic) – $450
Now, let’s take a look at the price range for Fender guitars:
- Player (most affordable) – $700
- American Professional Classic (made in the USA) – $1,500
- American Ultra/Elite (also made in the USA but more premium) – $1,900
- Custom Shop (the best Fender offers) – Can cost several thousand dollars
Diving into the Differences
So, as you can see, there is a big difference in the pricing between the two brands. It’s time to discuss why there is so much of a difference.
First, Squier guitars are basically made for beginners. In many cases, someone who is just learning how to play may end up choosing not to stick with it. They start out with a cheaper guitar for this reason, because they don’t want to invest a lot of money on something they may not continue using.
The budget Squier guitars are made from lesser-quality materials than Fender guitars. The tonewood is lower quality, and there is a fixed hardtail bridge on the basic Squier Strats instead of the floating tremolo bridge you will find on a Fender Strat. There is an upgrade to a floating tremolo bridge on the Squier Affinity series of guitars, and you can also get these guitars in more colors and finishes.
With the Squier Standard, you get a guitar that is about as close to a real Fender Strat as you can possibly find, while still saving at least $1,000. It has a flame maple finish rather than the flat finish that you will find on the Affinity and entry-level Squier guitars, and the materials and hardwood are of higher quality.
If you are looking for something more traditional but still don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Squier Classic Vibe is a great option. It has great pickups that offer much more mid-range than other guitars from Squier. The Squier Contemporary Strat model has a slimmer neck, and the finish is satin, so it is smooth to play.
Now, if you really have your heart set on getting a Strat but you don’t have a huge budget, the entry-level version, manufactured in Mexico, is a good option. It is much less expensive than the American Standard, but the quality is much finer than that of a Squier. In fact, with each step up in this line, you will get guitars that have much better quality woods and hardware.
Best Options for Beginners
If you are just learning how to play the guitar, chances are you are not nearly ready to invest over $1,000 for a quality Fender guitar. But, you can still get a pretty great-sounding guitar to learn on, and you never know, it could end up being your favorite guitar for many years to come, no matter how many guitars you amass throughout the years.
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to purchase a brand new guitar. There are plenty of great deals out there on second-hand guitars, and you can find many at pawn shops. Even many music stores have a used guitar section where you can find great prices on some pretty awesome guitars.
Make sure that you shop around before purchasing your first electric guitar, and do your homework, so you know exactly what you are looking for.
Knowing what you want and need is important, and it will play a huge role in the pricing. As a beginner, it is unlikely that you will need an expensive guitar with all of the bells and whistles. That will come in time once you are ready to move up to a better model.
Fender vs. Squier: Which is Best?
Obviously, a Fender guitar is going to win out over Squier any day, hands down. But, this doesn’t mean that you should completely discount Squier guitars, especially if you are a beginner.
In fact, there are some pretty darned good Squiers out there, such as the Classic Vibe and the Vintage Modified, both of which cost less than $500. These guitars both sound pretty awesome, and they are well-manufactured.
There is also the Affinity Strats and Affinity Telecasters from Squier, which are ideal beginner guitars. They are budget-friendly, are very playable, and have good sound quality. In fact, these guitars are often used by guitar players of all levels, including such professionals as guitar players from Queens of the Stone Age, Fall Out Boy, Mastodon, and many others.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several differences between Fender and Squier guitars. While both are under the same company umbrella, there is a world of differences. Obviously, the best guitars are going to come directly from Fender, but they are also going to cost a lot more than many beginning guitar players can afford.
A true Fender guitar is often the holy grail of guitars for many musicians. Sure, it is going to cost a lot more than a Squier, but if it is something that you really want, you will find a way to have one someday.
For the time being, it is probably best to start out with one of the less expensive Squier guitars, and work your way up to an American Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster.
