The V.C. Squier Company manufactured strings for violins, banjos, and guitars. It was established in 1890 by Victor Carroll Squier in Battle Creek, Michigan. In 1965, the company was acquired by Fender. By 1975, Squier became defunct as a manufacturer and a brand name for strings, as Fender opted to market its strings under the Fender brand name.
In 1982, the Squier brand was reactivated by Fender to become its brand for lower priced versions of Fender guitars. Squier guitars have been manufactured in Japan, Korea, Mexico, India, Indonesia, China, and the United States.
History[edit]V.C. Squier Company (1890–1975)[edit]
Jerome Bonaparte Squier, a young English immigrant who arrived in Battle Creek, Michigan, in the latter part of the 19th century, was a farmer and shoemaker who had learned the fine European art of violin making. He moved to Boston in 1881, where he built and repaired violins with his son, Victor Carroll Squier. To this day, their violins are noted for their exceptional varnishes, and they command high prices as fine examples of early U.S. instrument craftsmanship. Indeed, J.B. Squier ranks among the best-known U.S.-trained violin makers and is often referred to as 'the American Stradivarius.'
Victor returned to Battle Creek, where he opened his own shop in 1890. As his business grew, Squier moved the company to 429 Lake Ave. and eventually to 427 Capitol Ave, S.W.—the famous 'fiddle factory' of Battle Creek. With a limited market for violins in Battle Creek, however, Squier astutely sought relationships with national music schools and famous violinists.
Fender Squier Serial Numbers Japan
Up to 1900, the best violin strings were made in Europe. Victor Squier started making his own hand-wound violin strings, and the business grew so quickly that he and his employees improvised a dramatic production increase by converting a treadle sewing machine into a string winder capable of producing 1,000 uniformly high-quality strings per day. Squier violin strings, banjo strings and guitar strings became well known nationwide and were especially popular among students because of their reasonable price.
In the 1930s, Squier began making strings for the era's new electric instruments; the company also sold pianos, radios and phonograph records until divesting itself of all string-related products in 1961. Fender Electric Instruments entered the picture in the 1950s, when the V.C. Squier Company began supplying Southern California inventor and businessman Leo Fender with strings for his unusual new electric guitars. The V.C. Squier Company became an official original equipment manufacturer for Fender in 1963. Fender acquired the V.C. Squier Company in early 1965, shortly before Fender itself was acquired by CBS in May of the same year. By the mid-1970s, the Squier name was retired as the strings had taken the Fender name.[1]
Squier Guitars (1982–present)[edit]
Before the Fender Squier line of guitars was introduced in 1982, Fender was making lower priced guitars such as the Fender Lead series at its Fullerton, California plant. How to remove dropbox. Until the introduction of the Fender Squier series, Fender had never produced lower priced guitars based on its main Stratocaster and Telecaster models and had always used different model designs for its lower priced guitars.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s Fender was facing competition from lower priced Japanese made guitars. The higher priced Fender guitars were made in the United States and could not compete with the lower prices of Japanese made Fender copies. In the early 1980s, Japanese labor and production costs were much lower than in America and to compete with the Japanese made guitars, Fender moved the lower priced Fender guitar production from America to Japan.
Fender was also losing sales in Japan to Japanese guitar brands such as Tōkai, Greco and Fernandes and the establishment of Fender Japan would benefit Fender sales in Japan, as well as overseas. Fender began negotiations with several Japanese musical instrument distributors and reached an agreement with Yamano Gakki and Kanda Shokai to establish Fender Japan. Yamano Gakki was known for once being part of Epiphone Japan. Kanda Shokai owned the Greco brand name and one of the conditions of the Fender Japan agreement was that Kanda Shokai cease production of its own Greco Fender copies. This arrangement benefited Fender because it removed the Greco Fender copies from the Japanese market, which were selling in Japan at much lower prices than the American made Fenders and it also benefited Kanda Shokai because Kanda Shokai could then distribute Japanese made Fender branded guitars in Japan. Further negotiations between Fender and Japanese guitar factories took place. Tokai was seriously considered to start building the first Japanese made Fenders, but after a breakdown in negotiations, FujiGen Gakki was chosen instead.[2]
The initial Squier models were launched on July/August 1982. Over time, the Squier series slowly evolved to include original model designs and production has moved from Japan to various other Asian countries such as Korea, China and Indonesia.
See also[edit]References[edit]
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Squier&oldid=895334044'
The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is the largest guitar manufacturer in the world. The historic guitar giant currently makes countless instruments, from exquisite small-batch Custom Shop offerings to its Made in the USA, Japan, and Mexico lines, and, finally, to its entry-level brand, Squier.
Squiers have traditionally been regarded as great starter options for any novice guitar or bass player. It probably wouldn't be too far off to guess that at least half the experienced players reading this article have owned a Squier at some point in their lives, and for many in that group, it all began with a Squier starter pack that included a matching amp.
While for decades, Squier's product catalog mostly consisted of basic low-end takes on core Fender models, their offerings have diversified in recent years to include dozens of unique models, including some that were traditionally only available from the Fender Custom Shop. A lot of these new and exciting designs have people wondering about the real differences between Fender’s core lines and the Squier spin-offs. Today, that's exactly what we're going to explore.
For our purposes, we're going to focus mostly on comparing Fender’s well-regarded Made in Mexico (MIM) line with Squier instruments of predominantly Chinese and Indonesian origin. Like our recent Gibson vs. Epiphone piece, the goal of this article is to give an overview of the main differences between the two for those who are simply curious or for those looking to purchase one or the other.
The Cost of Buying a Fender or a Squier
As you’d expect, price varies widely in every category. New Squiers top out at around $450, whereas the same amount of money can usually get you a used MIM Fender. Used American-made Fenders are even more expensive, typically starting at around $600.
Across the board though, we highly recommend looking at used options when trying to find the best value on any Fender or Squier model. You can look at used Fender and Squier guitars here.
Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar
Below is a chart of some common price comparisons between new MIM Fenders and their Squier counterparts to give you an idea of the price spread. For our purposes we will be focusing on the standard Squier line, including the Vintage Modified and the Classic Vibe series.
This range of prices makes for some hard choices about whether to save up for a more expensive stock instrument or pay a little less and use your excess budget for potential upgrades down the line.
Bottom Line: If buying new, Squiers will always be cheaper than comparable Fenders. However, savvy shoppers can often find deals on used Fenders that will fit any budget.
Model Selection
Previously, the core of the Squier line was mostly made up of bare-bones Strats and Teles, Precision and Jazz Basses. But recently, the line has expanded to include Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Tele Thinlines, signature models (J Mascis, John 5, and others), Bass VIs, baritones, Strats and Teles of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, and nearly all of the basses Fender has ever made.
Squier has also further defied convention by diversifying finish choices and now offering custom colors like burgundy mist, seafoam green, and Lake Placid blue.
The Fender MIM line—also known as the Standard line (which includes some recent Asian production)—has been gaining players’ respect for decades. Fender’s recently introduced Modern Player line and some of the Vintage Modified line also fall into the same price bracket as the Standard line. Though these models are of a higher-quality than their Squier counterparts, some of them—like the Starcaster and custom set-neck Telecaster—are made in some of the same production areas as Squiers, like Indonesia, China, and Korea. To keep things simple, we'll include these newer models in the discussions of the Made in Mexico Standard line.
Once exclusively Strats and Teles, the current Standard line includes fewer overall models than the Squier catalog, but with more variety within each model. The Standard Strat, Teles, offsets, and basses come in a variety of pickup and bridge configurations, from the most 1950s-inspired models to HSH models, with their flame maple tops and Floyd Rose trems.
Also, a large number of signature models (Troy Van Leeuwen, Kurt Cobain, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Root, Brad Paisley, Dave Murray) have recently been introduced. In previous years, the Standard line has included some diverse models, including limited runs with rare colors like shell pink, swirls and splatter paint, and other unique features.
A clear standout from the Standard series is the “Classic Series,' which exhibits models with the best suite of traits from the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. This kind of product diversity makes it easy to find an instrument that is exactly—or at least most of the way toward—what you’re looking for.
Bottom Line: Both brands offer a wide range of models, but more and more, Squier's lineup includes unique instruments that aren't available as Fenders.
Wood Selection and Composition
Early Japanese Squiers were known for being made with quality woods, while later models became known for just the opposite after manufacturers started constructing cheaper models from plywood. More of the recent, higher-end Squiers have had special runs of instruments made of pine, alder, and other woods.
Many Squier models are made of basswood, agathis, poplar, and other cheap woods as well. While some players may discount basswood, many high-end Ibanez models are proudly made of basswood.
Squier Vintage Modified '72 Tele Thinline with an Ash Body
The body wood of a Squier can be hard to determine, as the finish is, in many cases, quite thick on these models. But overall, material is a matter of taste. I have personally found that many of the Squiers not made of basswood are very heavy when compared to similar MIM models of the same wood.
For Fender Standard models, traditional Fender tonewoods have generally been the focus, with most models being primarily made of alder or ash. Maple necks generally have the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards for most models.
The bodies are generally formed by gluing many more pieces of wood together than is the case with USA-made models. Opaque finishes also indicate that the instrument’s body is comprised of more pieces of wood than a clearly finished instrument. Early MIM Fender necks were actually made on CNC machines in the USA and finished in Mexico, as opposed to today, when all wood components are made in the Mexico factory.
Bottom Line: Squiers tend to use what are considered to be inferior woods, though the degree that this actually matters is ultimately up to the buyer.
Hardware
Hardware is where you’ll find the largest difference between models and production centers. The overwhelming amount of hardware for the Squier series are sourced from other factories and the parts are generally lower in quality.
Replacing parts on a Squier can be a tricky undertaking. Not only are there imperial and metric size differences, but there are also several differences within the Fender models themselves.
Fender brands much of its hardware, while a majority of Squier hardware is unbranded and of dubious origin and quality. Generally speaking, Squier uses lower-quality metals for most of its hardware. The quality of Squier tuners and bridge saddles are a common complaint.
Fender’s Standard line has generally been considered to have higher quality parts all around. Tuners are usually upgraded and of a sealed variety, and those on reissue models are generally similar to their vintage counterparts—for better or worse.
While replacing parts on a MIM Fender is always a viable option, potential modders should proceed with caution as many of the models use a mix of US parts and overseas parts. One example is the ‘72 Tele Thinline reissue, which has some MIM parts with USA-made bridge saddles. The newer, non-MIM Standards generally use metric-sized parts of varying quality.
Bottom Line: Squier uses inferior parts generally speaking. Due to differences in measurements, upgrading stock parts may not be as simple as it seems.
Pickups
Pickups, like parts, are generally where you can hear the biggest difference between these two lines with Squier generally using lower-quality pickups. Some of the single-coils are made with bar magnets instead of pole magnets, for example, making the sound fundamentally different from the classic Fender design.
Bar magnet single-coils are more similar in construction to P90s than Fender single-coils and lack the clarity of traditional Fender single-coils. Many of the humbuckers used in Squier instruments are ceramic-magnet-based, with more emphasis on output than tonal clarity.
Fender Dave Murray Strat with Seymour Duncan Pickups
The Fender Standard series has upgraded pickups, but again, are generally considered inferior to USA models. Different styles with each model also features a different set of pickups. Vintage-style models are outfitted with ‘50s-style pickups, for instance, while top-of-the-line signature models that are also MIM—such as the Dave Murray Stratocaster or Jim Root models—are outfitted with USA-made pickups by Seymour Duncan and EMG.
Because the Standard pickups are considered to be of decent quality, this all comes down to your personal taste. I think that the stock pickups in the Fender Standard ‘50s Strats sound great, so I personally wouldn’t upgrade them. Many players choose only to upgrade one or two of the pickups in a Fender Standard model which is also an option for any Squier.
Bottom Line: Pickups, like hardware, will be superior on Fender-branded guitars out of the box. You can, however, always upgrade pickups to whatever higher-end option you prefer.
Fit and Finish
Fit and finish can be very model-dependent across all price points. Vintage-style Squiers have glossy necks and bodies, while more modern or low-end models tend to have a satin neck. From recent personal experience, the satin neck finish on some Squiers was too rough for my taste, but this is a personal preference.
Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster
The glossy urethane finish on most of these models tends to be quite thick, which is off-putting to many players. Fret finishing on many Squiers—especially the lower-priced models—is consistently less precise than on more expensive models, fret ends are not as neatly rounded, and frets are less polished.
For the Fender Standard line, I have found that finish is thinner and with fewer imperfections than Squier, especially in key areas such as the neck pocket and neck. The satin finish necks also feel smoother in the hand. Fretting is also generally taken to a higher stage of buffing, and fret ends are much more extensively treated—although, generally, not to the same level of USA models.
From my personal experience, I have found that the MIM models tend to weigh less than the Squier models.
Bottom Line:
Fit and finish will vary guitar-to-guitar for both brands, and is largely a matter of personal preference.
Long Term Cost and Value
For nearly all guitars, there will be a cost to upkeep and to upgrade. For both brands, this is easy, as Leo Fender’s instruments are one of the finest examples of manufacturing with interchangeable parts ever achieved. For nearly every Fender model, it’s relatively easy to swap pickups, pickguards, change saddles, replace tuners, and even swap necks and bodies.
Initially, the long-term cost of a Squier will be more, as more elements will be in line for replacement, such as pickups, tuners, and most metal parts. Also, a setup and fret-dressing will be needed in most cases for the instrument to play optimally. When owning a Squier long-term, unless you love the model as is, you are paying for the wood, paint, and shape, and one can easily spend more in upgrades than on the entire cost of the base instrument.
If you’re just starting out, the sound of your pickups or the thickness of your finish might not matter as much as it would to someone who has been playing for years and is familiar with the alternatives.'
But remember that things like upgrades and feel are matters of personal preference, so the most important thing here is to know what you’re looking for. If you’re just starting out, the sound of your pickups or the thickness of your finish might not matter as much as it would to someone who has been playing for years and is familiar with the alternatives.
That said, models from the Fender Standard Series are generally more playable right out of the box. Setup and minimal fretwork will be needed, but often, not to the extent that a Squier model would require.
Also, the stock hardware and pickups will have a longer life and may not need replacement at all. As stated previously, many only choose to upgrade some of the pickups in these models. The higher quality parts and build will allow the instrument to age better and let one be more selective on what to change and keep. The initial cost will be higher, but the long-term cost will be lower.
Value is a trickier question than one might initially think. More expensive models will, of course, have higher resale value, but both Squiers and Standards have consistently high demand. Many will buy a Squier for necks and bodies, which may have a faster resale value than a complete Standard model.
Bottom Line: If owning a Squier long term, you may need to invest more money in upkeep and upgrades than you would with a Fender. Both will have similar resale value relative to the original purchase price.
Final ThoughtsFender Squier Serial Numbers Csx
While it would be easy to simply say that you get what you pay for, I don’t think that’s the case when comparing Squier and Fender. With the rising quality of Squiers and their continued low price points, I would consider buying a Squier in many scenarios.
For example, if you’re looking to try out a less common model—like a Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Bass VIs, baritone, or vintage reissue of some kind—the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series are an affordable way to do so. Until recently, these body shapes and era-specific designs were scarce and expensive, but the newer Squier variations offer an easy way to explore what you like and dislike.
On the other hand, if you’re sure about what you want and are looking for in an affordable, gig-able instrument that doesn’t require any upgrades, the Standard series—especially on the used market—consistently provides some of the best deals around. There's a reason the Fender Standard Strat remains one of the most frequently recommended guitars in the world.
As always, your mileage may vary and you should look to your ears and hands to make a decision. Do you have experience comparing Squier and Fender guitars? Let us know in the comments.
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Accurate dating of musical instruments is a very easy and useful skill to learn. Whether the instrument was found at a yard sale or a museum, there are several signs that can confirm the authenticity of an instrument. Fender bass guitars are no exception.
Birth Range
Fender has grown substantially since its establishment in 1946. The company has employed several serial number policies over the years. While these policies offer an indication of what year they refer to, they are typically specific to the component they are attached to. Removal of the neck of your bass might show a stamped date on the heel of the neck, but the neck might have been stored for sometime before it was actually attached at the plant and shipped for sale. It's likely that your bass can be given a birth 'range' rather than a date.
Bridge Plates and Neck Plates
Fender stamped its bridge plates and neck plates in the early years. The Precision Bass models, for example, had bridge plates that were marked from 100 to 2000 between 1951 and 1955. The range 100-400 was used specifically between the years of 1951 and 1952. Numbers 0001 through 0999 were used between 1952 and 1954. Numbers 1000 to 2000 were used between 1953 and 1955. Again, these numbers are specific to the bridge plate, which could have been removed and installed on your guitar at some point, or stored a time before installation at the plant. Notice that there is also overlap in serial numbers between different years.
Neck plate stamping was employed from 1954 to 1976 on all models. Especially unique neck plate stamping includes those serial numbers that start with a 'o' or '-' sign (1957 through 1958), stamping at the bottom of the neck plate (1959 through 1960), double stamping and overlapped stamping. Number sequences ranging from four to six digits represent neck plates that were stamped between 1954 and 1963. Number sequences starting with an 'L' are considered to have been stamped between late 1962 and 1965 prior to Fender being bought by CBS. If your neck plate has a large scripted 'F', it is considered to have been stamped between late 1965 and 1976 if it includes a number sequence starting from 100000 through 750000.
Serial Numbers At the Headstock
Serial numbers where put on the headstock of guitar necks somewhere near 1976. Alphanumeric characters offer a faster way to identify the decade the neck was built. Necks built in the seventies started with an 'S'. 'E' started the units that were made in the 1980s. 'N' refers to necks made in the '90s. Both 'N' and 'E' series instruments could potentially have been created in Japan. Between 1985 and 1987 Fender instruments were only constructed in Japan while a recent new owner took over Fender and was building a new plant in America. Most Japanese-built instruments were marked with a 'J'. 'DZ' or 'Z' numbers were printed after 1999.
Special Years
'FN' serial numbers are intended for export. 'CB' serial numbers were put on Jazz basses from 1981 to 1982. These are considered 'Gold Jazz Basses'. 'CD', 'CE', 'CO', 'GO' and 'CB' serial numbers are on special Precision Basses from 1981 and 1982.
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