Squier Stratocaster

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Squier Stratocaster

Manufacturer	Squier
Period	1982 — present
Construction
Body type	Solid
Neck joint	Bolt-on
Woods
Body	Agathis, Alder or Basswood
Neck	Maple
Fretboard	Maple or Rosewood
Hardware
Bridge	Synchronized tremolo
Pickup(s)	3 single-coils
Colors available
Affinity Series: Black, Metallic Red, Metallic Blue, Arctic White Standard Series: Antique Burst, Candy Apple Red, Cherry Sunburst, Satin Pewter Metallic, Baltic Blue, Black Metallic, Walnut Satin Other colors may be available

The Squier Stratocaster is an electric guitar manufactured and sold by Squier, a marque of Fender. While it is essentially a rebranded Fender Stratocaster, it does not qualify as a Strat copy, as the Stratocasters are still considered to be of original make since Squier is owned by Fender, whereas manufacturers of Strat copies do so to capitalise on Fender's brand name but without any affiliation to the Fender company. Squier Stratocasters, being inexpensive, are popular amongst beginner and novice guitarists.

1 Origins
2 Construction
3 Unique models
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Origins

After Fender's decision to switch Squier's production from strings to guitars, the Stratocaster was one of the first models to be put under the Squier production line, then located in Japan, as it was the most commercially successful guitar Fender had produced. Originally, the headstock had a "Fender" name written in large script, followed by "Squier series" in smaller script. This was later changed to the current '60s headstock featuring "Squier" in larger script, followed by "by Fender" in smaller script.

[edit] Construction

A standard Squier Stratocaster is mass-produced in factories located in Indonesia or China. For its construction, Squier usually uses woods readily available in those countries, such as agathis and basswood. They also use stamped metal hardware and multiple pieces of wood in construction to prevent wastage and to lower costs. A notable cosmetic difference from most Fender Stratocasters (except its vintage reissues and Highway 1 series) is the use of the larger '60s headstock. The Stratocaster included in the SE 100 starter pack is the only Squier Stratocaster that does not use this '60s headstock.

[edit] Unique models

While Squier Stratocasters are predominantly inexpensive versions of Fender Stratocasters, some models are also unique to the Squier brand, these are: