$1,000 Squier...A different approach to Squier guitars

[lowvoice]

I've only been on the boards for a couple of weeks, and its already plain to see that Squier are a pretty well-loved brand around here. But whenever people discuss the brand's pros and cons, answers always come in the context of cost. If they are truly as good as some say, let’s forget what they actually cost, and compare them on an even keel to other higher-priced instruments.

So for the sake of discussion, let’s pretend that all Squier guitars cost $1,000 and are kept stock.

If your stock Squier cost you $1,000, what about it would make you happy, what would you find dissapointing?




For the sake of context, let me make it clear that this is not a bash squier thread, so please keep all useless negative comments away. I myself was pleasantly shocked recently when I tried a bunch of Squiers that seemed to be better than Mexican (and indeed Japanese) Fenders. But what I’d like to know is how long do they last compared to higher end guitars, what about tuning stability, or electronics, etc etc

 

[Jebberz]

At this price, I would have expected to get a hardshell case and better balanced pickups with my Jaguar short scale.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Interesting. My 2001 Squier Standard Precision V (the one with Jazz pickups) has, for the most part, been pretty great. The only tuning stability issue is the B, and that may be a badly-installed string. The bridge is super solid, intonation is pretty good. I really want to change the pickups, because the B is very weak no matter what I do.

Other than my gripe with the pickups, I'm very pleased with this bass. I bought it largely for the way it feels. Someday I'd like to put some money into it. Maybe a PJ setup. I frequently toss around the idea of Nordstrand NP5/Big Split 5 pickups for a super-PJ. Hmm...

Overall, a great bass for the $150 I spent on it.

 

[VeganThump]

At that price, I find the tuners are really cheap and I would expect hum canceling pups on my VM Jazz V.

 

[MoBe]

There`s no such thing as a $1,000 Squier but if there was you`d expect it to be like an American made Fender.

I like my Squier just the way it is,affordable and fun.

 

[AdamR]

I dont even feel the $1000 Fenders are worth $1000. Maybe that because just a few years ago they were only $700. Nothing wrong with Squiers. I have one I love whoever is been upgraded with better tuners, bridge and pick ups.

 

[bassplayer8953]

For $1000 I would expect it to be MIA, have high-line pickups, electronics, and hardware, and to have Fender brand it as high-line: Fender...instead of second line (Squier). Which is exactly what you have if you buy a $1000 Fender...

 

[lowvoice]

There`s no such thing as a $1,000 Squier but if there was you`d expect it to be like an American made Fender.

I like my Squier just the way it is,affordable and fun.

This discussion is a theoretical one. If your answer is as above, I further ask in what way is an American fender different from a squier?

My point is to try and get away from comments like, 'its good for the money', and try to assess Squiers on their own terms.

Hopefully that will help rid some of the stigma attached to the brand, and help potential buyers decisions (after all, in some parts of the world, Squiers are actually much much more than in the USA)!

 

[DwaynieAD]

This discussion is a theoretical one. If your answer is as above, I further ask in what way is an American fender different from a squier?

My point is to try and get away from comments like, 'its good for the money', and try to assess Squiers on their own terms.

Hopefully that will help rid some of the stigma attached to the brand, and help potential buyers decisions (after all, in some parts of the world, Squiers are actually much much more than in the USA)!

except the cost is part of terms.

I would not pay 1000 dollars for one. but they are definitely as good as my MIM Jazz 5. so my want for them would stop if they crossed the MIM price threshold.

 

[Gorn]

Would Fender still sell American made Fenders for $200 more?

 

[Baird6869]

I have owned quite a few Squiers and none of them were $1000 guitars by any stretch.

All Squiers IMO need the following to be at e $1000 quality level:

- New tuners
- New bridge
- New Pickups
- Hardshell case
- Full pro setup

 

[96tbird]

At that price point I would be disappointed with the tuners, the final fret leveling, the final nut height and that the body wasn't ash or alder.

The tuners on my VMJ had flaking plating and cast posts. But on m CVP, they are a lot better finish and machined post.

The body on the VMJ is maple, and could be a lighter wood, otherwise, it's very nice. On my CVP 50's it is pine, works fine but is a little soft and prone to dings.

Both of my Squiers could use a bit more attention on final fret leveling and finishing to get super low action, but I don't like it too low so I'm happy with where they're at now. Each also needed a touch up on the nut.

Name brand pickups would be expected at that price. Be they Fender, Seymour, whatever.

For the prices I did pay for these two instruments I am loving them. As for how long lasting? What? huh? ....It's wood man, they will last for decades, at least, if played and attended to.

 

[AaronVonRock]

My point is to try and get away from comments like, 'its good for the money', and try to assess Squiers on their own terms.

That is how Squiers are assessed, they're good for the money. That's the rationale for their entire existence.

 

[LAST_C]

I've always thought that the pricing for a Fender MIA bass, or a Gibson MIA bass has to do with the logo big time. You pay $500 or $600 for the bass, the rest goes to the logo. They overcharge for the logo and bassist are more than willing to pay for it. The difference between A MIA and a MIM is the frontier between Mexico and US, and some components. IMO that is.

 

[mbelue]

This discussion is a theoretical one. If your answer is as above, I further ask in what way is an American fender different from a squier?

My point is to try and get away from comments like, 'its good for the money', and try to assess Squiers on their own terms.

Hopefully that will help rid some of the stigma attached to the brand, and help potential buyers decisions (after all, in some parts of the world, Squiers are actually much much more than in the USA)!

The stigma exists because they are cheap, not because they are terrible, which they aren't. In order to make anything cost less corners have to be cut. The production process for making Fender basses is very efficient to start with. The only places to save money past that are cheaper materials and less individual time with less(maybe) skilled technicians. Squier basses represent both of these compromises but still deliver a great value.
The cost overseas comparison to domestic prices is irrelevant as the cost for better instruments is directly proportional.

 

[dalkowski]

This discussion is a theoretical one.

My point is to try and get away from comments like, 'its good for the money', and try to assess Squiers on their own terms.

Point taken, and I respect the theoretical direction you're going for in this discussion. But sometimes, "theoretical" becomes "If my aunt had wheels, then she'd be a bus."

The Squier "stigma" (such as it is), stems in greatest part from the decal on the headstock. Those in the know understand that the best Squiers offer a potentially giggable level of quality at a workingman's price point. Throw me a properly set-up stock VM Jazz V or CV Jazz and I'll gleefully gig it tonight.

Squier is Fender's value brand. You just can't get away from its deep brand DNA. At the risk of creating a strained analogy: I could take take a Honda sedan and add 3x its value in upgrades—it's still a Honda. Or I could spend the money on a really nice Acura.

 

[Gorn]

At the risk of creating a strained analogy: I could take take a Honda sedan and add 3x its value in upgrades—it's still a Honda. Or I could spend the money on a really nice Acura.

The analogy would be, would you buy a Honda Accord for $200 less than the Acura TSX. No upgrades to the Honda, you just really like it.

 

[lowvoice]

The stigma exists because they are cheap, not because they are terrible, which they aren't. In order to make anything cost less corners have to be cut. The production process for making Fender basses is very efficient to start with. The only places to save money past that are cheaper materials and less individual time with less(maybe) skilled technicians. Squier basses represent both of these compromises but still deliver a great value.
The cost overseas comparison to domestic prices is irrelevant as the cost for better instruments is directly proportional.

I get your point, but actually overseas prices aren't always directly proportional.

My example...

Squire Jag SS in US: $150
in UK: $300 (£200)

Gibson SG Bass faded in US: $900
in UK: $900 (£600)

As you can see, in terms of value in the UK, you get more bass for your money if you spend a little more.

Hence why I'm trying to put cost aside, so as to identify not that its great for the money (as this is different all over the world), but whether they are great full stop!

 

[dalkowski]

The analogy would be, would you buy a Honda Accord for $200 less than the Acura TSX. No upgrades to the Honda, you just really like it.

Yeah, that's what I was, um, driving at. I'm not that car-literate.

(I was going to cite the old Chevy Citation/Cadillac Cimmaron cousins, but didn't want to date myself. Also, both cars were rubbish.)

I'm trying to put cost aside, so as to identify not that its great for the money, but whether they are great full stop!

Where the CV and VM series are concerned, my answer would be, "If they aren't great, then they ARE extremely good." IMHO.

 

[mbelue]

I get your point, but actually overseas prices aren't always directly proportional.

My example...

Squire Jag SS in US: $150
in UK: $300 (£200)

Gibson SG Bass faded in US: $900
in UK: $900 (£600)

As you can see, in terms of value in the UK, you get more bass for your money if you spend a little more.

Hence why I'm trying to put cost aside, so as to identify not that its great for the money (as this is different all over the world), but whether they are great full stop!

Your example is very flawed though. Your talking about completely different basses manufactured by completely different companies for completely different price points.

The more accurate example would be.

Fender J Marcus Miller in the UK.
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Fender J Marcus Miller in the US.
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Squier VM J in the UK.
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Squier VM J in the US.
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