I just picked up a Squire 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster Vintage Edition (Indonesia) and it’s excellent. My only gripe is that I wish whomever utilized the Phillip’s head screw driver to install screws took a little more time & effort not to booger up the screw heads. Most of them (the screws) are perfectly fine, but there is room for improvement in that area. Other than that, and some minor stuff that really doesn’t matter, it’s an awesome guitar. I won’t use the “it’s a great guitar for the money” statement. It’s actually a great guitar. If you pull the wine corks out of your nose and try one, you might be pleasantly surprised. Yes, it needs a little TLC to raise the instrument to preferred standards, but not much at all. I consider such efforts a bonding moment between you and the instrument. This Squire Jazzmaster is an inspiring guitar, meaning, it encourages me to play stuff I wouldn’t have otherwise had this particular guitar not been in my hands. Can’t speak for all Squires, or country of origin, as this is my first. It’s also my first Jazzmaster, so that could be one half of the magic. Anyways, I used to scoff at the name Squire years ago. Lesson learned… don’t be a guitar snob. Translation… don’t knock it ‘till you try it.
We use Vintage Modified Squier 72 Thinline and VM Jazz bass on tour in U.S. and the Caribbean. They have been solid instruments that have paid for themselves a hundred times over.
I have a USA squier. There's a story floating around about a fire at the Mexican factory and they moved production to the US factory for a year. I have never heard that they were transitioning from Japan to Mexico and that's why they were made in the US. Thanks for the history lesson!
Yeah I have 3 of them... An E series 89 and two 1990 USA squires. Of course I upgraded the Pups and harness. They sound amazing but I’d like to sell them all now being that I’m more on my LP’s than anything
for about a half a year, in 1989 they made Squiers in the US, while they were transitioning, then briefly Mexican production, then Korean, then Indonesian, then China.
Hi Kenny. Before Squire production by Fuji Gen Gakki in Korea in 1982. they had previous;y been made in Japan for just over a year., However, for around 6 months they were allegedly made in the USA between 1989 and 90, which doesn't make sense, as production was going strong in Korea at that time. The Mexican plant wasn't built until 1987 after the Bill Schultz consortium bought and saved the nearly bankrupt Fender company from CBS in 1985. For a very brief period in 1990, there were some Telecasters produced at the Ensenada plant in Mexico, allegedly due to an industrial dispute in Korea, although I have yet to see evidence of that. So much about the Squire brand gets confused and fuzzy, for eg Fender made a Squire series, badged as Fender. but it's not a Squire and sometimes people confuse it with the lower-budget Squire brand. Without a doubt, the Made in Korea highest quality built Squire deluxe Gold label or transfer on the headstock of either Strat or Telecaster is the best they ever made, Fender was losing around $200 on every one sold for the 18th Months they were made in 95/96 serial number beginning with CN5 or 6, and VN 5 or 6, if you want more info on those models you will see in the posts I have sent to Benjamin. Ally.
right on, like I said it was a quick history... maybe we can just say "Classic Vibe" fits under the "Contemporary" umbrella. But I agree, amazing, guitars for the money.
I have an 89 MIK Squire II Strat that was given to me years ago. Never played it much because I have US Strats and Gibson's so why would I? Until one day got a wild hair and put some new strings on it and to my surprise it plays great! No fret buzz, no neck issues, no fret sprout and the action is really low- it's a speed demon! I've just got some new tuners and soon I'll replace the pups and then I'll have a great work horse! I highly recommend checking them out especially if you're on a budget, or even if you're not!
Thanks, Mark. A very informative and helpful summary of this interesting brand/line of guitars. Withing the last year, I've bought two Squiers (new) and I'm very happy with their quality and performance, especially for their affordable price range - a Bullet Telecaster Lake Placid Blue (Indonesia) and an Affinity Stratocaster FMT HSS Sienna Sunburst (China). Both are good, solid guitars and are fun to have as "knock-around" guitars, as opposed to my more expensive Gibson and Gretsch axes.
Great info, Mark. I had an MIJ white 1985 Fender Strat I picked up in a Hooksett pawn shop about 25 years ago for $125. It was nothing special, and I eventually sold it for the Floyd Rose locking nut, which I deplored. Probably should've kept that git for the 1985-MIJ novelty factor, but can't keep them all. Please keep the good stuff coming, bud! 😉
I have one of the very elusive Chinese made CYY Squiers from 1999, the early full-bodied, large pot design that would eventually become the Affinity series. Every bit as good as a US made Strat. Steadily improving quality from Squiers in every regard.
I've got a Korean '93 Squier Strat with Tex Mex pups. Lovely guitar, great sound even unplugged. Original pups were a bit weak and weedy but the neck is just lovely.
I own Indonesian and Chinese Squires, and MIM and American Fenders. I love them all! One of my favorite guitars in my Squier Bullet Telecaster (surf green) that I bought for $129 on sale. Just play what you like!
My 1996 Crimson or blood red Squire is beautiful! The paint is perfect and it feels and sounds great! I have a genuine 1968 Tele blonde made in Korea and i’m not sure if it’s a bootleg but it looks and sounds great and may be a plywood body. Regardless it is a real 1968 and plays beautifully. I have tons of guitars and are a professional metal musician so i haven’t played these in a while,pictures of them are on my IG and i have vids here that show them every now and then. Love meeting other guitar and drum collectors and i loved your video and content! Subbed! Ultra
I've had one, changed the pickups and it came alive. I wouldn't buy another one because the necks are too small for my taste. If they put a normal size neck on idbuy another one.
I love my older indo by my made in china one is not bad its not really china it says china but it was made in taiwan. But my american ohhh thing plays amazing if you have the chance play a satin neck american ohhhhh its like butter. That being said its fun to mod a cheaper one i like both fender and squier strats for diferent reasons.
A friend of mine has a very early 1982-83 Squier. He got it in 2003. We disassembled it the other day and found several mods from the prior owner! Looks like it had been routed for a Wilkinson along with some screw-on mod panel at the pickup jack.
I have a mid-80s MIJ Jazz Bass-love it-feels as good as any USA Jazz. Thanks for the story about Fender not getting the USA factories in the buyout; so they had to make the all Fenders in Japan for a spell-that makes sense. That was the missing piece of the puzzle for me.
This is a very interesting video, thank you for telling the truth about the foreign made guitars. I have a Fender Stratocaster Squier series, ( Arctic white, rosewood board, ) made in Japan, 1996, it's a really good guitar.
Sorry I meant to add on my last comment These Squire models from 95/96, were manufactured at the Cort plant, Korean master builders like Sammik, etc they make guitars for Epiphone, Fender, Tanglewood Ibanese, any many other top brands.
Interesting history Marc! I have one of those two knob Strats from the 80s. I think they were called the Dan Smith Strat because he was brought in from Yamaha to try and help reduce the cost of production in the 80's. I got it used at Daddy's not long after it's manufacture in 85 I think and in typical Daddy's style they charged more than what the damn thing cost new! I was young and foolish with a tax refund in hand so I didn't do much research! 35 years later I still have it and I still love it .... it was my only guitar for years. Now I have lots of guitars and I never play out. Go figure! :^)
Great video, fascinating history! I purchased a Japanese strat new in 1983 and gigged with it for years. I still own it and it plays and sounds better than many American made strats that I have played. Never needed any adjustment, it's still stock. I really like Squires and also own an Indonesian made Bullet Telecaster and a Jaguar bass. Both are solid and fun to play, but not close to the quality of mt '83 strat. I use a Chinese Affinity Squire strat at my work, and I have to say the Indonesian instruments I own feel and sound much better.
I've got a 2012 Gretsch Electromatic double jet from China, like Malcom Youngs but in gold metallic & a Bigsby. 1 of my all time favorite guitars! Aswell as a China made Epiphone Goth SG. I absolutely ❤ both of those guitars! Have many more guitars along with a US STD Strat & 3 MX Teles. Just bought a 80s Squier MIJ Strat & a Jimmie Vaughan signature Strat from 09, w USA parts & assembled in Mexico. If the price is right, I'll buy it.
Found a Squier Strat E9 silver logo for $50. It was missing strings, nut, trem bar, and one tuner. So, $42 for trap Kluson Plus tuners, $8 for a TusqXL (hard to find flat radius cut nuts), $14 for the trem bar (ouch) and $6 for strings . . . so, call it a $120 MIK 1989 with upgraded nut and tuners. The action is a low 1.5mm (I think I can get it down to 1.25) with only one high fret to take care of. The neck is perfectly finished, no scars or play wear, and a good truss rod, rich, thick Rosewood board. Bar chords are clean E-E all up and down the fretboard. Ply body, but you can glue wood together lengthwise or in layers . . . and ply has superior stability. The electronics are unique. While the ceramic pickups are flush (good with the very flat neck radius) they measure 4.5K. This 'vintage' resistance may have been offset by using small 500K pots and one .33mF cap in a standard Strat wiring. I think the pots are linear, and I use the volume pot just as much for a tone adjustment. The 2 and 4 pickup settings don't really twang enough for the true Strat sound, but still playing with amp settings.
The quality dividing line can be often be seen in the tuning machines and logo cosmetics all thru the history of Squier. If the guitar has trapezoidal covered tuners it's a budget model with budget hardware. A plain black logo typically is a budget model, a gold logo is typically higher quality. But any given guitar neck may love your hand, so pick it up and play it before passing judgment. My A series MIJ Squier strat has traps, but I like the body and neck, so I upgraded the hardware. A few of the early E series MIK Squiers, presumably made by Young Chang have solid alder bodies and lovely high gloss necks with what I assume is Gotoh MIJ hardware,. Nice string trees, tuners and trem. These guitars are every bit as good as most MIJ. Late 80s - early 90s MIK guitars were made by multiple companies with widely varying quality. I own both E and S series MIK Squiers from the late 80s with laminate bodies, very nice high gloss necks with nice logos but budget hardware. IMO laminate bodies are not a deal breaker- this is high quality furniture grade material. However, these guitars will be discounted forever due to the laminate body. The can be a great bargain, but resale value suffers. I have a midnight wine 97 VN Tele that I bought for a song. It's a bit of a mix- traps with a gold logo, ok hardware, very chunky neck and a solid mahogany body. Nice guitar! I also owned a VN Squier strat from 95 with a laminate body and the thinnest neck ever with almost no finish on it. I regret selling that one- that crazy thin neck was great fun to play. The MIK Squiers from 2004-2006 are really nice- set necks, interesting shapes (e.g. the Esprit) and they are less expensive than the very similar FMT MIK Fenders from the same years.
Korean Cort-made Squiers were plywood. Samick-made Korean Squiers were solid. Indonesian Squiers are made by Cor Tek (Cort). Chinese Squiers are made at the Yako factory in Taiwan. The Indian made "Fender" guitars were never badged "Squier". They were badged..."Sunn Mustang".
Are you familiar with the very brief India production from ‘89 to ‘90 or so? I just scored a really beautiful Torino red Precision with a flamed maple neck and a dark Indian rosewood fretboard. It’s in the Squier II series, but just before production began in Korea. It easily stacks up with my ‘84 Fujigen bullet bass!
The Korean-made Squire Telecaster, with a CN 5 or CN6 these are Telecaster Deluxe models Alnico good quality pick ups, with maple necks, they have a Gold Squire Decal, which tells you there is no ply, its all solid wood, these are all solid ash or alder bodies. This was a new push on quality and a marketing relaunch for the Squire brand. These are better build quality and sound, than an American-made Fender of the same year 95/96, If you see one buy it. They are top loaders, and the only thing I changed on mine was the bridge to 3 barrels. Marks's little video was nice, but I think you need more in-depth knowledge, if you want to find a pearl in a bucket of pooh. By those I mean if you see a black Squire decal on a Tele or a Strat, there is a high probability that its plywood, Silver Decal most are solid wood but Gold Squire, are always solid. Ally.
I blew the dust off my old Squier from my childhood a few months ago and started doing some reading and found what you've mentioned. It's a VN6 Gold label squier. I've deduced that it's a solid Alder body with a maple neck and fretboard. Do you have any idea what pickup came in the squier strats? I've been thinking of hot rodding this thing a little since it seems to be well built guitar, but I don't want to throw away a descent set of pickups for just another descent set of pickups.
@@bwgoddard As far as I know Squire were basically giving way a check for $200 when this investment for 2 years, on these solid body Sreats and Tele Deluxes the reviews for them in Guitar Magazine waxed lyrical with things like the slim 21 fret, 10" radius, easy to play maple tapered necks, beautiful solid Ash and Alder body beautifully gloss finished, and we are told that they have American 500k pots and cloth covered screened loom, with American USA Vintage Alnicos, in the Teles and in the strats sadly not Fat 50s, either USA tex mex underwound USA, or alnico 2s maybe 4s, in the CN6 snd VN6 it's really hazy on the Strat specs. also, the tuners are of Fender build quality, on both these deluxe models, so as you can see it could not continue, Fender had accomplished with the earlier Squire brand in Japan, to see off Tokai and Fernades, also Encore, so it was mission accomplished next stop China and build quality, by the way, I put Klusons on my tele. Really it was 95/96 when these gold decals were produced for the Squire relaunch. You will never see their likes again from Squire. I bought my Black Squire deluxe tele in 1995 from Albert Lee's son Wayne, in Lewisham guitar shop London with a hard case, I still have the receipt for £185, what a bargain. The only bargain from Fender after that were MIK Fender Telecaster, swamp ash with birds eye maple neck, and seymour duncan pups, I managed to get my hands on one about 10 years ago 2004 o 2008 fantastic Telecasters. before they were discontinued. There is one available in FB England, for £680, you may get it even cheaper. they are super rare now. Benjamin are you on Facebook, I'm Alistair Allen, I will look for your name as it is here. and then I can show photos and stuff. I learned another interesting fact all nonbudget guitars like Squire for budgeting reasons they did not preseason the woods Ash is more responsive to these drying outs. Seemingly they found out that these budget untreated ash and alder bodies sounded better than the Fender Custom shops 40 years later ha, ha, shows as well, especially after 1964/65, whereas Leo Fender used superior tonewoods and bought more expensive timber. CBS stopped all that and because the preseasoned them, Teles especially have lost their top end . I have rattled on long enough Ben. maybe see you on FB. signing out Ally from across the pond, I have no CBS-made Fenders. I have two vintage pre-CBS two Strats and 1 tele, 2 MIKs, both Teles and 2 MIJs. 1 Tele one Strat. I would not have it in the house, big ugly headstocks on the Strat, thank GOD FOR BILL SCHULTZ, the savior of Fender Instruments
@@alistairallen829 great info! I’m not on Facebook. I compared my VN6 fretwork to the MIM player series Fenders on the rack this weekend and the neck and fretwork looked better on my 96 Korean squier! I think I’ll play it for a while and then do some light modding to it.
My Squier Strat has the name "Squier" in large gold lettering and the name "Stratocaster" in large black letters, like you'd see in late '60's strats with the large headstocks (very like that on Hendrix's Woodstock strat). Can you tell me anything about this configuration on my Squier strat?
I have a 2004 Starcaster S1 with a rare arrow headstock from Indonesia, a step above Squire. I think its safe to say that Indonesia production at 2004 was a good year considering that manufacturing began arround mid 90's. The price dropped I think because Squire was not profiting to expectations.
Would have been great if I still had my fuji gen made Fender telecaster from '92. They were better guitars than I originally thought. Nice neck. Good gear. I heard they went up in price. May fetch about 800. these days. I can only imagine how beautifully aged the maple neck would look by now. Always keep your first telecaster, especially if it's the one you learned to play on.
I wouldn't off my '00 Indonesia bullet hard tail for anything, sweet lively axxe & alotta fun, I have to say, the neck is just too good for a Squier, Brazil rosewood, medium frets BUT its the Birdseye flame.. not flamboyant but there,and just fast, I did the usual improvements, but as it was free... I have zero complaints.😉
I have a '99 Strat standard from Indonesia that is the same way. The maple neck on it is gorgeous and it is just an all around workhorse of a guitar after the usuals. Absolutely a keeper!
Yes, I had a late 80’s MIK tele w/ an solid wood body that most likely was left over from the 83-85 USA standard series. One faux pas of this vid IMO is he states production went from Mexico to Korea when actually it went from Korea to Mexico then back to Korea in the mid 90’s….
Good afternoon friends, I bought a california squier manufactured in china in 2008, the guitar has a scalloped neck and the previous owner says that it left the factory that way, would that be possible, squier at some point produced scalloped guitars, maybe on order but really that is true ?
You need to establish relationships with the brands you want to carry. Sometimes they have requirements, but usually after you've become a seller and do ok, they leave you to order what you think you will sell. We have about 8 brands with direct relationships, and two other companies that are "catch all" suppliers for small things. The direct prices are usually the best. How much time is spent a week, only about 4 hours when you know your products well. How long does it take to get delivery, from about 1-5 days, depending on where they're located.
Great info, this would be very helpful if put in a chart or table with headings for year, country, quality. Sounds like you're saying Fender made in U.S. is not guarantee of best quality, right? I have a 2000 Fender American Jazz Deluxe V bass (made in U.S.), bought new for $1000 in 2000. But worth the top dollar I paid for American vs. other country? What do you think? I just bought a 2020 Squier Affinity bass on CL, like new, made in Indonesia, paid $100. How does quality compare to American made? I am trying to distinguish between value and quality. For example, I think $100 for my Affinity is a great value but I have a hard time believing its quality is as good as my $1000 Fender.
The late 80s Korean Squiers are inconsistent in regards to scale length, tuners, saddles, pickups, plant manufacturers, etc but they are ALL amazing players. Get one and stick a loaded pickguard in and let it rip.
I own a MIM 1995 "Fender" Stratocaster with "Squier Series" small decal on headstock. Great neck but has generic tuners and generic bridge (I don't use the whammy bar). Plays like butter and I actually prefer playing it over my made in USA Strat!
I have an affinity ..gold logo ..made in Indonesia ..it's a beautiful guitar ..my friend played it as I am a learner and said he liked it better than his fender ..I've learner lots about guitars ..Just have to learn how to play now 😂
After watching this video my Bullet Strat HSS HT turned out to be a Fender American made a mistake and put Squires logo on a few Fender American guitars because of the Headstock and serial number.
I have a telecaster that says Fender with a small "Squire series" on the headstock.The serial # starts with an MN. I've heard it was from when the Mexican factory burned down.Does anyone know about this ?
just seeing this a year later, yes "squier series" or black label are USA necks and bodies shipped to Mexico and assembled with Mexican pick ups and Korean hardware and electrics. The factory was devastated by a fire so Fender did this to get them back up and running. Great guitars and are just now going up in value. 94 and 95 are the more desired years. They retailed for around $450 and now in mint condition are getting up to $900
In Japan here Fender Japan is tightly controlled . Sadly to say all the small shops lost the rights to sell Fender products. So now the market is controlled along with the "set " prices. Can't get a discount unless the big stores are authorized . Not bad guitars but the prices have really gone through the roof. In my opinion the Indonesian made Squiers are top. Also I don't think we have to worry about lead content in their finishes, China, well I don't know but would like to find out. Maybe you can find out for us. The Fender China is hit and miss. The Squier lines really are over price and the fact within the last 7 months prices have gone up over 50 bucks ( 5000 yen ). Squier basses in Indonesia are still under 300 bucks and they are made well.
Thanks Mark I sell a bucket load of the contemporary series (china) and the classic vibe (Indonesia) at my shop here in Adelaide South Australia. Fantastic guitars for the money Deano #adelaideguitarshopguy
Great video and I subscribed. I found a a 1984 Fender Squire Japan Telecaster '52 JV Series. They want 1350. Good general condition but use and marks on the lacquer here and there and I see them. Jack plate sunken but solid it says. I am a musician piano player but looking for a nice lifetime guitar to play. Love the Telecaster. My question is it worth it for 1350 or better to get a classic vibe 50s which is newer. I'm 44 and would like the 1984 if its worth it. Thank you
That's a great guitar.. but for a Squier branded instrument it sounds a bit high. For that money you can get USA Fender, Professional series, which is excellent.. or for $999 MIM Fender Deluxe or Ventera also excellent.
Hello gary I have 1887 young Chang mikE10 it turned out wood not ply. Then I have a Japan squire 1994 P series that turn out to be ply turned out the complete opposite of what I thought. 🎸👍😁
Nothing wrong with Korean Plywood Strats. Easy to be sniffy about them if you have never played one, I guess, but they are great guitars. Also they have brilliant necks. Hardware is a bit questionable, so swap out the pickups and tuners and you have yourself a really decent instrument. Japanese Squiers are easily the best quality overseas Fenders. USA>Japan>Mexico>Korea>China>Indonesia>India.
thx...If you know, what's better made, the 2004 Affinity Tele made in China, or 2019 Affinity Tele made in Indonesia. I have the opportunity to purchase either (not both) in pristine condition, 2004 plus tweed case costs less than the 2019, but just want to hear what's better made...many thx@@GarysGuitarsUSA
@@steveganis8501 opinion has a lot to do with this.. but I'd say the made in China ones, the more recent ones, are better, especially the Affinity Jazzmaster we just got in, really nice.
Anyone got any info on 1988-1989 MIK squier strat - with light/silver serial number starting in "E2"? (NOT E2 with black serial numbers) I believe it's nearly the same (identical??) to the 1987-1988 MIK light/silver serial starting in "E1" - striped maple neck, black string rollers/trees, double stamped fender saddles, Gotoh tuners (Fender branded with "G" logo), torino red (one of 3-4 colors they made them in), full size trem block. But I really can't 100% confirm that because no matter where I search online, everything is specific to the "E1" serials - RUclips videos, forums, eBay listings, reverb listings. I've yet to come across any source saying anything like "hey, this is specifically an E2!". Reason I ask is someone is selling one locally. I can verify all of the above based on the pictures, except the trem block. Of course I'm going to check it out in person - see how it feels/plays, verify all the details I know of the E1, etc. But I would really like some info on it that's not from the guy trying to sell it lol. Someone with first hand knowledge and experience with specifically an E2.
I'm not trying to say I know more, but I bought a Mexican strat, that was not very good. I bought a 57 reissue Strat that was made in Japan that was not very good, and I had a 2000 Squier made in Indonesia that was awesome. I wish I had seen this video about six hours earlier, because I just bought a Squier Stratocaster Standard made in Indonesia in 2001, by Cort, and it wasn't cheap. I hope it plays well. Wish me luck.
Minor (very minor nitpicky) rant: stop calling it "Fender Squier".......It's Squier, just Squier. Yes, it is a Fender brand, but it's just Squier. Great video BTW. I think Squiers are great!
Gary's Guitars....So many of your claims are incorrect...you are conflating facts with myths and rumours...You should really not do these clips off the top of your head...
Maybe a little bit of conflict of interest for the Indonesia and Chinese production? Sounds like somebody is making $ hand over fist with this import "stuff"?
Nobody is making money hand over fist in this market. The guitar retail industry leader has been slowly moving closer to bankruptcy. The margins on new Asian made guitars are really bad. The profit in the music retail business is in high end used gear. From the retail side great cheap guitars are really bad news. If you can buy a guitar for $400 that's great, and I make $100 selling it, you won't have to buy a $1000 guitar which give the retailer much more profit.
I just picked up a Squire 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster Vintage Edition (Indonesia) and it’s excellent. My only gripe is that I wish whomever utilized the Phillip’s head screw driver to install screws took a little more time & effort not to booger up the screw heads. Most of them (the screws) are perfectly fine, but there is room for improvement in that area. Other than that, and some minor stuff that really doesn’t matter, it’s an awesome guitar. I won’t use the “it’s a great guitar for the money” statement. It’s actually a great guitar. If you pull the wine corks out of your nose and try one, you might be pleasantly surprised. Yes, it needs a little TLC to raise the instrument to preferred standards, but not much at all. I consider such efforts a bonding moment between you and the instrument. This Squire Jazzmaster is an inspiring guitar, meaning, it encourages me to play stuff I wouldn’t have otherwise had this particular guitar not been in my hands. Can’t speak for all Squires, or country of origin, as this is my first. It’s also my first Jazzmaster, so that could be one half of the magic. Anyways, I used to scoff at the name Squire years ago. Lesson learned… don’t be a guitar snob. Translation… don’t knock it ‘till you try it.
Love your coment well said!
Down to earth guy at Gary’s Guitars is cool because he has a true care of the industry and wants to share his take on guitars. Thanks Mark!!
We use Vintage Modified Squier 72 Thinline and VM Jazz bass on tour in U.S. and the Caribbean. They have been solid instruments that have paid for themselves a hundred times over.
I have an '83 JV Squier with a 7.25 in radius neck. (Easy to play) Love it!❤
My first guitar was a gift from my mother back in the early 80’s a black /white Squier Japan Vintage Stratocaster. The best guitar!
I have a USA squier. There's a story floating around about a fire at the Mexican factory and they moved production to the US factory for a year. I have never heard that they were transitioning from Japan to Mexico and that's why they were made in the US. Thanks for the history lesson!
Yeah I have 3 of them... An E series 89 and two 1990 USA squires. Of course I upgraded the Pups and harness. They sound amazing but I’d like to sell them all now being that I’m more on my LP’s than anything
for about a half a year, in 1989 they made Squiers in the US, while they were transitioning, then briefly Mexican production, then Korean, then Indonesian, then China.
Hi Kenny. Before Squire production by Fuji Gen Gakki in Korea in 1982. they had previous;y been made in Japan for just over a year., However, for around 6 months they were allegedly made in the USA between 1989 and 90, which doesn't make sense, as production was going strong in Korea at that time. The Mexican plant wasn't built until 1987 after the Bill Schultz consortium bought and saved the nearly bankrupt Fender company from CBS in 1985. For a very brief period in 1990, there were some Telecasters produced at the Ensenada plant in Mexico, allegedly due to an industrial dispute in Korea, although I have yet to see evidence of that. So much about the Squire brand gets confused and fuzzy, for eg Fender made a Squire series, badged as Fender. but it's not a Squire and sometimes people confuse it with the lower-budget Squire brand. Without a doubt, the Made in Korea highest quality built Squire deluxe Gold label or transfer on the headstock of either Strat or Telecaster is the best they ever made, Fender was losing around $200 on every one sold for the 18th Months they were made in 95/96 serial number beginning with CN5 or 6, and VN 5 or 6, if you want more info on those models you will see in the posts I have sent to Benjamin. Ally.
Wow,! What a great history lesson Mark. Keep it up Sir!
He forgot all about the clasic vibe series Squires,some of the best budget Fenders on the market.
right on, like I said it was a quick history... maybe we can just say "Classic Vibe" fits under the "Contemporary" umbrella. But I agree, amazing, guitars for the money.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA Ya I know I have 2
Strat and tele and I love them both.
I have an 89 MIK Squire II Strat that was given to me years ago. Never played it much because I have US Strats and Gibson's so why would I? Until one day got a wild hair and put some new strings on it and to my surprise it plays great! No fret buzz, no neck issues, no fret sprout and the action is really low- it's a speed demon! I've just got some new tuners and soon I'll replace the pups and then I'll have a great work horse! I highly recommend checking them out especially if you're on a budget, or even if you're not!
Thanks, Mark. A very informative and helpful summary of this interesting brand/line of guitars. Withing the last year, I've bought two Squiers (new) and I'm very happy with their quality and performance, especially for their affordable price range - a Bullet Telecaster Lake Placid Blue (Indonesia) and an Affinity Stratocaster FMT HSS Sienna Sunburst (China). Both are good, solid guitars and are fun to have as "knock-around" guitars, as opposed to my more expensive Gibson and Gretsch axes.
Thanks for your videos. This and your tube series answer questions that I never thought to ask.
glad that it's helpful. Thanks for watching.
Great job, Mark. Enjoy your discussions. Best wishes from the San Francisco Bay area.
Great info, Mark. I had an MIJ white 1985 Fender Strat I picked up in a Hooksett pawn shop about 25 years ago for $125. It was nothing special, and I eventually sold it for the Floyd Rose locking nut, which I deplored. Probably should've kept that git for the 1985-MIJ novelty factor, but can't keep them all. Please keep the good stuff coming, bud! 😉
I have one of the very elusive Chinese made CYY Squiers from 1999, the early full-bodied, large pot design that would eventually become the Affinity series. Every bit as good as a US made Strat. Steadily improving quality from Squiers in every regard.
I'm a huge Squier fanatic, and I've got a '97 Squier standard Stratocaster, and I'd LOVE to hear about the fire at the Ensanada, Mexico plant... 😉
I've got a Korean '93 Squier Strat with Tex Mex pups. Lovely guitar, great sound even unplugged. Original pups were a bit weak and weedy but the neck is just lovely.
I own Indonesian and Chinese Squires, and MIM and American Fenders. I love them all! One of my favorite guitars in my Squier Bullet Telecaster (surf green) that I bought for $129 on sale. Just play what you like!
My 1996 Crimson or blood red Squire is beautiful! The paint is perfect and it feels and sounds great! I have a genuine 1968 Tele blonde made in Korea and i’m not sure if it’s a bootleg but it looks and sounds great and may be a plywood body. Regardless it is a real 1968 and plays beautifully. I have tons of guitars and are a professional metal musician so i haven’t played these in a while,pictures of them are on my IG and i have vids here that show them every now and then. Love meeting other guitar and drum collectors and i loved your video and content! Subbed! Ultra
Gotta Classic vibe strat made in Indonesia, Sweet. Getting another too. I don't know why people would by American when these guitars are so good?
I've had one, changed the pickups and it came alive. I wouldn't buy another one because the necks are too small for my taste. If they put a normal size neck on idbuy another one.
I love my older indo by my made in china one is not bad its not really china it says china but it was made in taiwan. But my american ohhh thing plays amazing if you have the chance play a satin neck american ohhhhh its like butter. That being said its fun to mod a cheaper one i like both fender and squier strats for diferent reasons.
Tokai mention, yes ! Great lecture !
A friend of mine has a very early 1982-83 Squier. He got it in 2003. We disassembled it the other day and found several mods from the prior owner! Looks like it had been routed for a Wilkinson along with some screw-on mod panel at the pickup jack.
really enjoyed that history lesson very good
I have a mid-80s MIJ Jazz Bass-love it-feels as good as any USA Jazz. Thanks for the story about Fender not getting the USA factories in the buyout; so they had to make the all Fenders in Japan for a spell-that makes sense. That was the missing piece of the puzzle for me.
The Japanese factory was already making Fender guitars, so the switch was made seamlessly until Fender could get back on their feet.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA I would love to go to Japan for a Guitar Safari! One day. I imagine there’s so much nice used over there.
Squier affinity with Stewmac single coil alnico upgrade kit, lovely guitar. Not the same as the pro but amazingly good.
I have had so many squiers....Indonesian are always good!
This is a very interesting video, thank you for telling the truth about the foreign made guitars. I have a Fender Stratocaster Squier series, ( Arctic white, rosewood board, ) made in Japan, 1996, it's a really good guitar.
Sorry I meant to add on my last comment These Squire models from 95/96, were manufactured at the Cort plant, Korean master builders like Sammik, etc they make guitars for Epiphone, Fender, Tanglewood Ibanese, any many other top brands.
Interesting history Marc! I have one of those two knob Strats from the 80s. I think they were called the Dan Smith Strat because he was brought in from Yamaha to try and help reduce the cost of production in the 80's. I got it used at Daddy's not long after it's manufacture in 85 I think and in typical Daddy's style they charged more than what the damn thing cost new! I was young and foolish with a tax refund in hand so I didn't do much research! 35 years later I still have it and I still love it .... it was my only guitar for years. Now I have lots of guitars and I never play out. Go figure! :^)
Those were not dan smith
Daddy’d Junky Music?-oh to be young again!
I just picked up a 1994 Squier Bullet made in China. It’s 22 frets, full thickness, 8 screw pickguard. It’s good quality minus the tuners.
Great video, fascinating history! I purchased a Japanese strat new in 1983 and gigged with it for years. I still own it and it plays and sounds better than many American made strats that I have played. Never needed any adjustment, it's still stock. I really like Squires and also own an Indonesian made Bullet Telecaster and a Jaguar bass. Both are solid and fun to play, but not close to the quality of mt '83 strat. I use a Chinese Affinity Squire strat at my work, and I have to say the Indonesian instruments I own feel and sound much better.
I've got a 2012 Gretsch Electromatic double jet from China, like Malcom Youngs but in gold metallic & a Bigsby. 1 of my all time favorite guitars! Aswell as a China made Epiphone Goth SG. I absolutely ❤ both of those guitars! Have many more guitars along with a US STD Strat & 3 MX Teles. Just bought a 80s Squier MIJ Strat & a Jimmie Vaughan signature Strat from 09, w USA parts & assembled in Mexico. If the price is right, I'll buy it.
Own 4 squier teles & a partscaster tele, & after upgrades & putting a b bender in a couple, they play great!
My new squire 60s vibe (made in Indonesia) is excellent and I hear plenty good things and was glad it was my first choice of gutair.
I bought the Squire Bullet Indonesian series.
I'm restoring my 84-87 Japanese E strat. I'm stoked, it's been corroding away for 20 years now
Found a Squier Strat E9 silver logo for $50. It was missing strings, nut, trem bar, and one tuner. So, $42 for trap Kluson Plus tuners, $8 for a TusqXL (hard to find flat radius cut nuts), $14 for the trem bar (ouch) and $6 for strings . . . so, call it a $120 MIK 1989 with upgraded nut and tuners.
The action is a low 1.5mm (I think I can get it down to 1.25) with only one high fret to take care of. The neck is perfectly finished, no scars or play wear, and a good truss rod, rich, thick Rosewood board. Bar chords are clean E-E all up and down the fretboard. Ply body, but you can glue wood together lengthwise or in layers . . . and ply has superior stability.
The electronics are unique. While the ceramic pickups are flush (good with the very flat neck radius) they measure 4.5K. This 'vintage' resistance may have been offset by using small 500K pots and one .33mF cap in a standard Strat wiring. I think the pots are linear, and I use the volume pot just as much for a tone adjustment.
The 2 and 4 pickup settings don't really twang enough for the true Strat sound, but still playing with amp settings.
Interesting stuff. I have a vester tradition 57 strat that’s solid body and from the Young Chan factory, it was made in 92 and it’s excellent.
Becoming quite collectable too.
@@Stratboy999 I think they only made a thousand of the tradition series. The neck is nicer than my Highway one in fairness.
The quality dividing line can be often be seen in the tuning machines and logo cosmetics all thru the history of Squier. If the guitar has trapezoidal covered tuners it's a budget model with budget hardware. A plain black logo typically is a budget model, a gold logo is typically higher quality. But any given guitar neck may love your hand, so pick it up and play it before passing judgment.
My A series MIJ Squier strat has traps, but I like the body and neck, so I upgraded the hardware. A few of the early E series MIK Squiers, presumably made by Young Chang have solid alder bodies and lovely high gloss necks with what I assume is Gotoh MIJ hardware,. Nice string trees, tuners and trem. These guitars are every bit as good as most MIJ.
Late 80s - early 90s MIK guitars were made by multiple companies with widely varying quality. I own both E and S series MIK Squiers from the late 80s with laminate bodies, very nice high gloss necks with nice logos but budget hardware.
IMO laminate bodies are not a deal breaker- this is high quality furniture grade material. However, these guitars will be discounted forever due to the laminate body. The can be a great bargain, but resale value suffers.
I have a midnight wine 97 VN Tele that I bought for a song. It's a bit of a mix- traps with a gold logo, ok hardware, very chunky neck and a solid mahogany body. Nice guitar! I also owned a VN Squier strat from 95 with a laminate body and the thinnest neck ever with almost no finish on it. I regret selling that one- that crazy thin neck was great fun to play.
The MIK Squiers from 2004-2006 are really nice- set necks, interesting shapes (e.g. the Esprit) and they are less expensive than the very similar FMT MIK Fenders from the same years.
I have a squire tele carve top full body through split double humbuckers in red and it's probably the greatest guitar I own
Korean Cort-made Squiers were plywood.
Samick-made Korean Squiers were solid.
Indonesian Squiers are made by Cor Tek (Cort).
Chinese Squiers are made at the Yako factory in Taiwan.
The Indian made "Fender" guitars were never badged "Squier".
They were badged..."Sunn Mustang".
Indian squires were badged "Squire II". I know because I have one.
Doesnt it also depend on the market you live in? Pretty sure agufish has some squiers never marketed in usa, singapore model if I remember
Are you familiar with the very brief India production from ‘89 to ‘90 or so? I just scored a really beautiful Torino red Precision with a flamed maple neck and a dark Indian rosewood fretboard. It’s in the Squier II series, but just before production began in Korea. It easily stacks up with my ‘84 Fujigen bullet bass!
The Korean-made Squire Telecaster, with a CN 5 or CN6 these are Telecaster Deluxe models Alnico good quality pick ups, with maple necks, they have a Gold Squire Decal, which tells you there is no ply, its all solid wood, these are all solid ash or alder bodies. This was a new push on quality and a marketing relaunch for the Squire brand. These are better build quality and sound, than an American-made Fender of the same year 95/96, If you see one buy it. They are top loaders, and the only thing I changed on mine was the bridge to 3 barrels. Marks's little video was nice, but I think you need more in-depth knowledge, if you want to find a pearl in a bucket of pooh. By those I mean if you see a black Squire decal on a Tele or a Strat, there is a high probability that its plywood, Silver Decal most are solid wood but Gold Squire, are always solid. Ally.
I blew the dust off my old Squier from my childhood a few months ago and started doing some reading and found what you've mentioned. It's a VN6 Gold label squier. I've deduced that it's a solid Alder body with a maple neck and fretboard. Do you have any idea what pickup came in the squier strats? I've been thinking of hot rodding this thing a little since it seems to be well built guitar, but I don't want to throw away a descent set of pickups for just another descent set of pickups.
@@bwgoddard As far as I know Squire were basically giving way a check for $200 when this investment for 2 years, on these solid body Sreats and Tele Deluxes the reviews for them in Guitar Magazine waxed lyrical with things like the slim 21 fret, 10" radius, easy to play maple tapered necks, beautiful solid Ash and Alder body beautifully gloss finished, and we are told that they have American 500k pots and cloth covered screened loom, with American USA Vintage Alnicos, in the Teles and in the strats sadly not Fat 50s, either USA tex mex underwound USA, or alnico 2s maybe 4s, in the CN6 snd VN6 it's really hazy on the Strat specs. also, the tuners are of Fender build quality, on both these deluxe models, so as you can see it could not continue, Fender had accomplished with the earlier Squire brand in Japan, to see off Tokai and Fernades, also Encore, so it was mission accomplished next stop China and build quality, by the way, I put Klusons on my tele. Really it was 95/96 when these gold decals were produced for the Squire relaunch. You will never see their likes again from Squire. I bought my Black Squire deluxe tele in 1995 from Albert Lee's son Wayne, in Lewisham guitar shop London with a hard case, I still have the receipt for £185, what a bargain. The only bargain from Fender after that were MIK Fender Telecaster, swamp ash with birds eye maple neck, and seymour duncan pups, I managed to get my hands on one about 10 years ago 2004 o 2008 fantastic Telecasters. before they were discontinued. There is one available in FB England, for £680, you may get it even cheaper. they are super rare now. Benjamin are you on Facebook, I'm Alistair Allen, I will look for your name as it is here. and then I can show photos and stuff. I learned another interesting fact all nonbudget guitars like Squire for budgeting reasons they did not preseason the woods Ash is more responsive to these drying outs. Seemingly they found out that these budget untreated ash and alder bodies sounded better than the Fender Custom shops 40 years later ha, ha, shows as well, especially after 1964/65, whereas Leo Fender used superior tonewoods and bought more expensive timber. CBS stopped all that and because the preseasoned them, Teles especially have lost their top end . I have rattled on long enough Ben. maybe see you on FB. signing out Ally from across the pond, I have no CBS-made Fenders. I have two vintage pre-CBS two Strats and 1 tele, 2 MIKs, both Teles and 2 MIJs. 1 Tele one Strat. I would not have it in the house, big ugly headstocks on the Strat, thank GOD FOR BILL SCHULTZ, the savior of Fender Instruments
@@alistairallen829 great info! I’m not on Facebook. I compared my VN6 fretwork to the MIM player series Fenders on the rack this weekend and the neck and fretwork looked better on my 96 Korean squier! I think I’ll play it for a while and then do some light modding to it.
Thank you!
My Squier Strat has the name "Squier" in large gold lettering and the name "Stratocaster" in large black letters, like you'd see in late '60's strats with the large headstocks (very like that on Hendrix's Woodstock strat). Can you tell me anything about this configuration on my Squier strat?
I have an Indian '02 squier strat...sounds great!
I have a 2004 Starcaster S1 with a rare arrow headstock from Indonesia, a step above Squire. I think its safe to say that Indonesia production at 2004 was a good year considering that manufacturing began arround mid 90's. The price dropped I think because Squire was not profiting to expectations.
Would have been great if I still had my fuji gen made Fender telecaster from '92.
They were better guitars than I originally thought. Nice neck. Good gear. I heard they went up in price. May fetch about 800. these days. I can only imagine how beautifully aged the maple neck would look by now.
Always keep your first telecaster, especially if it's the one you learned to play on.
I wouldn't off my '00 Indonesia bullet hard tail for anything, sweet lively axxe & alotta fun, I have to say, the neck is just too good for a Squier, Brazil rosewood, medium frets BUT its the Birdseye flame.. not flamboyant but there,and just fast, I did the usual improvements, but as it was free... I have zero complaints.😉
I have a '99 Strat standard from Indonesia that is the same way. The maple neck on it is gorgeous and it is just an all around workhorse of a guitar after the usuals. Absolutely a keeper!
Great storytelling :)
Great vid. I also heard that Schultz had the Japanese builders retrain the American builders. Not sure how true that is...
and how about the nice korean 87/88 Fender strats with us and japan parts ?
Yes I have one of these & it mite very well be the best Squire made. I tried many many other ones & the 87 MIK just sounds, feels, & handles the best.
Yes, I had a late 80’s MIK tele w/ an solid wood body that most likely was left over from the 83-85 USA standard series.
One faux pas of this vid IMO is he states production went from Mexico to Korea when actually it went from Korea to Mexico then back to Korea in the mid 90’s….
Good afternoon friends, I bought a california squier manufactured in china in 2008, the guitar has a scalloped neck and the previous owner says that it left the factory that way, would that be possible, squier at some point produced scalloped guitars, maybe on order but really that is true ?
Has anybody mentioned the 94-95 made in Mexico Squier Series? Maybe the only Squiers with a 3/16" truss rod nut.
How long does it take to order inventory for a store? And how do you go about it? Like ordering guitars and gear to put on display.
You need to establish relationships with the brands you want to carry. Sometimes they have requirements, but usually after you've become a seller and do ok, they leave you to order what you think you will sell. We have about 8 brands with direct relationships, and two other companies that are "catch all" suppliers for small things. The direct prices are usually the best. How much time is spent a week, only about 4 hours when you know your products well. How long does it take to get delivery, from about 1-5 days, depending on where they're located.
I recently bought a 1986 japan made squire bullet.
It has the strat style body with the telecaster neck.
Been dying to find one of those ! Isn’t the body a little smaller than a regular strat ?
@@NYSeaNile
Yes I think it is.
Also it's not contoured like a strat but square like a tele.
Great info, this would be very helpful if put in a chart or table with headings for year, country, quality. Sounds like you're saying Fender made in U.S. is not guarantee of best quality, right?
I have a 2000 Fender American Jazz Deluxe V bass (made in U.S.), bought new for $1000 in 2000. But worth the top dollar I paid for American vs. other country? What do you think?
I just bought a 2020 Squier Affinity bass on CL, like new, made in Indonesia, paid $100. How does quality compare to American made?
I am trying to distinguish between value and quality. For example, I think $100 for my Affinity is a great value but I have a hard time believing its quality is as good as my $1000 Fender.
The late 80s Korean Squiers are inconsistent in regards to scale length, tuners, saddles, pickups, plant manufacturers, etc but they are ALL amazing players. Get one and stick a loaded pickguard in and let it rip.
That was really cool, glad you threw this up
I have a usa Tele California and a Gibson SG. My favorite is my Squier 72 Thinline Reissue!
I still have my bought in the summer of 85’ st-335 Fender squire Stratocaster
Cool... That's a great one
I own a MIM 1995 "Fender" Stratocaster with "Squier Series" small decal on headstock. Great neck but has generic tuners and generic bridge (I don't use the whammy bar). Plays like butter and I actually prefer playing it over my made in USA Strat!
I have a 2004 Chineese strat model that sounds amazing
MY plywood stagemaster sounds great I put a JB and 55 reissue single in the neck.
Those Stagemasters look cool as hell.
I have an affinity ..gold logo ..made in Indonesia ..it's a beautiful guitar ..my friend played it as I am a learner and said he liked it better than his fender ..I've learner lots about guitars ..Just have to learn how to play now 😂
After watching this video my Bullet Strat HSS HT turned out to be a Fender American made a mistake and put Squires logo on a few Fender American guitars because of the Headstock and serial number.
I thing that in the early 90's Japanese Fujigen made the squier silver series. Are they as good as the 80's squiers? Thank you.
All Japanese Squiers are great... people are catching on to that and the prices are going up, but get one while you can.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA Thank you Gary. Just Got mine.
I have a telecaster that says Fender with a small "Squire series" on the headstock.The serial # starts with an MN. I've heard it was from when the Mexican factory burned down.Does anyone know about this ?
just seeing this a year later, yes "squier series" or black label are USA necks and bodies shipped to Mexico and assembled with Mexican pick ups and Korean hardware and electrics. The factory was devastated by a fire so Fender did this to get them back up and running. Great guitars and are just now going up in value. 94 and 95 are the more desired years. They retailed for around $450 and now in mint condition are getting up to $900
In Japan here Fender Japan is tightly controlled . Sadly to say all the small shops lost the rights to sell Fender products. So now the market is controlled along with the "set " prices. Can't get a discount unless the big stores are authorized . Not bad guitars but the prices have really gone through the roof. In my opinion the Indonesian made Squiers are top. Also I don't think we have to worry about lead content in their finishes, China, well I don't know but would like to find out. Maybe you can find out for us. The Fender China is hit and miss. The Squier lines really are over price and the fact within the last 7 months prices have gone up over 50 bucks ( 5000 yen ). Squier basses in Indonesia are still under 300 bucks and they are made well.
Thanks Mark
I sell a bucket load of the contemporary series (china) and the classic vibe (Indonesia) at my shop here in Adelaide South Australia. Fantastic guitars for the money
Deano #adelaideguitarshopguy
Great video and I subscribed. I found a a 1984 Fender Squire Japan Telecaster '52 JV Series. They want 1350. Good general condition but use and marks on the lacquer here and there and I see them. Jack plate sunken but solid it says. I am a musician piano player but looking for a nice lifetime guitar to play. Love the Telecaster. My question is it worth it for 1350 or better to get a classic vibe 50s which is newer. I'm 44 and would like the 1984 if its worth it. Thank you
That's a great guitar.. but for a Squier branded instrument it sounds a bit high. For that money you can get USA Fender, Professional series, which is excellent.. or for $999 MIM Fender Deluxe or Ventera also excellent.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA Thank you
Hello gary I have 1887 young Chang mikE10 it turned out wood not ply. Then I have a Japan squire 1994 P series that turn out to be ply turned out the complete opposite of what I thought. 🎸👍😁
Nothing wrong with Korean Plywood Strats. Easy to be sniffy about them if you have never played one, I guess, but they are great guitars. Also they have brilliant necks. Hardware is a bit questionable, so swap out the pickups and tuners and you have yourself a really decent instrument. Japanese Squiers are easily the best quality overseas Fenders.
USA>Japan>Mexico>Korea>China>Indonesia>India.
Squires are no joke.
What years are the good china ones 🤔
Can you put an approximate year on when China-made Squiers "Improved." Did China have its stuff together in 2004 for the Tele line?.
it happened over time, making improvements every year, but they became noticeably better about 4 or 5 years ago.
thx...If you know, what's better made, the 2004 Affinity Tele made in China, or 2019 Affinity Tele made in Indonesia. I have the opportunity to purchase either (not both) in pristine condition, 2004 plus tweed case costs less than the 2019, but just want to hear what's better made...many thx@@GarysGuitarsUSA
@@steveganis8501 opinion has a lot to do with this.. but I'd say the made in China ones, the more recent ones, are better, especially the Affinity Jazzmaster we just got in, really nice.
I agree with all you say, but I'm buying only American and Japanese guitars. It's not just great instruments, it's an investment as well!
Anyone got any info on 1988-1989 MIK squier strat - with light/silver serial number starting in "E2"? (NOT E2 with black serial numbers)
I believe it's nearly the same (identical??) to the 1987-1988 MIK light/silver serial starting in "E1" - striped maple neck, black string rollers/trees, double stamped fender saddles, Gotoh tuners (Fender branded with "G" logo), torino red (one of 3-4 colors they made them in), full size trem block. But I really can't 100% confirm that because no matter where I search online, everything is specific to the "E1" serials - RUclips videos, forums, eBay listings, reverb listings. I've yet to come across any source saying anything like "hey, this is specifically an E2!".
Reason I ask is someone is selling one locally. I can verify all of the above based on the pictures, except the trem block.
Of course I'm going to check it out in person - see how it feels/plays, verify all the details I know of the E1, etc. But I would really like some info on it that's not from the guy trying to sell it lol. Someone with first hand knowledge and experience with specifically an E2.
Basically patents from Japan are still true to the models in China today is that a consensus or conclusion that could be made?
Fender is the holder of all patients and all Squires are made to their specs. Any changes are done for economy or to differentiate models.
Do people in 2023 still believe that the kind of wood used for the guitar's body is actually relevant for the tone?
I'm not trying to say I know more, but I bought a Mexican strat, that was not very good. I bought a 57 reissue Strat that was made in Japan that was not very good, and I had a 2000 Squier made in Indonesia that was awesome. I wish I had seen this video about six hours earlier, because I just bought a Squier Stratocaster Standard made in Indonesia in 2001, by Cort, and it wasn't cheap. I hope it plays well.
Wish me luck.
Minor (very minor nitpicky) rant: stop calling it "Fender Squier".......It's Squier, just Squier. Yes, it is a Fender brand, but it's just Squier. Great video BTW. I think Squiers are great!
officially "Squier by Fender" is written on the headstocks and the boxes, but Fender is not afraid to associate their name with their import line.
You tell him Gary!
I love my Fender Squires!!! I have a Fender Champion 20 amp and Fender strap and Fender gig bag for it😁
Yes .my headstock says ..designed and backed by fender ..made in Indonesia ,@@GarysGuitarsUSA
What exactly is a squire guitar? This whole time I’ve been buying these knockoffs called squier
It's called autocorrect. Sorry for the confusion.
@@GarysGuitarsUSA I was just kidding around, man. This is a great video - a real knowledge bomb.
Just try before you buy and you'll be fine
Made in china 1997 Squier affinity Stratocaster? Good ???
ok... nothing too sought after
@@GarysGuitarsUSA thanks
nc7 i belive
Gary's Guitars....So many of your claims are incorrect...you are conflating facts with myths and rumours...You should really not do these clips off the top of your head...
Maybe a little bit of conflict of interest for the Indonesia and Chinese production? Sounds like somebody is making $ hand over fist with this import "stuff"?
Nobody is making money hand over fist in this market. The guitar retail industry leader has been slowly moving closer to bankruptcy. The margins on new Asian made guitars are really bad. The profit in the music retail business is in high end used gear. From the retail side great cheap guitars are really bad news. If you can buy a guitar for $400 that's great, and I make $100 selling it, you won't have to buy a $1000 guitar which give the retailer much more profit.
I had a "Made in China" Epiphone Les Paul Special, it was complete garbage!
I would not buy anything unless it has David Gilmour's seal of approval.