The Classic Vibe range from Squier is one of its best, offering a level of quality which is exceptionally close to that of a Mexican-made Fender, and for under $500/400, we cant think of a better range of guitar on which to start your guitar playing journey. There was a problem. The standard Paranormal Offset Telecaster isnt the craziest thing on paper. Japanese Guitar Brand Guide (2022) ESP, Takamine and More! In the lead circuit, tones were exceptionally bright and clear. It offers authentic Fender feel and playability, and delivers hard hitting tones across pretty much any genre of music. They gave us sharp, clear cleans, and when we wanted break up we got dirty, grimy, rowdy grunge tones that made us wish these Squiers were available in the 90s! 9 Best Guitar Stands and Guitar Racks For All Budgets (2022), 7 Best Guitar Wall Hangers or Mounts that are easy to install (2022), 7 Best Nylon Guitar Strings For Classical Guitar (2022), The Best Guitar Picks for Beginners w/ Buying Guide, 7 Best Noise Gate Pedals [2022] Keep tone, lose noise, 20 Best Free Amp Sims/Plugins For Guitarists [2022], 7 Best Low Latency Audio Interfaces [2022] with Buyers Guide, 7 Best P90 Guitars [2022] For All Budgets, 7 Best Guitar Headphone Amps [2022] Amp in your Cans, 7 Best Parlor Guitars in 2022 with Buyers Guide, Best Cheap Acoustic Guitars (2022 Review). 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Its full of great electric guitar options including Strats and Teles - but its the Bullet Mustang which we enjoy the most. If youre looking for the best Squier on the market, you really need to consider our Editors Choice, the Squier 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Jazzmaster. This means that the scale length - the distance between the bridge saddles and the nut of the guitar - is shorter than the usual Fender-style scale length of 25.5 by an inch and a half. 7 Best Wah Pedals (2022) Channeling Hendrix and Slash! Squier does make one with a humbucker in the neck position, but wed love a dual-humbucker Tele Deluxe style Offset model. It has everything you need to learn the fundamentals, and then some. 7 Best Overdrive Pedals (2022) For Every Budget! It was definitely striking, but if you like your guitar a bit more subdued it also comes in black, and Sonic Grey. Granted, even the best Squier guitars arent at the same level of quality as USA-made PRS or Fender guitars, but they pack enough of a punch and represent such great value for money that they should be taken 100 percent seriously. The Thinline Tele has that special something to it which sets it apart from the rest of the pack - besides there being a big empty space in the body. The Classic Vibe range has always been one of the best, but in recent years we've seen Squier really close the gap with the Fender-branded instruments in terms of build and sound quality and overall feel. None of the compressed, woolly tones youd usually associate with a pair of cheap humbucking pickups. The Squier Contemporary Telecaster is extremely reminiscent of the Jim Root signature model, a guitar that sells for a lot more than this Squier. The Starcaster takes the classic semi hollow design, and puts a unique twist on it, with its asymmetrical body, and offset F holes, resulting in a handsome guitar that spans the genres. Its asymmetrical design combined with its hard hitting pickups made the original extremely popular during the punk movement, and you can have your own piece of that today. They were Fender Designed alnico single coils, and they performed impeccably across almost every metric. It had a semi gloss coating, and felt far superior to the almost unfinished feel of the entry level models. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to receive exclusive offers & promotions, news & reviews, and personalized tips for buying and selling on Reverb. The Bullet Stratocaster is an exceptional budget recreation of the infamous and iconic Fender Strat, and offers the same range of tones and same killer looks, but for much much less. Its a good question, to be honest. Breakbeats, not the bankShop Beatmaking Week deals nowLearn more, Simple Returns, Secure Transactions, Human Support. It had the same C profile neck as our top pick, the Affinity Stratocaster, which was as we previously found, chunkier than expected. On the Squier we found that it fell out far too easily, making it difficult to use in the real world. Dreadnought vs Concert: Which Style Makes For the Best Acoustic Guitar? Guitars in the Contemporary Series include the Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, the Jaguar, and the Starcaster. It does cost quite a bit more than your average Squier, but the tones and build quality are closer to what youd find on a Fender rather than other Squier models. Oops, looks like you forgot something. Not making any sense? Finally, our Editors Choice was the Squier 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Jazzmaster it oozed cool, and wed have no qualms gigging or recording with it right out of the box. Virtually every single guitar that comes out of a factory with Squier on the headstock is of a high standard for the price bracket in which it falls under. Heres why you can trust us. Bullet and Affinity series guitars in the past were notorious for sharp and uneven frets, but we found no such thing here. Epiphone vs. Gibson What are the Differences Between Epiphone and Gibson Models? The return of old-time Fender favourites like the Toronado and Super-Sonic has been really nice to see, and brand new Squier models like the Baritone and Offset Telecasters, while pretty wacky, have found themselves becoming popular. Guitars in the Affinity Series include the Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, and the Starcaster. The Bass VI was originally produced by Fender between 1961 and 1975, and it's essentially a regular electric guitar, tuned a whole octave lower. This guitar feels, sounds and looks like a brand new, contemporary take on the Strat, and for that we have to take our hat off to Squier. Squiers Bullet range of guitars are the perfect beginner electric guitar, delivering new players all the tools and features theyll ever need to start mastering the art of playing the electric guitar. The basswood body is super slim and lightweight, the maple neck is smooth and comfortable and the hardtail bridge and solid tuners work in conjunction with each other to keep tuning and intonation issues to a minimum. Despite being a little fuller than the average beginner neck, it was still comfortable, and caused no issues with reaching the frets, or fatigue with extended use. Squiers range of premium models is continuing to expand, and the Squier 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Jazzmaster might just be the best guitar the budget brand has ever made. Thank you for signing up to Musicradar. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. This guitar offers so many tonal varieties that it really could be the only guitar youll ever need. With the rhythm circuit active, tones were noticeably richer, and more mellow. Guitars in the Classic Vibe Series include the Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, the Jaguar, the Starcaster, the Esquire, and the Mustang. From surf rock to grunge, the Jaguar is a guitar that can do it all. With these Strats, Teles, Jazzmasters and more from Squier, you can do just that. It's a bold statement, but all factors considered, Squier guitars are some of the best out there. It had a C profile neck, which was easy playing, and very comfortable. While Squier is owned by Fender - and they both make near identical instruments - the companies are separated by a few different factors. Along with the rest of the eCommerce team, I write, manage and update buyers guides, as well as bringing you deals on the latest and coolest gear. The bridge, strap buttons, control panel, pickups, and tuners all has a pretty unique black finish. 7 Best Fender Stratocasters (2022) Strats For Every Budget! Copyright 2022 Killer Guitar Rigs. The neck had a full size Atomic Humbucker, and in the bridge there was an SQR rail humbucker that fit perfectly into the slot that would be taken up by a traditional single coil. The neck, like all of the guitars on test had a C shape, which by this point we were quite used to. Simon is an Orlando based musician, but originally hails from Newcastle, England. Squier's Paranormal Series consists mostly of more budget-friendly reissues of some of Fender's cult classics from recent years. We really loved the roasted maple neck. Your purchases also help protect forests, including trees traditionally used to make instruments. Squier has had to make some era-based sacrifices though. As theyre so naturally bright, the pickups help to ditch any mushy, floppy-sounding bass frequencies that would otherwise ruin your performance. Want be like David Gilmour, Jim Root or Kurt Cobain but dont have four digits lying about? Squier Strat Range Overview Bullet, Mini, Affinity, Contemporary, Classic Vibe, How and when to use a thumbpick [with buyers guide 2022], Best Cheap 7 String Guitars (2022) with Buyers and Owners Guide, How to clean guitar strings the complete guide to extending your strings life, Gig Bag Essentials: The things every guitarist needs on the go, Pick Power Angus Young Guitar Pick Brand and Gauge. Kemper Profiler Rack vs Head Everything you need to know, Neural DSP Quad Cortex Vs. Kemper Profiler, 5 Best Soundproof Curtains At All Budgets (2022). Wed especially recommend the Squier Bullet Mustang (opens in new tab) or the Squier Bullet Stratocaster (opens in new tab) - of which both are more than suitable for beginner players or those looking for a cheap thrill. While production began in Japan, Squier guitars are now manufactured in China and Indonesia - as opposed to Fender guitars hailing from Mexico, Japan and the US. It sounds thick, open, wide - all of the tones youd associate with a semi-hollow guitar - but the humbuckers, unlike others, provide astonishing clarity. Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck and Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Gunmetal Metallic, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Skyburst Metallic, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck and Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Pearl White, 4-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Indian Laurel Fretboard, 1 Humbucking Pickup, 1 Single-coil Pickup, and Active Electronics - Pearl White, 5-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Indian Laurel Fretboard, 1 Humbucking Pickup, 1 Single-coil Pickup, and Active Electronics - Black, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Shoreline Gold, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fingerboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Floyd Rose Tremolo - Gunmetal Metallic, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, 2 Active Humbucking Pickups, and Tremolo - Sunset Metallic, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck and Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Shoreline Gold, 4-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fretboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Active Electronics - Sky Burst Metallic, Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Maple Top, Back, and Sides, Roasted Maple Neck and Fingerboard, and 2 Active Humbucking Pickups - Gunmetal Metallic, 5-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fretboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Active Electronics - Gunmetal Metallic, 4-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fretboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Active Electronics - Shoreline Gold, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Roasted Maple Neck, Laurel Fretboard, 2 Active Humbucking Pickups, and Tremolo - Shell Pink, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fingerboard, and 3 Single-coil Pickups - Skyburst Metallic, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fingerboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Floyd Rose Tremolo - Shell Pink Pearl, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 3 Single-coil Pickups - Sunset Metallic, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fingerboard, and 3 Single-coil Pickups - Black, 4-string Electric Bass with Ash Body, Maple Neck, Maple Fretboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Active Electronics - Flat Black, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Laurel Fingerboard, and 3 Single-coil Pickups - Pearl White, Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Maple Top, Back, and Sides, Roasted Maple Neck and Fingerboard, and 2 Active Humbucking Pickups - Shoreline Gold, 4-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Indian Laurel Fretboard, 1 Humbucking Pickup, 1 Single-coil Pickup, and Active Electronics - Sunset Metallic, Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck and Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Olive, Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Maple Top, Back, and Sides, Maple Neck and Fingerboard, and 2 Active Humbucking Pickups - Flat Black, Bundle with Jaguar HH ST and 50-watt, 1 x 12" Combo Amplifier, Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! The example we received for this round up came in a super cool Imperial Blue finish, which had an almost glittery look. He started playing bass and guitar in 1998, and and played the local scene throughout his teen years before life got in the way. This was one of the heaviest models in the roundup, but that was likely down to the overall size of the guitar. Squier is one of the worlds best selling guitar brands. The Jaguar is yet another Fender guitar that went on to become a pop culture icon in its own right. Having access to both humbucking and single coil tones opens up this guitar to practically any genre, and the timeless styling and robust build quality further add to the appeal. BA1 1UA. If weve learned anything, its that theres no shame in having a Squier logo on the headstock of your guitar. Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. We found that the quality of the fretwork was again, excellent, considering the low cost of the guitar. With this guitar youre getting a working musicians grade instrument at intermediate prices. This enables Fender to produce Squier guitars at a much lower cost - and therefore, sell them to you at a lower retail price. Squier was founded in 1982, making 2022 its 40th anniversary. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The Jazzmaster-esque offset body with a forearm and stomach carve makes for very comfortable and easy playing, and when combined with the very Tele tone, it feels like were in heaven. Squier is not just a brand that produces beginner or back-up guitars to put up with until you can afford a 'real' Fender, though. You will receive a verification email shortly. The Squier Bullet Mustang is a low cost version of Fenders punk icon. MusicRadar is supported by its audience. The Sunburst and Natural finishes are both gorgeous, with a really attractive grain showing through on both occasions - and with an Olympic white FSR model lingering around for a limited time too, theres bags of opportunity to take home something a little bit different that will blow your mind. We were pleased to get our favorite finish to test Surf Green. The fret edges on the one we played were a little bit proud, in all honesty - but as this is easily fixable by any luthier, we weren't too upset. This is an affordable interpretation of Fenders 70s classic with authentic materials used throughout, and huge, fat tones from the humbucking pickups. This is the one for you. In a departure from the other models we tested for this roundup, the body on this 60s Strat was made from nato, which believe it or not is a mahogany alternative. We dont know about you, but we definitely dont have a guitar hero kind of budget available - so knowing that we can get 99% of the way there for less than $/500 is a huge bonus. The Contemporary Series are made to a similar standard as the Classic Vibe, and are modeled after Fenders incredibly popular Japanese Made Contemporary guitars from the 80s. Our test Starcaster came to us in Olympic White, the finish quality was good, but, the wood around the F holes was a little rough. 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Now is the perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing. The neck is a slim C-shaped maple affair, like most standard Telecasters - and this slim neck helps to disguise the hefty strings and longer scale by making the whole guitar so playable. The Butterscotch Blonde finish is a classic, and will keep the Springsteen fans happy, but there's also Sunburst and Lake Placid Blue variants for anyone who fancies something just that little bit more interesting. After 2022, they'll be gone - 41st anniversary doesn't really have the same ring to it. In response to a growing market abuzz with new players inspired in part by the 2020 Fender Play Through initiative, Fender introduced several updates to the entry-level Squier guitar lineup in 2021 including an all-new batch of models in the Contemporary Series. The alnico magnets werent quite as hot as those on the Affinity HSS Strat, making it noticeably warmer sounding in all positions. For that reason, weve created a Squier buyers guide to help you work through your decision. The neck was maple, and came with a fantastic vintage tint that paired beautifully with the red paint work. It was clearly a better cut of wood, and was better hydrated, giving it a much smoother feel and a richer look. It had a sculpted neck heel, which gave us unfettered access to the upper frets this was a real giveaway that this Contemporary Tele is an all out players guitar. It represents the spirit of the original insomuch as it is a good looking, simple to use guitar with excellent playability and great tones, all at an absolute bargain price. This late 50s model is a recent addition to the Jazzmaster CV roster, and with an anodized scratchplate, Narrow Tall frets, and complex and sophisticated electronics, this guitar is about as faithful to its era as you can get - without getting too expensive, rare or just plain unplayable. Yeah, therell be a bit more feedback than usual at higher volumes, but not enough to really interrupt a gig or practice session. Squiers flagship Stratocaster provides a real alternative to Fender branded models. Speaking of tones, we cant lie in saying wed love a version of the Offset Tele that can offer us a little bit more grunt. It's got all of that Tele vibe that we love to see and hear, thanks to the combination of a poplar body and maple neck. All in all, this guitar is one of the best around - and some of the maple that Squier is using right now is gorgeous. The Mustang has a shorter scale length than most regular Squier guitars, which makes it perfect for smaller players; it's smaller in size and the string tension is lighter. Whether you're playing surf rock, accompanying a singer-songwriter or ripping a gurn-inducing riff in double Drop D, the Classic Vibe Bass VI is something we recommend you have in your arsenal. Their edgest were well finished, and the crowns were surprisingly smooth. It consists of a Poplar body, a maple neck and fingerboard and two Telecaster pickups - but in the flesh, it definitely makes a lasting statement. Fender earmarks nearly all of the best wood, hardware and finish options for its Fender-branded instruments, which means that Squier guitars are built mostly from cheaper cuts of Basswood, Poplar or Pine, and are equipped with cheaper hardware which is a bit less heavy duty. 7 Best Guitar Speakers For All Styles Of Music, 2022 Edition, 5 Best 10 Inch Guitar Speakers, 2022 Edition, 7 Best Clean Amps That Take Pedals Well [2022 Review], 7 Best Combo Amps for Metal (2022 Review), 5 Best 8 Inch Guitar Speakers, 2022 Edition, Best Guitar Speaker Cabs For Modeling Amps [2022], 7 Best Guitars for Small Hands (2022) Electric, Acoustic & Classical, 7 Best Electric Guitar Starter Kits for Beginners in 2022, Best Guitar Speakers for Rock (2022 Review), 5 Best Electric Guitars For Small Hands (2022 Review). For beginners, or those on a small budget, this guitar will do the job nicely. There's no two ways about it, the Classic Vibe Bass VI is a funky looking, sounding and acting thing. They are a subsidiary of Fender, and have been part of the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation since 1965. One of the best things about Squier is its consistency. FSR means 'Fender Special Run'. If you want to go really out there, the Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster (opens in new tab) would be our recommendation. The Humbucker gave us some nice, fat lead tones, particularly when pushed with some overdrive. ", 5 songs guitarists need to hear by The Cure, Listen to Taylor Hawkins drumming on King Princess new song, Let Us Die, The best free music samples and loop download sites on the web. Keep on reading to learn more about these great guitars. As such, the string gauge is a hefty .024-.084, and the scale length is a full 30 inches - the same as a short scale bass. The Bullet Mustang matches all of those criteria nicely. Squier's Contemporary series is another more recent addition to the roster, and offers a range of modern takes on classic guitars that we've not seen before from Squier. It was really nicely finished and offered a comfortable playing experience with its mid size C profile. To recap, our top pick was the Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS it offered versatile tones and looked amazing. The Jazzmaster is known for its striking offset looks, and this Squier really nails the aesthetic. 5 Best Rat Clones and Buyers Guide, 2022 Edition, Boss Katana Vs. Its affordable, and it looks absolutely fantastic, especially with the flamed maple top, which is a first for any Squier. The fretboard was also roasted maple, and it felt great under the fingers. (2022) Your Questions Answered! Being the Affinity model, it had standard Squier humbuckers, and we found that they were ideal for the task at hand. This is easily solved with a polish, but its still worth mentioning. 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