Squier Stratocaster

Infobox Guitar model
title=Squier Stratocaster


bgcolor=#FFFFFF
manufacturer=Squier
period=1982 — present
bodytype=Solid
necktype=Bolt on
woodbody=Agathis, Ash, Alder or Basswood
woodneck=Maple
woodfingerboard=Maple or Rosewood
bridge=Synchronized tremolo
pickups=3 single-coils or 2 single-coils and one humbucker
colors=Affinity Series: Black, Metallic Red, Metallic Blue, Arctic White,Olympic White, British Racing Green (2002 20th Anniversary Limited Edition finish)

Standard Series: Antique Burst, Candy Apple Red, Cherry Sunburst, Satin Pewter Metallic, Black Metallic, Walnut Satin

Pro-Tone series: Vintage Blonde, Crimson Red, Black, Three-Tone Sunburst, Trans Sapphire Blue, Olympic White

Deluxe Series (Excluding 2007 Deluxe Stratocaster): 3-Color Sunburst Flame Maple Top, 3-Color Sunburst Quilted Maple Top

Other colors may be available

The Squier Stratocaster is an electric guitar manufactured and sold by Squier, a marque of Fender. While it is essentially a rebranded Fender Stratocaster, it does not qualify as a Strat copy, as the Stratocasters are still considered to be of original make since Squier is owned by Fender, whereas manufacturers of Strat copies do so to use the generic strat body shape that hundreds of manufacturers without any affiliation to the Fender company have used for fifty years. Squier Stratocasters, being inexpensive, are popular amongst beginner and novice guitarists.

Origins

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

In 2002, for the 20th anniversary of the Squier line of Stratocaster guitars, that year's model was offered in a limited-edition green finish, as well as a "Freedom of Expression Since 1982" engraved neck bolt cover.

Construction

A standard Squier Stratocaster is mass-produced in factories located in Indonesia or China. For its construction, Squier usually uses woods readily available in those countries, such as agathis and basswood. They also use stamped metal hardware and multiple pieces of wood in construction to prevent wastage and to lower costs. A notable cosmetic difference from most Fender Stratocasters (except its vintage reissues and Highway 1 series) is the use of the larger 60's headstock. The Stratocaster included in the SE 100 starter pack, the Vintage Modified Stratocasters, and the 2007 Deluxe Stratocaster are the only Squier branded Stratocasters not to use the 60's large headstock.

Unique models

While Squier Stratocasters are predominantly inexpensive versions of Fender Stratocasters, some models are also unique to the Squier brand, these are:
*Hello Kitty Stratocaster
*OBEY Graphic Stratocaster
*Affinity stratocaster with killswitch

eries

Pro-Tone Series

The pro-tone series of stratocasters was produced between 1996 and 1998 and featured a solid ash body, a 1-piece maple neck, and three single-coil alnico pickups. The Pro-Tone line was manufactured in Korea (many in the Cort factory). It was available in a handful of finishes: vintage blonde, crimson red, black, three-tone sunburst, trans sapphire blue, and olympic white. The crimson red, and trans sapphire blue finishes came with gold hardware. [Simon Bradley; June 1998 issue of Guitarist Magazine, p. 104-106]

There was a special edition Pro-Tone called the 'Fat Strat' which came in black with a black painted headstock, 22 frets, a bridge humbucker, and a Floyd Rose double locking tremolo. [November 1997 issue of Total Guitar, p. 22-23]

ee also

*Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
*Squier
*Fender Stratocaster

External links

* [http://www.squierguitars.com/ Squier website]
* [http://www.21frets.com/squier_jv/theprotonepage.htm Pro-Tone information]
* [http://www.21frets.com/squier_jv/protonecatalogue.htm Pro-Tone catalog]

References