A Brief History of Fender Squier Guitars

Here's a summary of Fender Squire's history, including country and manufacture changes and quality differences between different versions.

[brandonpoole]

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.

[fshg]

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!!

[Place_to_keep_videos]

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!❤

[LivingstonGina]

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!

[kennygame]

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!

[reedburke]

Wow, ! What a great history lesson Mark. Keep it up Sir!

[patrickfoster]

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!

[senseiruss]

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.

[soljaime]

Thanks for your videos. This and your tube series answer questions that I never thought to ask.

[tmo]

Great job, Mark. Enjoy your discussions. Best wishes from the San Francisco Bay area.

[caseylee]

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!

[burtcocain]

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.

[ckmusic]

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... 😉

[bugsbunny]

He forgot all about the clasic vibe series Squires, some of the best budget Fenders on the market.

[msh]

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.

[acousticshadow]

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! 😉

[Barryer]

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.

[malgibbs]

really enjoyed that history lesson very good

[Ultra-Collector]

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