Squier Stratocaster

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 on 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 '60s headstock. The Stratocaster included in the SE 100 starter pack along with the Vintage Modified Stratocasters 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

from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squier_Stratocaster

Thailand’s O-Larn Gets Signature Squier Model

One of Thailand’s most popular and influential rock musicians, guitarist O-Larn, recently received his own signature Squier Stratocaster® guitar model. O-Larn’s customized instrument is the first among what Squier calls “regional” signature models.

O-Larn has endorsed Squier guitars in Southeast Asia for several years, and worked closely with Thailand Fender distributor Beh Ngiep Seng, Fender’s Asia marketing director, Ken Oda, and Squier’s U.S. marketing director, Chris Gill, on development of the model. At an unveiling of the prototype during an August 2006 press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, O-Larn called his new signature guitar “an honor” and described it as “one of the most important things in my life.”

In co-designing his signature model, O-Larn specified a Squier Standard Stratocaster design with high-output single-coil pickups, a soft V-shaped neck and no onboard tone control. “I think the Stratocaster is a sexy design of guitar,” he said. “Its body curves look like Marilyn Monroe’s shape.”

“I am lucky that (Squier) gave me such a chance and was really patient while we tried to figure out the design of this guitar,” O-Larn added. “I’d like to thank Chris Gill for his contribution—he did a great job on the guitar. This guitar became a piece of art when I first saw it—it is really beautiful and everything looks perfect.”

The guitar will be available in four finishes; Sunburst, Black, White and Natural.

O-Larn began his music career in Thailand in the early 1980s. With his band, the O-Larn Project, his skills as a performer, composer and arranger grew in parallel to his popularity in Thailand’s admittedly small rock scene. As Thailand gradually became more open to Western culture in the ensuing years, O-Larn’s albums and performances earned him widespread regional success and respect.

Visit O-Larn online at http://www.theolarnproject.com/ (Thai with optional English translation).

from : http://www.squierguitars.com/news/index.php?display_article=91

other olarn guitar (thai) : http://www.guitarthai.com/news/eventdetail.asp?QID=496

Squier Guiter : Leader of the Packs

Leader of the Packs
Six great new Squier instrument/amp sets are now playing …


Squire is proud to introduce four new Stop Dreaming, Start Playing™ instrument/amp sets that give aspiring guitarists and bassists everything they need to get started in one cool and convenient package.


First up are two guitar sets: the Stop Dreaming, Start Playing Affinity Strat® HSS with Bullet® 150 DSP Amp and the Stop Dreaming, Start Playing Affinity Strat HSS with G-DEC® Junior Amp. Both sets feature a great sounding, sweet-looking and easy-playing Squier Affinity Strat guitar with a humbucking bridge pickup. The former includes our two-channel Bullet 150 DSP 15-watt amp with digital effects, auxiliary input and headphone jack; the latter includes our 15-watt G-DEC Junior amp with loads of amp types, effects, backing loops, auxiliary input, headphone jack and many other cool features.


Next up are two bass sets: the Stop Dreaming, Start Playing Affinity P Bass® with Rumble™ 15 Amp and the Stop Dreaming, Start Playing Affinity J Bass® with Rumble 15 Amp. Both feature the compact but punchy 15-watt Rumble 15 bass amp. The former includes our tough Squire Affinity Precision Bass® guitar; the latter features our sleek Squier Affinity Jazz Bass® guitar. A lot of boom for your buck!


Also check out Squier’s two other new packs, the Affinity Strat® Special/Fender Frontman Amp® 15G and the SE Special/Squier SP-10 Amp, both of which include a guitar, amp, stereo headphones, instructional DVD, guitar cable, tuner, gig bag, strap and picks.

Affinity Series
Stop Dreaming, Start Playing™ Set: Affinity Strat® HSS with Bullet® 150 DSP Amp

Specifications
Model Name Stop Dreaming, Start Playing™ Set: Affinity Strat® HSS with Bullet® 150 DSP Amp Model Number 030-1610-(Color#) USA Series Affinity Series Colors (006) Black, (025) Metallic Red, (095) Metallic Blue, (Polyurethane Finish) Body Agathis Neck Maple, C-Shape, (Polyurethane Finish) Fingerboard Rosewood, 9.5” Radius (241 mm) No. of Frets 22 Medium Jumbo Pickups 2 Single-Coil Pickups (Neck/Mid),1 Humbucking Pickup (Bridge) Controls Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup) Pickup Switching 5-Position Blade:Position 1. Bridge Pickup Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup Position 3. Middle Pickup Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup Position 5. Neck Pickup Bridge Synchronous Tremolo Machine Heads Standard Die-Cast Tuners Hardware Chrome Pickguard 1-Ply White Scale Length 25.5” (648 mm) Width at Nut 1.61” (41 mm) Unique Features White Dot Position Inlays
Bullet® 150 DSP Features:"Fender "clean" channel and versatile distortion channel."15 digital effects, including reverb, delay/echo, chorus, flanging and tremolo."Auxiliary input for playing along with CD or drum machine."Headphone output for silent practice."15 watts. "8" speaker."Tough textured vinyl exterior. Strings Fender Super 250L, (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel p/n 073-0250-003 Accessories The Set Includes:Squier Fat Strat p/n 031-0700,Fender Bullet® 150 DSP Guitar Amplifier,Strap,Electronic Tuner, Gig Bag,Cable,Pick Sampler Introduced 1/2007 Notice Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

from : http://www.squierguitars.com/news/index.php?display_article=97

New Squier Vintage Modified Series Guitars!

Squier’s cool new Vintage Modified Series Strat® and Tele® guitars are all about four big Vs—vintage style, amazing versatility, killer vibe and awesome value.

And like the name says, all four of these babies have not only the whole vintage thing going for ’em, but also hot-rodded modifications such as custom pickguards and finishes, gloss-finished maple necks and hot-sounding Duncan-Designed™ pickups. It’s the best of Fender® styling and design, with a few flashy twists.

Just check out the Squier Vintage Modified Strat and its chop-shopped humbucking counterpart, the Vintage Modified Strat HSS. On the Tele side of things, behold the sonic splendor of the humbucking Squier Vintage Modified Tele SH and mini-humbucking Vintage Modified Tele SSH, with their chop-shop hardware and reversed control plates.

All four are customized classics at a price that can’t be beat. Vintage. Versatile. Vibe. Value. That’s the Squier Vintage Modified Series.

Vintage Modified Strat

Vintage style with some modded twists. Squier’s Vintage Modified Strat guitar incorporates the best of classic Fender® styling and some flashy finishes. Features include a gloss-finished maple neck and Duncan Designed™ Alnico 5 pickups.

from : http://www.squierguitars.com/news/index.php?display_article=93