โ† Guitar Brands
Squier

United States ยท Est. 1982

Squier

Fender's affordable line makes the iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster accessible to beginners without sacrificing the DNA of the originals.

BeginnerRockBluesAffordable

About the brand

Squier was originally a string manufacturer acquired by Fender in 1965. In 1982, faced with competition from cheaper Japanese copies of its own designs, Fender relaunched the Squier brand to produce affordable versions of the Stratocaster and Telecaster โ€” made first in Japan, then Korea, and now primarily in China.

The Squier Bullet, Affinity, Classic Vibe, and Contemporary series cover a wide range of price points, with the Classic Vibe models in particular earning genuine praise from professionals and critics alike for their quality relative to cost. They use the same body profiles and scale lengths as genuine Fenders, giving beginners an authentic feel from day one.

Squier democratised access to the Stratocaster and Telecaster experience for players worldwide. Countless professional guitarists started their journey on a Squier, and the Classic Vibe series in particular has blurred the line between affordable and genuinely playable instruments.

Key facts

  • Launched in 1982 as Fender's affordable alternative to cheap Japanese copies
  • Classic Vibe series praised for quality at its price point
  • Same body profiles and scale lengths as American Fender models
  • Entry point into the Fender family for millions of players worldwide

Iconic models

1982

Squier Stratocaster

The affordable version of Fender's Stratocaster, which for decades has been the guitar millions of people started playing on.

1983

Squier Telecaster

An affordable copy of Fender's Telecaster that stays true to the original design and has been the starting point for countless guitarists.

2008

Squier Classic Vibe

Squier's highest-quality line, acclaimed by critics and users alike as one of the best low-price guitars available on the market.

1983

Squier Bullet

Squier's entry-level range, the most affordable option to get started on guitar with the Fender design and name behind it.

Popular pickup upgrades

References