Suppose you’re interested in learning to play the electric guitar. If so, you’re likely wondering which guitar would be the best to start with. Obviously, the holy grail for many guitar players is the Fender Stratocaster. But, if you are just starting out, it’s unlikely that you will want to spend a minimum of $800 for one of these fantastic guitars. So, what’s the next best thing for a beginner? Well, you may want to consider picking up an inexpensive Fender Squier Stratocaster. Today we are going to look at are Fender Squier guitars any good. You will learn the good, the bad, and the ugly and hopefully end up with the knowledge you need to know if this is the guitar you want to learn on. Let’s get started.

Squiers are Affordable

Now, some guitar players will try and tell you that the Squier is not a great guitar. They would be right. But, they are one of the better electric guitars for beginning guitar players. They have the same characteristics as a real Strat, but they are made with lower-quality materials. This isn’t to say that a Squier isn’t an excellent beginner’s guitar, though.

One of the best things about Squiers is that they are pretty affordable. If you were to go out and price an actual Strat, you would find that they start at $800 and go up from there. In fact, you can pay several thousand dollars for an American-made Stratocaster. However, a Squier will run you less than $300, and you can even find some for less than $200.

This is ideal if you are a parent who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money only to find out your kid isn’t really interested in learning how to play after all. It is also great for anyone just starting out and doesn’t want to invest a lot of money until they are sure that the guitar is the instrument for them.

One thing to keep in mind is that this is indeed a Fender guitar. That being said, you know you’ll be getting a higher quality guitar than many others, even if it is just a low-end model. When you buy a Fender, you are buying a guitar you can trust. We know many professional guitar players who still go back to their Squiers once in a while, just for the fun of it.

Types of Squier Guitars

You have probably seen a basic Fender Squier guitar, but did you know that there are actually many styles to choose from? Fender produces several guitars with the Squier name, including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Jazz Bass, and Precision Bass. The idea is to make sure every musician can have an instrument in their hands, even if they cannot afford a high-end guitar.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

While we have a lot of good things to say about Squier guitars, it is probably a good idea to get the bad stuff out of the way first. So let’s start with quality.

Obviously, when paying $300 compared to $800 or more, a Squier isn’t going to have nearly the same quality as a genuine Strat. So if you are considering a Squier, make sure you buy it from a reputable music instrument dealer or website. That way, if there are any problems with the guitar, there will be a return policy.

When buying any guitar, including a Squier, consider several things. First, look at the alignment of the neck, the frets, and the circuitry to make sure that the guitar will work properly. Likely there will be a few flaws in any Squier, so know what you are looking for.

Not all Problems are the Guitar’s Fault

If you are new to the world of guitars, take an experienced musician with you when it’s time to go shopping. It is best to go to an actual music store, where you can try out different guitars to get a feel for how they play.

Keep in mind there will be some setup after purchasing any guitar, no matter how cheap or expensive it is. However, most problems can easily be fixed by an experienced guitar technician.

Cheap Materials

The Squier is an inexpensive guitar made with inexpensive materials. In fact, most of these guitars are made in China and Mexico, using the cheapest parts available. This isn’t to say that your Squier guitar will be a piece of junk.

You just have to know that you can’t expect it to be made from high-end materials.

Sound Quality

We love the Squier because it has a sound that is very similar to that of a Stratocaster. Of course, there will be some differences, as the pickups aren’t as strong, and the tone isn’t as rich. But, all in all, you can’t get much better sound quality from any other low-end electric guitar.

Remember, this will likely be a beginner guitar, and it is a great one to start with. Remember not to compare Squiers and Strats because you will be a bit disappointed in the end.

Appearance

If you love the look of high-end Fender guitars, you won’t be disappointed in the appearance of Squier guitars. They are made to look nearly identical to their more expensive counterparts.

The most significant differences will be internal: The Strat will have better components and be made from higher-quality woods.

Conclusion

If you are a beginner guitar player and want a low-budget electric guitar that looks awesome and has a decent sound, you can’t beat a Squier by Fender. There are a few options to choose from, and you never know – you may even find it will be your go-to guitar for many years.