Would you upgrade to Fender given the opportunity?

surfaday · 09-07-2010, 07:24 PM

I ask because personally, I recently got a Squier because of price. I wanted the strat body shape. I already have a DC Ibanez with drop D lever, but its not the strat shape.

I'm having fun upgrading and soldering new pickups so far and pots, tuners, etc. I'm expecting an SD JB Jr in the mail this week. I even modded the pot wiring to give tone control to the bridge pickup. (Never soldered before this guitar).

But I kind of want a guitar with the Fender logo. Stupid and cosmetic, I know. But are there any others in the same boat as me?

Would you upgrade to a MIM Fender Strat given the chance? Or even a used MIA Strat? Or are you saving money for one now? Or is modding a Squier in a class by itself with its own mystique and collectability? Should I just be satisfied because the guitar I end up with will be better than an off the shelf MIM Fender?

Just having some insecurity.

Walter

Stratatouille · 09-07-2010, 07:28 PM

Would you upgrade to a MIM Fender Strat given the chance? YES

Or even a used MIA Strat? HELL YES

peskypesky · 09-07-2010, 07:49 PM

I'm a big Squier snob. But I would consider it.

edandis · 09-07-2010, 07:54 PM

If I ever had the money I would consider buying a Fender Baja tele.

tjnugent · 09-07-2010, 08:09 PM

The answer here is yes. A great guitar is a great guitar. I would go Custom Shop if I had the money... No.. one step further. I would go with a really old strat or tele. But, I would rather have a handful of nice guitars that are set up just the way I like it, than to only have one or none. I am not sure I would make the jump to MIM, because Squier is as good or better and half the price. Though I do think the new American Special Strat or Tele and especially the Baja Tele are exceptional guitars.

DreadSi · 09-07-2010, 08:09 PM

I tend to be an opportunistic upgrader. Caught a set of american tele pickups and bridge that went in my MIM tele, the MIM pickups went in partial trade for a flat black double fat squier strat. The bridge is going on a partscaster I am assembling for my daughter. I would like some locking tuners and a Pearly Gates for my Squier II. Who knows what will show up on CList?

jimbojo · 09-07-2010, 08:38 PM

So heres a couple scenarios I have recently went through. 1. Squier Standard Strat CAR, modofied with GFS Mean 90 in bridge, pearloid guard and cavity shielding along with wax dipping the original neck and mid pup's. I love this guitar, the only issue I struggle with is the slightly narrower at the nut neck. I recently won a Fender Squier Series MIM strat Black w/maple ala "Blackie", I am selling the Red Squier to go with the Black Fender. But in reality it is not for the Fender label, it is because I like the Clapton strat look and I like a wider/chunkier neck. I am thinning the herd to cover some amp upgrades I am doing so I had to make a choise, the logo on the guitar really didn't matter. #2 I have a Squier Standard Tele, love it, thought it was a bit heavy at 8lbs but not overly, again black and Maple (is it a trend?). Picked up an MIM Tele agave blue, I so much wanted to like the Fender better, but I didn't, bottom line, sold the Fender kept the Squier. I guess my point is it is really about the guitar, what ever is most important feel, weight, color, tone, playability, weigh all of those factors and pick the one that you like best, if its a Fender great, if a Squier, awesome, but if you are picking a Fender because of image, we hell, thats your coice too, so rock on with your bad self. It really is your call, what ever makes you want to play more is the most important.

wickedtools · 09-07-2010, 09:22 PM

I own 4 Fenders 1 American and 3 Mexicans. I still buy, mod and play Squiers

Stratatattat · 09-07-2010, 10:08 PM

i'd skip an MIM and just stick with squiers that i can mod.

an MIA? i'd snag one if i could.

now cosmetically...u can always do the unethical thing and get a decal....

oops, i didnt say that!

softwarejanitor · 09-07-2010, 10:33 PM

I own a mid 1970s Fender Stratocaster. It stays in the case most of the time and my Squiers get played. Part of that is the Fender is all stock and I generally prefer to play a little more hot-rodded guitar like my modified Squiers. And of course the Fender is at least somewhat collectible, so if it gets messed up I'm SOL... if something happens to one of my Squiers I can easily get another and I'm out at most a couple hundred bucks.

wickedtools · 09-07-2010, 10:35 PM

Done that too

AllroyPA · 09-07-2010, 10:56 PM

I would, but I've yet to ... ahh I'd love an ash 70's lefty, hulkin' weight an all that goes along with it... antigua would be righteous too.

mechanic1908 · 09-07-2010, 11:09 PM

If I got a really good deal I would. However I usually find if I have a expensive and a cheaper guitar around I play the cheaper one almost exclusively because I'm afraid of damaging the high dollar guitar.
So a expensive guitar would probably be a waste for me as I wouldn't play it much.
JMHO
Eric

ns2joel · 09-07-2010, 11:13 PM

I don't think I would ever get an mia unless it was a good deal on a double fat strat hardtail. I have fender mim which is my #1 but its been modded. my squiers are a tom delonge I'm leaving stock, an mim squier jazz bass, and a 51' I just picked up for $75 at a pawn shop. when I play an expensive guitar I feel like I can't rock out.

YeahDoIt · 09-08-2010, 05:50 AM

Maybe I'd get a Fender Stratocaster for recording but for practice, jamming with friends and playing gigs I use Squier. I don't want risk the really good stuff.

itsallintheblues · 09-08-2010, 06:09 AM

If I have the money and could justify it, I'll get a Custom Shop Nocaster..

but I can't justify it.. I'm not a pro.. and i don't earn my money through music.. and all I can afford is MIM Standard.. and I'm happy.. at least I can afford one that is still great... I could've easily chosen a squier, but you see my motto is "buy the best that you can afford".. and apparently, a MIM Standard is not the best that I can afford but also the best sounding, the best feeling guitar I've tested among the squiers and other models... so I went ahead and bought one..

I've also tried the americans and the other high end mims.. they are great.. but I cannot afford them no matter how hard I try.. but at least, I got a guitar that to me, is the best ever because I was able to afford it... with a few change left for a nice case and a few accessories...

so if you have the chance.. go and upgrade.. nothing wrong with that..

stratcross · 09-08-2010, 07:38 AM

I love my VM Squire,but I really want to own a Sienna Sunburst American Standard someday.

AllroyPA · 09-08-2010, 07:52 AM

The snafu is, once you get into the price range of an MIA ... there's so many guitars to choose from you would possibly not even end up with a Fender. I think my pricey guitar will be a Martin personnaly.

weelie · 09-08-2010, 10:32 AM

I don't like modding. I like a guitar that works. And as I never soldered myself, I tend to sell a guitar I don't like as it is.

And I love the Squier brand. But one of my Squiers has no label on the headstock, and that fine by me. I am more into the shape of the headstock than what's written on it.

66musicmaster · 09-08-2010, 10:47 AM

Let's see, I have an 08 Squier CV60s that I paid $299 for and a 95 MIM that I paid $200 for. SO yeah, I guess I would upgrade, given the opportunity. : ) The 95 had a good price and felt good to me. A MIM at full price is not perceived value to me.

An MIA would have to be a really good price and I'd probably still pass - what do I need with an MIA? I play on the sofa and use the gtr to arrange with. And to plunk on. I'm not even a rock star in my own mind when no one is around..... : /

I am probably done buying gtrs unless something really special comes along and then I'd probably sell one of the ones I got.

Randy

peskypesky · 09-08-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllroyPA

The snafu is, once you get into the price range of an MIA ... there's so many guitars to choose from you would possibly not even end up with a Fender. I think my pricey guitar will be a Martin personnaly.

I'm with you 100%. If I'm going to throw down $1000 on a guitar, it's going to be a Martin for sure.

horax · 09-08-2010, 12:20 PM

Yeah. I would love an American Standard Strat, but again, if I had the $$$, I'd drop it on a Gibson Les Paul Ace Frehley model.

I'm a KISS fan, through and through.

Heck, I'm not a good player anyway, I dont' deserve the high end crap.

Stratatattat · 09-08-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horax

Yeah. I would love an American Standard Strat, but again, if I had the $$$, I'd drop it on a Gibson Les Paul Ace Frehley model.

I'm a KISS fan, through and through.

Heck, I'm not a good player anyway, I dont' deserve the high end crap.

amen to all that!

wwwagstaffe · 09-08-2010, 01:31 PM

I'm with Allroy and Pesky! I'm not good enough to get the best out a strat and love the sound of my little Squier anyway so if I had that money to spend on a guitar I'd get a Martin d15. And just drool on it all day

horax · 09-08-2010, 01:53 PM

One of my issues is that I want a Taylor guitar since my third child is named Taylor.
I have three kids, probably end up with 4.

I want to leave at least one guitar for each of them.

My wife wants me to get a Taylor...eventually, but i feel so unworthy to own one.

wwwagstaffe · 09-08-2010, 02:21 PM

My wife wants me to get a Taylor...eventually, but i feel so unworthy to own one.[/QUOTE]

You lucky, lucky man! Where do I get a wife like that?!?!?

horax · 09-08-2010, 02:24 PM

You want her? Hahahahahha!

wwwagstaffe · 09-08-2010, 02:34 PM

Ha ha if she comes with a Taylor then send her over!

Rodeoflyer · 09-08-2010, 09:02 PM

Every guitar is different, especially Squier's and MIM's.

I've found that if you are not going to mod them and spend time and money on setups, you are best to try guitars out individually.

If Strats were all the same I wouldn't have 8 of them.

PERSONALLY, my favorite is a BONE STOCK MIM that I have. My heavily modded Bullet sounds better (with CS69's what doesn't?), but man that MIM was perfect the night I bought it. I have done NOTHING to it. Not even a setup. Play-Change Strings-Repeat.

Try it
Like It
Buy it

HTH

shanghaitele · 09-09-2010, 02:48 AM

Hi,

I hace a squier CVC tele and a squier jagmaster, and a Fender strato MIM Classic 60.
well the first I bought is the Strato MIM but why? because I could not find a strato Squier Classic vibe 60 anywhere that time in the shops here in Shanghai. After I have found the tele and soon later the jagmaster, I regret that I don't have 3 beautiful Squier, that MIM ruin this perfect trio...
I think Squier Classic Vibe are same or even better than good MIM (classic o classic player) if you consider cheap MIM (standard or deluxe) forget it, stay on Squier.

There is only one Fender I would like to buy, the David Gilmour NOS, but this is more related to Gilmour that fender brand on the head.

my 2 cents

Matteo

iWishIcouldPlay · 09-09-2010, 04:00 PM

I prefer cheaper guitars. My CV 50s strat is awesome. If asked to trade for a MIM or MIA I would do it. However I would also buy another CV 50s.

overdriver · 09-09-2010, 05:20 PM

Well my CV strat has Fender on the head stock decal. That being said I also have a 57 AVRI . The RI I can see getting to have an example of that strats where in the day so to speak. Each to their own if ya need a MIA get one but that doesn't mean ya need to give up on Squier by FENDER! :-)

nomadh · 09-09-2010, 05:55 PM

If you can feel the difference and hear the difference and you think its better and the price increase is worth the quality increase and you can afford it....... Sure. I can feel and hear a difference between many of these guitars but many times I wouldn't say its better just different. And many times the more expensive is less likable in some way.

Sparkfire · 09-10-2010, 11:43 AM

I can't see how trading my Squier Deluxe for a MIM would be a step up. I have the tone and the feel and the vibe I want with my deluxe, so the MIA would be a waste of money (to me) sense I already have what I wanted in a strat. If someone gave me the money say for Christmas and told me to buy myself a new guitar.... I'd be in line with Pesky,Allroy, and Wwwagstaffe. The Martin would be great on a stand next to my Squier.

Teleblooz · 09-10-2010, 03:18 PM

I've given this some thought, and I have to say yes. I would upgrade to Fender given the opportunity. Maybe it makes me shallow, but I like the sight of that Fender logo on the headstock. It's one of the few brand names in the world (not just for guitars) that I'd happily promote. As a rule I avoid "free advertising" on clothing or anything else, but the big "F" is something I believe in.

houseguitarshop · 09-10-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peskypesky

I'm a big Squier snob. But I would consider it.

I like squier too, but would take another guitar to play, I would make up my mind later wich one I like the most

houseguitarshop · 09-10-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkfire

I can't see how trading my Squier Deluxe for a MIM would be a step up. I have the tone and the feel and the vibe I want with my deluxe, so the MIA would be a waste of money (to me) sense I already have what I wanted in a strat. If someone gave me the money say for Christmas and told me to buy myself a new guitar.... I'd be in line with Pesky,Allroy, and Wwwagstaffe. The Martin would be great on a stand next to my Squier.

yeah certain models are not trade ups and I dont know If I would trade any of my squiers for a fender, but If I was given or could aquire a fender for cheap I would do it

houseguitarshop · 09-10-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodeoflyer

Every guitar is different, especially Squier's and MIM's.

If Strats were all the same I wouldn't have 8 of them.

HTH

there is a true statement.

I have 5 squier strats and they all sound, and play very different.

I certainly have one that sticks out above the others.

It took alot of playing and owning many different strats before I eventually started to realize what specs I like in a stratocaster and wich specs I dont like as much.

blues4me · 09-10-2010, 11:25 PM

I had a MiM it was sweet. It was my youngest son's (it's his again). I also want Sienna Sunburst American Standard. I'm going in the morning to buy a American Standard.
However I would be hard pressed to sell my Squier. It's a 97 black affinity (thick) body with a new affinity maple neck (large headstock). It has a set of 04 American Standard pups in it. I love this guitar & wouldn't want to part with it. I love modding and Squiers.
So the short answer is yes I'd go for other strats.

surfaday · 09-11-2010, 03:25 AM

Thanks! Love hearing all the thoughts and feelings about Squiers and Fenders.

I do love messing around with my Squier Affinity and I do have it sounding pretty good. I'm going to love soldering in that JB Jr when it comes in the mail. I guess I'll keep it and sell the Ibanez.

I'm still going to save for my MIA though. Something about it just draws me to it. Kind of like those Martin guitars. Can't deny that, but electricity has a hold of me. For the moment.

Walter