In today’s article, we’re going to investigate whether Indonesian and Chinese Squier guitars are actually worth the money. These guitars seem to be one of the most affordable guitars on the market – they don’t cost too much and they’re very popular. But are they actually worth it?
Absolutely! Although Indonesian and Chinese Squier guitars aren’t from the top shelf, they are still worth it. Low price, cool look and great playability makes them one of the best entry-level guitars on the market right now. They are recommended especially for beginners, but even more advanced players usually love them.
Let’s dive deeper with research and find out what makes these guitars so good. As a proud owner of two Squier guitars, I feel obliged to share my experience with you. Currently, I have two Squier guitars: Squier Affinity Jazzmaster (Made in China) and Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar (Made in Indonesia).
My Experience With Chinese And Indonesian Squier Guitars
The picture below shows my own Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar which I reviewed in detail in this article. Although it’s not a guitar for everyone, I have to admit that I totally love it. The tone, the look, the feel – it’s amazing how guitar that cheap can be actually that cool.
I have this model for only a few months now but it quickly become one of my favorites. Previously, I mainly used the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster, which is also a really good guitar. Nevertheless, the Affinity Jazzmaster doesn’t have a tremolo bridge. And since I’m mainly playing indie and surf rock music, it’s absolutely necessary for me!
Of course, the Indonesian and Chinese models also have their flaws. I’m not saying that they are better than Mexican or American Fenders. But when you look at their great quality and playability, you start to wonder whether you actually need to buy more expensive guitars. Personally, I think that if you’re not a pro, the Chinese and Indonesian Squier guitars will be more than enough for you.
Best Chinese And Indonesian Squier Guitars
It is worth mentioning that there are a lot of different Chinese and Indonesian Squier guitars available on the market. Which one’s are the best? Well, this is a tough question because it all depends on your musical preferences. Still, based on my own experience, I gathered a few of the best Squiers that are versatile and suitable for all-level players. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re a pro or not.
Check out the list below. I also included a few sound demos, so make sure to check them out as well!
| Squier Bullet Stratocaster | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Squier Affinity Stratocaster | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster | See on Amazon | – |
| Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
The cheapest Squier guitar on the market. Is it worth it? Well, at this price – yes! I highly recommend checking out this Strat if you’re an amateur. The Bullet Stratocaster may not be the best choice for more advanced players, but it’s perfect for beginners. It looks great, it sounds good and it’s ridiculously cheap. Trust me, you don’t need anything else to start your musical journey!
Here’s a great demo.
Squier Affinity Stratocaster
A bit more expensive model that features better quality. I own a guitar from this series and I have to admit that I love it! I used my Squier at both home and live environment and trust me, it does the job. Maybe it doesn’t have a Fender logo on the headstock but it’s definitely worth it.
If you can’t decide whether you should choose the Bullet or Affinity Stratocaster, feel free to check out another demo and see what sounds better to you.
Squier Affinity Telecaster Deluxe
How often do you see a Telecaster with four knobs? This unusual Tele looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. It features a really lightweight body and two humbuckers which are perfect for more heaver and distorted riffs. In my opinion, this guitar will sound particularly great on stage. In addition, it’s really comfortable thanks to the slim C-shaped neck.
Check out the review below.
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster
Another extremely good and affordable guitar by Squier. Of course, when you compare it with the Bullet Series, it’s much more expensive. But in my opinion, the Classic Vibe Series can easily compete with the Fender Player Series (Made in Mexico). There is something really awesome about these guitars and their quality is just remarkable.
As an owner of a Classic Vibe guitar, I can totally recommend this series for both beginner and more advanced players. If you’re interested in hearing how it sounds, check out the demo below.
Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster
What a beautiful guitar. You have to admit that the combination of white body and golden hardware looks really classy and expensive. But the pricing of this Squier isn’t too bad – in fact, it’s pretty affordable. This is a signature guitar of J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.). For those who don’t know him, he’s an extremely good guitar player.
The Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster sounds particularly good when you combine it with some reverb. Here’s a stunning sound demo.
Squier Contemporary Active Jazzmaster
Another amazing guitar that comes from the Asian factory. This Contemporary Active Jazzmaster will be perfect of lovers of heavier music. Fender decided to equip this guitar with two SQR ceramic humbuckers that produce the crunchy tone suitable for rock and metal.
In addition, the guitar looks absolutely beautiful from the outside. The matching headstock really adds a lot of character to this axe. I have to admit that I love it! Feel free to check out the demo below.
About Squier
Squier has a really long and interesting history. The company was founded in 1890 in Battle Creek, Michigan by Victor Carroll Squier. At the beginning, they were focused on manufacturing violins – they were even named as the ‘American Stradivarius’. The business was growing rapidly and Victor decided to expand his offering to violin, banjo and guitar strings, which became well known nationwide.
Additionally, in 1930s the company started making pianos, phonograph records and radios. Still, they were mainly considered as a great manufacturer of strings. That seemed really appealing for Fender, who eventually acquired Squier.
Since 1980s, Squier’s mission is to manufacture great and affordable guitars suitable for all-level players. Fender never had any cheap guitars in their offer, so it was a necessary and breaking point for them to compete on that market. In the end, now we can all appreciate these great axes which are available at amazing prices.
Summary
Undoubtedly, Indonesian and Chinese Squier guitars are really good. Sometimes when you compare them with much more expensive Fenders, the differences are really difficult to spot. Whether you decide to choose the Affinity, Bullet or Classic Vibe Series, you will most likely be satisfied.
Personally, I really appreciate the fact that Squier gives us ability to get amazing guitars at really affordable prices. Their gear proves that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars in order to play on a great looking and great sounding guitar. I’m using my two Squier guitars on a daily basis and to be honest, I don’t feel the need to replace them with Fenders. Why would I replace something that works well?
I hope that you enjoyed today’s post. What do you think about cheap guitars manufactured by Squier? Let me know in the comments section below! Additionally, you may also like:
