What is the difference between a Squier series fender and a Squier?

[Alex!]

I need answers

[F15hface]

My understanding is that the 'Squier Series' was a Fender MIM line below the standards in the mid 90s. Cheaper hardware and electronics basically. I think that this briefly became a MIM line under the Squier brand for a little bit in the late 90s. By the 00s all Squiers were made in Asia.

People also advertise modern Squiers as' Fender Squier series' or similar to try and draw more attention to the Fender part to try and get a bit of extra money, but that's just halfhearted attempts at disingenuous profiteering.

[MattK]

Although, the original Fender Japan JV exported line were headstock branded as Fender / Squier Series as well:

Within a year these were given a new large Squier logo and a small "by Fender" beneath.

[F15hface]

Although, the original Fender Japan JV exported line were headstock branded as Fender / Squier Series as well:

Within a year these were given a new large Squier logo and a small "by Fender" beneath.

TIL! I didn’t realise JV was a Fender line before it was Squier. Squier does seem to have quite a jumbled history when you look back past the start of the vintage modified line.

[MattK]

All is revealed:
https://www.21frets.com/squier_jv/index.htm

[electric__ralph]

I’ve got one, a Fender (Squier series in small letters) Torino Red Strat that I got new in…. 1994? Or 93? I forget. It’s still my go to guitar. So, the hardware is supposed to be “cheap” but I dunno, it survived clumsy teenage me. Stamped steel tuners, skinny trem block, ceramic pickups, single ply pickguard. The only parts that failed were: One saddle; one height adjustment screw hole got stripped out. And the threads on the trem arm, but I think I overtightened it a few times and slowly damaged the threads. Oh, and I guess I swapped out a bunch of the screws for the pickguard/jack as the originals were rusty. Big whoop. The neck is straight and the truss rod works just fine. I’ve messed with it a bunch over the years, different pickups and pickguards. But I’ve got the original cheapies in there now.

I dunno, what else is there to say? I’ve had it forever, and despite its modest heritage, it’s been rock solid and remains my #1 instrument.