Squier VINTAGE MODIFIED
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The Vintage Modified Series debuted in the 2003 catalog with the Squier ’51, while the first Stratocaster models joined the lineup in 2007—25 years after the launch of the Squier brand in 1982. Although Fender did not release an official “Squier 25th Anniversary” guitar or bass, the milestone was marked by an advertisement featuring the new Vintage Modified Stratocasters.
These Indian-made guitars blend the classic Stratocaster design with features typically favored by guitarists. As Fender described, “The Vintage Modified Series is comprised of guitars that feature modern twists on classic design, built with popular modifications from the get-go.” They offered vintage looks, a “hot-rodded” heart, and an affordable price. |
Early production offered two types of Vintage Modified Stratocasters, both featuring Indian red cedar bodies: the Vintage Modified Strat, fitted with three Duncan Designed SC-101 single-coil pickups in AlNiCo 5, and the Vintage Modified Strat HSS, featuring two Stacked Coil Duncan Designed SC-102 pickups alongside one Duncan Designed HB-112.
Both stood out from nearly all Squiers of the period due to their small headstocks with gold logos and glossy neck finishes.
Both stood out from nearly all Squiers of the period due to their small headstocks with gold logos and glossy neck finishes.
Vintage Modified Strat Made in India (Courtesy of Reverb)
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Headstock and decals of the Vintage Modified made In India (Reverb)
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In 2012, the Vintage Modified Stratocaster and Vintage Modified Stratocaster HSS, updates coincided with production shifting to Indonesia. The series received visual updates, such as a large headstock with a Black Logo outlined in gold and new finishes. Changes also included a move to a basswood body and the introduction of the Duncan Designed HB-102 humbucker for the HSS model.
Vintage Modified made in Indonesia (Courtesy of Sweetwater)
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'70s style headstock of the new Vintage Modified made in Indonesia (Sweetwater)
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To these were added the Vintage Modified '70s Stratocaster and the Vintage Modified Surf Stratocaster. The first came in all-black, with black plastics, a black pickguard, and a maple fretboard, or in Vintage White, with a rosewood fretboard, a white pickguard, and black plastics. Both featured a large headstock. However, unlike what you might expect from a CBS-inspired guitar, they lacked a bullet truss rod and the ’70s style die-cast bridge. The Vintage Modified Surf Stratocaster stood out for its small headstock, lipstick-style Duncan Designed LS-102 single coils, and white pearloid pickguard.
Beginning in 2018, CITES regulations prompted a switch from rosewood to Indian Laurel across the series.
Beginning in 2018, CITES regulations prompted a switch from rosewood to Indian Laurel across the series.
The Vintage Modified Surf Stratocaster had lipstick pickups and small headstock (Mercado Libre)
Squier CLASSIC VIBE
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The Classic Vibe Series was introduced in 2008 under the direction of Chris Gill, who became Squier’s Product Manager after Justin Norvell left in 2005 for a Fender marketing role. The goal was to “impart the vibe of classic Fender designs.” Originally planned for Squier’s 25th anniversary in 2007, development setbacks delayed the launch by a year.
Classic Vibe Stratocasters were built in China at Grand Reward and recreated the look and feel of 1950s and 1960s Stratocasters, though not strictly to vintage specifications. |
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Classic Vibe Series ad
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The Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster was presented as having the unmistakable tone of the 1950s—clear, brilliant, authentic, with remarkable sustain thanks to the Fender STA5 Alnico III Custom Staggered pickups, designed for better volume balance across the strings. It was initially available in 2-Color Sunburst with a tortoiseshell pickguard.
The Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster evoked the sound of 1960s Stratocasters, offering rich tone and strong attack thanks to the Fender STA3 Alnico V Custom Staggered pickups. It was first available in 3-Color Sunburst with a tortoiseshell pickguard. Both models featured an alder body and a gloss maple neck with a modern 9.5” radius fingerboard and 21 frets. |
The ‘60s model came with a rosewood fretboard, replaced by Indian laurel in 2018. The ‘50s had a maple fretboard.
Over the years, the Classic Vibe series saw several updates, including new finishes and limited editions. Notable examples include the 2013 FSR ‘50s Candy Apple Red and ‘60s Lake Placid Blue Stratocasters, both featuring matching headstocks, as well as the introduction of a left-handed version in 2012.
Over the years, the Classic Vibe series saw several updates, including new finishes and limited editions. Notable examples include the 2013 FSR ‘50s Candy Apple Red and ‘60s Lake Placid Blue Stratocasters, both featuring matching headstocks, as well as the introduction of a left-handed version in 2012.
FSR Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster Candy Apple Red
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FSR Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster Lake Placid Blue
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In 2014, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Stratocaster, Squier released the 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster, finished in Aztec Gold and fitted with a commemorative neck plate.
60th Anniversary Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster
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Classic Vibe 60th Anniversary neck plate
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There is a widespread belief that these guitars were equipped with Tonerider pickups, but this is not entirely accurate. While the Grand Reward factory manufactured pickups for both Tonerider and Squier, pickups for the Classic Vibe Stratocasters were designed specifically for them. The Classic Vibe ‘50s Strat STA5 and Tonerider Surfari TRS5, as well as the Classic Vibe ‘60s Strat STA3 and Tonerider Classic Blues TRS3, share similar construction and tonal qualities, but are not identical products.
The Classic Vibe series quickly gained a reputation for delivering high-quality tone at an affordable price. For many players, it marked a revival of Squier’s credibility as a maker of instruments that could stand proudly beside their Fender counterparts. Even years after their release, early Classic Vibe models continue to be praised for craftsmanship, playability, and enduring appeal.
The Classic Vibe series quickly gained a reputation for delivering high-quality tone at an affordable price. For many players, it marked a revival of Squier’s credibility as a maker of instruments that could stand proudly beside their Fender counterparts. Even years after their release, early Classic Vibe models continue to be praised for craftsmanship, playability, and enduring appeal.
Squier Classic Vibe, Second Series
In 2019, the Classic Vibe series was revamped, and production was moved to Indonesia due to rising manufacturing costs and import taxes in China. However, as Fender encountered difficulties getting all their orders fulfilled by the Indonesian factories, some Classic Vibe models produced between 2020 and 2021 were once again manufactured in China. These Chinese-made instruments, though, were built to the same specifications as the second-generation Indonesian models, ensuring consistency across the series.
The new Classic Vibe ‘70s Stratocaster was introduced in both SSS and HSS configurations, while the '50s and '60s strats were completely redesigned. A new Squier Modern Logo appeared for the first time on these guitars—black on the ‘70s models and gold on the others.
At first, the new Classic Vibe line was perceived as slightly lower quality than the previous series, despite the addition of Fender-Designed Alnico pickups and a bridge with double-stamped “SQUIER” saddles.
The body woods also changed, with materials such as nato (nyatoh), soft maple, pine, and poplar replacing the alder used in earlier versions. Often referred to as ʽEastern Mahogany,’ nato offers similar looks and characteristics to mahogany, but it is a cheaper and lower-quality wood due to its mechanical-acoustic characteristics.
The fretboard was available in maple or Indian laurel, had a 9.5” radius, and was equipped with narrow-tall frets, while the neck had a “C” profile.
Furthermore, the ‘50s model now featured a large circular string tree reminiscent of that used on the first ‘50s Stratocaster.
The new Classic Vibe ‘70s Stratocaster was introduced in both SSS and HSS configurations, while the '50s and '60s strats were completely redesigned. A new Squier Modern Logo appeared for the first time on these guitars—black on the ‘70s models and gold on the others.
At first, the new Classic Vibe line was perceived as slightly lower quality than the previous series, despite the addition of Fender-Designed Alnico pickups and a bridge with double-stamped “SQUIER” saddles.
The body woods also changed, with materials such as nato (nyatoh), soft maple, pine, and poplar replacing the alder used in earlier versions. Often referred to as ʽEastern Mahogany,’ nato offers similar looks and characteristics to mahogany, but it is a cheaper and lower-quality wood due to its mechanical-acoustic characteristics.
The fretboard was available in maple or Indian laurel, had a 9.5” radius, and was equipped with narrow-tall frets, while the neck had a “C” profile.
Furthermore, the ‘50s model now featured a large circular string tree reminiscent of that used on the first ‘50s Stratocaster.
Antonio Calvosa
New Squier logo and big circular string tree of the Classic Vibe '50s (Courtesy of Fender)
