New Squier Models, Upgrades, and Options

Squier Tele Custom II (Click for a close-up)	Squier Tele Special (Click for a close-up)
Squier Deluxe Strat Quilted Top (Click for a close-up)	Squier Black & Chrome P-Bass (Click for a close-up)

Squier Guitars will be giving its Standard, Deluxe and Affinity series instruments an upgrade with new colors, new pickup options, and new quilted or flame maple tops on certain models. In addition, new pickguard templates have been designed to follow those found on Fender guitars so that it is easier for musicians to customize their instrument with different pickguards and pickups. The upgraded guitars will be available in early January, 2004.

Squier Standard Series

New to the Squier Standard Series are the Tele Custom II and Tele Special guitars. Both models feature relevant updates drawing from dealer and consumer requests for different pickup configurations and sleek styling, while maintaining the overall "vibe" of the classic Telecaster guitar's design.

Based on one of the most popular Telecaster designs of all time, the Tele Custom II features two Duncan Designed Soapbar single coil pickups with independent volume and tone controls. The Tele Custom II comes with a maple neck and 22 medium jumbo frets, and is available in Black and Blonde.

For a classic Tele with a little more edge, the new Squier Tele Special is the ticket. The alder body is equipped with a hardtail string-through-body bridge, and there is no pickguard on this model. It features one ceramic humbucking pickup in the bridge position, and one Strat Alnico single coil pickup in the neck position that is mounted directly onto the body, offering a wide range of unique tones. The maple neck has a rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets. The Tele Special is available in Black Metallic, Satin Pewter Metallic and Walnut Satin.

More significant updates for the Squier Standard Series can be found on its Stratocaster, Fat Strat, Double Fat Strat, Telecaster, P Bass Special and Jazz Bass guitars. The new Squier Standard Series guitars feature all new color options, including Satin Pewter Metallic with matching headstocks and matte black pickguards, Walnut Satin with black/white/black pickguards, and a new Antique Burst with tortoise shell pickguards.

Special Run

Squier has announced a new offering of top-of-its-line Special Run guitars, which include new Black & Chrome Series Strat, Tele & P-Bass Special guitars with matching headstocks, and new Deluxe Series Stratocasters with flame maple and quilted maple tops with pearl pickguards.

The Black & Chrome Series combine modern looks with a classic feel, and never before has Squier offered so much guitar at such incredible prices! All of the instruments in this series feature a Gloss Black finish with matching headstock and chrome finished pickguards & hardware.

The new Squier Deluxe Stratocasters feature a choice of either flame maple or quilted maple tops in a Sunburst finish. A maple neck with rosewood fretboard and a white pearl pickguard round out this package.

Affinity Series

In keeping with the overhaul of the entire brand name, the Squier Affinity Series is getting some updates as well. For the Affinity Series Stratocasters, Squier has opted to do away with its Baltic Blue and Torino Red finishes, replacing them with Metallic Blue and Red finishes.