As part of my explorations around guitar building, I came across a number of recommendations for lower-cost guitars, from brands like Squier, that people considered either good in their own right, or as platforms for modifications (mods).
I figured this could be a way I could experiment with different hardware options, like pickups etc., without going down the full “build a guitar” route.
I picked up a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster, after it narrowly pipped the highly-regarded J Mascis Jazzmaster in my A/B session with both. I loved the J Mascis, to be honest. Still want one. But I found the 40th Anniversary model a little more Jazzmaster-y, which is what I was specifically after.
I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of both the build and the sound. So I started to hunt for some “bargains,” keeping an eye on specials from some Australian online retailers.
I really liked the look of the Squier Super Sonic when it was featured on 60 Cycle Hum, and thought that could be a fun one to mod. Turns out the issues that Ryan highlighted in his videos were something present across the model—i.e. not just present on his review unit. Intonation and tuning issues abound. I’d seen references to people locking or unlocking the bridge to resolve it, but I’ve had no luck going in either direction. I swapped out the standard tuners with locking ones, and the string tree with roller types. Also no noticeable improvement.
But I love the shape and as a short-scale it’s an absolute blast to play. Has such an attitude. I switched out the stock pickups for a Tonerider Birmingham set, and re-wired the guitar so that the volume controls were in the right order (I mean, what were they thinking!?), and with a push-pull pot for each to select the single-coil split. I commissioned the wonderful Ryan Cribbin to do an airbrush artwork and—provided I don’t touch the “wiggle stick”—it’s even more fun to play. And even better to look at… 😏
My Shell Pink Super-Sonic with artwork by airbrush artist Ryan Cribbin
Then I picked up a Paranormal Cyclone in Candy Apple Red at a ridiculously low price. It was (nearly) a total punt—I think I’d seen one review, but liked the idea of it as another short-scale, after enjoying the Super Sonic, but with a single-coil tone. I found this was a total surprise packet—so playable and a joy to play. Great build quality and playability out of the box, with a Strat-like pickup combination that I was keen to swap out for some CuNiFe pickups (I loved the story behind the Fender CuNiFe pickup series). After playing a couple of shows with it, I knew this was a keeper. I envisaged dropping in the CuNiFe pickups, a VegaTrem and some locking tuners to get it even better (though I’ve not yet done so).
All the things gotta match—red everywhere: my EV6, nails, and matching Squier Cyclone.
After the success with the Jazzmaster, I thought I’d go for a 40th Anniversary Strat in Satin Sonic Blue, but this is where the quality differences between models really started to show. There were fret finishing issues with this one. And frankly, the tone was very meh… So I ended up selling that one pretty quickly, TBH.
The misstep with the Strat hadn’t quite dulled my enthusiasm, so when I saw a positive review of the Squier Contemporary Active Starcaster, with active “SQR” pickups, it piqued my interest. I liked the sound of it in that review—it definitely “chugged”—and thought it might be a good option for heavier tracks I was writing at the time.
When browsing late one night I discovered a fixed bridge Jazzmaster in Graphite Metalic—which had the same electronics as the Starcaster—at a steep discount. Couldn’t resist at such a good price, but… again, was disappointed when it arrived. Playability was terrible, and the tone of the pickups—in my hands, with my rig—was dreadful.
But rather than ditch this one, I thought I’d use it as a mod platform. So I had it set up to address some of the more egregious issues with its “out of the box” playability (not that we solved all the issues), and started thinking about what I could do with it.
As the humbuckers were a standard size, I wondered if I could use it as a “development mule” to try out some different humbucker options, like the Fluence Abassi pickups. This led me down quite the rabbit-hole, to design a custom wiring loom to unlock all the various voicing combinations of those pickups—but I’ll save the details of that for another post.
All in all, it’s been very hit and miss—leaning towards the “miss” end of the spectrum. The 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster—and the J Mascis I didn’t buy—are both exceptional for the price. The Cyclone is a hidden gem—well certainly the unit I got is.
But the rest…? Yeh, nah.
Before this little exercise (which, in fairness, cost me less than one mid-priced guitar), I never bought until I tried out a guitar.
Because, in my experience, quality, playability and sound from unit-to-unit vary so much. And some instruments, you just have a connection with.
As evidence of my commitment to this principle, I once drove from the Blue Mountains, to Sydney, to Wollongong, and then to the north shore to Turramurra Music, to try a bunch of options before settling on the Gibson Les Paul Tribute that’s on my wall.
And after this exercise? Well… I think it’s just reinforced that perspective.
I’m sure that there are great individual Squier units that are better than the ones I landed online. But it really is such a hit and miss affair with this brand in particular. If you have the option to “try before you buy,” I’d definitely do that. And don’t count on quality control being consistent across models, or even within a model range—the one in store that you love may just be a “special” one.
I do hope to one day get through all my mod ideas for the instruments I still have. But there are other brands I’d probably consider first, before getting another Squier, to be honest.
I’m extremely impressed with my Sire “Markus Miller” V7 Jazz bass—it’s almost become my “daily driver.” And I’ve read and seen lots of positive reviews and remarks across their bass and guitar offerings. Quality levels of brands like Sire are just incredible given the price point they’re able to hit.
And I’m still a fan of Reverend—I’ve had 5 of their guitars now (I currently still own 3) and they’ve all been excellent. And at a quite a reasonable price point given the quality (which is a noticeable step up from Sire, but at between 50% to 100% more in price, IIRC. If your budget only goes to the Sire level, you’re getting incredible bank-for-buck there).
So there you have it. My trials and tribulations with Squiers as a mod platform, so far. If there’s anything of particular interest you’d like me to dive into further, please reach out (using the contact form) and let me know.
I’ll post a lil’ more on the Fluence pickup mod in another post—lots of details to share there.