1 Topic by que522 (edited by que522 2008-01-23 01:02:47)

  • From: New Phila
  • Registered: 2007-12-27
  • Posts: 67

Topic: Epiphone or Squirer

Dollar for dollar which is better?
Which one will not make me HATE playing guitar because of its limited function?

If all your guitars went bye bye and you where forced to buy one brand or the other which would you chose.

I know this is a rather broad question, but if you have an opinion please state it and give a reason, pros and cons. I don't care if it is because this one or that one LOOKS like crap.

I really don't know what I am after in an electric guitar yet, I just want to hear from others so I can take that into account and and know what or what not to look for in a guitar. Ultimately my decision will be based on me sitting at the guitar shop(s) for a few hours and making there life hell, until one jumps out at me and starts "talking" to me.

P.S. If I decide to go with either one, it won't be a higher end model. Wife getting in the way of that.

  • From: Gander Newfoundland
  • Registered: 2007-05-05
  • Posts: 246

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

I've got two Epiphones, higher end ones. I love mine.

I like my Epiphones, lots of guys like Squiers. I'm not being real helpful, I know, but the best I can do is tell you to try both.

"You have to get over the love of power, and enjoy the power of love, in order to know peace."
-Jimi Hendrix.
  • From: New Phila
  • Registered: 2007-12-27
  • Posts: 67

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

Yeah, like I said if I pick one up and it "talks" to me thats what I will go with. Just like buying a used car, you look at it at the showroom and DAMN it's nice, you drive it off the lot and the tranny falls out! Now you have a P.O.S.

Would like to prevent this from happening to me in the guitar world.

  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 45

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

In my opinion, Epiphones and Squiers (assuming you are referring to the low end ones) are both of similar quality... Their playability is ok and neither one would be too limiting. Soooo... I wouldn't really consider one to be better than the other. Epiphones typically have humbucking pickups while Squiers typically have single coil pickups... neither type of pickup is better than the other... their sound is just different.

If I had to choose one, I'd go with the Squier because of how easy they are to customize and modify. For example, suppose you want a better guitar in a couple years... you could easily buy a brand new neck from Warmoth.com, upgrade the pickups, and put a flashy pickguard on your Squier. This would instantly turn your cheap Squier into a high-end strat (even better than some of the stuff Fender is producing). With an Epiphone, it would be more difficult to find replacement parts and your options for upgrading it are much more limited.

Electric:  Schecter C-1, Hot-rodded strat
Acoustic: Ovation Celebrity Deluxe, Epiphone

Keep on rockin' in the free world!
  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

Okay, before I offer my advice, let me tell you that I own neither.  Here's what I know about them:
Squier=low cost, single coils (usually), whammy bar (not on Telecaster), 2 body styles (Strat and Tele), more pickup options than Epiphone (SSS, SS, HSS, HH), choice of maple or rosewood fretboard, 21 or 22 frets.
Epiphone=cost slightly more than Squiers, humbuckers, no whammy, shorter scale (easier string bending), choice of solid body or semi-hollow, rosewood fretboard, 3 body styles (Les Paul, SG, Dot archtop semi-hollow), 22 frets.
My advice, and I've been told this when I've asked, is to go to somewhere like Guitar Center and try both brands.  I personally like the looks and sounds of the Epiphones better, but I like the way the Squiers play, and the whammy is nice.  It's basically a matter of personal preference.  Good luck!

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

6 Reply by klbrackin (edited by klbrackin 2008-01-23 04:44:34)

  • From: PA
  • Registered: 2007-08-13
  • Posts: 26

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

I never played an Epi but I do have a Squier M-80.  I love the neck though the frets are a little rough on the ends.  It's more like a Gibson than a Fender.  The tuners are 3X3 and it has 2 Duncan designed humbuckers.  The body is neither Strat nor Tele.  It was designed in the Fender Custom Shop and built overseas.  Mine has the bolt-on neck but there is a set neck version that costs a bit more.  If you can find one check it out.
***I realized I had to update my avatar to include the M-80.***

Sometimes you have to burn a few bridges
to keep the crazies from following you.
  • From: Gander Newfoundland
  • Registered: 2007-05-05
  • Posts: 246

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

One more thing-I don't reccomend a trem on your main guitar. My Casino has a Bigsby that's all right tuning wise, but still more of a pain than the SG.

"You have to get over the love of power, and enjoy the power of love, in order to know peace."
-Jimi Hendrix.
  • From: New Phila
  • Registered: 2007-12-27
  • Posts: 67

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

I am soaking this up like a sponge. I love that everyone on here is straight forward and gives the most friendly advice.

Keep it up guys, hopefully some day I will be able to return the favor to the "new guys."

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

Epiphone is Gibson's budget brand, Squier is Fender's budget brand. There's good value in both if you look upwards (away from the starter pack specials and novelties) on the range.

Just been off and peruse Squier at an online dealer. I notice they have a 'bullet' stratocaster, this lacks the tremelo but that is a big bonus. Great thing is that as a standard strat type you could upgrade the pickups if you felt brave. Looked for something special but alot of the intersting stuff is in Telecasters. You'd need to play their 'Master Series' to see if a Tele from it is worth the extra cash. Look out for reductions, like when Obey graphics or Avril Lavigne's names aren't selling... ;-)

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • Registered: 2006-10-06
  • Posts: 8

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

We are really blessed today to have good quality bottom of the line guitars. Squire and Epi are both very good for the money.  I own both and believe them to be just as good as some of the hi end classic guitars I've owned in the past.  For the price of one name brand instrument you can buy and sell all kinds of really cool bottom enders. The trick is to learn their week points and avoid anything that can't be fixed. You can fix cracks and warps and you can replace tuners and pickups    and you can tighten up loose hardware like jack plugs and such. Think of it as part of the guitar learning curve. That way if you ever want to buy a classic you'll have learned the ins and outs of what can go wrong and what can be done about it. I love my Squire 51 for 99 bucks and my Epi dot studeo for 199. bucks. I play them just as well as I'd play a Gibson or a Fender except that nobody will likely steal them when I'm not looking.

11 Reply by aj1

  • aj1
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2007-11-02
  • Posts: 75

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

I had a Epiphone Sheraton which was a beautiful guitar with an awesome sound. I've played a Epi Les Paul which was also beautifully made and sounded perfect.
I've never tried a Squire.
The Epis weren't cheap so I guess you get what you pay for.
Sorry, this probably doesn't help much either.
You've really got to try them for your self.

  • From: Utah, USA
  • Registered: 2007-11-26
  • Posts: 15

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

Newbee here.

I just picked up a Squier HSS.  I am glad to see from prev posts that it is easily upgradable as that may be an option in the future for me.  Only been playing since Nov '07, started on acoustic. 38yrs old.

Set up out of box seams to be half---'d, but found good instructions on the net about doing it myself.  Seems to play well for me, but my ear isn't as tuned to quality like the experts on this site.

  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 533

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

I've got both and also have their higher priced counterparts...ie: Ephiphone Les Paul and a Gibson Les Paul....Squire Strat and a Fender Strat.  Epiphone and Squire have both made some very good instruments and have also made some pretty sorry ones...especially the Squires made in Indochina! Really what I'm saying is compare them both to your needs and then try each one for the sound, playability and looks that you prefer. I'm not rich but have been collecting "player" guitars for the last twenty years or so...I have an Epiphone Les Paul special which is one of the cheap ones, but plays well, sounds good, and is really a nice instrument for the ebay price that I bought it for. The Squire...made in China...is not near up to the Fender Strat Standards but it's an awful lot cheaper...the frets were pretty rough but after some polishing and setting up it's not a bad guitar. To answer your question...I would try to scrape up around 3 or 4 hundred dollars and buy one of the higher end Epiphone Les Pauls...

Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.
  • Registered: 2007-04-01
  • Posts: 46

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

I Have them both, but for some reason I tend to gravitate to the Epi more, It seems to be easier and less forgiving for a casual / still learner, such as I. The sound is just fuller and there must be a hair more space between the strings, which makes chording easier...If you must chose one, I'd say go with the Epi, but give them both a good workout before you decide....only you will know for sure, but you'll know.....good luc k,  Five O.

  • From: New Phila
  • Registered: 2007-12-27
  • Posts: 67

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

Well as as 2 days ago I was given a very low budget to work with, so I decided that for the buck a Line 6 Spider III 15w was the way to go, some nice features for only $100.

I went last night to a Fender dealer with the wife and kids. He has everything from $150 Squires up to $4,000 fender customs.

While we where there 2 guys where playing the guitar independently, one was playing a $200-$300 Squire, and the other was playing an American Fender. My wife overheard the 2 playing and asked what was so different about the 2 of them, one sounded so sweet and the other sounded kinda tonal. They where both on about the same playing level, far beyond mine of course. However she pointed to the one with the American Fender and said WOW I like that one.

This was my chance to slip it in there the difference in price means the difference in what you get. So needless to say my budget just went from $400 to to around what I can get an off color (pink) American Fender or a used American Fender for. However I might have to wait a few more weeks to actually go get one. Even if I don't decide to go the Fender route I now have $500-$600 to spend on just the guitar. hehehe

I am SOO glad we decided to kill a few minutes in that music store at the moment!

16 Reply by Tennessee Strat (edited by Tennessee Strat 2008-01-27 06:20:09)

  • From: Tennessee USA
  • Registered: 2008-01-12
  • Posts: 99

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

You did good! Taking the wife to the store and having her listen to the difference did the trick. Women really aren't stupid (not all are anyway) when it comes to hearing music. They know what sounds good.

I need to share my "wife story" as well: A brandnew GC store opened up on my commuting route, and I bought an American Strat for exactly $429 (opening-day deal only) + a small Crate amp.

When I brought it home, all hell broke loose, since I had just become the proud owner of a GC credit card...

Then I plugged that beautiful guitar in, and just strummed it for about a minute. My wife asks to try the guitar as well, because it sound so nice. As she is playing a few chords, I can tell she likes it. Her comments: "Easy to play, sounds like heaven". After about 10 minutes hearing her play, I ask for the Strat back. She just turns slightly in my direction and says: "Buy yourself one, this is mine."

This is where it gets obscene: I actually jumped in the car, bought an American Telecaster for the same special price and headed back home: Wife is still playing, but as she sees the Tele, she breaks out in laughter and tells me that she was just kidding.  End of story: It's been 14 years ago. I still have that Strat, I still have that Telecaster, and yes I still have that wife. Only the strat shows signs of heavy play...

  • Registered: 2007-04-25
  • Posts: 551

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

que522 wrote:

Well as as 2 days ago I was given a very low budget to work with, so I decided that for the buck a Line 6 Spider III 15w was the way to go, some nice features for only $100.

I went last night to a Fender dealer with the wife and kids. He has everything from $150 Squires up to $4,000 fender customs.

While we where there 2 guys where playing the guitar independently, one was playing a $200-$300 Squire, and the other was playing an American Fender. My wife overheard the 2 playing and asked what was so different about the 2 of them, one sounded so sweet and the other sounded kinda tonal. They where both on about the same playing level, far beyond mine of course. However she pointed to the one with the American Fender and said WOW I like that one.

This was my chance to slip it in there the difference in price means the difference in what you get. So needless to say my budget just went from $400 to to around what I can get an off color (pink) American Fender or a used American Fender for. However I might have to wait a few more weeks to actually go get one. Even if I don't decide to go the Fender route I now have $500-$600 to spend on just the guitar. hehehe

I am SOO glad we decided to kill a few minutes in that music store at the moment!

You'll love the Line 6 amp.  I don't own one, but I've played on a Spider 75 watt before.  The 75 has more channels than the 15, but the 15 watt still gives you four channels plus other effects, and compared to the $80 2-channel Fender Frontman, twenty buck gets you a lot more.  Good luck pucking a guitar!

"A steering wheel don't mean you can drive, a warm body don't mean I'm alive"
Switchfoot

06sc500's Website

  • From: New Phila
  • Registered: 2007-12-27
  • Posts: 67

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

A credit card would get me into so much trouble I would probably be divorced soon after..

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

YES que522, that is a big problem, buying guitars. I am blessed, having a quit pretty collection.
I have 1 Epiphone Sheraton, sound is amazing.
I had a lo of discussions about EPIPHONE and US FENDER, MEXICAN FENDER AND SQUIER.
When reading your $500-$600 budget, there are GIBSONS like Gibson SG Special Faded Electric Guitar, price $579 and high rated by customers. Gibson Melody Maker Electric Guitar, 2 SINGLE COILS price $379.
I played a few months ago on an Epihone SG special and an Epiphone G310 SG, 50$ more.
The sound coming from the SG special, $140, was better than the other SG's.
About FENDER: if you plug in the 3 different types, and you play loud, using some great built-in effects in your spider amp, I think you will hear a difference between a Squier and a US Fender, but between a Mexican and an US Fender, I don't know.
Since I have a lot of time, I'll look on the web, and post a few decent, very good Guitars (EPI, FENDER, GIBSON)

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: New Phila
  • Registered: 2007-12-27
  • Posts: 67

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

Well thank you Doc. I have been up and down so many list of guitars in the past few months. I do however LOVE to sound of Fenders. I found a video of an online guitar teacher going over the difference between Mexican and American Fenders. The hardware in the American fender is much better.

I am going to look into new and used guitars I am hoping next week. If I decide to go new I will have to go Mexican, if I go used I can get an American. So it's all going to come down to finding an American in good shape that I love.

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: Epiphone or Squirer

que522 wrote:

Well thank you Doc. I have been up and down so many list of guitars in the past few months. I do however LOVE to sound of Fenders. I found a video of an online guitar teacher going over the difference between Mexican and American Fenders. The hardware in the American fender is much better.

I am going to look into new and used guitars I am hoping next week. If I decide to go new I will have to go Mexican, if I go used I can get an American. So it's all going to come down to finding an American in good shape that I love.

If you don't find a MIM (made in mexico) strat you can build a usa made strat from a kit semi custom for between $300.00 & $600.00 american. It depends what type of hardware and pickups you want. PM me and I will get you the info on where to source the parts.

Bootlegger.