Squier Made in China and Indonesia #3
The Squier Standard and Deluxe Series
THE FIRST SERIES
THE SQUIER STANDARD SERIES
After the difficult years in Korea and a brief production period in Mexico in 1998, the Standard Series returned to the East with the Squier Standard Stratocaster, Squier Standard Fat Stratocaster, and Squier Standard Double Fat Strat models.
This series was a step above the Affinity. The Standard Stratocaster featured a thicker 45mm “solid hardwood” body (probably agathis and alder) compared to the 40mm body of 1999 Affinity Strats, a large headstock with a Squier Gold Logo, die-cast tuning machines, twenty-one frets, and a Synchronous Tremolo with six screws.
All of these guitars were subsequently unveiled at the 1999 NAMM, marking their official return.
The new Standard Squiers with rosewood fretboards, made in China at the Yako plant, had a serial number that started with “CY” (China Yako), while those made in Dalian Dongfang began with “CD” (China Dalian). The models with maple fretboards were manufactured in Indonesia at the PT Cort plant and had serial numbers starting with “IC” (Indonesia Cort).
In May 2000, both the Affinity and Standard series gained new finishes and a slimmer neck called “fast action.”
From late 1998, new Squier Standard Stratocasters adopted a twenty-two-fret fingerboard, while Affinity Strats kept 21 frets. Standards also improved with a Synchronous Twin-Pivot Tremolo bridge and AlNiCo pickups—Affinity Strats retained ceramic pickups.
The large headstock was redesigned with a new decal featuring the word “STRATOCASTER” in black, curved and bold, similar to the CBS Stratocasters.
The body was typically made of agathis, though some special models and Cherry Sunburst Standard Stratocasters used alder.
In mid-2018, Indian laurel replaced rosewood for fretboards following CITES wood regulations.
Over time, this “basic” series expanded. The 2000 Standard catalog included the Squier Standard Strat-7 Seven-String Stratocaster in HSS and hard-tail HH versions.
The Squier Black & Chrome Standard Stratocaster debuted in 2004, followed by a “fat” version in 2005. These guitars featured a black headstock, body, and pickup covers, chrome-plated knobs and pickguards, and very dark rosewood fretboards. These features targeted younger players interested in heavy metal. As Justin Norvell, at the time Squier’s Marketing Manager, said: “Younger players mostly play aggressive music. […] These guitars are for heavy guys.”
THE SQUIER DELUXE SERIES
The Squier Deluxe Series was introduced in 2004 to offer a higher level of quality within the Squier brand. The first Deluxe Stratocaster had an alder body and was available in two versions: a 3-Color Sunburst with a flame maple top, made in Indonesia, and an Antique Burst with a quilt maple top, made in China. Both featured AlNiCo pickups with staggered poles.
It was initially released as a limited edition, but its success led to a four-year production run. This model was distinct from the more recent Squier Standard Strat FMT, which had an agathis body with a flame maple top, while the Deluxe Series Stratocasters featured alder bodies with either flame or quilt maple tops.
Following its initial success, the Deluxe Series expanded to include additional models. The Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Strat, made in Indonesia in 2007, featured a basswood body and three Duncan Designed HR-101 Hot Rails pickups, which the catalog described as offering “full sound and near-endless sustain.”
Other series entries included the Squier Trans Satin Stratocaster—with a basswood body—and the Squier Satin Trans Fat Stratocaster and Squier Satin Trans Fat Stratocaster HH, both of which had a mahogany body with satin or transparent finishes.
