Squier Made in China and Indonesia #4
Vintage Modified Series
THE FIRST AND SECOND SERIES
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 for their small headstocks, gold logos, and glossy neck finishes.
The second series: the Indonesian Era
In 2012, the Vintage Modified Stratocaster and Vintage Modified Stratocaster HSS updates coincided with the shift in production 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.
These were joined by 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.
