Summer NAMM 2012: 5 new guitars for Squier Vintage Modified range

The buzz

The first 'authentically styled' Jaguar in the Vintage Modified range. In contrast to the older VM Jaguar HH, the new VM Jaguar has a vibrato, proper dual-circuit switching and Duncan Designed single-coil pickups.

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Tech specs

Body: Basswood

Body Shape: Jaguar

Series: Vintage Modified

Neck: Maple, 'C' shape

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Finger Board Radius: 9.5-inches (24.1 cm)

Frets: Medium jumbo

Scale Length: 24-inches (61 cm)

Nut Width: 1.650-inches (42 mm)

Hardware: Chrome

Tuning Keys: Vintage-style chrome

Bridge: Vintage-style with non-locking floating vibrato

Pickguard: (500,505) Tortoiseshell, (509,557) 3-ply white/black/white

Pickups: Duncan Designed JG-101B single-coil, Duncan Designed JG-101N single-coil

Pickup Switching: Neck pickup only (rhythm circuit); neck only, neck and bridge, bridge only (lead circuit)

Controls: Circuit selector switch, rhythm circuit volume and tone, lead circuit volume and tone, pickup on/off switches, tone circuit switch

Strings: NPS, Gauges: .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042

Unique Features: Duncan Designed pickups, vintage-style bridge and floating vibrato (non-locking), gold-and-black Squier logo, engraved neck plate, parchment dot position inlays

The buzz

Like the Vintage Modified Jaguar, the new VM Jazzmaster represents an affordable version of the classic Fender model with a more traditional setup than its hardtail-equipped predecessor.

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Tech specs

Body: Basswood

Body Shape: Jazzmaster

Series: Vintage Modified

Neck: Maple, 'C' shape

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Finger Board Radius: 9.5-inches (24.1 cm)

Frets: 21, medium jumbo

Scale Length: 25-inches (63.5 cm)

Nut Width: 1.650 inches (42 mm)

Hardware: Chrome

Tuning Keys: Vintage-style chrome

Bridge: Vintage-style with non-locking floating vibrato

Pickguard: (500,505) Tortoiseshell, (509,572) 3-ply white/black/white

Pickups: Duncan Designed JM-101B single-coil Jazzmaster pickup with Alnico 5 magnets, Duncan Designed JM-101N single-coil Jazzmaster pickup with Alnico 5 magnets

Pickup Switching: Neck pickup only (rhythm circuit); neck only, neck and bridge, bridge only (lead circuit)

Strings: NPS, Gauges: .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042

Unique Features: Duncan Designed pickups, vintage-style bridge and floating vibrato (non-locking), gold-and-black Squier logo, engraved neck plate, parchment dot position inlays

The buzz

The first ever Vintage Modified Mustang is a fairly straight-down-the-line interpretation of its bigger Fender-branded brother, albeit with one eye on the purse strings. Featuring a vibrato bridge, Duncan Designed single-coil pickups and dual pickup switches. We want one and we want it now.

Video

Tech specs

Body: Basswood

Body Shape: Mustang

Series: Vintage Modified

Neck: Maple, 'C' shape

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Finger Board Radius: 9.5-inches (24.1 cm)

Frets: 22, medium jumbo

Scale Length: 24-inches (61 cm)

Nut Width: 1.650-inches (42 mm)

Hardware: Chrome

Tuning Keys: Vintage-style white-tipped

Bridge: Floating bridge with Dynamic Vibrato tailpiece

Pickguard: (540) White pearloid, (541,572) tortoiseshell

Pickups: Duncan Designed SC-101B single-coil, Duncan Designed SC-101N single-coil

Pickup Switching: On/off, phase slider switch for each pickup (in/out)

Controls: On/off, phase slider switch for each pickup (in/out), master volume, master tone

Strings: NPS, .010-.046 Gauges

Unique Features: Duncan Designed pickups, floating bridge with dynamic vibrato tailpiece, white-tipped tuning machines, gold-and-black Squier logo, engraved neck plate, parchment dot position inlays, vintage appropriate gap between the control plate and the pickguard

The buzz

Based on the 1970s Fender Telecaster Deluxe, the main point of interest is that it's equipped with Fender's Wide Range humbuckers, which promise 'vintage tone and authenticity.' We also like the period-correct amp-style control knobs, which also featured on the VM Tele Custom and Tele Custom II.

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Tech specs

Body: Basswood

Body Shape: Telecaster

Body Finish: Gloss polyester

Series: Vintage Modified

Neck: Maple, 'C' shape

Fingerboard: Maple

Finger Board Radius: 12-inch radius (305 mm)

Frets: 21, medium jumbo

Scale Length: 25.5-inches (64.8 cm)

Nut Width: 1.650-inches (42 mm)

Hardware: Chrome

Tuning Keys: Vintage-style chrome

Bridge: Chrome string-through-body Telecaster with six stamped saddles

Pickguard: 3-Ply black/white/black

Pickups: Wide Range humbucking pickup (bridge), Wide Range humbucking pickup (neck)

Pickup Switching: 3-position toggle: Position 1. bridge pickup, Position 2. bridge and neck pickups, Position 3. neck pickup

Controls: Volume 1. (neck pickup), Tone 1. (neck pickup), Volume 2. (bridge pickup), Tone 2. (bridge pickup)

Strings: NPS, Gauges: .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042

Unique Features: Wide Range humbucking pickups, black skirted amp control knobs, black dot position inlays, belly cut, gold-and-black Squier logo

The buzz

Not to be confused with the VM Tele Custom and VM Tele Custom II, the VM Telecaster Custom uses a single Fender Wide Range humbucker in the neck position and a Duncan Designed single-coil in the bridge, which should allow for a fair bit of tonal flexibility.

Video

Tech specs

Body: Basswood

Body Shape: Telecaster

Series: Vintage Modified

Neck: Maple, 'C' shape

Fingerboard: Maple

Finger Board Radius: 9.5-inches (24.1 cm)

Frets: 21, medium jumbo

Scale Length: 25.5-inches (64.8 cm)

Nut Width: 1.650-inches (42 mm)

Hardware: Chrome

Tuning Keys: Vintage-style chrome

Bridge: String-through-body with three chrome barrel saddles

Pickguard: 3-ply black/white/black

Pickups: Duncan Designed TE-101B single-coil (Bridge), Wide Range humbucking pickup (Neck)

Pickup Switching: 3-position toggle: Position 1. Bridge pickup, Position 2. Bridge and neck pickups, Position 3. Neck pickup

Controls: Volume 1. (Neck pickup), Tone 1. (Neck pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge pickup)

Strings: NPS, Gauges: .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042

Unique Features: Wide Range humbucking neck pickup, Duncan Designed bridge pickup, black skirted amp knobs, black dot position inlays, gold-and-black Squier logo