Fender is undoubtedly one of the most famous manufacturers of electric guitars and is expanding its success with its subsidiary company Squier. The Stratocaster is undeniably regarded as one of the company’s iconic and globally renowned models.
Squier guitars frequently face criticism for their ability to compete with the high-end models of other well-established companies because of their affordable prices.
In this article, to see if Squier is really a competitor in the music industry, we’ll compare the Squier Bullet against the iconic Fender Player Stratocaster.
Specification Comparison Between the Fender Stratocaster and Squier Bullet
| BODY | ||||
| Electric Guitar | Body Style | Body Material | Body Finish | Body Structure |
| Fender Player Stratocaster | Double Cutaway (Contoured Body) | Alder | Gloss Polyester | Not Symmetrical |
| Squier Bullet | Slim Double Cutaway Body without Contour | Popular | Gloss Polyurethane | Not Symmetrical |
| NECK | ||||
| Electric Guitar | Neck Construction | Neck Material | Fingerboard Material | Scale Length |
| Fender Player Stratocaster | Bolt-on | Maple | Maple | 25.5 inches or 64.77milimeters |
| Squier Bullet | Bolt-on | Maple | Indian Laurel | 25.5 inches or 64.77milimeter |
| ELECTRONICS | |||
| Electric Guitar | Switching | Pickups | Controls |
| Fender Player Stratocaster | 5-Position Blade | Player Series Alnico 5 Strat Single-Coil (Player) Player Series Alnico 2 Humbucking (Player HSS) | Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup) |
| Squier Bullet | 5-Position Blade | Standard Single-Coil Strat | Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup) |
| HARDWARE | |
| Electric Guitar | Bridge |
| Fender Stratocaster | 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles |
| Squier Bullet | 6-Saddle Hardtail |
The abovementioned comparison shows that the Fender Player Stratocaster and Squier Bullet Stratocaster are the same size and have comparable features. Additionally, both of them share the same fingerboard radius (9.5 inches) and scale length (25.5 inches).
Its main distinction may be seen in the material used in their bodies and the number of frets. The Squier bullet is built of poplar and has 21 frets, compared to the Player Stratocaster’s 22 frets and Alder body.
It is tough to choose between the two guitars based solely on the number of frets, even though some could argue that having 22 frets is an advantage. Overall, there isn’t much of a difference in the specifications between the two electric guitars.
Pickups And Controls
The Fender Player Stratocaster comes equipped with a Player Series Alnico 5 Strat Single-Coil pickup and its HSS variant has a Player Series Alnico 2 Humbucking pickup. Both these pickups are capable of producing sounds similar to high-end Fender guitar models.
The Squier Bullet, on the other hand, has a Standard Single-Coil Strat pickup, which is a less expensive substitute that nonetheless has good power. However, this pickup sound output is less nuanced compared to the Fender Player’s sounds. This basically means that the Fender Player has an advantage over the Squier Bullet.
Both electric guitars have identical switching and control features, including a 5-Position Blade, Master Volume, Tone 1: Neck/Middle Pickups, and Tone 2: Bridge Pickups.
Hardware
Hardware-wise, the Fender Player Stratocaster easily trumps the Squier Bullet. The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles, which acts as a floating bridge and lets the user adjust the pitch from both sides, is a component of the Fender Player.
The Squier Bullet, on the other hand, has a 6-Saddle Hardtail bridge which is a less expensive option in comparison to other Fender models. Although it isn’t bad for the price, the bridge of the Player Stratocaster is clearly better.
In addition, compared to the Squier Bullet, the Fender Player Stratocaster is more advantageous over time. Most of its parts are made of chrome, which is more aesthetically pleasing, more corrosive-resistant, and more durable.
Design And Quality
Considering its price, the Squier Bullet is undeniably a well-made electric guitar. They are meticulously designed to conform to Fender’s standards. To expect premium materials and functionality at such a low price point, however, would be unreasonable.
Compared to the Fender Player Stratocaster, which is ready to play right out of the box, the Squier Bullet may only require a few minor tweaks to its specifications before you can perform live and record with it. Its performance may potentially be further enhanced by enhancements and improvements.
Overall, the bottom line here is that Squier guitars may compete with Fender guitars in terms of aesthetics, but they fall short of them in terms of quality.
Playability And Performance
Despite having a similar appearance and set of features, the Fender Player Stratocaster and the Squier Bullet differ mostly in how they sound and feel. As expected, the quality feel of the neck, the ergonomic body design, and the superb tremolo bar make the Fender Player Stratocaster more fascinating and enjoyable to play.
Although the Squier Bullet is a good electric guitar, the Fender Player remains superior to it. The Bullet has the potential to sound and feel like a Fender Stratocaster with a few component upgrades, but this is probably likely to be costly.
In terms of tones, the Fender Player is undoubtedly a superior choice. While this does not suggest that the Squier Bullet’s tones are subpar, there are still better pickups available for the same price. Your Squier Bullet’s pickup can be upgraded if you’d prefer a better one.
Price And Value
The Fender Player comes with a hefty price tag compared to the Squier Bullet due to its compactness with minimal flaws. The suggested retail price for the Fender Player is $849.99 while the Fender Player HSS cost $879.99.
Even though it is the company’s entry-level model and apparently its lowest-quality model, the Squier Bullet is nonetheless regarded by many players as a decent electric guitar. It is surprising that it only costs $179.99 (SRP) considering the specifications it offers. Given this cost and the fact that it has the potential to be excellent with some upgrades, it becomes an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists to purchase.
Pros And Cons
Fender Player Stratocaster
| Pros | Cons |
| Outstanding Bright Sound | The Floating Tremolo Bridge is difficult to set up |
| Versatile | |
| 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles | |
| Reliable and Durable | |
| Worth its price |
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
| Pros | Cons |
| Reliable electric guitar | Average built quality with flaws compared to Fender Guitars |
| Lightweight | Stiff Tremolo Bridge and not as reliable as Fender Guitars. |
| Perfect for beginners yet usable for professional musicians | |
| Worth its Price |
Main Takeaway
The Fender Player Stratocaster is far superior compared to the Squier Bullet Stratocaster. Given the price difference between the two models, this is mainly to be anticipated.
The Squier Bullet Stratocaster isn’t a bad guitar given that it only costs $179.99 (SRP). It is an ideal choice and can effortlessly satisfy the requirements of beginners and hobbyists.
However, for professional musicians, the Fender Player Stratocaster is a much more practical option.
