Affordable new Stratocasters, Telecasters and Jaguars sport modern-voiced Squier SQR pickups, roasted maple necks and a range of attention-grabbing finishes
(Image credit: Fender)
After unveiling the models in January, Fender has now officially launched five new Squier Contemporary electric guitars: the Stratocaster Special, Stratocaster Special HT, Stratocaster HH FR, Telecaster RH and Jaguar HH ST.
Each new Contemporary series Squier guitar features modern-voiced Squier SQR pickups – with varying configurations model to model – a roasted maple neck, sculpted neck heel, and painted headstock with a chrome logo.
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Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special Sky Burst Metallic(Image credit: Fender)
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Sunset Metallic(Image credit: Fender)
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Pearl White(Image credit: Fender)
Talking specifics in terms of pickups, the Stratocaster Special and Stratocaster Special HT each boast a triple alnico single-coil setup, while the Stratocaster HH FR and Jaguar HH ST are equipped, as you'd expect from the name, with dual humbuckers. Both the Strat HH FR and Jaguar HH ST feature coil-tap switching.
The Telecaster RH sports a slightly more noteworthy configuration, with an SQR rail humbucker in the bridge position and an Atomic humbucker in the neck.
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Squier Contemporary Telecaster RH Pearl White(Image credit: Fender)
Bridge-wise, the Strat Special is equipped with a 2-point tremolo system; the Strat Special HT features a string-through body hardtail bridge; the Strat HH FR dons a double-locking Floyd Rose trem; the Tele RH boasts a six-saddle hardtail bridge; and the Jaguar HH ST is fitted with an Adjusto-Matic bridge.
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Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST Shoreline Gold(Image credit: Fender)
Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST Sky Burst Metallic(Image credit: Fender)
Prices and finishes for each of the new models are as follows:
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special – $429.99, available in Black and Sky Burst Metallic
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT – $429.99, available in Pearl White and Sunset Metallic
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR – $449.99, available in Shell Pink Pearl and Gunmetal Metallic
Squier Contemporary Telecaster RH – $429.99, available in Pearl White, Shoreline Gold and Gunmetal Metallic
Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST – $449.99, available in Sky Burst Metallic and Shoreline Gold
The new Squier Contemporary models are available from April 2021. For more information, head to Fender, and be sure to check out our coverage of all the new Fender releases.
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Sam was Staff Writer at GuitarWorld.com from 2019 to 2023, and also created content for Total Guitar, Guitarist and Guitar Player. He has well over 15 years of guitar playing under his belt, as well as a degree in Music Technology (Mixing and Mastering). He's a metalhead through and through, but has a thorough appreciation for all genres of music. In his spare time, Sam creates point-of-view guitar lesson videos on YouTube under the name Sightline Guitar.
