Squier Breaks the Traditional MoldNew Stagemaster Series To Rock Summer NAMM 2000 July 22, 2000This summer, all illusions of what a Squier guitar should be will be shattered with the introduction of the new Stagemaster Series. Sleek, edgy and the best value on the market, the Stagemaster Series is in a class of its own with an all new attitude and modern features, including 7-string and neck-through-body models.
For players who have come to know and love Squier brand’s standards of excellence, the new Stagemaster Series are no different - yet they’ve got something unique that’s not typically found with traditional Squier guitars. Designed with today’s more edgy guitarist in mind, the Stagemaster Series will propel Squier to the head of the hard-rock oriented guitar market dominated by today’s younger players.
The quality and playability of the Stagemaster Series rivals that of guitars four or five times their price, which will catch the eyes of guitarists who are on a budget and want the value that defines Squier brand guitars. Once seen and played, it’s clear that the these guitars are in a league of their own. They’re not expensive, but look, feel and sound as if they are.
All of the seven guitars in the series feature a sleek new double-cutaway body design without pickguards and a 24-Jumbo-fret, reverse-headstock neck with a modern 12.5" radius that’s matched to the bridge and nut for optimum playability. Special care was given to improve the quality and tone of all the Stagemaster pickups, which are now all paraffin-soaked (potted) to minimize microphonics, just like many premium after-market brands.
Pushing the envelope of the series, the Squier Stagemaster Deluxe is currently the only neck-through-body guitar available from Squier. Black hardware and a double-locking Floyd Rose licensed tremolo system is standard on the Stagemaster Deluxe, which is offered in two different pickup configurations: Humbucking-Single-Humbucking in Pewter Gray Metallic, Black Metallic, or Emerald Green Metallic; and double Humbucking in Shoreline Gold Metallic, Altantic Blue Metallic or Wine Red Metallic. US MSRP is a breakthrough $599.99.
The Squier Stagemaster seven-string guitars that will be introduced this summer come in two different configurations: the Stagemaster 7 HT is a hard-tail guitar; and the Stagemaster 7 FR, which comes equipped with a double-locking Floyd Rose licensed tremolo. Either way, the new Squier seven-strings look great and sound even better with the exposed-coil humbucking pickups that are screwed directly into the body. To top it all off, they are priced very competitively so that young seven-string enthusiasts can get in the game with a great guitar that they can rely on for years. Color options include: Black Metallic; Cobalt Blue Metallic; and Purple Metallic. US MSRP is 399.99 for the hard tail, and $539.99 with tremolo.
For those who want a bit more of a traditional Squier feel, versions of the Stagemaster are available with three different pickup configurations: HSS (one humbucking pickup in the bridge position with two single coils); HH (double humbucking pickups); and HSH (a humbucking pickup in the bridge, a single-coil in the middle and another humbucking pickup in the neck position). With the more playable 24-fret neck, double-locking Floyd Rose licensed tremolo and sleek new styling, these guitars are sure to be a hit. Color options include: Black Metallic; Cobalt Blue Metallic; and Purple Metallic. US MSRP for all three variations is $449.99.
All Stagemaster Series guitars are available as of May, 2000, with the exception of the Stagemaster Deluxe, which is available as of August, 2000. For more information, visit their web site at www.fender.com. | 
