Why Some Guitar Stores Do Not Want To Sell Squiers

#knowyourgear
How Many Squiers Do You Have To Sell To Make The Same As A Custom Shop?
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[@dpdockery]

Really like this clip idea Phil. I don’t always have time to watch the whole podcast but am interested in some topics. Keep these coming!

[@arbarb7204]

He often time stamps different subjects that you can hone into in the bio. So you have the option to choose all the subjects directly.

[@nathanteske7886]

Agreed

[@ramencurry6672]

Better than TV

[@mickeyburns3494]

Agree 100%

[@dougstrong5386]

These digestible cuts are great. Taking the most relevant topics in a week seems like an easy win. Hope this does well. Really have liked seeing these in my feed.

[@mikepj1025]

Dude these clips are fantastic. I never have time to sit for a full podcast so these specific targeted clips are perfect. Thanks

[@RacerX888]

On the flip side, not stocking the guitars that a significant number of players want to play (Squiers) is exactly the wrong thing to do from a potential total sales viewpoint. Refusing to stock lower end guitars ensures online stores will outsell your local stores and thus making the likelihood of them going under greater.

[@barrettwissell9708]

Squier has really stepped up their game these last few years. I'm starting to prefer buying a decent Squier, doing a proper set up, and spending $50-120 on any desired upgrades. Typically I save a few hundred dollars and often end up with a guitar that plays and sounds as good as MIM Fenders and some older USA Fenders. Obviously the custom shop still blows any upgraded Squire away. I also prefer the lighter weight, especially the bullet series ( but those end up costing about $400 in upgrades to "be right" ).

[@jasontaylor5061]

The classic vibe series seems to actually have nice quality and qc. Loved the mustang and bought the 60s reissue start they offer.

[@jasonmartin7297]

I find the Squier Classic Vibe's at $400 are MUCH more interesting than Mexican Fender's at $800. You get a much more interesting and cool looking instrument with the Squier, that to match with a Fender will often put you in the American Deluxe pricerange. You just can't get the extras that the Squier comes with for anywhere near that price.

[@nomojoe8150]

I did this for years but was never satisfied with not having the “real deal”. It’s like buying that Epiphone Les Paul it keeps you happy for a short while but you find yourself always wanting the Gibson and eventually you give in. Even when I put fender logos on my squires I was never satisfied because I knew I was not playing a Fender. I do however like the Mexican Fenders with a good set of after market pups and it is a real Fender.

[@maspesasmasperras5554]

Tha paranormal series has Amazing quality

[@chromaticabberationsgiveme9811]

@@maspesasmasperras5554 Im looking into buying a Candy Apple Red paranormal cyclone because itll satisfy my desire for a MIJ Mustang 69' reissue for awhile (and small hands). What can you say about it? What upgrades/sustains should i know about these guitars?

[@63stratoman]

Seems Squier is all I see at GC these days. High-end guitars are becoming more and more scarce.

[@Marcus-jg4jb]

This is a brilliant format idea Phil. Often i watch the live show later and skip around to the topics that sound interesting, love having some broken out like this.

[@cameronland4439]

These clips from the podcasts are really cool! And I love your videos man, they’re always so helpful and informative and you really care. One of my favorite guitar channels

[@JeremyHamaker]

+1 to posting clips as an addition. I think these help you, and us. And having them here in addition to everything else is a plus.

[@judih.8754]

I like the clip concept. I can't always watch the live show and I like the later rebroadcast where I see the subjects. Cheers Phil!

[@Robswrkshp]

Experience is everything. My local guitar center had about 6 squier mustang bullets that weren’t selling for a few weeks (I kept coming for lessons). I decided to jam on one through a katana amp, and as soon as I put it back, they immediately took it and purchased it themselves. You don’t get the same satisfaction looking at a thumbnail online as you do watching someone enjoy and play the instrument. These clips are great for the channel so far, thank you Phil 🙏🏽

[@JaxMusicSupply]

Nice clip. But, as we are only internet (and have been for years now), we don't sell hardly ANY guitars anymore. The margins are just not worth it even for "generic" level guitars. Everyone wants free shipping and there are a million dealers out there that are willing to sell guitars for $20 of margin. Just cannot do it.

[@troybelford]

I really like the clips. I'm hoping it's a good way to get the algorithm to make your stuff more visible by having frequent uploads.

[@stephanematis]

The clips are awesome! Thanks Phil, this is pint-sized knowledge. And the true answers of how many times you can speak about guitars is always N+1.

[@dpdockery]

I really like this clip idea Phil. I don’t always have time to watch the whole live podcast but am interested in some topics. Please keep these going!

[@getoutdoorsny7823]

100% agree 👍

[@TheInsanityofGab]

big fan of the clips. i usually dont tune into the podcast because theyre too long but this distills the interesting stuff

[@rocket69218]

I think you are right about the YT thing, I don't watch many of those type of videos but occasionally I'll watch a Peach Guitars Fender custom shop delivery unboxing. Squiers are far closer to my budget but I have no interest in watching someone unbox a bunch of squiers. For a lot of people we are watching just for the entertainment, it can be fun and interesting.

[@347Jimmy]

Real talk right here Love straight honesty about how guitar sales work, too many players are in the dark about the store's side of the deal

[@circuitsandcigars1278]

Love this format. I barely play guitar but I’m always buying something every few months to toy with as I love electronics.

[@jayrajiva1228]

Great, informative clip. I appreciate the honesty.

[@ianritchie3690]

I've really loved your vids since I've come across them. Here's a sub!

[@54fighting5]

Lol you are always honest Phil. The $200 and pedal videos sure makes sense now that you point it out. A couple days ago I did that EXACT thing...with a golf club lol. I had my eye on a $400 club that was selling for $250 all day, then $240. When it went down to $234 I was really tempted. Then over the weekend it went to $199 and I was ready to push the BUY button....when I noticed a $600 club (from a high end maker, this was entry level club) that was suddenly $225....ding ding ding... it's in the mail to me now lol. I've bought several cheap guitars like that.

[@neilsnow7644]

I was so psyched that a music store opened locally where I live last year, bad timing because of Covid, but I really love and missed having a music store locally. Being able to try out equipment, get things like strings when I run out and really need a pack right then and there....Or cable etc. But it only lasted 6 months, and half of that was him trying to sell everything because he realized he was in over his head. Location was hard, Covid made it worse, and nobody knew it was there, because of location. Too bad, because it was on my route to band practice.

[@wookiecookie4939]

I definitely like the bite sized clips as well as having the option to watch the replay of the full stream. Would it be possible to include the date of the live stream where the bite sized clip came from in the description?

[@f33fifofum]

Good idea Phil. Cut-down podcast videos are great

[@ottotheawesome5008]

Hearing Phil talk about how he was going to have to make vids in his store and then spend the rest of the day shipping was exactly why my store shut down as well. Like Phil we where a front door store. Before the internet it was the best job in the world. We did pa installation in for schools, churches, ect. We had an excellent lesson program with 300 to at it's peek well over 400 students a week. We also did live concert sound for all city events. Like Phil I got to know the reps from great companies like ibanez, Sabian Martin Gibson and so on. Before the internet it was an amazing time to work at the store. I to did instrument repair and Installation work. Just about every day was an awesome day at work. Then the internet came and took a healthy dump on the one on one experience. Was crazy how fast we lost long time dedicated customers over the bottom dollar. It will never be like that again.

[@PontusWittenmark]

Big fan of the live stream but these more bite sized nuggets work great too. Thanks for att the content over the years 👍

[@cliveclive54]

You've done really well Phillip,congrats mate \m/

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

I respect that A LOT Phil. Not doing videos to push the products in your store (a happy side-effect if it happens) but simply for the love of music, the gear and the people.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Right on the mark Phil. Interest point...love it.

[@shanebolender851]

I have a 70s Squier model. One of the best starts I have ever played. I did final change out the pickups to Fender noiseless. I am going to change the pickups in the near future. I am sold on Squier. Will the 70s model.

[@jacksonjohnson9674]

you hooked me with the $200 firefly video, I wasn't even thinking about buying and getting into playing the gitfreddy again til I see your thumbnail.

[@Dzo826]

Hey, diggin' the podcast clip idea!!.. Excellent!!.. Squiers have a bad rep for being 'cheap' guitars, and basically they are, but they are EXCELLENT in giving a player more than just learning how to play, they are like that first hooptie car, you LEARN how stuff works, so when you get your next vehicle/guitar, you feel more comfortable repairing/modding it to YOUR specs... Guitar shops aint into that line of thinking, they want LOOT!!!.. Good video...

[@jasonwojcik]

I was getting my son his first hooptie guitar (squire) at the guitar center. They all played horribly off the shelf. I found a Mitchell (GC's house brand) with humbuckers and a cool design. It was less than the squires and played awesomely. Try all the hooptie guitars, there a diamonds in the rough!

[@Dzo826]

@@jasonwojcik I can dig that!!... I got 4 daughters and none of them play anything(except me at times), but any decent entry-level axe is a doorway to better things along the way!!.. Hell, Hoopties are cool, IF ya get the right one.. Hope he enjoys and learns as he goes!!..

[@joe9toes]

I love the clips, I'm a tv streaming box watcher and I don't do the super long podcasts but this is awesome. I do listen to every podcast on Google podcasts while I drive for work so don't stop doing that though.

[@joe9toes]

Driving my dump truck that is.

[@gtrjay55]

I have an'89 MIJ Strat,and a'73 Strat but I play a Affinity Tele and a Champion 40 live. Both cost around $200. They get the job done.

[@donnyhud]

i own a few older squier strats and telecasters EXCELLENT ROCKIN GUITARS!! love them!! i actually prefer them!!

[@FilipeVidalVideos]

Nice point of view !

[@fredstevens799]

Phil - the clips are great! In case you didn't see my comment on your clip on inexpensive hollowbodies, current time in the Western time zone (outside of Arizona of course) is Pacific DAYLIGHT time... just sayin'

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

Clip is excellent idea!!! I would watch even though I watch the live broadcast because I can get pulled from the live several times for important calls etc.

[@josephchambers3394]

Man, I haven't watched much lately. Busy with work or something. But I still think your videos are the best thing on the internet.

[@chrisullery3386]

I don't have time to watch the whole live videos and really appreciate the clips.

[@NoahLavineASP]

I have two guitars that I paid for. I also have two guitars; one which was gifted to me and the other I found the trash room of my apartment building. Now I live in a four guitar household.

[@raymondvaughan6262]

Right phil my mates son bought a yamaha sg 2000 they got him cheaper years ago doing the yamaha school of music degrees I think they got him it for about eleven hundred pounds but the chap in shop opened up book and they saw the price it was bought in at there's a big mark up on some plus alot of names can push alot some great guitars out there now cheaper not like years ago goes to show most things in shops have good mark ups great vid again phil keep up the good work 👍

[@brinepacer]

Very interesting, thanks Phil.

[@dana.9377]

Digging the clips!

[@journeyquest1]

The higher end Squires are good guitars for the money. I have a Jagmaster and put a VS100 free floating trem and Dimarzios and got a great guitar.

[@jeffvargo1068]

Great content ....Keep it comming

[@phillippitts6294]

I’m going to guess because they make other brands guitars look overpriced and not as finished product

[@ShockingPikachu]

@@nocturnal101ravenous6 I have never bought a big name brand. In fact my most recent guitar purchase was an LP-59 from a company called Artist here in Australia. Honestly I can’t complain about it, it’s a lovely Les Paul style guitar and she rocks lmao. Guess just shows you really don’t need to pay high prices for a quality instrument

[@ShockingPikachu]

@@nocturnal101ravenous6 I’d say the cut off of any real significant value would be around $1000-$1500

[@silure9502]

Also to prove my point he just claimed himself that he deals with toxicity on the internet on a regular basis (while of course bringing politics, frustration from the lack of recognition maybe?) while not admitting that he's probably the root of all of his own problems, sad. Delusional people are strange. Anyway have a good day friend, and remember that assholes of his category are sadly way too common; thus you shouldn't waste your breath and time on such people :)

[@silure9502]

​@@nocturnal101ravenous6 The best way to make an attention seeking person go away is to ignore him. He clearly doesn't care about nor understand the topic: he's just looking for confrontation. Perhaps has his own life issues, you never know: for those reasons i suggest you to just stop answering and consider it as another weird and disappointing internet encounter ;) This guy is probably ten times more frustrated in real life and has to spread it all out on a youtube comment section and on people who did not ask for anything. A+ rank loser! Also the two comments i made are swapped, this one kept getting deleted. KZbin censorship system is sure strange!

[@Justericpersonal]

hey Phill, I am curious about something and was hoping you wouldn't mind answering a couple questions for me please... I think I saw a video where you show an Ibanez with 12 strings AND a floating bridge and was wondering if I am remembering correctly? and, if I am I was wondering if anything like this still exists from any companies that currently make that sort of thing? Thank man!! great videos! very informative and I appreciate them! take care :-)

[@gregmiller7123]

I enjoyed the "clip" idea as well. The part where you mentioned sites hawking $200 guitars is the same principle as the old Ronco and K-Tel theory that evolved into HSN and why retailers have end caps. You watch something or go by an end cap with "great deals" and you think "I don't have to have a Salad Spinner but at that price it would nice to have it"....out comes the credit card!

[@dennisflock3958]

I love my Squier Classic Vibe Custom.

[@moicechumbey]

You are the best guitar guy anywhere. I love your honesty.

[@danmar007]

Interesting info.

[@jasonwojcik]

Love the format and I hope it helps with screwing up the YT algorithms in your favor!

[@wrektum]

That explains a lot. Great video and totally Wrektum approved!!

[@smbmxdirt3427]

I did enjoy this thanks

[@KickYouInTheThroat]

ideally we should keep the barrier to entry low, and readily available. cant tell anybody what to do with their store. i just want as many people to fall in love with guitar as possible. i have come a long ways since my sears special 6 string ax, but if this cheap, widely available guitar wasnt available when it was, where it was, i may have never tried guitar, and probably become the person i am today. just a thought.

[@samiam9059]

Have one loved so much put a maple fender mexican made neck on it. Still have it...

[@johnl.donofrio2441]

I really like these shorts from the weekly show

[@JP-vb4ky]

This is a great idea Phillip! Cut the main title video out of your podcast and post it.

[@SixString_J5]

I also think a Fender American base model guitar is hard to sell sitting next to a Squier Classic vibe and a MiM player or deluxe series. If you only carry the American line, you can sell your customers that it's not imported imitation, it's the real deal! For me, I believe the MiM fenders are better than MiA until you get to top of production lines. I wouldn't be surprised to find a Squier classic vibe or contemporary series that is just dang good.

[@NotBenCoultry]

As a lefty, they ONLY stock Squiers in guitar shops (my local GC doesn't have a lefty of ANY brand right now.) It's bad enough that I'm building an Ultra myself out of parts because fender put me into the master-built section while trying to order a custom. The reason? They didn't want to let me see the wood that was going to BE the guitar, so I could pick it. To get 2 emails and a different neck added 2500 bucks over the 3500-4000 I was already going to spend, essentially just to get different colors. They aren't even the worst. PRS wants $8500 base to even think about different paint.

[@markgrant1302]

The $200. Thing is certainly true for me, as an Eddie Van Halen fan when I saw the Kramer Baretta special for $179.... i jumped at it.... and for the price...it's fantastic.

[@matthewwelch9579]

The Custom shop makes beautiful instruments, but they use Squier to experiment as well. Ever notice that Squier releases something edgy or odd for 3-500$ to test the water before going MIM or USA. The Pawn Shop 51, Paranormal. Vintnera is basically Classic vibe. Etc.

[@fryloc359]

Maybe I'm lucky to have both a Guitar Center and Sweetwater as my local stores.

[@matthewbailey5558]

I like the idea Phil, easy content for you.

[@Wheresthepepsibismol]

In Western Massachusetts Guitar Center refuses to sell Dean Basses.

[@Healcraft]

I agree I don't think they DONT want to sell Squiers, I haven't really seen that on youtube either. That would be really short sighted thinking. You want to introduce as many people as possible into the world of guitar (or any instrument) to get them coming back to your store to buy strings, straps, amps, cables, etc and always looking at those higher end guitars on the wall each time, and most people are going to come into the hobby with a cheapo. (and I'm sure the margin on store-brand stuff like Long & McQuade here in Canada sells Yorkville and Traynor I'm sure the margin for those amps, cables, etc is pretty high for them since its an in-house brand). That said there are a few shops that only sell like vintage high end guitars I believe, but they are well established already and get plenty of famous clientele. I don't think stores like that would survive long if there was 2-3 of them in every town, usually they are near super high populations, or musical epicenters like Nashville etc

[@coaststrings]

You got a higher margin on acoustics? What kind of margin?

[@ColinStuart]

When we sold Fender at Guitar Trader (in San Diego), we got them at a B mark!

[@davidozab2753]

So sad that Guitar Trader is gone 😢

[@onefatstratcat]

I bought a few things but never traded anything :)

[@user-do2ev2hr7h]

I'm guessing that at least part of the disparity is that people considering a higher end purchase are probably going to do more research and have more questions/concerns. Someone in the market for a starter guitar is probably more likely to go to Guitar Center and buy whatever they happen to have in stock, but a higher end instrument probably requires more in the way of actual salesmanship.

[@rockdaddy2168]

I like the clip idea.👍

[@generaljj577]

I never tire of your expert opinion on all things GUITAR

[@Bigoleb0y.]

i like your transparency

[@Aeon135]

This is why Anderton’s have like five videos for Hansen Guitars. They’re the ONLY dealer in europe for them. They’re personally excited for them and have a relationship with the builder. There’s only so many times they can talk about the classic vibe series.

[@StratBurst92]

Just bought a Squier 70s Classic Vibe Jaguar from Sweetwater. My salesman e-mailed me with thanks and then phoned me to thank me again. I have been a customer for years because of them backing the product that they sell as well as customer service. The Jaguar is not a top end Fender but they treat me like it was.

[@GaryGoRound-to7ld]

I had some crappy guitars back in the day ...Harmony, Lotus, JB Player

[@docholst5404]

Good ideas these clips

[@bigstick5278]

The only Squier's I own are MIJ 80's models loaded with Texas Specials.

[@onefatstratcat]

MIK Protones are just as good if not better

[@alangreenway6695]

I would guess there’s an similar price structure to Sneakers/Trainers. Nike has a budget line, a line above that and a super pricey elite line. The elite line is the NBA/Rap star level that people aspire to that’s promoted. The budget line is for all ages that grandmas and granddads wear. Nike’s aim is to get the aspirational customer to move above the budget range into the ‘cooler’ mid tier which 50% pricier but still a fifth of the price of the elite range. Ideally what Fender and Gibson want is the customer to move up from Epiphone and Squier to an instrument 4-5 times as expensive, but still 4-5 times cheaper than the custom/relic ranges. You advertise the top of the range and people hopefully buy the next level down.

[@griffinrl]

I own a couple of Affinity's. I swap out the guts with better pickups and have them set up at the shop. Best freakin' necks you can find on an "entry" level guitar.

[@Mr_Ashley]

I want a PRS silver sky but I don’t think there’s any mount of KZbin videos on it that will put me in a position to buy one 😂

[@williamsporing1500]

I’d rather hear a good player on a cheap guitar than a bad player on an expensive guitar. I’ve gigged epis and mim for YEARS. It’s fun shutting gear snobs up lol

[@danbosch-]

I love bullet squiers, tiny neck radius.

[@artificialpixel]

PLEASE make a clip with the coffee story

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

+1 on the clip idea

[@onesandzeros]

I watch the clips and the full show :)

[@Tysandifer]

Becuase squirs sound just as good as regular fenders, bout my first guitar In 2010, it was a bullet strat and to this day it still sounds better than any fender ive ever played

[@thepick5663]

What was your store called?

[@jeromea1659]

My John5 Squire is a beautiful beast. And its twice the price of a regular Squire

[@nickf9392]

I bought one of the first guitars made from the custom shop. No biggie right? Well, the local shop I purchased it thru had no idea what he was doing, and I got that guitar for standard stock price at that time. It got ugly as he realized his mistake after we made the deal, and he made me wait two years to get it. Figured I would get mad enough to ask for my money back, ha, fat chance. I waited him out.

[@Joe_whatuknow]

Is your store's channel still up on youtube?

[@jayyoungmusic919]

The boss sy-1 check the price and impulsively cool it can be

[@dalepal]

Most people do have a much easier time coming up with up to $200 for gear but once the prices get over $1000 that's not nearly as easy to fit in a budget for items that aren't a necessity.

[@dubster82]

Fan of the clips

[@PaulCapps]

Cool Video.

[@zaz4667]

How many videos can you talk about guitars? MILLIONS and MILLIONS! GO Phil GO! And we will all be watching them!

[@thomasarmbruster1743]

A music store owner friend had a standard practice: When Guitar Center started carrying a line, he'd discontinue it simply because he wasn't going to cut his own throat trying to compete.

[@acoffeewithsatan]

No offense intended, but I have to ask... What did your friend's store carry, then?

[@derekanderson5830]

I agree with others here. Shorter clips like this taken from the longer hour or two hour show are much easier for me to digest. Love your work!

[@regularjim3193]

And that's why I have so many $200 guitars.

[@Healcraft]

@@Ottophil nah just get multiple 1000 guitars , need p90s, jazzmaster, humbuckers of different strength, single coil of different strength, different tunings, backups, one for bomb shelter

[@bandicoot5412]

I got this 60's Vibe, would not part with it, if I did I'd strip out the pickups right quick.