Jerome Bonaparte “J.B.” Squier, a young English immigrant who arrived in Battle Creek, Mich., in the latter part of the 19th century, was a farmer and shoemaker who had learned the fine European art of violin making. He moved to Boston in 1881, where he built and repaired violins with his son, Victor Carroll (V.C.) Squier. To this day, their violins are noted for their exceptional varnishes, and they command high prices as fine examples of early U.S. instrument craftsmanship. Indeed, J.B. Squier ranks among the best-known U.S.-trained violin makers and is often referred to as “the American Stradivarius.”

In the 1930s, Squier began making strings for the era’s new electric instruments; the company also sold pianos, radios and phonograph records until divesting itself of all string-related products in 1961.

Artist associations have been an important part of Fender from the beginning, not only in terms of brand awareness, but also as part of product evolution. Squier has now entered that arena, too, with the three new Squier Artist Model basses that debuted in April 2007—one apiece from Green Day's Mike Dirnt, Anthrax's Frank Bello and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. In the future, Squier will seek more artists who want to be part of the Fender family and be associated with products that give their young fans an affordable instrument of inspiration and expression.

Squier is Fender—sharing its product platforms, trademarks, standards and iconic designs. Squier is the launching pad for beginners, pointing intermediate and advancing guitarists toward their ultimate goal—owning a Fender! With those goals and others in mind, Squier will continue to offer products with features and prices that deliver truly excellent value, from beginners to hobbyists to working musicians alike.

www.squierguitars.com