Squier Bullet
The Squier Bullet is an electric guitar that emulates the look of the Fender Stratocaster, but with modifications to reduce cost. Like the Squier Stratocaster, it is not considered a strat copy as it is manufactured by Squier, a subsidiary of Fender and therefore carries the Fender brand name. Squier Bullets are popular with guitar mod enthusiasts due to their low price and ability to handle extreme amounts of modification work. The most common mod performed is the replacement of the stock pickups.
There were many complaints of the Squier Bullet in 2005-2007 over its production and quality, most notably the use of plywood in its body construction. The model was discontinued in early 2007. In late September 2007, Squier reintroduced the Squier Bullet as the Squier Bullet Strat. The new Bullet model features a tremolo, a rosewood fretboard and 3 single-coil pickups, or an optional humbucking pickup replacing the bridge pickup. Amidst criticisms of plywood being used in the previous Bullet incarnation, the guitar is now being made using basswood.
Note: The current Stratocaster-based Bullet is not to be confused with an earlier model, made throughout the 1980's in Japan. The original Bullet had characteristics of both the Stratocaster and Telecaster, as it has a Strat-shaped body and an all maple Tele neck and Tele style headstock. The body was made of laminated hardwood, and lacked the belt-line contouring and recessed jack of the Strat. The pickguard is slightly different from a Strat, with single volume & tone controls, the output jack is pickguard mounted, eliminating the need for the angled output jack. It retailed for about $200.00.
The Bullet was originally conceived as Fender's entry-level guitar, and featured two pick-ups and a unique metal pickguard, which also served as the tailpiece. The American-made model was only offered for two years. When it was re-introduced in 1983 as one of the first Japanese-made Squiers, it featured three single-coil pickups, like a Strat, and a tremolo tailpiece. While the overall look was vaguely reminiscent of the Strat, the '80s Bullet had a smaller body without any contouring (somewhat like a Musicmaster/Duosonic but with more pronounced cutaway horns), and a Telecaster-style neck.
