Music

Fender launches USB-equipped Squier Stratocaster

Fender launches USB-equipped Squier Stratocaster
The USB-equipped Squier Stratocaster
The USB-equipped Squier Stratocaster
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The Squier USB-equipped Stratocaster is available for US$199.95
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The Squier USB-equipped Stratocaster is available for US$199.95
The guitar is marketed with Apple’s iOS platform firmly in mind, though Fender states that it is also compatible with Macs and Windows PCs
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The guitar is marketed with Apple’s iOS platform firmly in mind, though Fender states that it is also compatible with Macs and Windows PCs
The USB-equipped Squier Stratocaster
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The USB-equipped Squier Stratocaster
The USB Stratocaster can still be plugged into an amp as usual, with a standard 1/4” guitar lead jack
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The USB Stratocaster can still be plugged into an amp as usual, with a standard 1/4” guitar lead jack
The Squier USB-equipped Stratocaster is available for US$199.95
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The Squier USB-equipped Stratocaster is available for US$199.95
The guitar is marketed with Apple’s iOS platform firmly in mind, though Fender states that it is also compatible with Macs and Windows-based PCs
6/7
The guitar is marketed with Apple’s iOS platform firmly in mind, though Fender states that it is also compatible with Macs and Windows-based PCs
The USB Stratocaster can still be plugged into an amp as usual, with a standard 1/4” guitar lead jack
7/7
The USB Stratocaster can still be plugged into an amp as usual, with a standard 1/4” guitar lead jack
View gallery - 7 images

Fender has announced a new addition to its budget-friendly Squier line of guitars, in the form of a Stratocaster with integrated USB connectivity. This feature allows users to record and share tracks without the need of an additional interface. Though the guitar is clearly marketed with Apple’s iOS platform in mind, the company states that it is also compatible with Macs and Windows PCs.

The snappily-named “Squier by Fender Strat Guitar with USB and iOS Connectivity” features an on-board mini USB connector in addition to the relevant adapters and cables for connection to a computer or iOS device – providing the iOS device in question features the previous-generation 30-pin jack. Owners of the most recent iOS models will be required to purchase Apple's Lightning-to-30-pin adapter.

The Squier USB-equipped Stratocaster is available for US$199.95
The Squier USB-equipped Stratocaster is available for US$199.95

The guitar also features an integrated stereo headphone jack with volume control, for use when it is hooked up to a Mac, PC or iDevice. The USB Squier Stratocaster can still be used as a normal guitar, with the standard 1/4-inch guitar lead jack.

While a Strat with built-in USB port is unlikely to replace high-end audio interfaces for recording, Fender seems to be promoting it more as a useful tool for sketching ideas into GarageBand and sharing over the internet – something which could indeed prove handy for both long-distance bands and newcomers to the instrument.

At present, the USB Squier Stratocaster is sold exclusively via the Apple Store, at a retail price of US$199.95.

The promo video below shows a band putting the new USB Squier Stratocaster to use with various Apple devices.

Source: Fender

Squier Strat Guitar with USB & iOS Connectivity | Fender

View gallery - 7 images
4 comments
4 comments
Jon A.
I like the idea, but $200 is a very low price for a guitar, particularly one with extra electronics and a tremolo.
This may be based on the Squier Bullet Strat, a $125 guitar which gets generally favorable reviews, but also a lot of "if you replace the pickups, head nut and tuning knobs" comments. I suspect it may be a little TOO cheap...
I wonder how it compares to using the Rocksmith USB cable with a regular guitar?
Carl Bowers
one word... rocksmith. In The Amp (free playmode) with numerous amps and pedals available this is just second rate. BTW that's PC only. Console lag is shitty on rocksmith.
Nicolas Zart
At last!
Yaphet Kotto
Does the guitar work with rocksmith with the mini USB / USB cable? The demo doesn't seem to work on a Mac with it running under win7 on parallels.