How an oddball baritone became one of the most valuable Squier guitars of all time

Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster
(Image credit: Future)

Back in 2014, Fender was riding the wave of a baritone guitar renaissance. After winning guitarists over with reasonably priced Blacktop Baritone Telecaster and Bass VI models in the years prior, it launched its most affordable extended-range guitar yet, the $449 Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster.

At the time, reaction was mixed: the huge-even-for-a-baritone 30” scale length and Duncan Designed pickups had some guitarists drooling over the tonal possibilities, but Fender’s eternally divisive Antigua Burst finish caused others to avert their eyes.

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Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.