Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $246

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Squier Pawn Shop '51 is a bold fusion of classic design and modern innovation, seamlessly marrying the vintage charm of the '50s with today's playability. This solid body electric guitar is a true maverick, offering a unique twist on the traditional Fender design. It stands out not just with its distinctive look, but with an exceptional tonal range that makes it a versatile companion for any musician.

With its dual-pickup configuration, the Squier '51 offers a dynamic array of sounds that cater to both the vintage enthusiast and the modern player. The single-coil neck pickup paired with a humbucker at the bridge allows for a spectrum of tones from crisp, clear highs to robust, punchy lows. The streamlined control layout, featuring a rotary selector and push-pull knob, offers intuitive access to these tonal possibilities.

Designed to captivate the spirit of the adventurous guitarist, the Squier Pawn Shop '51 is more than just a nod to the past; it's a statement piece for those who dare to be different. Whether you're laying down a groovy rhythm or shredding a high-octane solo, this guitar promises an experience as unique as its aesthetic.

Key Features:

  • Classic double-cutaway solid body design
  • Dual-pickup configuration: single-coil neck and humbucker bridge
  • Rotary pickup selector and push-pull tone control for versatile sound shaping
  • Maple neck with a comfortable "C" shape profile
  • Medium jumbo frets on a 25.5" scale length neck for smooth playability
Loud Lemon Demo

Loud Lemon Demo

Squier Pawn Shop '51 Sunburst 2013 Indonesia

Video thumbnail for Squier Pawn Shop '51 Sunburst 2013 Indonesia by Loud Lemon Demo

Squier Pawn Shop '51 Sunburst 2013 Indonesia

Loud Lemon Demo

Loud Lemon Demo

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Squier Pawn Shop '51.

Features and functionality

  • The Squier Vintage Modified '51 features a unique slanted neck pickup and lacks a tone control, which contributes to its distinct sound and design.

    Source
  • It's noted that some Squier '51 models from the 2013-2016 run have string-through bodies, contrary to earlier top-load designs, offering different tonal characteristics.

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  • The Squier '51 features a smooth satin neck finish, which feels almost unfinished, providing a unique and comfortable playing experience.

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Build quality

  • Owners report that while the guitar is lightweight and well-built, the tuners could be of higher quality, suggesting potential reliability issues.

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  • Some owners noted that certain Squier '51 models were modified with fake decals and serial numbers to resemble Fender models, potentially affecting resale value and authenticity.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Users plan to upgrade pickups to Wilkinsons M, highlighting their positive experience with these in other custom-built guitars.

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  • Users have successfully upgraded their Squier '51 with Seymour Duncan Invader and Seymour Duncan JB pickups, enhancing tonal versatility with coil-splitting capabilities.

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  • Installing a Tusq XL nut significantly improves tuning stability, noted by owners who have made this modification.

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User experience

  • One owner has recorded and performed live extensively with the guitar over a decade, indicating its durability and versatility in real-world use.

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  • Owners with multiple units often gig extensively with the Squier '51, affirming its reliability and performance in live settings.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The neck pickup on some Squier '51 models is mounted directly to the body without springs, requiring pickguard removal for height adjustment.

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Value and pricing

  • Squier '51 guitars from the 2013-2016 run typically sell for around $300, but modifications and fake branding can lead to higher resale prices.

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  • Some owners acquired these guitars for as low as $99 new, emphasizing their value and appeal for modification.

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Use cases and applications

  • The hot and bright humbucker, lacking a tone control, excels in aggressive band settings despite its harshness.

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Comparisons

  • Described by a user as a thinner Strat body with a Tele neck and distinctive pickguard, offering a hybrid aesthetic and feel.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
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1 star
S

A holy grail achieved! (But maybe not)

After learning about Telecaster Rib, I thought to myself: "Welp, I need something that does Telecaster things and won't mess my body up."

And well, I've always wanted a Squier 51. A local Music-Go-Round had one, and after a quick trade of the Telecaster, I've got a guitar I've always lusted after ever since I heard about it for the first time in the early '00s.

Feels incredibly comfortable, sounds amazing with my rig, and will never ever go anywhere. If you can get one, do it! It is incredibly versatile, and it doesn't look like anything else anybody plays!

EDIT 6/13/26: This guitar is not for everyone. I have horrible luck with these things - every time I had one, it just felt like it didn't fit. Your mileage may vary.

jayk20

Not very good.

It had constant tuning issues and a horrible neck and bridge. It also sounds pretty bad. This was a hand me down guitar from my grandfather and I gave this to the guitarist of my band Fake Carts when he first started learning guitar.

john_3

TBH Mine was perfect in every way

TBH Mine was perfect in every way but I guess that it could be a 1 in 1 million lol

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dylan Mattheisen uses Squier Pawn Shop '51

Dylan Mattheisen

Guitarist

Tiny Moving Parts

...
Verified via Tumblr

In an interview for Carlculationinfinity, Dylan says he uses also a Squier Pawn Shop '51 in Sunburst, but not as often as the Fender Telecaster Thinline.

See how Simon Delaney uses Squier Pawn Shop '51

Simon Delaney

Singer, Guitarist

Don Broco

...
Verified via Photo

Simon Delaney used the Squier Pawn Shop '51 during the recording of the album "Technology," as indicated in his Instagram post.

Album Usage

The Squier Pawn Shop '51 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Squier Pawn Shop '51, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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