Squier Simon Neil Stratocaster: the tribute Biffy Clyro deserve
| Posted in Guitar
When the Squier Simon Neil Stratocaster arrives in stores this week it will become the first Squier Signature model to bear the name of a British artist – reason enough to celebrate the six string’s launch.
But while it’s a cause for celebration to see the arrival of this guitar and the accompanying Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass, I can’t help but feel particularly pleased about the choice of endorsee. If Fender was going to pick any of the bands on its vast roster of artists for this launch, then it couldn’t have chosen a better example of what makes contemporary British rock great than Biffy Clyro.
I first met Biffy Clyro by chance some years ago in a Birmingham hotel bar. At the time I was working long hours on a music magazine, often staying fixed to my office chair well into the night, and keeping myself company with whatever album had landed on my desk that day. But no matter which records came and went from my collection, it was Infinity Land, Biffy’s 2004 breakthrough album, that kept slipping back into my CD draw.
As a result I had become quite a fan by the time I shook hands with the band. But no matter how much I protested this to be the case, they refused to believe me until I had named my favourite tracks. That wasn’t because they were being unfriendly but because they were still humble.
It’s a mark therefore of how far their music has taken them that these new guitars are such important products for the Squier brand, and that so much care has been taken over their design. In keeping with Fender’s tradition of producing truly representative signature models, the Simon Neil Signature Strat is colour-matched to the Biffy frontman’s ’60s Custom Shop Stratocaster and carries custom pickups offering a blend of Alnico III and V magnets to deliver an authentically huge Biffy sound.
The Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass meanwhile comes in a Lake Placid Blue finish with matching headstock and boasts a modern radius neck with medium jumbo frets plus Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass single-coil pickups. Arguably best of all for Biffy Clyro fans is the inclusion of the band’s logo on the headstock of both instruments.
In the years since I met Biffy Clyro in that hotel bar, their music has propelled them to a level of international fame that must have made it easy for Fender to pick them as the first British band with their own Squier Signature instruments. But no matter how much that success has played a part in the production of the Squier Simon Neil Signature Stratocaster and the Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass, this accolade is also a recognition of Biffy’s stature in British rock, not only as pioneering musicians, but as a band who are deserving of all of their success.
About Barney Jameson
A contributor, editor and in some cases creator of more music and pro audio magazines than he cares to remember, Barney Jameson is a veteran of writing about gear, and a pretty keen singer songwriter to boot.
Having started his musical education reading old copies of the Melody Maker while riding the tube to University in the mid-nineties, Barney once sang in a band called Sugarstone, troubling record company chequebooks not quite enough to make it a career option. Instead, he achieved his goal of starting a music magazine of his own when he founded Playmusic in the early noughties. Later on, having exploited VIP access to as many festivals as possible, he wrote about the pro audio industry throughout Europe and the Middle East, travelling to far-flung destinations such as Dubai, Doha and Muscat (nice mountains).
As the latest addition to the DV247 team, Barney has big plans. But when he’s not plotting online domination of the musical instrument world, he keeps himself busy writing songs on a battered old acoustic guitar and playing them to audiences in his home town.
Tags: Biffy Clyro, Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass, Squier Simon Neil Signature Stratocaster, Squier Strat
“When the Squier Simon Neil Stratocaster arrives in stores this week it will become the first Squier Signature model to bear the name of a British artist…”
Nope. Squier made a Hank Marvin signature Strat from ’92-’94. (Great guitar, terrible colour.)
john b
“Nope. Squier made a Hank Marvin signature Strat from ‘92-’94. (Great guitar, terrible colour.)”
Yep thats right, I just bought one off ebay yesterday. I love the colour, fiesta red with a hint of orange and the all maple neck. I just hope it plays as well as an old JV squier a friend of mine once had.
gavin
“When the Squier Simon Neil Stratocaster arrives in stores this week it will become the first Squier Signature model to bear the name of a British artist…”
wrong it will be the first squier signature model to bear the name of a SCOTTISH artist !
Bruce