Hey guys,

i've had my eye on a local Japanese Squier Strat. It's got a maple fretboard which is something I've really been wanting, but i'm not going to be able to play it ahead of time (ebay...hooray)
what do ya'll think of Japanese Squiers? the auction says it's "late 80s" and it mostly definitely says "Made in Japan" in the headstock pic. I dont' suspect it will sell for more than $100, and i've heard excellent things about the Japanese Fenders and Squiers before, but I want to get a lfinal few opinions.

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thesteve

I've used an '82 Jap Strat for over 15 years as my main guitar and I have several other American made Fenders and Gibsons that I could and do use. A lot of touring pros play old Squiers. They're a good bang for the buck and you don't get your vintage axes messed up or stolen like some of mine were. I don't believe the late '80s were near as good as the ones made before 1985. Mine has an adler body and a great finish. The later Squiers went to basswood then plywood, I think, as well as going into more intensive mass production and the loss of quality that goes with it. Also thay changed the type of finish. But for $100 dollars you're not risking a lot. Be aware that the hardware and pickguard on a Squier is not directly replaceable with American Strat parts. They're slightly different. Even replacement pickup pole pieces do not line up exactly although I haven't had any problem with the sound of my replacements. This annoys some people. The scale is slightly different too but an early '80s Jap Squier is usually a wounderfully playable guitar in my opinion. Better than most American Strats. You may want to just wait and look for one made before 1985. They are around. Don't take someones word for the date of manufacture. Check the serial numbers. Pawn shops are a good place to look for one if you are in or near most any city and you could actually play the guitar before you bought it.

the serial on the one i'm looking at is an E7+5. i looked at the Fender resource and this seems to indicate that it's was made between 1984 and 1987, but that's corresponding to Japanese Fenders, not Squiers. I don't know if the serials were the same for both instruments.

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thesteve

There are several serial number and date lists on line specifically for Squier Strats. Just search for one or two and see if the collaborate.

I've got a japanese silvers eries squier strat and it's great. I've changed the pickups to Fralins and the saddles to GraphTechs and it sounds fantastic. Haven't had any hassles with hardware not being compatible though.
With the Fralins it sounds exactly as I want it to but sometimes I do wish it had that feel of some of the more expensive guitars out there. Don't get me wrong it feels good but not up there with a American Vintage series Fenders or the like.
It's held up to touring pretty well but it needs a refret now.

$100? Go for it I say.

The one hassle I've had with mine is that the tremolo arm hole in the bridge doesn't seem to match up to the hole in the body. Not cool.