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Post subject: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 6:04 pm
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I recently bought a Squier Strat as a project but I'm not sure what kind it is. No serial number that I can find and it just has "Squier STRAT" on the headstock. From what I can tell this may have been one of those beginner kit packages.

I have a US Strat and a Pro-Tone Strat and don't want to mess with either one so this is more or less my test dummy for strings, tunings, setups, something to tinker with etc., but where does it land in the Squier family? Dead last I suppose but was it made in China, Indonesia? I haven't taken it apart yet but I can't find anything on the outside that would indicate where it was made. I've Googled "Squier STRAT" and that returned every Squier Stratocaster on the planet.

The pups and bridge are crap but the body is clean and other than needing a little fret work the neck is surprisingly acceptable. I'm not going to spend a ton of money on a $40 guitar but I have a set of SSS Alnico pups and a stash of switches and pots for it, and may change the nut and bridge at some point but that's it.

https://imgur.com/wywAonL

https://imgur.com/SX7slBt

https://imgur.com/bMkTsby

https://imgur.com/a/DdDCNaI


Thanks.

Edited to add photo link


Last edited by Randy70065 on Wed Oct 31, 2018 2:06 am, edited 3 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 6:36 pm
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Need detailed pics to make any kind of judgement.

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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 12:43 am
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I'll throw a wild guess based on those three pics; it's a pack Strat; the "SE" model. Should have a full thickness body. Birth year around 2005; those might have had had the serial number on a sticker in the back of the headstock. And made in China.

The SE's are quite popular as mod base instruments - the woodwork is usually high-q, the neck is nice and it's easy to install a MIM trem or just the block. For 40$, you got a good deal.


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 1:53 am
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jmattis wrote:
I'll throw a wild guess based on those three pics; it's a pack Strat; the "SE" model. Should have a full thickness body. Birth year around 2005; those might have had had the serial number on a sticker in the back of the headstock. And made in China.

The SE's are quite popular as mod base instruments - the woodwork is usually high-q, the neck is nice and it's easy to install a MIM trem or just the block. For 40$, you got a good deal.


I appreciate the feedback. I checked the body earlier and it's the same as my U.S. Strat. Overall the guitar doesn't feel too shabby and the neck is very playable, but I really don't care for the bridge and will consider a MiM ASAP.


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 5:20 am
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Ditto. I don't know if it's worth swapping in a new loaded pickguard for $200-$250, since you'll then be up to the cost of a new Squier with the bridge, but if you like the neck and it plays well other than the electronics and bridge, it'll get the job done.
We can't look at guitars, and particularly student models, as "investments"

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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 11:08 am
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CB91710 wrote:
Ditto. I don't know if it's worth swapping in a new loaded pickguard for $200-$250, since you'll then be up to the cost of a new Squier with the bridge, but if you like the neck and it plays well other than the electronics and bridge, it'll get the job done.
We can't look at guitars, and particularly student models, as "investments"


No, not an investment at all and I'm not going to spend that much on it. If a MiM bridge will fit I'll likely do that and maybe the tuners if I have tuning instability. I have pups and pots and will check the cheap pots with a DMM when I get it apart. If they are in range I'll leave them alone. I figure I'll have maybe 125-150 tops in it which will be more that it's worth, but it's a beater. I'm going to try a wide range of strings and setups and maybe some wiring and treble bleed options. My conscience won't let me experiment on my other Strats.


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 6:07 am
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It's a Bullet from the mid to late 2000's (2005 to 2009), at that time you could pick them up for $99 or $129 in a starter kit (10 or 15 watt amp, strap, picks, etc...). Body is Basswood, electronics are tiny junk...but the tuning machines are actually pretty good. Those are not the original string trees, originals were round notched washer type.
They ARE a good "project" guitar, because the body is routed for HSH so you have options. The pot cavity is a bit narrow (because it was only routed to accommodate those tiny useless pots), but the good news is, we've got tools for that.
I have a HEAVILY modified 2009 Bullet with American (2006 Hwy. 1 Grease Bucket) electronics...so I know bigger will fit, but I DID have to file/sand the bottom tone pot pocket. Full size Trem Block will fit the original cavity.
I changed EVERYTHING on mine (including paint) except neck, fretboard, and tuners, saddle plate and saddles. It's a fine instrument. Paid $99 for it, and it was pink.


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 1:51 am
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Not arguing, but getting educated... :wink:

I did consider a Bullet, too, but chose to guess an SE...

First, the back of the headstock. I can't see any sanding marks on the pic, and those should be there if someone sanded off the serial decal (plus the accompanying text) on a Bullet. On the other hand, on a SE and from China, around 2005ish, there may have been a sticker - and that would leave no marks on the lacquer if it (accidentally - wouldn't make much sense to deliberately remove just the serial…) fell off.

Second, the Bullets of the era tended to be a bit more 'luxury' colored, like "Black Metallic" instead of the SE's "plain old Black".
The string guides, I agree, not original. The tuners, 3-ply pickguard, headstock shape, 21 frets etc. could - AFAIK - be from either model.

So, why are you sure it's a Bullet model?


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 11:09 am
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jmattis wrote:
Not arguing, but getting educated... :wink:

I did consider a Bullet, too, but chose to guess an SE...

First, the back of the headstock. I can't see any sanding marks on the pic, and those should be there if someone sanded off the serial decal (plus the accompanying text) on a Bullet. On the other hand, on a SE and from China, around 2005ish, there may have been a sticker - and that would leave no marks on the lacquer if it (accidentally - wouldn't make much sense to deliberately remove just the serial…) fell off.

Second, the Bullets of the era tended to be a bit more 'luxury' colored, like "Black Metallic" instead of the SE's "plain old Black".
The string guides, I agree, not original. The tuners, 3-ply pickguard, headstock shape, 21 frets etc. could - AFAIK - be from either model.

So, why are you sure it's a Bullet model?

4 reasons basically:

1). If you zoom in on the first pic, that doesn't look like a 3 ply pickgaurd to me...I see an edge shadow of a cheap one ply.

2). If I remember correctly; the serial number was actually a silver/gray (may have been gold/bronze) sticker with black numbers & letters. Didn't come off easy, but could be removed and glue residue dissolved with lighter fluid, leaving a surface plain. (I remember, because I despise stickers and mine was done day one).

3). The distance between the volume knob and bridge pickup looks right for Bullet, darn near touching.

4). You actually reminded me of this...They were NOT offered in exotic colors; they offered a bunch of colors (my pink being one), but they were all just regular colors...not even sure there was a burst.

I'm not familiar with the SE model, so we could be talking similarities in both. I have to guess Bullet because it's the model I know/own...and this guitar seems to be spot on.


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 12:09 pm
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OK, let's just agree to disagree on the diagnose - I doubt if it will ever be confirmed either way.

But the colors offered are in the Frontlines and Squier price lists, on support pages.


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 3:02 pm
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jmattis wrote:
OK, let's just agree to disagree on the diagnose - I doubt if it will ever be confirmed either way.

Agreed.


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Post subject: Re: Which Squier STRAT Did I Buy?
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2019 1:07 pm
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Measure the body thickness .If its about45 mm its an SE,if its thinner its a Bullet or Affinity normally.Looks like an SE .They had a sticker for a serial so it fell or was pulled off .SE's are a great guitar to mod due to full size body and neck width :)


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