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Post subject: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:55 am
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Hi All,

I bought a brand new Fender Stratocaster back in September 1991 from a proper music shop.

I'm now curious about its origins because there are some confusing indications on the neck.

For example, the serial number on the headstock begins with F0286**:

Image

From what I've read so far, the serial number implies that it's made in Japan as does the fact that the serial number is in gray rather than black text.

However, at the bottom of the same neck on the reverse there is "MADE IN U.S.A." clearly stamped plus another plastic sticker directly above also saying "MADE IN U.S.A.":

Image

There are no other indications of the place of manufacture but there is a date of manufacture (Sep 11 1989 or 1988) on the neck recess of the body:

Image

Does anyone have any idea if I've got a USA strat or something else?

Here are some other pictures in case it gives you some useful clues...

Here's the pickups and post inside the body:

Image

Here's a picture from the rear of the body:

Image

The body:

Image

The 21 fret neck:

Image

So what do you think is the most likely origin of this Strat?


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:16 am
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Pots and pickups switch and pickups are not American made ,they are made in Asia ( Japan ? )

Look not a American Stratocaster


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:23 am
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In addition to the above, the shape of the swimming pool is out of the ordinary. I don't know what it means exactly but I'll hazard a guess that shape is significantly telling in some way. Actually, all of the routing is suspect.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:27 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Pots and pickups switch and pickups are not American made ,they are made in Asia ( Japan ? )

Look not a American Stratocaster

Thanks for your input stratele52 - I appreciate it!


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:30 am
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Tremolo cover screws are wrong for American as there is not one that is offset
mud


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:31 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
In addition to the above, the shape of the swimming pool is out of the ordinary. I don't know what it means exactly but I'll hazard a guess that shape is significantly telling in some way. Actually, all of the routing is suspect.

I don't know much about the different swimming pool shapes at all. The routing has not been modified by me or anyone else so it's exactly as it was when I bought it new.

Thanks for your input BMW-KTM!


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:34 am
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mud wrote:
Tremolo cover screws are wrong for American as there is not one that is offset
mud

Thanks for your spot mud :)


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 9:36 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
In addition to the above, the shape of the swimming pool is out of the ordinary. I don't know what it means exactly but I'll hazard a guess that shape is significantly telling in some way. Actually, all of the routing is suspect.


+1


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 10:48 am
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Early US Squire body style, probably assembled in Japan given the separate components(bridge, electronics, pups) being non US. Perhaps shipped from the US wood stocks in the mid/late 80's. Have a complete pic of the back of the neck and headstock w/ tuners?
From the web:
http://www.axecentral.com/identifying-japanese-fender-strat-10232825.html


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 11:34 am
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sfceric64 wrote:
Early US Squire body style, probably assembled in Japan given the separate components(bridge, electronics, pups) being non US. Perhaps shipped from the US wood stocks in the mid/late 80's. Have a complete pic of the back of the neck and headstock w/ tuners?
From the web:
http://www.axecentral.com/identifying-japanese-fender-strat-10232825.html

Hi sfceric64 - thanks for your input and useful link the bump in the swimming pool is very similar :)

I'll take a few more photos of the guitar including the back of the neck and headstock with tuners.

Cheers.


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:24 pm
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Yep - one of those "export only" guitars that were equivalent of the Squier line marked "Made in USA" to generate higher prices overseas. Probably assembled in the USA from MIJ Squier-level parts.


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:50 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
Early US Squire body style, probably assembled in Japan given the separate components(bridge, electronics, pups) being non US. Perhaps shipped from the US wood stocks in the mid/late 80's. Have a complete pic of the back of the neck and headstock w/ tuners?
From the web:
http://www.axecentral.com/identifying-japanese-fender-strat-10232825.html

Hi sfceric64,

Here's the pictures of the headstock with tuners:

Image

And here's two images of the neck from the rear bottom:

Image

And the neck rear top:

Image


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:03 pm
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John C wrote:
Yep - one of those "export only" guitars that were equivalent of the Squier line marked "Made in USA" to generate higher prices overseas. Probably assembled in the USA from MIJ Squier-level parts.

Thanks for your reply John.

The "MADE IN U.S.A." and Japanese-like serial number on the same neck are certainly confusing!

Are the Squier Stratocasters of today roughly the same quality as the export only type you're describing?

How would you describe my guitar if it's not a full USA one and assembled from the parts you suggest?

Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 1:34 pm
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So I saw these Strats way back in the early '90s is a mom and pop music store, and I always wondered what the story was about.


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Post subject: Re: Spot the Strat
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:34 pm
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Quote:
Here's the pictures of the headstock with tuners:

Thanks, John C is right as usual.
I call this the cost cutter model, used to compete w/ all the knock off models of the times.
It would be worth more if it said "Made in Japan" on the bottom of the neck.
I cant explain it not having the EE serial#(export only). But I think yours pre-dates the EE #'s. That neck is beefy and no truss rod to cut costs further.
So, how does it sound and play?
BTW, are you a lefty player, I assume so since the strap lock is on the lower horn?
You could preserve the current parts and upgrade the electronics/bridge if you wanted to.


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