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Post subject: 1988 Strat: MIA or MIJ or...?
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:49 pm
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Hi,

I'm hoping somebody can help me figure out a bit more about my Strat. I bought it used way back in 1989. I always thought it was an MIA (Corona, CA) guitar, but after doing a little research, I'm not sure what I've got. The details:
-- Neck pocket stamped with date Jan. 12, 1988
-- Neck pocket stamped with name, "J. Fristo" and penciled initials "YJ" or "JF"
-- No serial number on body or neck (headstock or heel)
-- Late 60s RI Fender logo
-- Kluson Deluxe RI tuners (nylon washers)
-- I changed out the pickguard back in 1992
-- Floyd Rose trem and blank neck plate were installed when I bought it

Click here for a few photos.

If anybody has any insights about this guitar, please let me know. (E.g., is it an MIA? MIJ? MIA body and MIJ neck?)

Thanks!
Ken


Last edited by stratkenny on Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:54 pm
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It sounds more MIA than MIJ. But it could be a mix of a MIA body with MIJ neck, as you say. Any evidence where a serial number might have been on the neck (on the back near the heel)?

It may have been a '62 Vintage Reissue that someone hopped up with a Floyd. Does the installation of the Floyd look home made or factory done?

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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:01 pm
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Good question! I was trying to figure out the same thing. The tremolo pocket looks to have been modded to work w/the Floyd. I see two spots where somebody went in and routed out the cavity to make room for the wider trem unit. (It's not painted in those two spots.)

I assume if Fender did it at the factory, the entire area would be painted, right? Either way, it was a professional install. The routing in the trem cavity are precision/flawless.

And, no, I can't find any sign of the serial number. If it were ink stamped, I'd see something on the neck, but it's completely clean at the truss rod adjustment.


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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:17 pm
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It sounds like an aftermarket Floyd installation.

No writing at all to see on the base of the neck?

And, finally, was black a common color for a '60s reissue-style guitar? I'm thinking if it was a US '62 Vintage Reissue, why would they change the neck plate with the serial number?

I'm tempted to say it's a mis-mash of parts. How does it play?

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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:58 pm
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No, I can't find any writing on the base of the neck. I suppose I could pull it again and look at it under some very bright light to make sure I didn't miss something faint.

I think black was a fairly common color for the 62 reissues. But, yeah, the fact that the neck plate isn't stock makes me think that the original owner created a franken-guitar out of various parts and then sold it to me.

I'm certainly not bummed to learn this, just surprised. After all, I've had this guitar for 20 years and had no idea! As for how it plays? It plays great. It's rock solid, great action, and records amazingly well (sounds great live too). It's a sweet guitar regardless of it's (possible) hybrid build.


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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:33 pm
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To me, it looks like the Fender logo on the headstock is in the wrong place. Too close to the nut. Fender is also very consistent in putting a serial number on guitars from that time period. I would do some more research. I could be wrong, but the Fender decal looks weird.


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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:02 pm
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Well, the nut was removed and replaced with the Floyd locking nut, which is wider and sits closer to the tuners, so that might not be the best guide.


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