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Post subject: Where was this strat made?
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:42 pm
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Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:33 pm
Posts: 6
So I just picked this guitar up for $400 with all original accessories, manual, U.S. inspection tag and even the original receipt. This guitar was originally bought new from Guitar Center in August 1989. Now what is weird about this guitar is it does not have any markings or stamp on where it was made, It could either be Japanese made between 1984-1987 or USA made between 1988-1989. This of course according to its serial number. E851625.
according to the manual model # is 25-4300 STD stat.

here are some things I've noticed....

Neck pocket is stamp = E 562 (FENDER)
Neck stamp = ST-562F
Pick-up = 016730
pots = m250k?a
switch = ym-50
dot Inlays looks abalone and a tad bit smaller than the regular strat dot inlay
Kahler Spyder tremolo double locking
22 fret rose wood (feels like a 62 c shape)
looks like guitar had pearl red coat color before it was paint black... It looks like as if this came like this from the factory.

So I've done tons of research online and apparently Im not alone. There are people out there with the same guitar and are clueless on where it was made. Some guy in chicago said he bought the same guitar in 1988 new and the sales guy told him its US made. Now keep in mind my guitar was bought in 1989 with original U.S. inspection tag therefore in can't be a used MIJ strat. But then again I could be wrong.

Well the guitar is very well built and of very high quality, the sound in my opinion sounds better than some of the current US standard strats I've played. So what do you guys think, MIA or MIJ?

here are some pics of the same guitar except mine has rosewood Fboard
Image
Image
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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:33 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:34 am
Posts: 821
I have 2 Stratocasters that have E series serial numbers. The problem is that both Fender in California and Fender Japan both used E series #'s around the same time. Check out the guitar dating portion of this site. My '72 RI was made in Japan(1984-97) and has # E8XXXXX and says "Made in Japan" above the serial #. It also says Fender Japan on the 3 bolt neck plate. No doubt about it. My HM Strat(1989-90) is a different story. It has serial # E9XXXXX, has no country of origin indicated by the serial #, and says "Fender USA" on the neckplate. These guitars are known to have been made in both USA and Japan. I believe mine is USA made, due to the E series #.
Fender has always , in my experience, been very good in recent years noting country of origin. Back when they were all made in USA, there was obviously no need to indicate country. When Fender Japan opened in the early 1980's, it complicated things.
If your guitar was made in USA, GREAT! If your guitar was made in Japan, also GREAT. Japanese guitars of that vintage are of very high quality, and rival USA made guitars of that period(heresy, I know), but true. My "72 RI that I bought brand new in 1988 is probably the best Strat I have owned, and I have owned many.
Play it, love it, and enjoy a little mystery along with it.


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