I have a mid 80's MIJ strat. I'm looking for more info on it. it has 2 single coils and a Humbucker and 3 micro-switches instead of the traditional 5 position switch.
Anyboby with info?
Thanks...

I could be wrong here (and if I am, hopefully someone will correct me) but it's been my experience that finding info on Fender imports, particularly of that era can be dicey at best. You can try running down the serial number, but that will probably have mixed results. The 80's were rather turbulent years for Fender as the company went thru many changes and very often, the lower end instruments were not well documented at all. Also remember that unless you were the original owner of this instrument, that it's quite possible someone made some modifications somewhere along the way...3 micro switches instead of the standard 5 way sounds really odd to me. I've seen a few MIJ's over the years (wonderful instruments btw) and I've never seen that kind of configuration on a Strat (MIJ or otherwise).

Again hopefully someone else will have more info for you but if you're specifically looking for info on the switches, my suggestion would be to simply take the pick guard off and take a look at the sucker to see what controls what. Logically speaking, three pickups, three switches...could just be on/off switches for the pups, but since you said she has an HB there too, there could be some sort of coil splitting going on as well. The only real way to know for sure would be to open her up and take a look.

Alrighty...not sure if that's what you wanted to hear and hopefully someone will have more for ya!

Peace,
Jim

Thanks for the info. Are you aware of any website, etc. that i can find more info on?
Thanks!

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

You can put your serial number there but that will only give you the year of manufacture by the way can you post some pictures of your guitar? we would like to see it........

I'll post pics tomorrow. A little more about her: She is an "E" prefix Squier. Skunked maple lightning fast micro tilt neck. Painted Headstock (Gloss black)
Red(?) body. 2 single coil 1 Humbucker, tone, volume. 3 micro toggles (2 position for the single coils on/off) (3 position for the bucker) No pickguard, Black plastic rear plates. She's a beauty!

Having 3 micro switches don't sound right. If it is a MIJ Contempory it will have 22 frets and a Kahler Tremolo if its a Hot Rod it would be a Floyd trem and Standard 22's were vintage and the 21 fret Standard was 3 single coils along with the several other re issues.

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Thomas Jefferson

Hello everyone, Heres the link for some pics. Also it appears the body is three pieces of wood when held up to the light just right. The serial # dates it from the Fujigen plant circa 84-87. Take a look and send me your thoughts...

http://s262.photobucket.com/albums/ii11 ... J%20Strat/

I think the guitar dater project and the info on this site for dating guitars refer to FENDER guitars, not Squire. It may not be the same serial number series for Fender and Squire(most probably not). Not too sure, but I think that dating Squire guitars is an imperfect science, due to the fact that they were made in many different locations, by different companies. I know Squires were made in USA, Mexico, Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia. Who knows.....I don't.

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A bunch of guitars, a few amps, some pedals and some other stuff that makes noise.

How long have you owned this guitar?

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Here's a MIJ for sale...

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=4393967

SWEET!

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80's MIJ, 50th. Anni. MIM Strats
Samick GB AV3
Epi Explorer, SG
Framus 335
Blueridge BR-80, Goya G-310
Fender Deluxe, Vox 15R, Marshall 100 Mosfet
Fender CS Tonemaster 2X12 (Greenbacks)
Custombuilt 4X10 Half Stack (Jensen's)

Howdy Chet,
I've had her about a year. Found her on Craigslist in D.C. The dude was leaving the Country (Goverment job) and really needed to sell her before he left. Picked her up for $150.00

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80's MIJ, 50th. Anni. MIM Strats
Samick GB AV3
Epi Explorer, SG
Framus 335
Blueridge BR-80, Goya G-310
Fender Deluxe, Vox 15R, Marshall 100 Mosfet
Fender CS Tonemaster 2X12 (Greenbacks)
Custombuilt 4X10 Half Stack (Jensen's)

Have you ever had the neck off? Check the neck pocket for markings.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Hi special_ed: further to what BigJay was saying - Japanese "Squier by Fender" Contemporary models with E prefix serial numbers were made from 1984 to '87. Info about them can be found on this page, though it mentions nothing like your guitar:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Con ... ster_Japan

Off hand, the only Strat I can think of with three swiches instead of a selector switch was the Stratocaster Elite. Image search Google to find pics of those. Very different from yours, however.

Side note: many moons ago Chet Feathers was talking of modding a pickguard to produce an Elite Strat type setup. I wonder if that project went any further...?

Cheers - C

The project is still being wired.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.