I inherited this Stratocaster from a friend and it has mysterious origins. To my knowledge, It looks and feels like a MIM strat, but the headstock disagrees with me. Part of the writing is scratched off, making it quite hard to identify. Please help!

Headstock:
http://s262.photobucket.com/albums/ii96 ... 130003.jpg

Body:
http://s262.photobucket.com/albums/ii96 ... 130001.jpg

I don't know. Maybe a 92 squier with vintage style tuners?

Take a look at the Japanese product dating link
http://www.fender.com/support/japanese_instruments.php

by that serial number it looks to be a 1993-1994 Japanese Squire Strat. But that small "Squier" on the circular part of the headstock was throwing me off so I searched around and found this.....

Here is a clipping from Wikipedia explaining why it says Fender in big bold letters and Squier in smaller letters.

"After Fender's decision to switch Squier's production from strings to guitars, the Stratocaster was one of the first models to be put under the Squier production line, then located in Japan, as it was the most commercially successful guitar Fender had produced. Originally, the headstock had a "Fender" name written in large script, followed by "Squier series" in smaller script. This was later changed to the current '60s headstock featuring "Squier" in larger script, followed by "by Fender" in smaller script."



looks like the mystery is solved!

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2009 Fender Strat MIM
2002 Squire 20th Aniv. Strat
30 year old Les Paul copy which is currently in the process of being rebuilt.

My first MIM Floyd Rose Fat strat was a Squier Series, they used to do that with MIJ models too before the standard came out. they were regarded as top of the line Squiers- and were made in Mexico and Japan.

Funny- the decal on that guitar was never applied on properly either.

Check this out- I posted it for someone else on another thread. Its a MIJ HRR 60's Floyd Rose. It has a "Floyd Rose Series" and it also has "squier series' on the headstock. This is an early 90's example and it's common for guitars that are now regarded as 'standard' to have that. note the single tone control and the foto flame finsh. these guitars rivaled the american standard Floyd Rose Strat- at half the price

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I love the black paint job on that guitar! I like how the wood grain shows through. Almost like a wood stain instead of paint. You don't see that alot on the darker colors. Or at least I don't

Looks good

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2009 Fender Strat MIM
2002 Squire 20th Aniv. Strat
30 year old Les Paul copy which is currently in the process of being rebuilt.

I also just took this link from another one here on this forum
http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

here is the answer

Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Fuji-gen Plant (for Fender Japan), Japan
in the Year(s): 1993 - 1994



Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation
Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation was opened in may 1960, they initially started manufacturing violins and quickly switched to classical guitar production. In 1962 electric guitar construction was started. Fujigen has a reputation for excellent quality and craftsmanship so the guitars they produce are highly regarded. They produce guitars via OEM for famous brands such as Ibanez, Epiphone, Yamaha and Fender (the import Special Interest Group nature model), G&L and others.

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2009 Fender Strat MIM
2002 Squire 20th Aniv. Strat
30 year old Les Paul copy which is currently in the process of being rebuilt.

Well in that case, how much is this guitar worth?

I'm actually quite sure it's not a MIJ guitar. There is a letter on the serial number before the N that is scratched off.

Kevito i hate to tell you this as it frustrates me as much as its going to you. The guitar is a fender strat, a part of the short run squire series. They sold for £200 new in 96 and fetch around £150 now.

Great guitars, not great guitars for the money, just great guitars for any money. Took mine everywhere with me for 10 years.

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No no and no

Thanks so much ninja.