Okay, so a month ago I bought a used '92 MIM Strat. Serial number on the headstock checks out, but here is my question: Why won't a Fender trem cover fit on this guitar? On the trem cover the middle screw holes are offset, and on the guitar, the middle screw holes are equally spaced.
Whats up with that?

What's a tremolo cover? Are you referring to the plastic backplate?

yup...thats what i mean

Hi davidsproblem: backplates have taken different forms over the years. If you look at aftermarket backplates you will find them with both offset middle screw holes and ones that are square to each other.

You will also find some that have six holes for the strings and others that have one wide "letterbox" slot.

Search around: you will find the right one for your guitar.

Cheers - C

I'd like to offer a theory. Its just supposition ok.
The mexico plant was first used to build squire guitars. Fender moved squire production to the far east and set up fender mexico in the old squire plant. Various bits and pieces were left over and usedon arly MIM's. Its entirey possible that your guitar had a squire backplate from new. It was around 90-92 when fender set up in mexico

_________________
No no and no

I know a lot of people that don't even keep the backplate on as it makes for quicker string changes during a gig.

And of course, there is the age old debate over the tone changes with it on and off.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Oh don't!!!

- C

I talked to a friend of mine earlier today, who actually posed the same theory as nikininja...that my '92 MIM strat could have received a Squier backplate during the Squier/Fender transition in Ensenada...the timing fits.

Actually, I have done both...leaving it on, and taking it off. This is my fifth strat, and I have experimented quite a bit. Leaving it off does NOT improve your tone, I can virtually guarantee that. You'll also get more pronounced spring rattle by leaving the cover off...unless you use FOUR good springs.

DP

I always leave it off. I dont like the way they look=\ I prefer hardtails.

Sounds like the trem cover you have is for an American made or one of the many lower grade Squires mfg'd in Japan or Indonesia.
The same goes for the pickguard...An American made won's line up on a Mexican.

I thought back in like 05 or somewhere therabouts, Squier, MIM and MIA were all brought to the same dimensions for interchangability of parts. Something like that. I remember it coming up in a discussion about pickguards and how someone dropped a loaded pickguard into a new Squier Bullet straight from a higher grade guitar.

I some some dude selling some exotic wood knobs for your guitar claiming that they would improve your tone - totally rediculous!

I've heard that some of the parts from different levels of Strats are incompatable.

Fender Ensenada opened in 1987. Late in '91, The Standard Series was introduced. Early in '92, my guitar was made...one of the first standard strats. I'm thinking that my "standard" was produced before production standards were "standardized". What do YOU think?

DP