NECK MARKINGS
SST-362 = Squier Stratcaster + ( 3= ?) + 62 neck

BODY MARKINGS
SST= Squier Stratocaster
BLK = Black
3U = (?) but that may mean 3 sng. coils USA made. Some of the early MIJ Fenders used American made pickups that where sent to Japan to ramp up production while the U.S factory was being set up.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Ok...this is gonna sound dumb especially considering one of the other posts I just made but, any way to verify that those pickups may be USA? Again I haven't pulled the pickguard yet but when I finally do, is there anything I should be looking for that would indicate either way what the origin of the pickups may be?

Also...this is more of a general question but, obviously we have a '62 neck on this thing....that seems pretty clear. Now a days you have models such as the "Standard Stratocaster" which is the Made in Mexico model, the "American Standard", "Deluxe", "Road Worn" and a plethora of other specific models. The same is even true of new Squiers...Bullet, Affinity, Standard, Standard Special, Deluxe, Classic Vibe, yadda, yadda, yadda. Obviously I'm not all that knowledgeable on older/vintage instruments so the question is, did they have different models like this back in the 80's? Clearly you have "MIA", "MIJ" and even "MIK" but this was more in regards to origin than specific models. Obviously there were reissue models, so the question I guess would be, do I have an MIJ "Standard" since the body appears to NOT be a reissue? How did the differentiate between specific models back then...or where they all just considered "Strats"?


Just for the record...all this info isn't really that important. I'm quite happy with the guitar in any case (ok...any hardshell case! LOL!!! Sorry...bad pun). This is more simply about me getting a new guitar and trying to find out as much as I can about her. If nothing else if someone should ask questions about it, I don't have to stand there and look dumb (ok...dumber than usual!)....I can say, "Yea...it's an '85...it's got a '62 reissue neck...etc., etc..".

Again and as always, I'm most grateful for all the input and opinions here...thanks!

Jim

Lots of luck on the pickups, 80's 90's can be a pain to ID not like 50's 60's 70's were Bobbin flatwork, pole slugs differ. late 70's 80's is when you enter the world of bland! Less character from one to the other.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson