I've been offered a Japanese Strat. I'm not sure what model it is. I only know that it's black with a maple neck, serial number starting with E84. I don't know if it is 'made in japan' or 'crafted in japan' yet. It has some wear. I'm hoping to get pics soon, will post them if I do.

I've pulled this off of an ebay guide: "The "E" alone tells us the guitar was made between 1984 and 1987... the first digit of the serial number has nothing to do with dating the instrument."
http://reviews.ebay.com/Understanding-F ... 0002545975
*above link is the entire article*

Secondly, how much would you pay for it, lets say that it's a strat standard from the 80's with some wear but overall in good shape and plays well?

I know thats a loaded question, but I want to make sure I'm in the right price range with this thing...

Also, fender japan never started doing the swimming pool routes on the body did they? I think it was after this guitar was made anyway. Should I look inside the guitar to make sure?

Anything else anybody wants to add about Japanese Fenders... I'm very unfamilair with them, all I know is they have a reputation that their quality sometimes can rival Fender USA.

Thanks!

I just payed $500.00 for a left handed mid 80's (E85XXXX) MIJ Standard Strat (Black/Rosewood) with some wear and tear on it.

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Chet Feathers

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

This page: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.blackman4/index.htm should help you out some.

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Chet Feathers

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

I'd say between $500-1200 is a good deal with wear and tear ones being at the lower end and well maintained ones with better features (FMT,QMT, upgrades) being at the higher end. The MIJ Strats are high quality instruments. I know some like to have the MIA/MIM/MIJ debate, but I have no doubt that the MIJ Strats are high quality. Having one myself and seeing the responses people have after playing it tells me all I need to know.

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.

What does FMT, QMT mean?

I'm still unsure what E84**** means. I read on one site that 84-87 has the first digit as the year, ex: E4 = 84, but it then went on to say dates after 87 did not use this system.

I'm going to call Fender I think.

Also, the guitar I'm looking is priced pretty good, I hoping I can pick this up.

Quilt top or Flame top

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.

I have 3 (Yes I said 3) mid 80's MIJ Strats and have paid as little as $300.00 and as much as $700.00. Personally I really don't think I would go much higher that that.

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Chet Feathers

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

I have to stay off of gbase because every time I see this one my GAS starts acting up real bad!

http://www.gbase.com/gear/fender-mij-fo ... oto-flam-1

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I got a black cat bone, I got a mojo too.

I paid $300 yesterday for an 84, but I've seen them go for $300-$550 on Ebay.

pictures? without pictures it never happened.

I'm not sure of the color, it's red but kind of on the orange side.
It has a few issues, but in pretty good shape. The original owner didn't use the tremolo so the bridge is set against the body. Which is fine, but he took off the string locking part on the neck and installed a string tree.
Also the original neck pickup has been changed out with an american standard pickup. And the 5 way switch isn't orginal, but it is a Fender switch.
It has a chip in the body that is kind of big, and there's a chip in the neck above the nut that's been professionally repaired, but still looks bad.

The guitar plays great though.

I also bought my son his first guitar

It's a squier bullet, paid $40 for it, which is more than I wanted to spend on it, but it was in good condition, and I liked the color.

So to hijack this thread. lol.

very nice guitars jasonsd! they look great.

I bought 94 MIJ Floyd Rose Strat Fat H.S.S for a little under $300 not more than 6 months ago the guitar has 3 very minor dinks on it none of them breaking the paint...But i considered this a hell of a deal since then i have watched the same guitars sell on E-BAY pretty consistently for $450 to $525 and at times more but very rarely less..
With the condition you have described i would say that somewhere between $300 and $400 would be reasonable..If there is a major chip in the headstock or neck it would hurt the resale pretty seriously..
IMHO i think the MIJ Strats quality is very high and at times on par with the MIA..So the price of the guitar real depends on condition and not quality..
I would be playing my MIJ Strat right now if i wouldn't have screwed up wiring in a new pickup this afternoon..

i have a friend whos selling his 1997-2000 CIJ '57 strat for $490. It comes with the hardcase. Is this a good buy?