Its kind of funny that until now I always thought my Strat was American made. I was told that when I bought it new in 85. I Just wanted to put a pick guard on it and then found out for some reason my screw pattern "11 hole" was different.

Mine has a screw in the middle above the first and second pickup, rather than having the screw just above the second pickup. I mean, who would notice that? Not an amateur like me that's certain!

So in the search to find a pick guard, I found a place that does nothing but make guards. And it lists my fender as "old style" http://www.wdmusic.com/fender_strat_srv ... _1128.html

It was after seeing this, I went looking to see what I had. The quality of my Fender is better than the brand new ones in the music shop. After doing more research, "made in Japan" when it comes to Fender at least, is nothing like the "old day's"

The people there have a work ethic and sense of pride in what they do, that for the most part in my opinion, is far ahead of us. My Strat doesn't say where its made, but it does have the "E" and six digits after.

So it would seem we have a "Contemporary" Stratocaster, I never knew any of this before. I just love mine, and might get buried with it.

Yes - these are still a bit of a mystery. The earlier models were clearly marked "Made in Japan" - these are the ones with the System 1 or the Kahler 2500-series tremolos (and I think even the early ones with the Kahler Spyder trem that don't have the uprouting under the trem).

It could even be that these later ones like yours (which should date to about 1988 at the earliest - that Kahler Spyder trem wasn't out until then if I'm remembering correctly) were assembled here in the USA but the bulk of the parts were sourced from Fender Japan - it seems like the HM Strats were built that way (but the HMs also have USA pickups, pots, etc. while these mystery models have MIJ pickups, pots, etc.).

Well, I ended up trading my Fender Deluxe Nashville Tele for the '89 Strat. I've only had it overnight, but I think I'm going to be taking care of this guitar start for a long, long time. Its a keeper.

I asked my wife if she knew the significance of the '89. She had no clue. That's the year we started dating! NGD and scored some "I'm more romantic than you" points.

Congratulation threechorder, I'm happy that you bought the sunburst. It looks great, and you know it's authentic.
Now, how about some pictures with the neck on

Goodonya ...Mark.

threechorder,

GOOD move. These E-Series Strats are monsters. I remain convinced that they will be a much bigger deal some day. I only have one currently, but will buy any (in good condition) that I come across. They're great players, and I love the mystery/history...

Agreed. I think that's what sealed the deal. Not to mention it sounds GREAT.

Beautiful Piece!!! My MIJ is exactly like it with the Kahler Spyder and lock only mine is Olympic White. In fact I noticed yours also has the same screw placement as mine on the pick guard. I didn't notice it before till I tried to put a new pick guard on and found all the modern 11 hole Strats have a screw just above the second pick guard. Your's and mine do not. Ours have that screw at mid point between the first pup and the second.

I finally found a place to get the pick guard I need. Notice our guitars are listed as "old style" http://www.wdmusic.com/fender_strat_srv ... _1128.html


I wish I know what if anything this means. I will have to use my old pick guard as template to carve out the new pick guard to fit the Kahler.


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Warlock,

Interesting. And nice guitar yourself!

Anyone know where to get parts for the Kahler? I need the whammy and the parts for the locking nut. It has the nut but not the locks.

What model Kahler is this anyway?

wammiworld.com has all the parts you'd ever need...

I'll check them out. Thanks

I have the original Kahler manual that came with my guitar. I scanned it the best I could but my scanner table is a little too small to open the manual fully. But I did it in steps as though turning pages. PM me if you like and I will email it to you.

And Ya Wammi World is the place to go. I stupidly, used compressed air to blow out the dust from sitting in my closet on a stand for years. I had removed the strings and one of the string blocks blew off into the un known. Wammi World sold me a complete saddle with the string block. I noticed that the string blocks have the words "Kahler" and under that "Floyd Rose" If your is like mine, your tremolo is a Spyder

There are mysteries, for sure. Some stories have US parts going to Japan for assembly, while other stories have Japanese parts coming to the US for assembly. I guess whatever story increases the value is what one wants to believe.

Could Fender tell us which is true? Do they have the records?

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

orvilleowner, apparently not. Fenders current records don't go back that far.
Rob S. from Fender did make a few posts on the thread starting on page 8, but had nothing definite.

As far as the value of these guitars goes, most owners including myself intend to keep these oddities and just want the TRUTH

When I started this thread, I knew of only one other similar guitar.
The thread has since taken on a life of it's own, regularly attracting searchers with the same questions. We now have around 20 examples of these, but still, not many answers.

Thanks for all the recent contributions, all the great photos and stories.

Goodonyaz ...Mark.

Greetings from France, I'm new to this forum and just wanted to be a part of this quest of truth about our dear mystery strats. You guessed it, I also own one of these freakin' great axes. Mine looks kinda different from yours as far as I didn't see (or remember) a sunburst one w/ rosewood fingerboard. Here are some pics :

Delaymaster, that's beautiful.

I find it hard to believe that FMIC is incapable, or unwilling, to do a bit of research on their own product, especially when it comes to sorting out whether the guitar is an import or a true U.S. made...

To me, it's a bit of a slap in the face.

*edited due to stupid auto correction