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Post subject: (JAPAN) Fender Contemporary Stratocasters ... Any thoughts?
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:39 pm
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I have a 1985 Japan Fender Contemporary Stratocaster that I bought new.

It's Metallic Green with a black headstock Model 27-5700: (2 single coil and 1 humbucker pickups, 5 position selector switch, coil splitter, 1 volume 1 tbx, system III tremolo, rosewood fingerboard, 25.5" scale length, side mounted output jack.)

A little history of my strat ... picture coming soon ....

I bought my Contemporary Stratocaster when I found out that the Black/White Stratocaster I owned had a bad head on the truss rod. It wasn't really warped, but it wasn't reasonably repairable.

I bought that for for $350 with 5 stings on it, chips every where and a finger board that looked like I95. I loved it and was a big Clapton fan back then. I wanted to get a new one just like it and the only strats available were Squires which seemed like a downgrade. I needed to get rid of this and "stick-it" back to store that sold it to me. I had to trade up and ordered an all black Contemporary Stratocaster out of a catalog, (6 month wait). A Green one came in after a month and I took it.

Found good info and links here: (mine is the same color as the one pictured first on the page)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Con ... ster_Japan

Never liked as much as the old black one. It's aways been more guitar than I needed or wanted. I'm fair to middle-road skill wise, and not the best player to review guitars. I was wondering about others that played theses and what your thoughts are. My wife bought me a G-DEC Jr and I've been the heck out of the strat lately rekindling my interest in it. I was going to trade it in but now I think I'll keep it around.

Hate and likes?
(I do like the side output jack as opposed to front mount you see all the time. Don't how many other models had this, but it's the biggest visual marker of what the model is. Almost makes it look like a copy ...
I never got that System III to work that well - I lock it out one way against the body so it doesn't float. Also, it seems the System III systems got reworked or replaced later without replacement parts. The Tremmelo are maintians most of the bridge adjustments.
The 5 position switch never worked well and isn't working now).

Your Colors?
(Metallic Green)

Your Pickup Configurations?
(2 single coil and 1 humbucker)

I here allot of talk about the Japan quality being so much better, but so little about these. All the talk has to do with 50s and 60s guitars.
Are these forgotten models?

Collectible even?

I have always thought about refinishing it but I now don't want to ruin it's value. Besides, after 22 years I think it's finally grown on me.

Just wonderin?

Mark (Carlisle PA)


Last edited by markv33 on Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:24 am, edited 3 times in total.

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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:02 pm
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i've always liked the looks of those type guitars... the non-standard color fenders appeal to me a lot... i've been to carlisle as well for a car show a few years ago, random but thought i would tell you


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:00 pm
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Lived in Philly till 2003. Been here since. Did the car show a few years before moving here. Got a '65 Chevelle SS Conv (396/Auto/BLK/WHT top). Had that since 1983 ... I'm getting old and so are my toys.

Mark


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:48 pm
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A buddy of mine has one (I'm not sure which version).

It's a pretty nice strat.

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My other guitar is a Strat.

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Post subject: Fender contemporary strat 1985 mint
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:44 pm
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Hi I have a dead mint..1985 e serial fender contemporary strat...Model 27-5700: Totally ORIGINAL
System III (3) bridge, has fine tuners
Bridge Humbucker, mid and neck single coils
5-way selector, 1 Vol, 1 TBX Tone, 1 coil tap toggle
Original Lock Nut ....This guitar has been in the original case for over 23 yrs it has about 2 hours play on it sense new,not even a scratch anywhere on its mettalic green finish,chrome is perfect,case is perfect and has original trem arm and warranty papers ,This guitar looks brand new,So my question is id like to sell it on ebay,however dont know where to set the reserve price..any ideas?...thanks Bob


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Post subject: Re: Fender contemporary strat 1985 mint
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:32 am
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harleyy wrote:
Hi I have a dead mint..1985 e serial fender contemporary strat...Model 27-5700: Totally ORIGINAL
System III (3) bridge, has fine tuners
Bridge Humbucker, mid and neck single coils
5-way selector, 1 Vol, 1 TBX Tone, 1 coil tap toggle
Original Lock Nut ....This guitar has been in the original case for over 23 yrs it has about 2 hours play on it sense new,not even a scratch anywhere on its mettalic green finish,chrome is perfect,case is perfect and has original trem arm and warranty papers ,This guitar looks brand new,So my question is id like to sell it on ebay,however dont know where to set the reserve price..any ideas?...thanks Bob


The longer you hold on to that one the more it will be worth. Vintage MIJs are all the rage on eBay and they are fetching some premium prices. Unfortunately they are in abundance on eBay. Just do a search of "Fender Stratocaster MIJ". The closing prices for '83 and '84 models can exceed $700.00 easily. '85s go for a little lower but I would say a reserve price of around $375.00 to $425.00 based on the condition or rarity would be reasonable. Any higher than that and you'll be asking for more than your competition. I believe eBays is running a special on listing fees so now is a good time to set a high reserve and keep relisting it until it sells. But honestly, unless you are really hurting for money try to hold on to it a little longer and watch the market. I promise you'll see folks shelling out nearly a grand for that axe in just two or maybe three years... and it will only continue to appreciate in value. I know all this because I've been on eBay for months looking for the perfect early 80s MIJ. Who knows, yours might be it.

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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:51 pm
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Hey thanks for the info..Im guessing on the year because the first of the serial number is E5*****The reason Im having difigulty setting reserve price is because it looks brand new ,The ones I see selling on ebay dont even compare...thanks again ....Bob


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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:02 am
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Since my orignal post I've done some "sole" searching and the thought of not having a Strat just seemed empty. It's unique features are what I used to dislike, but now I think that's what makes it special. I've been tuning on it and sent it out for the new pickup selector switch. Miss it big time.

I did get something different to go with it. My original thought was to trade in on a Les Paul or a SG, but Gibsons seem so out of line price wise. This would mean my Strat would just be downpayment and that didn't sit well with me.

I bought an Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty 3 to go with the Strat, ($700). On-line reviews are great and I still have money in my wallet.
Still waiting for delivery, but very excited. The guy who taught me had a Epiphone with new pickups. Classic red/yellow sunburst. But everything about it was top shelf. Trimmed out nice and played like an air guitar.

I think someday these MIJ models will be hot item. Either way, it's what makes ya happy. So old greenie isn't ooing anywhere.

Thanks for those posted. I've ejoyed reading the comments and hope that it contiues to brighten a spotlight of these models.

Thanks again,

Mark


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Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:19 pm
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Ya me too Mine is also green(color though)..Its So nice I even tape a piece of paper over the pickguard so I dont scratch...it is as perfect as the day it was made (80s)I think Those that knock these super deluxe feature packed strat contemporarys just never had one in there hands..I have a Custom shop fender custom classic thats very very nice,However this old contemporary is every bit as nice and fun to play...Take care!


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:50 am
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I got the Epiphone the other day and it's really nice. So different from the Strat but thats a good thing. The sound is warm an full and just surounds ya. Still have some tweeking to do yet, but I was great deal.

I won't say one is better than other. Price-wise I payed about the same for both of them. The best way I can describe the difference in sound is the Strat is more piercing than the Epi. The Epi warmer without the high and lows the Strat can produce. At, least not at the same level. The Strat hits like a knife and the Epi is more like big wooden mallet hitting you chest.

The Strat I will keep just as it. No changes. I want to preserve if for what is. It was the best Fender had to offer in the mid 80's and I think is probably one of the best models of the Strat-o-caster Fender ever designed. Produced for three years in Japan, must be the knock on it. Check on out if you can. It's a hidden treasure.

Mark


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:05 am
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Ya Mark I also have a gibson les pual and and epi and they have a nice mellow tone compared to the strats..You described the strat tone perfect..But ill tell you Id have to be offered a $1000 for my 85 contemporary strat b-4 id part with it..I mean were you going to find another strat thats basically new been in the original case for 23 yrs,not even the pickguard is scrached yet..It would be the perfect collector guitar as I see it...take care!


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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:14 am
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Just a quick update. The Strat is still in the shop. Seems the pickup switch, which was broken, is not the only problem. I suspected there was more to this than the switch. The center and neck pickups are not responding at the same level as the bridge pickup. Not sure what that could be, but the tech is still digging. While he has it I'm having him do a complete "set up" on it.

Even when the switch was operating, there always seemed to something "off" in it. Any ideas?

Still playing the Epi and it's growing on me. They're so different so playing them back-to-back is something I'm anxious to compare.

The saga continues ...

Take care,

Mark


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Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:56 pm
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Well When I was in the vending machine buissiness sometimes on older machines we would get what you call COLD solder joints they were connected ,however not producing like they should,So you might have him resolder everything...take care!


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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:09 am
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Called again and still no luck with the pickups. Anybody know where a wiring diagram is for these? The Tech seems to think it's a "phasing" thing with the humbucker. Still waiting .....

Thanks ....

Mark


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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:15 pm
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Finally got it back and it's really like new. It must have been gradually going south for years. The switch was bad. That I knew. It also had two cold or bad sodder connections. In addition, the QBX tone control brushes needed to be cleaned and re-aligned.

I've been playing the Epiphone Black Beauty waiting for this to come back and in comparison, they are two very different guitars in sound and play.

Both are three pickup guitars.

After playing the fully functional Stratocaster, what strikes me the most, is not only the range of sound, but the Strats ability to pickup the slightest difference in inflection. Responds instantly and clearly. The Epi tends to smooth this. That's not bad thing. It is what is it is. Different.

I'm sure swapping pickups and such could sway each guitar's sound in the other's direction, but that would defeat the purpose of having them.

The Strat will be getting the attention it deserves and hopefully not get in this state of disrepair again.

Thanks to all who read and contributed. And thanks to JM Music in Carlisle for doing a great job finding and fixing everything. I don't think an outlet store would have persistence to fix this.

Thanks,

Mark


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