Hi guys, new here and really needing some help, My name's Mike, i'm from Ireland and I'm a massive Fender fan.

I have a Squier Strat, Gilmour custom shop Fender strat, Fender DeVille 410amp and my new addition...
Picked it up today in a pawn shop for next to nothing..

A "Made in Japan" Fender (not squier) Stratocaster!

It's got a rosewood neck and a 3 tone sunburst on the body. 3 single coils, vintage tremolo, vintage (gotoh style) tuning heads, 3 ply pick guard and has "Original Contour Body" on the ball of the headstock (Identical to my Gilmour) and "Fender stratocaster with synchronized tremolo" in the usual place.

The "made in Japan" is at the base of the neck followed by the serial number "E959331"

The neck plate however simply says "FENDER" no serial number...

Can anyone give me any info on it? All I know is it was made between 84 and 87 and it plays like a dream, as nice as my custom shop, other than that i'm clueless..

Hope some of you knowledgeable types can help me out!!

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"

How many pickguard screws? Can you post some pics too?

11 pickguard screws..

Sorry for the stupidity but I can't figure out how to post pics...do the have to be web based pics or can I upload directly??

Thanks for the reply mate!

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"

Pics...

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"

The MIJ E-series instruments are highly regarded -- the Strats are some of the nicest ever made. Yours appears to be a very accurate '62 re-issue.

Sweet!



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Cool man thanks, I thought it might be a '62, I just can't get over how nice it is to play!!

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"

My 1990/1991 MIJ 62 reissue looks just like yours, except that I have fitted the Fender mint scratchplate and aged knobs.
It is one of my favourite guitars, only just beaten by my 62 Roadworn.

I'll be honest, I bought it to sell it but now that i've played it I know it'll stay in my collection!!

Are these things worth much? I only ask cause I got it for absolute peanuts

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"

Nice looking Strat.

That is a very nice looking '62RI!!!

The "E" serial numbers were from 1984 - 1989. I'm guessing that yours is a late 1988 or a 1989. If you take off the neck you should be able to see some dates on the butt of the neck and in the neck pocket.

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Chet Feathers

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

Thanks mate, yeah i'll take the neck off when I get some new strings for it.

Really can't believe my luck finding it and for such a low price.

Any idea what this would sell for? Not that i'll be selling any time soon!!

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"

I have owned (still own 4) 5 '80's MIJ Strats. Prices ranged from $300 - $700. HOWEVER, mine are all Left Handed so prices for Right Handed ones will be a little different.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

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

+1

What a stunner.

Congrats and enjoy!

Andy

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Pending Greatness

Short of me takin it apart for closer inspection, anyone got any info about the pickups?

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"

Anyone??

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"I like it when a flower or a little tuft of grass grows through a crack in the concrete. It's so f*ckin' heroic!"