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Post subject: Japanese Squier
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 7:25 am
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I just bought a Japanese squier. The neck date says '83. I bought it for $75 including the case. The guitar didn't work. Cleaned up the electronics and good as new. I keep hearing that the Japanese squiers are sought after. Is that true? The thing sounds great. The neck feels better than my 97 strat plus. I can't say how much I love the squier.

Does anyone have any info to share on the early 80's Japanese squiers? I'm just curious. Even if it's not worth anything it's still a great project guitar and sounds like a dream so I'm good either way.

Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:03 am
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They are becoming collectable. I recently saw one with all original parts sell for $1000. That might not seem like much, but 15 years ago one in perfect working condition could be gotten for around the price you paid for your one that needed work.

I had one back in 2001 that I sold in 2005 for $300 (paid $100). Take care of that guitar. Don't make any changes that can't be reversed and when parts that you may consider substandard are replaced, keep the originals. That way you'll get the most out of it if you ever decide to sell. I could have gotten a few hundred dollars more if I was smart enough to pay cash to have the EMG pickups installed; but like a moron I offered the guy the old pickups as payment since he had a guitar with no pickups in it.

they are originally copies of the 60's strats and rumored to have NOS parts from that period. It's also rumored that they are as good as or even possibly BETTER than any guitars that CBS was producing at the time. They were made in the same Japanese factory that Fender Musical Instruments was using when they first bought the company from CBS and ha no factory on US Soil...the same factory that produces the Japanese Jackson, Charvel and some Fender's today.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:34 am
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Thank for the info. I did mod the one original tone pot. I scraped a bit of conductor off the disc and it is now wired as a blender pot. I got the guitar thinking it was just a squier so no big deal and a perfect project guitar. Well I will definitely take care of it more so than I would have before. I'm glad I didn't do anything more to it. I couldn't bare to do anything as it was perfectly fine and all the hardware was good to go. I did have to replace the input jack. yeah well. I love it. She sounded like a million dollars cranked through my peavey classic 30 at practice.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 3:53 pm
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Hyde.. pictures and a serial number would help tremendously in this case. The guitar could be a real winner if the serial begins with 'JV'.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:46 am
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Will do. I'll get them as soon as I can.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:12 am
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Had the wifey check while I'm at work

SQ02162

Not a JV. Where can I go to check out the serial number?


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:15 am
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The serial number definitely coincides with the date per the fender website and the date written on the neck. 83


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:59 pm
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SQ guitars are awesome. They are the series that came immediately following the JV series.

Historically the MIJ Squiers from '82 on went JV > SQ > E > A. People LOVE their E and A series guitars, and yours is likely considered even finer quality than those.

Considering an E series strat is worth around $450, you've done quite well. :D


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:04 pm
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I have a 1985 E model Squier and I can tell you that it's one of the sweetest playing Strats I've ever played. It's a keeper for sure as I don't think I could find another that would play as well for me anyway. I don't know what it's worth but I don't really care anyway and If I found another one for cheap I would buy it in a hurry!


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:42 pm
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$75??? I -HATE- you!!! LOL!!! :mrgreen:

Seriously though, I have two E series Squiers...an '85 and an '87 and both are simply outstanding instruments! Finest quality I've ever seen from Fender (including anything made here in the US). That said, I've never played (let alone ripped apart) a JV or an SQ but if they're anything like the E series, you have yourself a serious instrument there for a steel. I think Fiend's comment about $1000 is rather...ermm...bloated, but again I don't really know this specific series. I will say the the E series Squiers typically fetch around $300 - $450 depending on condition with the E series Fenders of that same era (and same assembly line) going for a bit higher...usually around $550 to $600. I've seen them priced higher on Ebay but they don't usually sell.

I would also address fiend's other comment...again I don't know the JV/SQ series but in regards to "they are originally copies of the 60's Strats", some where, some were not. At least with my 2 E series, I can say they both have -very- different necks. The '85 is stamped as a '62 RI and tends to run towards the U shape, but the '87 is virtually identical to the modern C shape (like my two Mexi's) with no RI stamp or anything. In that regard, I would say "trust the feel"...if it feels like a 60's neck, it probably is, if not...you get the idea. Likewise I know that the E series (Fender or Squier) all came out of Fugigen...can't speak to the earlier models. I will agree with fiend though in that yes...should you upgrade her, keep the old parts. Put 'em in a nice ziplock baggie and stash them in a drawer some place should you ever decide to restore or sell.

Good luck and enjoy the guitar...you got a hell of bargain there!
Peace,
Jim


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Post subject: Re: Japanese Squier
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 6:50 am
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hyde_81 wrote:
Had the wifey check while I'm at work

SQ02162

Not a JV. Where can I go to check out the serial number?


This site has some good info:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.blackman4/serial.htm

Your guitar is '83-'84 vintage and you got a great deal.

Does it say Squier II on headstock ?

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