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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 12:07 am
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As you say, those series are very much alike.
Plus, the MN5 serial could be on either one.
I made my guess based on those few headstock pics and on "the usual suspects" principle, and before the additional info on "all original" was presented. If the guitar is all original, the Trad series is a better guess. And: the neck pocket marks could reveal the final truth - either way. :mrgreen:

Now back to the main subject: Those 70's tuners have a "limited compatibility", they certainly aren't not a drop-in replacement. The GFS's might also need some fitting (and, there is a remote chance the overall lenght of six tuners won't fit the headstock). I haven't used that set, but a) usually 'vintage style' cheap tuners have a low ratio, b) no info from a manufacturer tells something about a product, so they may not be an improvement on the "junk stock tuners", as the OP calls them.


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 12:41 am
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Yeah sorry I was not knocking anyone ... Just say there is info out there rightly or wrongly.
I mentioned try the 70s type since the OP already had them...
I was more interested if the screw holes lined up despite being opposing in terms of their individual location :D


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 2:27 am
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jimmy_james wrote:
Gee guys do your homework.
It is a traditional mim. Yes it is just like a squier series but no one has rubbed squier off it! :D


Absolutely correct. The original owner has pictures of when it was new and there is no other decal on the headstock in those pictures. For me it really isn't important because the guitar is great just like it is besides those tuners. I really like the stock ceramic pickups because they offer contrasting tones to my other Strats.

I have an email in to Fender and hope to hear from them today. I'm more interested in clearing up certain specs than determining what series it is. The neck is one of the better Strat necks I have ever played and that includes my vintage Strats and my custom shop. Nothing sub-par except some of the hardware which is easily remedied.


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 2:54 am
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jmattis wrote:
If the guitar is all original, the Trad series is a better guess. And: the neck pocket marks could reveal the final truth - either way. :mrgreen:

I plan to swap the tuners and fit an upgraded bridge I have on hand. When I do I will lift the 11-hole 3 ply (w/b/w) pickguard and separate the neck joint and get some pictures and post here to maybe help some others going forward.

jmattis wrote:
Now back to the main subject: Those 70's tuners have a "limited compatibility", they certainly aren't not a drop-in replacement. The GFS's might also need some fitting (and, there is a remote chance the overall lenght of six tuners won't fit the headstock). I haven't used that set, but a) usually 'vintage style' cheap tuners have a low ratio, b) no info from a manufacturer tells something about a product, so they may not be an improvement on the "junk stock tuners", as the OP calls them.

Anything would be an improvement over these tuners, and calling them "junk" is being kind. The travel is very rough and that coupled with the lower ratio makes it tough to tune quickly on stage. The vintage Wilkinsons are pretty nice but I haven't used them on my own instruments - they are on par or slightly better than the 70's, which I have used . I never swap tuners just for the sake of swapping them unless the stock tuners are inadequate, and then I will upgrade if I can do so without butchering the instrument. I always prefer a higher ratio if practical.

The Fender locking tuners are nice as are the Gotoh, and I've heard good things about the Mojo Sperzel-type locking tuners. Just received an email stating the Wilkinsons are 15:1 and are made in Korea. According to the datasheet they will drop right in except that new screw holes need drilling to accommodate the horizontal pattern.

Image


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:50 am
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Received definitive word from Fender Customer Relations this morning. This means my 3-ply pickguard is not standard, so now I'm wondering if the pickups are stock ... ? ? ?

"Hello,
The serial number you have provided corresponds to a Traditional Stratocaster w/rosewood fret board in Arctic White finish manufactured 09/1996. The factory specs for this specific model are listed below."

Model Name: Traditional Stratocaster®
Model Number: 013-3600-(Color#) and 013-3602-(Color#)
Series: Traditional Series
Body: Poplar
Neck: Maple (Std. Truss Rod)
Fingerboard: Rosewood pn# (013-3600) or Maple pn# (013-3602), (9.5” Radius/241 mm)
Frets: 21
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Standard (Stamped Covered)
Bridge: Standard Strat Tremolo (Cast Saddles)
Pickguard: 1-Ply White
Pickups: 3 Single Coils (Ceramic Magnets)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade
Controls: Master Volume, Tone (Neck), Tone (Mid)
Colors: (506) Black,
(558) Torino Red,
(580) Arctic White,
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Fender Super 250L’s (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel pn# 073-0250-003
Case:
Other Features: Black Fender Logo
Source: Mexico
Accessories: None
U.S. MSRP: $299.99
INTRODUCED: 1996
DISCONTINUED: 1/1998
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
WRENCH SIZES:
COMMENTS: (Formerly Squier, Standard Series) These were sold domestically and globally
NOTICE: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 12:39 pm
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Yippee, that's been solved definitely. Now, if only someone would explain this part of the quote:
Quote:
COMMENTS: (Formerly Squier, Standard Series)
:lol:

On those junk etc. tuners; the quick fix is to lube. Cleaning and some 3in1-oil or WD-40 (etc.) does wonders...
In the long run, my belief is that upgrading cheap tuners to another set of cheap tuners just ain't worth it. Go for Schaller, Gotoh, Grover, Sperzel, Kluson (etc) quality brands.


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 2:08 pm
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I'm changing the tuners, and the replacements will be high quality. I'm also gonna swap the bridge with an upgraded bridge I have on hand, one with a brass block and a solid plate.


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 6:17 pm
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Ended up with the Kluson KCDF-3805CL tuners and they are 19:1 ratio and are super tight and ultra smooth.


Image


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 6:24 pm
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For the sake of others to follow who will surely be asking the same questions I had, here are some details for this guitar. The tuners, pickguard assembly, and bridge are all the substandard parts found on the lower end Asian models. The neck on this guitar is superb and and I don't know any specific details about the Poplar body.

Here are some pictures.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 3:15 pm
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Hello, I know this thread is several years old now, but I found it very useful in helping to identify a MIM Strat I purchased new in S.E. Asia in the 90's. My Strat headstock is similar to the Original Poster's, but it *also* has "Squier Series" in smaller letters at the round end of the headstock; its serial number begins with MN5 and it is clearly labelled as being Made in Mexico.

I spoke to a Fender rep who confirmed that these models are indeed considered to be Fender Stratocasters and not Squires. A written request for more information confirmed the following:

Model Name: Traditional Stratocaster®
Model Number: 013-3600-(Color#) and 013-3602-(Color#)
Series: Traditional Series
Body: Poplar
Neck: Maple (Std. Truss Rod)
Fingerboard: Rosewood pn# (013-3600) or Maple pn# (013-3602), (9.5” Radius/241 mm)
Frets: 21
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Nut: 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Standard (Stamped Covered)
Bridge: Standard Strat Tremolo (Cast Saddles)
Pickguard: 1-Ply White
Pickups: 3 Single Coils (Ceramic Magnets)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade
Controls: Master Volume, Tone (Neck), Tone (Mid)
Colors: (506) Black,
(558) Torino Red,
(580) Arctic White,
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Fender Super 250L’s (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel pn# 073-0250-003
Case:
Other Features: Black Fender Logo
Source: Mexico
Accessories: None
U.S. MSRP: $299.99
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
WRENCH SIZES:
COMMENTS: (Formerly Squier, Standard Series) These were sold domestically and globally
NOTICE: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice



My guitar was manufactured in 1995. I hope that this information helps anyone who was looking for the same answers as I was.


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Post subject: Re: 1995 MIM Strat - ID help & tuner upgrade help
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:58 am
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Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:53 am
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I have this same guitar, made in '95. It plays really great, but recently one of the tuners became a bit "notchy". Are there any decent direct fit replacements out there? Would like to avoid drilling extra holes if possible.

Thanks!


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