Early SQ Squier

[skisquash]

Hi All,

I have an early Fender Japan Squier Stratocaster with a SQ serial on the neckplate and slotted tuners. The number SQ02XXX indicates likely an early version from June/July '83. Absolutely love the feel of this guitar!

I've read www.21Frets.com multiple times. This site is a great resource for early Fender Japan guitars!

Wondering if anyone has created an SQ serial monthly dating table that narrows the range of dates better than summer 1983 thru 1984 for these MIJ gems? Also, some folks reference early SQs with USA alnico pups and later SQs having Japan alnico pups having comparable tone.

Thanks

 

[blueworm]

I had one which I recently overhauled.

The neck has a stamp on it:

I believe 84 stands for the year. Not sure about other digits (reversed). Could be batch and/or month, like on Tokai strats.

 

[skisquash]

That looks like June 20, 1984 (at least for the neck). Nice. Do you have the SQ serial #? I think sometimes it can be the last date before assembly but this isn't consistent.

 

[blueworm]

Ah yes... it's SQ4xxxx so I guess consistent with an 84 build.

 

[skisquash]

What's always strange about the serial numbers is they rise so fast. I wonder if they used the number for ALL SQ guitars in sequence or if the numbers indicate week or month batch of SQs.

 

[gw247]

serial #SQ30948



I've got one like this. My problem is when I'm picking I tend to tap the center pickup with my stiff pick, which makes it and the other two pickups make clicking sounds through the amp. I like the tone, and want to use the stock "Mustang" pickups.

I like the neck and love the small strat and it's weight. I suppose stuffing the pickups? Using foil? The only customizing so far, is that I have cut the horn a 1/2 inch deeper, and have added a push pull tone knob pickup switch. It also squeals when I get too loud / too close to my amps. Perhaps I'll try to use it live again.

I like picks for most songs.

 

[skisquash]

serial #SQ30948
.

I'm thinking yours is an '84. Video mentions it is a serial #SQ47292. I thought the headstock would be the 70s look.

Are those lace pickups?

Mine still has the 60 cycle hum.

 

[gw247]

They are said to be the Mustang pickups by Fender, which also have the plastic covers. I think they look cool, and are not cheap. Wikipedia has some Japan Squire info on it.

The one in the video is not mine. (Sq30948 is mine). I don't know. I wonder how much lace pickups cost? I've used it with a pair of Vox Valvetronics. I liked it better than PAF pickups for Clapton leads. The noise: not cool.

I bid on mine based on it's picture 15 years ago from E-Bay/ UPS and it came with a small rectangular hard case and no packing box! The fabric between each end's black leather trim, matched the gray speckled Silvertone amps I have, but it's built like Fender's. No badge. I don't know if they all came with a case, but I bought the Squire, since it was included. I bought it for about $210 plus shipping, from CA? I'll keep it.

 

[Davesnothere]

I've had my '84 since I bought it in '88. I love it!

 

[skisquash]

They are said to be the Mustang pickups by Fender, which also have the plastic covers. I think they look cool, and are not cheap. Wikipedia has some Japan Squire info on it.

The one in the video is not mine. (Sq30948 is mine). I don't know. I wonder how much lace pickups cost? I've used it with a pair of Vox Valvetronics. I liked it better than PAF pickups for Clapton leads. The noise: not cool.

I bid on mine based on it's picture 15 years ago from E-Bay/ UPS and it came with a small rectangular hard case and no packing box! The fabric between each end's black leather trim, matched the gray speckled Silvertone amps I have, but it's built like Fender's. No badge. I don't know if they all came with a case, but I bought the Squire, since it was included. I bought it for about $210 plus shipping, from CA? I'll keep it.

I haven't heard the Mustang pickup theory. Most of the research lists them as Japanese made pups.

Laces are about $150 at GC. It's strange in the video he doesn't mention he is demoing with Laces. I have an '88 Clapton with original gold Laces. Love it. No noise. Love to figure out the SQ hum.

I've had my '84 since I bought it in '88. I love it!

Any single coil hum? Love my '83. Looks like the pic.

 

[skisquash]

Reviving the thread to see what others have for SQ serial numbers and meet my SQ's family members.

 

[LBXPDX]

My SQ is 18418 and the neck is dated 10/83.

 

[KFBR392]

Here’s one I had and sold, never popped the neck so I don’t know what the serial number dates to. Being that it’s 10045, it might be a really early one, but who knows.

 

[afireinside7444]

Grabbed this a few weeks ago off GCs used site. $550. Had a JV but the frets were worn to the fretboard...... returned it

 

[telelion]

Reviving the thread to see what others have for SQ serial numbers and meet my SQ's family members.

I’m an SQ aficionado as well, own three, and I think the serial numbers are pretty sequential based on date. I have looked at as many as I can online and I have never seen a serial number hit 60,000 though high fifties. And slotted tuners seem to be somewhat below 10,000, one of the best evidence that there was some orderly process.

The SQ Bullets are included in the somewhere around 60,000 specimens and I don’t know the ratio but I’m guessing based on sample sizes I have observed through the years, 15-20%. As others have noted, “21frets“ is pretty much our only source of information.

As far as body wood, I have never seen a sunburst P bass or a blonde Telecaster that was not sen, and of the handful of stripped examples of solid colors, all were sen, though it is a mystery. There is a stripped one on Reverb now that doesn’t seem swirly enough for sen but the sides look like it could be. One thing for sure though is that the rosewood fingerboards were exceptional examples of EIR. For the record, my tastes in Fender guitars is vintage, the best of boutique, and SQ’s.

 

[blind radish]

Mine ... Love it to death.

 

[wraub]

I have two SQ Squier basses, a Precision and a Jazz.

 

[Roe]

one of terje rypdal's favorite strats is an early japanese squire (1983 modell probably). But even the early 90s japanese silver series made by fujigen guitars are good