great video. I just happened to buy one of these new in '88 , as my first real guitar. 30 years later and still sounds great.

@Moyetniishiswa2000

3 жыл бұрын

Me too

@brianbadovin1919

3 жыл бұрын

Got mine in 87. Still have it almost 35 years later.

@luzindro

7 ай бұрын

Same here. Bought it in '94, and it still sounds and feels great.

Great vid! My first guitar was a MIJ 87 E7 Squier. I was 13 and saved up my paper route $ for it back in 87. I still have it but haven't played it for 30 yrs due to totally worn frets. I've recently pulled it out and am having it refretted and reradiused. It has more sentimental value to me than $ can buy. I can't wait to get it back to play it. I changed the electronics because they were cheap and I have to switch the bridge to modern/vintage due to the new radius. These guitars were no different than orig Fenders. Excellent guitars.

I got mine for Christmas in 86 I believe it was, still have it and play it to this day. Off white with locking tremolo and rosewood fretboard.

I agree with you, I just got mine and love it! Those screws on the bridge are called fine tuners.

I still have mine I originally got at Guitar Center in Hollywood California. Same exact guitar as yours....color, bridge(blocked it), truss rod, small frets and everything. I LOVE IT! Definitely the best strat I have, including USA versions!

Usually the neck alone on those type of guitars are worth every bit of what you paid for the whole guitar, they are awesome built and sounding you got a great deal for $150.

I had this exact model for years. Got it brand new for my 14th birthday. My first electric guitar. I wish that I had never sold it. It was a beauty.

Someone in your guitar shop just saw Squire and priced it at $150... but the Japanese Vintage Squires were special... a cut above the Mexican and Indonesian Squires of the time. I have the same guitar with a rosewood neck and the same bridge... also missing a fine tuning knob... but it's not stripped. The only difference is the color... mine is Olympic white.

They were built by FujiGen plant in Japan. Make some of the best guitars out there !

@sunnys3325

5 жыл бұрын

Yep!

I watched this video around the time when you uploaded it while I was considering buying one off of FB marketplace. I've returned to this video and love the E87 I bought those years ago even more than when I first bought it. It's my go-to clean guitar, even outshining my Tele which was my go-to for over 10 years. Never thought I'd fall in love with a strat, but this one did it for me. I believe I paid $250 with honest wear and a missing backplate.

I played a used one of these in guitar center in Orlando, FL and I said the same exact thing . This was the best playing best sounding strat that I have ever played. I wish I would have bought it.

@shanemichaels8289

4 жыл бұрын

I've have one that was given to me and sat in my closet for 7 years, I finally took it out to loan it to a friend of mine and realized what it was and how great it is.

@ianmckewen

4 жыл бұрын

Which guitar center 👀

I bought one of these with Maple fretboboard new in 1987 for around CDN $189 and it came with a little Marshall practice amp. I played it for years, great guitar. A few years ago I lent it to a buddy who let his grandkids bang it around pretty good, the electrics were all bashed up and the paint was in very rough shape. So when I got it back I repainted it, (I never really liked the super glossy Torino Red so I went with a matte red). Dropped in a Fender TexMex loaded pickguard and cleaned everything up. I'm in love again!

I have the same guitar in white made in Japan in 1986. I bought it used in 1988, but I paid 75 bucks for it. Still have it and it has been my Star guitar since. I mostly play Tele but that old strat makes me smile. AND anyone who plays it smiles. Great deal you got and I'm sure you will hanging on to it for quite a while.

I feel like I'm really lucky. I actually bought my Squire in '87 and I still play it to this day. I've had neck adjustments and the case is duct taped together, but it still sounds great.

@averyellis

5 жыл бұрын

I did remove the faux Floyd Rose about 20 years ago, but I never really dive bombed or anything.

I have the same guitar! Same color even. I got mine new in 1986 or '87. The Fender branded ones did have differences; the pickups were Alnico instead of the ceramic on the Squier, and the 5 position pickup selector was better on the Fender. I have had a few pickups in mine over the years, I finally settled on some nice vintage Wilkenson Alnicos in the neck and middle, but the original stock ceramic in the bridge. The radius is 12". Body is basswood. The bridge was made for Fender by Schaller; it's not great - I mean, on one hand, like you, I don't float mine and it is stable, but there is no individual height adjustment, intonation is a pain, and the screws get stripped. I took the string lock off my neck and added a string T. Also replaced the tuners with Hipshot locking set. I've had so many guitars over the years, and everyone in this house knows what I mean when I say 'Number One'. The neck is soooo right. I even bought another neck of the same vintage on ebay just in case. Anyone that has ever picked it up falls in love. They were special guitars.

@JLGabaldon

Жыл бұрын

They have something special, play so great...

Excellent analysis!

@JLGabaldon

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Man, I don't comment much but I had to on this one. I have mostly retired from the road and built my own studio for the last few years. I had a few tracks I had been working on but didn't own a strat, and really wanted a classic strat clean tone sound. I found an 87 Japanese Squire on ebay and holy hell, this thing has blown my mind. I had played all types of strats in the past, and this is one of the best playing guitars I've ever had my hands on. I looked it up here on youtube and your video popped up first. This thing is amazing, and I'm glad it wasn't just me that felt this way. I thought I was going crazy, ha. These are well built great guitars. Subscribed.

@JLGabaldon

5 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I was, myself, blown away by it as well. Is not that it's a good guitar 'for the price' it can stand any guitar despite of price.

@aronb7999

5 жыл бұрын

@@JLGabaldon Absolutely. It's not what it is, it how it feels. Dollars and names don't matter. Good guitars are good guitars.

Got a single Humbucker ‘86 Japanese Squire Strat (Also red, but not as bright and with black everywhere else and put my red PAF Pro pickup in it. It is also weird bc it is one knob for tone/ volume (put a red knob on for that LOL) Got the best locking tuners I could find and had the fretboard worked on and the action adjusted and this thing plays like an absolute dream! I am in love with it. People say “Big deal, Squire Strat” till they play this thing... It is the easiest to play I have ever used.

Never tried an MIJ Squier (yet) but my first electric was an '85 MIJ Fender Contemporary Strat - model 27-4300 with 3x Single coil pups and the System 1 trem. Owned it from new and regretted selling it 15 years ago. Finally 'replaced' it last year with another (minty) '85 Fender Contemporary Strat - this time model 27-4100 with HSS pups and the System 2 trem. Both great guitars. Will have to look out for an '80's Silver Series Squier

I’ve got a 1987 black and white w a rosewood neck ... and a Eric Clapton signature series. The Squier is my go to guitar. Love it.

Great job explaining the guitar I own two squire guitars and a Japanese Strat it is a CRATE/ELERTA STRATOCASTER WITH A SOLID WOOD BODY 3 pieces and a maple neck roasted and flamed up to the tenth fret so when the light kits the back of the neck it looks glowing on fire very brilliant maple roasted neck the headstock was Matsumoto headstock and It is in perfect shape like new never played new so I took it off the guitar and put a replacement Squire Strat neck on and it plays as good as new. The original neck is on my Squire Telecaster blonde butterscotch colored with black pick guard and it’s looks great!

@JLGabaldon

Жыл бұрын

Marvelous instrument, they play like butter and many don't even know of their existence. Just for the selected guitar lovers who aim for the finest!

I have the same guitar with maple fretboard and skunk stripe. Bought it new with case for somewhere around $375 in 1987. While they have depreciated some, I rarely play anything else in stores that I’d rather own for under $900. Mine has a very slim neck but is comfortable and the entire instrument has wonderful resonance. I thought the original pickups were a bit flat although someday maybe I’ll put them back I put 57/62s in mine which can be too quacky for me. My pickup covers used to match the pick guard but they’ve since turned the same cream color. The only corners Fender cut on those are the cheap pots and selector switch. I have to work the switch before I play to wear off the oxidation and I was accused of doing “work” on the wiring when I had it in the shop, despite never having opened it up ever.

@garygraves1254

4 жыл бұрын

I have a 86 Fender & agree the pots & switch are garbage! Im not absolutely sure but would imagine the fender & squier had the same pickups, either way I love the pickups in mine! Mine never goes out of tune floating or not!

Bought mine for 350 and it was a little beat up and had buyers remorse. Thought I bought a lemon. But I played it for a couple hours and it feels better than my early 2000’s MIM strat and my 2015 US strat.

I got this 1980s made in Japan Fender Strats guitar in 2014 (6 years ago). That's when the used vintage guitar shop in Sungai Buloh (in Selangor, Malaysia) was open before it's closure in 2016.

I have had one of these for last 6 years and haven’t got a clue how to properly restring it. Would you happen to do a tutorial?

Very interesting! I have a Fender version (not Squier) that looks exactly like yours except it is a Fender MIJ and has a maple neck. I bought mine new in 1986 for around $360 if my memory is correct. The System 1 tremelo is hard to deal with, but other than that, it’s a great guitar 🎸!

I've got an '86 sst I bought for $400, it plays real smooth, I loosened the locking nut so I could tune it from the top, don't have a whammy bar yet, so i'll keep looking, it's white, I call her my little white dove!! Creamy & Dreamy!!

Got one of it in Black, bought for 220€. A great Guitar, my new nr. 1 Strat!

Yes I bought one in 85, great guitar but I did switch the pickups, but the original ones were pretty good, mine is white with a rosewood neck.

I just ran into one of these yesterday. Never seen a MIJ squire before. I was surprised how good it played, no buzzing frets at all. Way better than what they're pumping out of China nowadays.

just bought a mij squier tele for 400€, in my opinon the best sounding and playing telecaster i have ever seen

I have similar guitar. It is Squier Fender made in Japan from 1984. I hope you can post a review video on what kind of pick ups and and electronic on the guitar. I am planning to keep this guitar. Thank you in advance.

Bro i have the same guitar, year,color,etc and are awesome guitars for the price! A contemporary series or super strat :) do u have on this 0.9 ir 0.10 strings gauge?

@JLGabaldon

4 жыл бұрын

9s

I purchased mine new in '87. It's been my #1 ever since. I recently threw down over $2000.00 for the American Vintage II in Olympic white and returned it right back. Their quality control is seriously lacking. My '87 blows it away along with quite a few Americans that I've played.

i am thinking about buying one of these local to me in a second hand music shop its a maple fretboard one all oringal it has all the fine tunners system one trem 21 frets on E7 serial number its relic a little but a real one it has a little line crack near the neck joins to the body how much would you pay ?

@JLGabaldon

6 жыл бұрын

Anything 300 to 400 is a great price. This is basically a great Fender MIJ only with a Squier deal in its headstock. If you don't care for that, you are getting an amazing instrument.

@lostgroovemusic8494

6 жыл бұрын

Joseph Gabaldon the one im looking at is a squier too just like yours 21 frets the only difference is i think the fender has 22 frets but it has a maple fretboard it doesnt have the oringal whammy bar its an aftermarket one but it works ok they want £350

@JLGabaldon

6 жыл бұрын

I'm selling this one, btw.

@lostgroovemusic8494

6 жыл бұрын

Joseph Gabaldon cool why man i thought you liked it better then the more modern fender standard japan strat

@JLGabaldon

6 жыл бұрын

I do, but I also like switching guitars around every once in a while. G.A.S.

Are these squiers heavy? There’s one I’m interested in. But I’m very picky about weight and just curious in general. Thanks!

@propaneaccessories3813

4 жыл бұрын

Mine feels a little lighter than the Fender Strat I held. My MIJ had a lot of chips in the paint when I bought it and it seems like it's a cheaper wood than what you would find in a Fender. Everything Joseph said in his video is still true though. It feels amazing to play and it sings when I strum it

I got one recently. I agree with everything you say. Buy you a bounch of beer to talk about the system one tremolo , really man. Theres is no other videos who talk about it . Regards.

@JLGabaldon

Жыл бұрын

If you have any specific questions, I will be happy to help.

I have an 85-86 Fender branded MIJ Contemporary with the System One tremelo. I bought it new in 85. It is 3 tone sunburst with a maple neck. The Squire's of the same year are as good as the Fender branded and sound/play great. This is a better performing guitar with respect to the Mexican made Fender's that were made for the last several years.

good info thanks

I’ve got a fender one and I’m thinking about just ditching the locking nut (or post nut I guess)

I have 4 contemporary strats and one of your squires and the squire has the best sound out of the bunch

Joe Gabaldon...In fact, the Contemporary Series was made from 1984 to 1987....

I have two of these. One in red identical to yours, and a white one.

Wait, what country sells Squier made in Japan for 150 smackers?? I just got mine for 350

@JLGabaldon

5 жыл бұрын

Pawn shows in HMMMmerica!

@brentolie

4 жыл бұрын

I just bought one at a pawn shop in Buffalo, NY for $140 and I absolutely love it.

Yes I have the 1996 Squire Fender Stratocaster 50th anniversary special edition with real genuine Brazilian rosewood fretboard with Eric Clapton noiseless pickup upgrade believe me the full 2” thick slab Alder wood body and the Brazilian rosewood fretboard and the USA Fender Eric Clapton noiseless pickup electronics system is cheap for $46 EBay for the guitar and $245 on Stew Mac Fender USA Eric Clapton noiseless pickup electronics with pick guard ready to install for under $300 USD. That’s a deal!!

neck radius is 12" because of the Kahler bridge, one a few strats with 12" neck radius. I love mine.

@r1ckgr1m3s8

2 жыл бұрын

Hello could you tell me if I could swap the system 1 trem out for a floyd rose & still use the original pivot studs?

@luisgpr1

2 жыл бұрын

@@r1ckgr1m3s8 Definitely not the same location as in a Floyd Rose. You would need to drill the body.

@r1ckgr1m3s8

2 жыл бұрын

@@luisgpr1 thanks

I need a new bridge for my MIJ squier strat '93, help please

Is it an E series?

I own a Crate Electra 1987 Stratocaster Fender MIJ Lawsuit guitar and it is the brother to your Squire Fender Japanese guitar

@JLGabaldon

Жыл бұрын

Same factory?

You’re so lucky. That’s the best.im looking right now , just upgrade that and that’s it.

I picked mine up off a lady a few years ago for $15 she just didn’t want it anymore

@peterserbian6556

5 жыл бұрын

Man you scored big time!!

It sucks that they have become much more expensive . Almost the same price as a real Fender MIJ.

@JLGabaldon

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

let me ask you..this is a true story...these are true facts that are already known to be true..in 2015 i put my made in japan ,1986 squire, strat in a local music shop in nova scotia for a full set up..i did not get it back until 2 weeks later..now this next statement is proven by me to be absolutely true..didnt realise until 2 years later my strats body was switched out for what appears to be a softwood body by this guitar shop without telling me..why was this body valuable enough to do this...funny how i know this happened because the body had a noticeable flaw on the back which i was disappointed with..i got over it and enjoyed the guitar and 25 years later put my guitar in the shop for the set up, got it back, guitar seemed lighter and 2 years later i noticed the flaw was totally gone..flaw was a quarter inch gouge in the body that was done at the factory in 1986 because the gouge was painted and clear coated..best part i know who the tech was..not personally but he was the only tech the store had...interesting story eh.

I have the same guitar in black, bought new in 1987 for $249. This video is over a year old but if you're looking for fine tuners and other parts you can get them here whammyparts.com/fender-japan/system-1

only the EARLY 80's Squier Japan are like Fender Japan [ see Wikipedia ] - anything with an E or N Ser # is NOT worth a lot - E is NOT Eighties like Fender - FENDER Japan are GREAT ...esp with Kahler 7300 [ no rear cover plate ] - look for Squier Standard with 3 Hotrails in SSS layout - or 1 3/4" bodies

@andreacostanzo1632

5 жыл бұрын

byronofcalgary Hi, do you know what N + 6 digits what is it? I have a humbacker strat squier (with the same silver logo)

@sufyanamazigh7796

5 жыл бұрын

@@andreacostanzo1632 www.guitarrepairbench.com/guitar-dating/japanese-fender-serial-number/

@laussethecat

4 жыл бұрын

@@andreacostanzo1632 90s Taiwanese great guitar

@5ch3nk

4 жыл бұрын

E is 80s though...they stopped production of the E series in 1987 and changed the wood type (at least with basses) half way through the 1986 production. Way to tell the difference between Alder and Basswood is the Alder body bass weighs more.