BetaFunk Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I'm going to buy either a mid 1980s Japanese 'E' Series(?) MIJ Squier Strat or a late 80s/early 90s MIK version. These models seem to be reasonably good value. Just wondered if the MIJ version is worth £100+ more than the MIK version. I'm just looking for a simple functional strat for the occasional strum. Any info or opinions much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Worth is an interesting concept, but a lot of people will pay a lot of money for a MIJ Squier. *Personally* I find Japanese instruments to be the best available, and presently own 4 - my MIJ strat is still my number 1, but that's Fender badged, rather than Squier. In your position I'd want to play them both, then select the one I liked best. Also look out for the MIM Squier Strats, usually having Fender in solid black lettering in the usual place and a small round 'by Squier' decal on the round bit at the end of the headstock. They are apparently full US made bodies and necks that were shipped down to Mexico for assembly using cheap labour and low quality hardware. I have one of these too, and the hardware was indeed rubbish, but the instrument is light and plays really well now it has decent tuners, trem and pickups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moos3h Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Be very careful - despite all the nostalgia and 'lawsuit era' reverie, I've seen both E series Jap and MIK strats with ply bodies. Whip off the covers and have a poke about before paying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 [quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1358461807' post='1939862'] Worth is an interesting concept, but a lot of people will pay a lot of money for a MIJ Squier. *Personally* I find Japanese instruments to be the best available, and presently own 4 - my MIJ strat is still my number 1, but that's Fender badged, rather than Squier. In your position I'd want to play them both, then select the one I liked best. [/quote] [quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1358462764' post='1939882'] Be very careful - despite all the nostalgia and 'lawsuit era' reverie, I've seen both E series Jap and MIK strats with ply bodies. Whip off the covers and have a poke about before paying! [/quote] Thanks to both of you for the info. I've done so much searching on the web it was beginning to scramble my brain! Since seeing both MIK and MIJ ranging between £200-£350 i'm not sure whether a new Classic Vibe might be another option. They seem to get good reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PURPOLARIS Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 [quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1358462764' post='1939882'] Be very careful - despite all the nostalgia and 'lawsuit era' reverie, I've seen both E series Jap and MIK strats with ply bodies. Whip off the covers and have a poke about before paying! [/quote] +1 to this. I used to have a MIK Tele from that era and the body was ply. It was still a good guitar though. I've also had an MIJ E serial strat and that was solid wood and a lovely guitar. If I remember correctly it also had Fender stamped tuners and bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 A classic vibe could be just as good, and you'd get a chance to play a few and pick the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 (edited) I had a brand-new Korean Squier strat in 1992, and it wasn't very good, to be quite honest. It had a plywood body, unpotted ceramic pickups, nasty tuners and pots that died. A new Classic Vibe would wipe the floor with it! It could probably have been upgraded and set up to play OK, but I wouldn't pay any more for one than you would pay for an Affinity or similar. Edited January 18, 2013 by Beer of the Bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 Thanks for all the post re this. I think i'm going to go for a 50s Classic Vibe before the price goes up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldG Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1358551061' post='1941435'] Thanks for all the post re this. I think i'm going to go for a 50s Classic Vibe before the price goes up! [/quote] Good choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 these get rave revues http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html or you could get a cheap squier and replace a few bits. I replaced the pups with some ebayed wizard tweed pups and the bridge and tuners with some wilkinsons, made a massive difference, cheap too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I've not had any MIK Squiers but have had two E series MIJ. Both were exceptional guitars and although I opted to keep just my USA Strat, the others both played far better. They creep up in value so your investment would be safe. Not sure if that will happen to the Classic Vibes though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Not an expert in any way but I have a JV Squier Strat, it just happens I bought it back then as a cheap guitar to strum and still have it, it's nice enough but I would have thought a modern secondhand Fender would be just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 I finally got a 1990s MIK Squier Stratocaster. It's plywood, cheap and is just the job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1360154780' post='1965668'] I finally got a 1990s MIK Squier Stratocaster. It's plywood, cheap and is just the job! [/quote] Yeh, I've had a S/H MIK Strat and a Tele, they were both very good instruments. They were not ply AFAIK, but they both played and sounded really nice. A bit of fettling, new nut, and a fret dress and I reckon most people would have trouble telling them from Mex and USA models. I had a CV Strat too, that was also excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Alsatian Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 (edited) I had a 1992 MIJ Squier Strat which I bought new at the time and that had a ply body. It felt, played and sounded excellent - my bandmate (who was a bit of a Stratoholic at the time) would often borrow it as he preferred it to his US Strat. 'Sweeter' he'd say. I've also had a 2009 MIM Strat, a Vintage/Wilkinson Strat and a 50s Classic Vibe Strat (blonde/gold scratchplate). The MIM was my favourite for feel, playability and sound. The Vintage sounded a little brighter but for a sub £100 guitar (it's very hard to sell a Vintage instrument!), it was ace - sounded great, but the edges of the neck weren't as comfortable as the MIM. As for the 50s CV - I'd probably struggle to pick between that and the MIM, given that it was £200 cheaper, was well put together, felt great in the hand and looked fantastic with the white/gold colour combination. Soundwise, very similar to the MIM. Edited February 24, 2013 by Green Alsatian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carld Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I have 1984 MIJ Superstrat for sale if your interested? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Play it, see what you think, is it worth the money. I would also suggest look at Yamaha pacificas, seriously good value for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I got a chinese squier strat 22 fret there really cheap if you see them on ebay im currently cleaning it up but im impressed its solid would with good fit and finish also i picked up an encore vintage standard in local music shop £65 its got lace pickups and wilkinson trem sounds like a strat should if you see one try it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I don't get the stigma with plywood bodies, and considering US Fenders of a certain era were made with the most awful pieces of broom handle wood glued together the integrity of plywood is often superior. I think when people see the word plywood they think of the crappy stuff you get from a builders merchants. There are guitars in excess of £3,000 new with plywood bodies! I just renovated an early 90s Squier strat for a mate. It's been used on tour with Whitesnake, played on countless records and it has a plywood body and horrid tuners. Sounds and plays really well though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigLicks67 Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 As the owner of a 1980's Jazz Bass I suggest you need to aware of wear and tear on a 30 plus year old instrument. Check the neck and the condition of the frets. A re-fret can cost up to £150.00 these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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