Fender "made in Japan" Stratocaster?

[Monsta-Tone]

Re: Fender "made in Japan" Stratocaster?

Usa parts will work, and use a 62 fender pickgaurd. Mine looks killer in vintage white, with a mint 62 gaurd, and aged white covers.

Here is some jap. info:

Serials/Dates of Manufacture

Dating your Japanese made Fender by its serial is an inexact science but the following table will give you a reasonable idea of its date of manufacture. NOTE large scale official export to the UK/USA/Europe stopped around 98/99 with the 'B' serial.
*Note: From mid -1997 serials are prefaced by 'Crafted in Japan'. Prior to that exported guitars bore the phrase 'Made in Japan'. There is no intrinsic quality difference in the guitars themselves as far as I can tell from the many I have owned. Beware of Ebay vendors telling you the 'Made in...' is better then 'Crafted in....', or vice versa. It is the specification that counts, not the label.

Serial Number
Approx Date of Manufacture
"Made in Japan" followed by:

JV + 5 digits 1982 - 1984
SQ + " 1983 - 1984
E + 6 digits 1984 - 1989
A + " 1985 - 1986
B + " 1985 - 1986
C + " 1985 - 1986
F + " 1986 - 1987
G + " 1987 - 1988
H + " 1988 - 1989
I + " 1989 - 1990
J + " 1989 - 1990
K + " 1990 - 1991
L + " 1991 - 1992
M + " 1992 - 1993
N + " 1993 - 1994
O + " 1993 - 1994
P + " 1993 - 1994
Q + " 1993 - 1994
S + " 1994 - 1995
T + " 1994 - 1995
U + " 1995 - 1996
V + " 1996 - 1997
'Crafted in Japan' followed by:
A + " * 1997 - 1998
B + " * 1998 - 1999
O + 6 digits 1997 - 2000
P + " 1999 - 2002
Q + " 2002 - 2004
R + " 2005 -



Are you looking to buy a Fender Japan guitar? Click here

Not sure which model you have or how to tell one from another?

The table below might help. I've broken the model range down into 10 types and listed a few defining features of each type. It is far from foolproof or comprehensive but, if you've got a rosewood fretboard Strat with a 1 x ply pickguard you can see from the table below that it's almost certainly a Standard model. If your Strat has a maple neck and a 1 x ply pickguard it could be either a Standard or a 50's Reissue. Each model name links to a page covering that model in detail so you should be able to identify your Strat with some certainty and won't need to send me an email saying; 'I've got a Japanese Strat, it's red, what model is it?'

Model P/guard P/ups Fretboard Frets Tremolo Locknut
Standard 1 or 3 x ply 3 x s/c either 21 Classic No
50's Reissue 1 x ply " maple " " "
62 Reissue 3 x ply " rosewood " " "
68 Reissue " " maple " " "
72 Reissue " " either 21 " "
HM None hum'r & s/c either 22 Kahler Yes
Hot Rod RI " " 22 Floyd Rose "
Contemporary 3 x ply* " " 22 Kahler "
" " Standard 22 3 x ply 3 x s/c " 22 Classic "
Signature Different specifications depending upon model

I know this is really old, but at the risk of hijacking a necro-thread, it is very relevant to a question I have.
My neighbor wants to sell me a MIJ Strat w/Schaller Floyd Rose II. It's a super sweet sounding guitar. He only wants $400 for it and I can trade amp repair for it!
I love the neck profile, but the frets are tiny and just plain suck.
Are these frets slid in from the side or can I remove them the normal way by pulling up from the top?
Serial # is a C, which places it at 1985-1986.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I could always just replace the neck too, since it has a vintage truss rod and I have to remove the neck to adjust it........

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Fender "made in Japan" Stratocaster?

I know this is really old, but at the risk of hijacking a necro-thread, it is very relevant to a question I have.
My neighbor wants to sell me a MIJ Strat w/Schaller Floyd Rose II. It's a super sweet sounding guitar. He only wants $400 for it and I can trade amp repair for it!
I love the neck profile, but the frets are tiny and just plain suck.
Are these frets slid in from the side or can I remove them the normal way by pulling up from the top?
Serial # is a C, which places it at 1985-1986.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I could always just replace the neck too, since it has a vintage truss rod and I have to remove the neck to adjust it........

My two cents: adjust to the frets...or just pass on it. By the time you get the "right" neck for yourself on there (and no, I wouldn't re-fret it, as they can at "hip" times jump up to silly values), you'll have put too much money into it.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Fender "made in Japan" Stratocaster?

My two cents: adjust to the frets...or just pass on it. By the time you get the "right" neck for yourself on there (and no, I wouldn't re-fret it, as they can at "hip" times jump up to silly values), you'll have put too much money into it.

Ditto. if the input is going to outweigh the value...

Just to add one my last .02 to this ole thread, I have a MIJ Squier Strat that is awesome! Love her!