MIJ Fender Strat

TeleJr24

TeleJr24

New member
Hello everyone,

I need some opinions on a MIJ fender strat that I played the other day. The guitar itself (neck and body) seemed in very good shape. But under high gain it squealed a lot. I think the pickups were stock, but it seems like the previous owner did make some changes. For example, the tuners were gotoh, and it had roller string trees. Other than the squealing, the single ply pickguard was bulging upward on the left side and the back plate had cracks where the screws were probably tightened too much. The store was aking $325. I'm not sure what kind of wood it was, but it was a solid color (creamy yellow I guess). And the neck was maple with a maple fretboard.

Here's the other thing. I didn't have much time so I only plugged it into one amp. It was a new Peavey that is solid state and has all the amp models, etc. Lot's of lights. Anyway, the guitar really didn't sound good at all in any of the amp models. Could the guitar sound bad because of that amp?

I think with some mods it could be a really good guitar. What do you think?
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

Seeing how the MIJ's are in demand these days, if this one looks structurally sound, I'd pick it up. It should be a great foundation for some cool mods, and yes you will have a great guitar when done. I love my MIJ!
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

the MIJ stuff is nice, i hear. (japanese stuff tends to be really good anyways, they take a lot of pride in their work)

however with that one, i think i'd go play it again, thru a different amp.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

This is where I'd sit with the guitar, no amp, and look it over really good.

Is the neck straight?
Are the frets in good shape?
Does the body have some natural resonance to it?
Is the hardware in good condition (tuners, bridge)?

If it passes all those, the electronics can be dealt with easy enough.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

Thanks. Yeah, I'll definetly go back any give it a closer look and play it through some other amps. Hopefully it is still there.

So you think the $325 is a good price? or should I ask for lower since I'll have to do some work on it. It also comes witih a case.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

If it passes erikh's list above you, yes, that's a good price, IMHO.

I'm assuming it is of the general quality that a MIJ I once had was. I really liked that gtr.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

I'd say that's a really good deal if it passes further inspection. Throw a lower price at them. Can't hurt. Be prepared to pay $325 but throw $275 cash on the table and see what they do.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

I'm going to see what's availalbe at one other store first. Then I'll go back and compare.

Thanks.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

my main GAS for guitars right now is over a MIJ strat

but if it doesn't sound good it doesn't sound good. I'd plug it into a decent amp & give it another spin. If you still think it sucks, wait for something else to come along

also Erik has good advice - low ball em & see what they do

it's how i got my showman, which had a sticker price of $650, for $550 including tax

and my schecter, tagged at $550, for $450

just wait & see what kinda magic i spin when I buy my fullstack
 
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Re: MIJ Fender Strat

TeleJr24 said:
So you think the $325 is a good price? or should I ask for lower since I'll have to do some work on it.
Click to expand...
I would. A user-modded instrument can be a real mess.

It would also not hurt to determine what model it is, US or Japan market (the Japanese-market ones aren't even made by the same manufacturer as the ones FMIC imports), etc.

Check fretwear, too.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

Okay, here's the update!

I went ahead and got it! I plugged it into a few tube amps and the hum was gone. It sounded great. Very vintage. Comparing it to some G&L's, these pickups were lower output and sounded much better. And since it was (what i thought) around 10 years old, it had a nice worn in feel. Even though it is in great shape. The frets are not worn and are I guess vintage. They are not wide like the medium jumbo found on a lot of guitars these days.

the other things I mentioned like the pickguard slightly coming up and the cracks around the holes in the backplate don't even matter to me anymore. I couldn't find a better value anywhere. I went ahead and paid the full asking price of $325 (including case).

I'm really enjoying this guitar right now. And what I thought were original pickups, I'm pretty sure they are not. Because they are not staggered. When I get around to changing the strings I'll take a look under the pickguard (8-hole single ply) and see if there is a brand name on there. either way, looks like I won't be making any modifications to this guitar anytime soon.

The serial number is E974681. So from what I can tell, it is actually more like 20 years old (1984-1987). Hard to believe it is in such great shape. Judging by the case, it was used a lot.

Can anyone tell me anything else about this guitar based upon the serial number or anything else you may happen to know?
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

I can say while it sounds good, it'll sound better with a callaham steel trem block... Did wonders for my highway 1. But if it plays and sounds good, you have a good guitar.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

That's a beauty. Love the color. It's in that '84 to '87 range for sure based off that serial number. There's a good chance the pickups and electronics are stock. Only way to know for sure is to open it up and see. That time frame is right at the end of the CBS era and when the Japanese Strats were what kept Fender in the game until the new MIA stuff was introduced in 1986. The quality had to be top notch to compete. Even after the new American Standards were introduced, MIJ stuff continued to be very well made.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

Does it have a vintage style bridge/vibrato? I only buy the MIJ Strats that are patterned on the '57 style maple fretboard or '62 style rosewood fretboard and which have vintage style vibratos. Those are the ones that are becoming collectable. The ones with locking nuts or roller nuts and and anything other than a vintage vibrato I pass on. Lew
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

the guy who invented fire said:
MIJ Fenders are killer guitars, flat out.
Click to expand...
...but thgey are just like anyother guitar, in the sense that wood variances make a difference. Play it unplugged, does it resonate? Pickups can be replaced. However, they usually put US Fender pickups in the higher end Japan Fenders, and cheapos in the low end ones. Is the neck straight and the action good (or at least to the point where you can easily twaek it to your style?) Because of the internet hype on Japanese guitars people are quick to jump on Fender Japans and Edwards, Tokai, etc. Make sure it's a good guitar first. There are high end and low end Fender Japan Strats...

That being said, I love my CIJ '52 Tele, I can't imagine a US one being any better, and at the time with currency conversion it was about $600.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

Is it basswood? I have my hot rod MIJ strat that is made of basswood, has a Dimarzio PAFPro (sounds great), maple neck (like a Charvel neck), and is the Floyd Rose model.

The intonation and playability is perfect.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

I'm not sure what the wood is, that's what I was hoping someone would be able to tell me. I assume it is alder, but who knows.

It does have a vintage trem though - that you scew in until it stops. there's no locking nut or anything. the saddles are bent steel.

I'm loving it right now. this is actually my first real strat. My hollow strat is great, but it isn't a traditional strat. And my Kramer, when it was original, was more like a fat strat with a Floyd.

I'll be changing the strings soon and when I do, I'll take a look under the pickguard to see if there are any markings on the pickups.
 
Re: MIJ Fender Strat

Okay, I changed the strings and took a peek at the pickups. I'm 99% sure they are stock. there are no markings and they have bar magnets glued to the bottom of them. I always thought that was a cheap way of doing things, but these pickups sound pretty good.

although now that I've changed strings the guitar is much louder. I guess it originally had 9-42 on there. I put on some 10's (DR pure blues). I'll probably switch it back.

Anyone know which brand of strings have colored ball ends? Gold (42), light purple, black, green, dark purple, and then silver (9)?
 
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