Re: Squier II Strat

Mark Bedingfield <atari030@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On 28/11/2010 6:17 PM, Squier wrote:
Mark Bedingfield<atari030@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On 28/11/2010 6:55 AM, Squier wrote:
Mark Bedingfield<atari030@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On 27/11/2010 4:53 AM, mkm wrote:
Many years ago I bought a Fender Squier II Strat for my son. He never
learned to play it and it has been in my room for years.I am now
considering installing my Roland pickup for the GR-1 synth. I know as
soon as I pull it out he is going to want to sell it, so I would prefer
to buy it from him.

I would like to know what I have and what it is worth approx.(what he
would get for it).

I bought this guitar new from Gordon Miller Music in Baltimore and I
always dealt with the owner Jeff Miller so I have no doubt it is genuine
and unaltered.

Headstock says Squier II Stratocaster by Fender.

Back of neck near neck cover plate has a sticker that says "N021254".
Not sure if that is a zero or letter O.

On the cover plate is an "Inspected by" sticker with handwritten
initials and the date "2/90"

One site says N+ six digits is 1993-1994 Japan but that does not match
with inspected 2/90

Any help with year, origin and approx value would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

G'day, Squier II's are generally good guitars but not worth a lot. They
are either Japanese or Korean and date around 1990-92. Their bodies are
usually ply but very resonant all the same. Some are alder or Basswood
tho. The electronics aren't too flash but once upgraded you'll have a
instrument that will sound and play as good as any Strat. Some actually
like the stock electronics mind you.

Mark

+1 on what mark said. also - a small detail (but important) you will
probably find that the neck is slightly narrower than current MIA or MIM necks
in that the nut is usually 1 5/8" on those necks versus the MIA 1 11/16" nut.
Then the neck tapers to the neck pocket at a slightly narrower profile.
or... if you would try to fit a current MIM or MIA Strat neck to your guitar
it would take a little work at the neck pocket (or at the end of the neck).

The MIK's that usually fetch more money are called the "Pro Tone" series
that I think (from offhand memory) were made in the mid 90's (but don't
quote me on that).

Here's an example (google search came up with it)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300496976735

and no I am not the seller or anything like that -
I'm just offering an example of a higher price point MIK Squier/Fender guitar.

Close but not quite Squier. Strats from this era may have full US spec.
Mine does. Its 43mm at the nut and has all US hardware. The Squier II's
have a narrow bridge (10.5mm) usually, but may have a 43mm neck. I'll
check my book later to confirm. Mind you back then there was a bit of
mixing and matching of MIK/MIJ and MIA parts. I could drop my 1989 S9
neck straight onto a MIA body, the heel is the same and its quite
possible the SII is the same as it came next.

It wasn't till the mid 90's we wound up with the current import spacing
across the board. The Pro Tones are great but the SII's, E9's, E10's and
S9's are near as if not as good as them. Only let down is usually the
electronics, hardware is generally good.

If you can get a look at the Classic Vibes, better than MIA's in a lot
of cases and I can't see Fender keeping them on the shelf too much
longer. Damn I want a 62 custom Tele. Gas, gas, gas......

Mark

I had experience with MIK Strat and the MIA pickguard holes all lined
up except for one of the holes (holding the guitar facing you) right
where the middle pickup would be. The MIK spacing set that hole up
higher toward the neck where the MIA has it almost right across from
the middle single coil pup. (it's a detail but still.. you have
to redrill for that hole - either in the body to match the pickguard
or drill another hole in the pickguard to match the the body).
And the neck pocket was too tight for MIA neck (maybe it was a late
80's or early 90's MIK ??)

Actually give a try to the new Fender 'Blacktop' series of guitars.
I have played the HH Strat model and the HH Tele model and they play
really nice and sound good (I might not even change the pups right away).
The Tele HH at the bridge sounded a little thin but then again I was
playing it through a Fender Frontman amp (the solid state 2x12) which
actually has a good clean channel to play through and takes pedals well.

But the new Blacktop guitars really are good stuff and they are listing
here in the big box stores for around $440.00 (US). That's a steal of a price
for what you get. The necks were finished fairly well and I only came
across one that had some slight fret edges sticking out but nothing serious.
The rest all had smooth fret ends and very comfortable necks. (at least
the solid maple necks -- I don't bother with rosewood necks except for
trying the blacktop Jazzmaster).

The one thing about the Blacktop Jazzmaster (besides there being
no plain maple neck option - you gotta go for rosewood) was that the
pickup selector switch is in a place where if I really start to
rock out and strum hard my hand hits the switch. To me it's in a bad place
unless you keep your picking/strumming hand constrained all the time.
But I guess Jazzers would normally be kinda constrained in their
outward physical playing style<vbg>.

So my new recommendation for excellent guitars under $500 (US) would
have to be these new Fender Blacktop series guitars. Give them a try
if you get the chance!

S9 is 1989 to 1991, they all had US vintage trems. Can you remember the
serial of the Squier you were playing around with? It wasn't a CN, was
it? They are the first that are definately import spaced. Funny, every
Fender over here is an import. :-)

I played a Black top about 6 weeks ago. Nice enough but not for me. As
for the quality I wouldn't say it was better finnished than a Squier
because I haven't seen a badly built one in around 3 years (last model
bullets). Aren't the Blacktops, MIM?

I plan to get a black Squier Bullet HH, too damn good a deal to pass up
for a rocker. ;-)

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/1/9/2/755192.jpg

Mark

hey - a few years ago (maybe 2 years ago) they were blowing out
Squier Affinity Telecasters for $99 (US) - looked like they were
going to discontinue them (but they never did). I had a bandmate
get one and after a little work on it that guitar plays really nice!
It's Butterscotch body and solid maple neck. He had the frets leveled
and polished and some of the fret ends smoothed out and had the edge
of the neck sanded (rolled edge). Then he changed the tuners and
pickups. He left the bridge alone and the saddles.
A little truss rod tweak adjustment and it had nice low fast action.
I think he put about $150 into it so for $99 + 150 he has a rockin tele!
And people are amazed it's the lowest end Squier 'Affinity' guitar that
plays and sounds so damn good. I think my MIA Tele has a better feel to it
but that's just me. (The Affinity seems kinda too lightweight but if you
strap on and play for a few hours at a time then that's a good thing)
And he didn't spend a lot on the pickups - he bought some GFS blade type
pickups that give a full rock sound to the guitar when he overdrives it
and backed off can give a beefy sort of clean twang and bang at the bridge.

These new 'Squier' guitars coming out are getting to be really nice -
and most feel and play as good as my trusty old 'E series' MIJ Squier Tele.
(well ok. the neck on that E series is still one of the best ever)

And yeah - the new Fender Blacktops are MIM guitars.
I think Fender MIA guitars are getting to be way too expensive now.
I am glad I have a few MIA Fenders when I got them because I think
at today's prices I could not afford to get them and I probably would
not get them as gifts anymore. I have never had an older player bother
me about what type of guitar I was playing. All they care is that
you show up knowing the songs and play and sound well. You could be
playing a plank of plywood for all they care.
However, it's players around my own age that 'measure' up what gear
you are using so playing MIA Fender seems to put them at ease.
They think that 'other' Fender or Squier guitars aren't.. ummm.. 'band worthy'
yeah - I know - screw them - but I have to deal with this more often
than I care too. Not all of them are like that - but many are.

Anyways, I have learned from old time players so I know what the real deal is
when it comes to what you're playing. I actually like playing with the
old timers - I learn a lot from them.
.

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