Re: Squier II Strat

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!
.

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