Author Topic: 1986 Japanese Fender Strat, E serial...? (Read 10638 times)

Pierre · « **on:** December 16, 2007, 02:27:37 PM »

I'm being offered this as a possible trade for a 1986 Kramer Stagemaster which is pretty clean (i.e top of the range of the Kramer guitars)

Do these have a good reputation, and is it a worthy trade you think? I'd play the guitar beforehand but I figured I'd ask anyway. I'm indeed looking for a Strat.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2007, 02:36:44 PM »

In my expewrience, the Jap Strats are well made and good quality guitars.I'd say you can't go far wrong with them.As to whether it is a fair trade, sorry I can't answer that.

Henk · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2007, 03:27:07 PM »

woops double post

Henk · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2007, 03:29:20 PM »

You can find info on vintage MIJ Squiers here:

http://www.21frets.com/

The E series are very well build guitars, the main difference between the JV's and the later models are that they used japanese electronics in the E series and american hardware on the JV's. (correct me if im wrong please)

I have tried a 87 (E9 number) and a JV recently and i noticed some difference in the finish of the neck, which was a bit smoother on the JV. Soundwise acoustically i did not notice that much difference, both were '62 models though. The one in your pictures is a '57 model, it seems all original exept the tremelo.

The E series MIJ Squiers go for about 200-500 euro's depending on condition estimated from what i came across, trough a shop they would be a bit more expensive probably.

I think the E series which is considered the Japanese standard serie, is just as good as the USA standards exept for the electronics. The JV's are what a vintage series is to a standard series IMHO.

Greetings, Henk

Henk · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2007, 03:42:45 PM »

I just noticed the strat you posted has a Fender decal, while i only have seen ones with a squier decal. Could be an import/export thing though, dont know exactly.

EDIT: Somehere in the E series they seem to have changed the squier to fender decal so dont mind what i said here.

Elliot · « **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2007, 04:04:28 PM »

No it is still an export model - the export Squier logo JV series finished in 1983 to be replaced by the SQ series. The Fender logo E series was made between 84-87 when CBS were selling to FMIC (which took place in 1985). Because CBS sold the machinery and the Fullerton plant separately, FMIC had to move from the Fullerton factory to Corona. Because of the move the US arm of Fender couldn't service high levels of production so Fender Japan did so.

Remember that the US Standard strat did not come out until 1987 - so apart from a few reissues Fender USA weren't making guitars between 1985-87.

Pierre · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2007, 04:13:49 PM »

Mhmm I checked it out and this appears to be a Standard, not a 57..? Which I kinda hope as it'd mean a flatter fingerboard radius I hope. What makes you feel it's a 57? From the tuners and string trees I thought Standard.

Elliot · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2007, 05:52:53 PM »

Its not a 57 - the E series was not a vintage reissue series - it was the 'standard' strat of the day. The trem is probably aftermarket as most 3 SC had vintage trems. But it looks like a Fender/Floyd series I, so may be original (although no roller nut is suspicious).

Will · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2007, 05:55:05 PM »

Kahler kind of thing, looks pretty similar to the flyer, but they all look pretty similar anyway

Philly Q · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2007, 06:17:40 PM »

I can't read the logo on the tremolo, but it looks like a genuine old Kahler. And judging by the black rollers on the saddles and the shape of the knob on the trem arm, it's the upmarket 2300 series "pro" model with a steel cam and steel rollers. That's quite a valuable piece of kit on its own.

Henk · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2007, 06:25:39 PM »

Quote from: Pierre

Mhmm I checked it out and this appears to be a Standard, not a 57..? Which I kinda hope as it'd mean a flatter fingerboard radius I hope. What makes you feel it's a 57? From the tuners and string trees I thought Standard.

AFAIK they continued to make 'standard' strats in the same models as the JV reissues. I think the E series used alot of ash like the SQ series, the basswood came later i think, but you will play it sou youll find out.

When saying a 57 model (and not reissue) i mean that it still has the look of a 57, like the maple neck and the 8 screw pickguard, the necks i have tried were all a slim D shape which was normal for the MIJ strats of those days, like i said before, the JV had a better finished neck and felt more comfortable. I actually liked the body finish of the E series better but that has more to do with how it was cared for IMO.

The tremelo is definately not original because the strings go on this tremelo itself and there is still the cavity for the vintage style tremelo.

Pierre · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:23:45 PM »

Well the guy is very nice and cool to talk to. He suggested strat + 250 for the Kramer or 600 euros, both of which I'm quite happy with :) I'll play the Strat if he decided to offer it for trade (isn't entirely sure about it) and decide from there.

JJretroTONEGOD · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2007, 03:31:59 PM »

A Guy on the N.D in popular music had this exact guitar, and it sounded very nice, a very clean tone, very gutsy sound, sort of like Robert Cray, but not quite as vintage, that was his, so this may be different? Anyhow, these have a very good reputation, from what I gather. Good luck!