I bought a Stratocaster (now with added pics)

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 5:53 pm

It turns out I don't hate Strats as much as I always thought I did.
I bought this; (pics from the ebay ad)

It's a 1983 Squier SQ series Stratocaster, I got the trem set up and it stays in tune really well.
I got it from a shop and was the owners main guitar for years and was being moved on because it had been superseded by a Squier JV.
I'm planning on some new strings, so will strip it down take and pics of the insides when I do that.
Oh and the tuners are a bit odd, they're slotted like klusons but in all other respects are modern style.
Other than that, it's got all the cool shit you'd want in a Strat like steel trem block, big pots and alnico pickups.

Johnny Alien · Post by **Johnny Alien** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:54 pm

Nice. SQ Squiers are nice guitars!

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:08 pm

Looks classy, good condition too for the year.
The bullet truss threw me out, don't seem to recall the early Squiers having them, but clearly these did.

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:39 pm

Yes, it's pretty clean, not perfect but it is 32 years old!

From what I gather, the JV were from '82 and were more vintage spec (small headstocks,etc) while the SQ from '83 & '84 were built top '70s specs (without the build quality issues seemingly

)

Big headstocks and bullet truss rods are cool though, and about 1000% sexier than the plastic lined hole on a modern Fender.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 6:42 am

Is it 3 bolt neck plate as well?

Agree on the big headstock, always thought the 70's Strat looked the best.

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:19 am

Yes, 3 bolt with micro tilt and it's rock solid with no dodgy gaps or anything.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 8:27 am

Very cool!! i've always wondered how well built these are and how they play.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 10:32 am

Wow, you have done well there. The domestic SQ 70s model Squiers are brilliant - the slotted tuners mean it's from the first run of Squier branded guitars. I have a Tele Custom from the same run, the neck is THE BEST NECK of anything I've owned or played. I will NEVER part with it.

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 11:24 am

It's still up on eBay.

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 12:04 pm

Yes still on ebay, I didn't pay that much though!

And the seller lent me a screwdriver so I could dismantle it to check it was legit.

howdo3313 · Post by **howdo3313** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 4:29 pm

Nice straty.
About a month ago, I scored a Classic 70 MIM from 1999. Was very pleased with the guitar, but ended up selling to fund another.
Now, I have a gorgeous 1998 MIJ 67ri strat in sunburst.
Very happy camper.
Working on an original 65 mustang currently:)

71Smallbox · Post by **71Smallbox** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:03 pm

Nice Strat. I have the exact same model but with the maple neck. That is a clean example!

jculpjr · Post by **jculpjr** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 6:58 pm

Beauty- congrats.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 1:06 am

GOD I WHITE BIGHEAD STRATS

Nice one. I've never gotten to play an SQ but from the specs it seems like they'd be right up my street... as a side note, the Japanese '70s RI Strat neck is probably my fave Fender profile of all time.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 2:41 pm

White on white Strats are legit - nice score

Calling Proggie to this thread

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 2:41 pm

Updates with pics;
Full size pots and decent switch. Note the 'worm route' like on '50s Fenders, apparently originally done free hand when assembling.

Pickups haven't got the fibre bobbins, but are trad rod magnet type.

No markings on neck or pocket for dating or QC (other than an 'S' , for Strat?)

Steel trem block and a nice clean route, I'm quite impressed with how well made it all is under the hood.

Tuners are unusual; Fender Japan die cast numbers but slotted in the front.

The saddles look cheesy, I might swap them for something more traditional. Though it stays in tune really well even after using the full range of the trem up and down. BTW, I set the trem up floating.

3 bolt with microtilt, shame about the 2 cracks on the backplate.

Full frontal

There's a collection of dents arounf the jack plate. Considering it's age it's pretty clean though.

The 'Squier' logo has a gold outline, though it's hard to see against the maple. Slotted tuners with hexagonal bushings.

I think that's all there is to it

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Sat Aug 22, 2015 2:53 pm

*edit to remove double post *

sunshiner · Post by **sunshiner** » Sun Aug 23, 2015 3:45 pm

I had been playing my strat and didn't even notice when hitting the volume knob stopped to be a problem. Congrats, looks like you've got a decent guitar

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:49 pm

singlepup wrote:White on white Strats are legit - nice score

Calling Proggie to this thread

You rang?

That looks amazing, congrats addam:)

My first ever guitar was the 50's version squire from around 83/84. I didn't know what I had until I'd butchered it and gave it away. It's always ironic that I hated fenders when I was starting to learn guitar and now that's all I play.