MIJ '87 Squier Strat.

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:10 am

This might be a bit of a pointless thread, but I really want as many opinions as I can get before I:
Take the bothersome drive.
Buy it.

I was at Guitar Center tonight. Technically last night, and this will probably be quite a useless thread seeing as how by the time I get good replies I should already be going back out there before it's bought since it's Sunday and that shit closes early. Unless I can get them to hold it, which I'll try.

Anyhow, I was there because my friend wanted to buy a guitar, and - not knowing dick about anything - he brought me along for help.
While I was there, though, I happened to notice a fucking beautiful "MIJ '87 Squier Strat with a locking trem."
It's going for $225, which seems like quite a fair price considering how well it played, but I didn't get too much of a chance to test it out due to my friends incessant nagging about whether or not he should get an Epiphone LP or an "ugly Tele" the salesman was pushing on him. He ended up realizing he "doesn't like the way guitars sound," and "will stick with bass." The asshole.

Back to the point, pikshur from GC site:

I'm being a bit cautious about buying a Squier, not to mention any Strat in general, regardless of the fact that I know they're quality guitars.
The thing is that I'll probably be trading in a Schecter that has served me well, but hasn't been getting much play time since I got a Jaguar. That said, the neck felt fantastic, and the guitar has this gloss that screams "Buy me, it ain't nothing but a name."
Any info and opinions from people who have experience with this guitar and others in this era of MIJ Squier would be great.

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:31 am

Also, any info on that tremolo (I'm guessing it's Schaller) would be appreciated. Looks pretty troublesome.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:15 am

CaptainGD wrote:He ended up realizing he "doesn't like the way guitars sound," and "will stick with bass." The asshole.

CaptainGD wrote:I'm being a bit cautious about buying a Squier, not to mention any Strat in general, regardless of the fact that I know they're quality guitars.

Your friend gave something a go and was strong enough to say no when faced with a pushy salesman and a consumerist culture. You're considering turning down a guitar you loved because a word printed on the headstock doesn't carry enough cool points, despite the guitar being well worth the money. I think that makes you the asshole.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:27 am

CaptainGD wrote:Also, any info on that tremolo (I'm guessing it's Schaller) would be appreciated. Looks pretty troublesome.

I know the 80s Contempary Tele (also made in Japan) uses a Kahler, but I'm not knowledgeable about this sort of thing. It's possible this is also a Kahler, though.

If you like it, there's little doubt about the quality. I recently decided to buy a bass and went to every guitar shop in both my town and the one next it. The only one (other than a Rickenbacker way out of my price range) that I tried and liked was a Japanese Tokai Jazz Bass copy. It was on the high end of what I wanted to pay and I couldn't quite justify the cost.

I took a chance on a Japanese Squier (the risk being I was buying through an internet forum and I couldn't play it first) and it turned out to be one of the best purchaes I've ever made.

I'd say if you're considering it enough to make a post, you should go back and buy it. You're very unlikely to lose any money if you later decide to sell it.

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:30 am

James wrote:
CaptainGD wrote:He ended up realizing he "doesn't like the way guitars sound," and "will stick with bass." The asshole.

CaptainGD wrote:I'm being a bit cautious about buying a Squier, not to mention any Strat in general, regardless of the fact that I know they're quality guitars.
Your friend gave something a go and was strong enough to say no when faced with a pushy salesman and a consumerist culture. You're considering turning down a guitar you loved because a word printed on the headstock doesn't carry enough cool points, despite the guitar being well worth the money. I think that makes you the asshole.

Good point. I was mostly just joking when calling my friend an asshole. I call him an asshole not because he turned it down, but because he dragged me along and bugged me the whole time I was there just to give up on the idea altogether. For the third time, I should have mentioned.

Also, I know it's stupid to not buy it because of its "Squier" title. But I'm sure you'd agree, I'd be more of an asshole to ignore the guitar just due to the name. Instead, I came back for info and continued to dig the guitar. I sure as hell take everything into account when spending the scarce amount of money I can put towards my hobbies. Furthermore, your accusation of me considering turning it down because "the headstock doesn't carry enough cool points" was completely stupid. I didn't turn it down because of the cool points, I only delayed buying it due to my general lack of knowledge about Squier - in particular, older MIJ ones - and the "fact" that Squier is a lesser brand than Fender. Which, as far as I know, is true with a few exceptions. As I said, I take everything into account.

I agree with what you're saying, but you mostly misunderstood my intentions.

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:34 am

Thanks for the info, as well. After some more googling I found that it's a pretty popular guitar. Some say among the best Squier has made?

Though I'd still enjoy some more information about that Kahler/Schaller/Whatever trem.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:58 pm

80's squier stuff in general is usually pretty class, the necks in particular. Pickups I think are the one weak point, but only by comparison.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:07 pm

Aren't 80's Japanese Squiers better than American Fenders of the time (not hard, I know).

I've always heard good things about them. I'd imagine it's a very good guitar. The only thing you have to think about is whether or not you can get on with the bridge. You'll either like it or hate it. I'd love it.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:16 pm

The assumption that a guitar is anything less than ace because the name Squier is on it is a load of bollocks.

Go and play it. If you like it more than your current rig, buy it. The only time I have ever been severely let down by the quality of a "budget" version of a guitar was with my first guitar 6 years ago, an Epi LP special. It was a huge piece of shit with the worst pickups on the planet. Squier has never let me down yet, and I've been through 3 of them at this point.

matocaster · Post by **matocaster** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:16 pm

Those MIJ Squires are fantastic! I'd say go for it.

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:15 pm

Alright, I'm sure they're great guitars. The only thing I'm unsure of is the bridge.

Anybody know how easy it is to take off that behind-the-nut thing and how easy it is to block/replace the bridge?
I'm hearing bad things about that locking nut, and I don't know if that tremolo is worth the hassle, especially if I can easily replace it. Of course, I'd only replace it if I don't like it, but I want to know if I can.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:50 pm

I doubt it can be replaced. You could take off the locking nut with no problems, but most locking tremolos will have a larger route that's a different shape to a normal route, so unless you were to fill it and re route, you're going to have to live with it.

Fran'll likely know more though.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:34 am

so did you get this strat? I found some info about that trem: http://www.wammiworld.com/system%201%20history.html

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:29 am

I figured the bridge was too weird and possibly too complicated for me, especially with how little I know about them, so I passed. Thanks for the info, but I don't even know if the guitar's still available.

However, I just sold my Schecter to a friend, so I'm definitely still in the market for either a Strat or a Tele. Currently considering some Classic Vibes and MIM Fenders.

aen · Post by **aen** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:59 am

CaptainGD wrote: Classic Vibes

Probably the best guitars FMIC are producing right now. Fenders losing out of the gate for utterly bat-shit-crazy high prices.

lexx9 · Post by **lexx9** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:04 pm

I got a 1984 Japanese Squier Strat with the vintage trem and the quality is outstanding. lexx

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:38 pm

Just got a Classic Vibe Strat. Don't know if you guys care, but I'll put up pictures later. It's fucking dope, easily better than the MIMs I've been playing.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:10 pm

yes care. pics soon pls.

hopefully no floyd rose, emgs, mapel or locking nuts

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:24 pm

OH GOD NO I PICKED UP AN IBANEZ INSTEAD.

lol jk guys.

Look at that gloss, man. Look at it.

The guy was about to take the plastic and sticker off of the pickguard, I was like "WAIT DUDE, NO. I'LL DO THAT."

It plays amazingly well, no setup needed as far as I can tell. The neck is so smooth, it's as good if not better than my CP Jag. I also dig the pickups, which aren't as hot as my Jag's.

hotrodperlmutter wrote:yes care. pics soon pls.

hopefully no floyd rose, emgs, mapel or locking nuts

It's my first maple. Three out of four isn't bad, is it?

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:27 pm

CaptainGD wrote:It's my first maple. Three out of four isn't bad, is it?

not bad at all. looks great. wish squier would make a 60's classic player (daphne/surf with RW FTW)

MIJ '87 Squier Strat.

MIJ '87 Squier Strat.

Re: MIJ '87 Squier Strat.

Re: MIJ '87 Squier Strat.