80's mij squiers

[m3csl2004]

exactly how good are they? - ive heard alot of good things about them, and you see them locally for like under 100 pounds sometimes

how do they compare to modern strats?

sorry the questions seem a little vague, any help appreciated.

[bikeman]

They're not bad. The very early JV series are the best, but they're rising in price. The later ones are similar but have much cheaper electronics. Buy a mid-eighties E series, re-wire it with good quality pickups/pots/switch etc and you've got a great guitar for a small amount of money.

They're closer to a vintage spec Strat than a USA Standard as they have the old spec fingerboard radius.

[Dee]

I've played quite a few 80's MIJ Squier's, and mostly they were top notch, pretty much as good as any Fender I've played. Some were not as good, but it all depends on the setup. Construction was always flawless. I've seen plenty of Fender's that didn't quite hit the mark anyway.

My cousin owned a particularly nice Squier Jazz bass back in the mid 80's, and I once advised the bassplayer in my old band to snap up a very nice Precision bass because it was the best playing bass in the shop. He bought it, and it was a joy to play.

I just bought an Indonesian Squier Vintage Modified 70's Jazz myself last Friday. It's great, only thing is there's one slightly high fret at the top of the fretboard. Well worth the money I paid for it, though. With a little work it'll be a great bass. I'll fit a BadAss II bridge which is the only thing it really needs. The stock bridge is typical Fender bass junk, but it does the job.

Squier's in general nowadays are 50/50. Quality has definitely improved, but really you gotta play 'em to find a great one. Older MIJ 80's Squiers are much more consistent and if you find one, I doubt you'd regret purchasing it. If it's 1982-1984 JV, grab it anyway if the price is right. As Bikeman said, the prices are going up all the time. Just look on e-Bay for "Squier JV" and you'll see. They are highly collectible, and for good reasons.

[m3csl2004]

Theres 1 available but its a 84-89 so is probably not worth as much, 70 pounds is a good price for a mij guitar to anybody though.


On the subject of modern squiers, my friend bought his girlfriend a pink standard squier strat for 100 pound new (modern 1), and when I played it my jaw just dropped, it was set up with .08's and I havent played a guitar that had a better action, sounded crap, really needs new pickups, but jesus it just plain destroyed the mexi's ive played. I liked it so much I borrowed it and used it live.

How can I tell if its a JV or not? what are the tells?


and thanks for the help so far.

[Racerx2k]

MIJ Squiers are great guitars. I have several of their necks, and one body, that is currently being re-finned, for my next project guitar. Just finishing, putting on the final topcoats. I'd rather have a MIJ Squier than a current MIM Fender, personally.

[David McCarroll]

Well, I don't know quite what Made in Japan Squiers you are referring to, but back in the earliest days of the post CBS Fender (about 1982 from memory), the guys who had just taken over Fender received the first Made in Japan Vintage Reissue Strats (which at least in Australia were branded as a Squier) for approval - result - they took a good look at the Japanese guitar, and closed the US factory down because they knew they just couldn't produce a guitar anywhere near that quality (I am pretty sure that anything branded Fender or Squier that comes out of Japan comes from the Tokai factory - and they make great guitars) - in the interview I read, he said they made him want to cry, they were so good.

So, not only are the earliest MIJ Squiers very good indeed, they are also the main reason that Fender USA picked up their act incredibly in the early to mid eighties!

[Dee]

Originally Posted by m3csl2004

How can I tell if its a JV or not? what are the tells?

The serial number on the neck plate, simple as that. It starts with JV, which stands for Japanese Vintage. Don't overlook SQ or Pro Tone series either!

All the info you need on Squier JV is here:

http://www.squierjv.info/

[dipstick]

MIM squiers are pretty good too.I have a 96 olympic white/maple fingerboard and I'd put it up against any MIJ squier from the 80s.All are just as good as any USA IMO.

[JJEMMER777]

Originally Posted by Racerx2k

MIJ Squiers are great guitars.

Yep - great guitars. This was my first guitar ever and a great guitar for me to learn on. The necks are just sweet and for $ 150.00 I can't think of a better deal

[Dee]

Do you still have it, Jim?

[JJEMMER777]

Unfotunetly no. I gave it to my cousins son for a B-day present because he was really getting into guitar and his JC Penny special wasn't cutting it for him, lol. He lost it in a pawn shop and doesn't play at all now. Real dumb move on my part Live and learn...........

[bikeman]

My JV was my first electric guitar. I bought it in the late 80s for £200. She's the best Strat I've ever played:

[m3csl2004]

the guitar I was looking to buy was an SQ, but it has unfortunatly been sold before i got the money together lol.

oh well, still think im going the mij squier root, unless nothing comes up and I see a cheap olympic white MIM with a white pickguard


again thank you for the help, thats a very useful link by the way dee ta mate.

if anybody sees 1 of these going for a resonable price in uk, im getting desperate for a decent guitar so any help would be greatly appriciated.

[dipstick]

Hey bikeman how do you like your valve Jr?
Nice JV too.

[bikeman]

The Valve Junior is great - even better with a BitMo Spanky kit