MIJ Strat - 1991 / 1985

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:28 am

Howdy all!

I am thinking that a 62 RI MIJ Strat is in my imminent future. Lefty’s are available a couple places. My preference would be the ‘91 as that’s my birth year! The prices aren’t bad considering modern times and they’re left handed. Super pumped!

The ‘85 is beat to hell which implies she’s a player. The ‘91 has been upgraded with new vintage inspired wiring, some new pickups, and proper Gotoh tuners for the era. Comes with all the original stuff too!

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BrianSkeezer · Wed Mar 31, 2021 10:47 am

brentona wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:28 am Howdy all!

I am thinking that a 62 RI MIJ Strat is in my imminent future. Lefty’s are available a couple places. My preference would be the ‘91 as that’s my birth year! The prices aren’t bad considering modern times and they’re left handed. Super pumped!

The ‘85 is beat to hell which implies she’s a player. The ‘91 has been upgraded with new vintage inspired wiring, some new pickups, and proper Gotoh tuners for the era. Comes with all the original stuff too!

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The way you're describing the '91 seems cool! Any pics? Hope it works out for you!

I have an '88 Squier MIJ Strat that is supposed to be based on the '62s. It definitely has the 7.25" radius, heel truss rod adjustment, small vintage frets, and the thin fretboard. As a matter of fact, that's the guitar on the stand in my living room at the moment. It was upgraded with Sperzel locking tuners when I got it. I like it alot.

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 1:16 pm

BrianSkeezer wrote:
brentona wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:28 am Howdy all!

I am thinking that a 62 RI MIJ Strat is in my imminent future. Lefty’s are available a couple places. My preference would be the ‘91 as that’s my birth year! The prices aren’t bad considering modern times and they’re left handed. Super pumped!

The ‘85 is beat to hell which implies she’s a player. The ‘91 has been upgraded with new vintage inspired wiring, some new pickups, and proper Gotoh tuners for the era. Comes with all the original stuff too!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The way you're describing the '91 seems cool! Any pics? Hope it works out for you!

I have an '88 Squier MIJ Strat that is supposed to be based on the '62s. It definitely has the 7.25" radius, heel truss rod adjustment, small vintage frets, and the thin fretboard. As a matter of fact, that's the guitar on the stand in my living room at the moment. It was upgraded with Sperzel locking tuners when I got it. I like it alot.

Both guits are black poly, rosewood board, thriller ply white black white. The ‘91 pretty much is shining with just some finish scratches, dents, and some finish smudge. Nothing too interesting to look at. The ‘85 has been ridden and ridden hard. That’s the most physically intriguing plus the added age. But the ‘91 has the benefit of the same age as me!

My current number one is a 2001 American Standard that I bought new. It has been my go to since. It even survived a house fire with not all that much bad mojo happening. I literally let it dry for years and didn’t clean a speak of corrosion off lol. Burnt on, corroded green pick up covers, heck didn’t even have to clean up any electronics. It sounds terrific. It always was a good sounding strat.

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archetype · Wed Mar 31, 2021 2:50 pm

Sounds cool. Bill Alston's Web site has lots of Fender MIJ info for identifying what the guitar actually is. Sounds like an ST-62, but you'll need to pull the neck off and lift the pickguard to look at marks, pickups, and figure out what *kind* of ST-62 it is.

https://www.alston-family.co.uk/MIJ%20Strats/japan.php

Keep in mind that it's unlikely to be a reissue of anything. It's a 60s in it's cosmetics and general features, but doesn't really adhere to '62 specs. Most are excellent(!) players. My ST-62-EX is.

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 3:32 pm

archetype wrote:Sounds cool. Bill Alston's Web site has lots of Fender MIJ info for identifying what the guitar actually is. Sounds like an ST-62, but you'll need to pull the neck off and lift the pickguard to look at marks, pickups, and figure out what *kind* of ST-62 it is.

https://www.alston-family.co.uk/MIJ%20Strats/japan.php

Keep in mind that it's unlikely to be a reissue of anything. It's a 60s in it's cosmetics and general features, but doesn't really adhere to '62 specs. Most are excellent(!) players. My ST-62-EX is.

The 85 is definitely one of their “62 RI’s”. The 91 is a little different animal. The seller contacted fender to ascertain what it was. They said it was a 62 but couldn’t specify further. It is alder body. The guy swapped out with a DaveStarr vintage harness and has 60’s grey backs in it. All original gear comes with. He said the grey backs he put in sounded better than factory. I’ve read some mixed emotions on the grey backs. Long and short, this isn’t my untouchable instrument. I’m buying this one specifically if I wanted to make non-permanent mods, read, pup’s.

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Partscaster · Wed Mar 31, 2021 3:57 pm

I had a Squier MIJ I bought in 1985 that was marketed as a 62 body style. Truss rod adjust is at heel. Thats a very good period for Squiers as Fender and Squier were being made in same factory as US manufacturing took a temporary move to Japan. Was it Fujigen factory? It played very well, it got compliments from guitar techs. Had/has a basswood body.

I played the neck to death, it hangs on a wall. Body is still used in a partscaster. Maybe I should try to refret the neck as a first refret job for me. Then I could put it back together. Fret wood is a bit scalloped up and down the neck.

I might consider the 85', being so happy with what Japan was making in that year.

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:40 pm

Partscaster wrote:I had a Squier MIJ I bought in 1985 that was marketed as a 62 body style. Truss rod adjust was at headstock, however. Thats a very good period for Squiers as Fender and Squier were being made in same factory as US manufacturing took a temporary move to Japan. Was it Fujigen factory? It played very well, it got compliments from guitar techs. Had/has a basswood body.

I played the neck to death, it hangs on a wall. Body is still used in a partscaster. Maybe I should try to refret the neck as a first refret job for me. Then I could put it back together. Fret wood is a bit scalloped up and down the neck.

I might consider the 85', being so happy with what Japan was making in that year.

See that’s the rub!! The ‘85 is so intriguing. But the ‘91...ehhhhhhh I’ll post the reverb links, hopefully no one does me dirty and steps in. I’m in conversation with both parties at the moment. Please don’t be a Karen!

https://reverb.com/item/36131363-lefty- ... dium=email

https://reverb.com/item/37366251-1985-f ... -excellent

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Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:44 pm

Dayyam! They are as expensive as my 1980's MIJ Tele was!

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:57 pm

mickey wrote:Dayyam! They are as expensive as my 1980's MIJ Tele was!

Hey brother! I’m super intrigued! I only have the one strat right now, by far my most familiar instrument. Now I want a Japanese!

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Partscaster · Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:16 pm

I'ld want to know that both bodies are alder. i would not choose basswood over alder without some other reason. Basswood is fine, but I prefer alder strats. In that my 85 Squier has basswood would make me wonder about the 85' Fender builds as well. I'ld want to know.

The 91's 60's grey bottom pups and harness upgrade sound good to me. I'ld want to know what make those pups are,..Fender, GFS, etc? That could tip the balance for me, unless I know more about the 85's body wood, pup design, etc.

The guy selling the 91 seems like he's into guitars and tech work. I like that. And the light weight of the 91 seems like a plus. Plus...I like the case with the 91'.

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:18 pm

Partscaster wrote:I'ld want to know that both bodies are alder. i would not choose basswood over alder without some other reason. Basswood is fine, but I prefer alder strats. In that my 85 Squier has basswood would make me wonder about the 85' Fender builds as well. I'ld want to know.

The 91's 60's grey bottom pups and harness upgrade sound good to me. I'ld want to know what make those pups are,..Fender, GFS, etc? That could tip the balance for me, unless I know more about the 85's body wood, pup design, etc.

The guy selling the 91 seems like he's into guitars and tech work. I like that.

Totally agree on everything you said about the ‘91. He sounds techy and “into it”. That one I know is alder.

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Partscaster · Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:28 pm

brentona wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:18 pm
Partscaster wrote:I'ld want to know that both bodies are alder. i would not choose basswood over alder without some other reason. Basswood is fine, but I prefer alder strats. In that my 85 Squier has basswood would make me wonder about the 85' Fender builds as well. I'ld want to know.

The 91's 60's grey bottom pups and harness upgrade sound good to me. I'ld want to know what make those pups are,..Fender, GFS, etc? That could tip the balance for me, unless I know more about the 85's body wood, pup design, etc.

The guy selling the 91 seems like he's into guitars and tech work. I like that.
Totally agree on everything you said about the ‘91. He sounds techy and “into it”. That one I know is alder.

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I'ld want to find out if those were Fender 60's grey bottoms. If those are Fender pups that might be the decider , especially with the low weight of that guitar.

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:30 pm

Partscaster wrote:
brentona wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:18 pm
Partscaster wrote:I'ld want to know that both bodies are alder. i would not choose basswood over alder without some other reason. Basswood is fine, but I prefer alder strats. In that my 85 Squier has basswood would make me wonder about the 85' Fender builds as well. I'ld want to know.

The 91's 60's grey bottom pups and harness upgrade sound good to me. I'ld want to know what make those pups are,..Fender, GFS, etc? That could tip the balance for me, unless I know more about the 85's body wood, pup design, etc.

The guy selling the 91 seems like he's into guitars and tech work. I like that.
Totally agree on everything you said about the ‘91. He sounds techy and “into it”. That one I know is alder.

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I'ld want to find out if those were Fender 60's grey bottoms. If those are Fender pups that might be the decider , especially with the low weight of that guitar.

Just asked the dude!

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brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:47 pm

Partscaster wrote:
brentona wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:18 pm
Partscaster wrote:I'ld want to know that both bodies are alder. i would not choose basswood over alder without some other reason. Basswood is fine, but I prefer alder strats. In that my 85 Squier has basswood would make me wonder about the 85' Fender builds as well. I'ld want to know.

The 91's 60's grey bottom pups and harness upgrade sound good to me. I'ld want to know what make those pups are,..Fender, GFS, etc? That could tip the balance for me, unless I know more about the 85's body wood, pup design, etc.

The guy selling the 91 seems like he's into guitars and tech work. I like that.
Totally agree on everything you said about the ‘91. He sounds techy and “into it”. That one I know is alder.

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I'ld want to find out if those were Fender 60's grey bottoms. If those are Fender pups that might be the decider , especially with the low weight of that guitar.

They’re custom wound by fat pups. I just told the guy I’d take it. Haha. I have funds being dispersed to me this evening from a sale. She gone be mine.

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Partscaster · Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:45 pm

I went to Fat Pup site, fat Little Wing set sounds good.

Looks like Fat Pup imprints the bottom of his bobbins with his logo.
I dont see the logo in those reverb pics, but maybe they are older Fat Pup pups? IDK.
Worth asking about, IMO.

Chocol8 · Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:02 pm

I bought a 1988 MIJ Fender in 1991. It has had a couple sets of pickups, a couple switches, new pots etc. over the years, but some time this summer, it will hit 30 years as my number one. The Japanese factory made some great guitars back then while the MIA team was still coming up to speed.

Partscaster · Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:15 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KdZnm1QeSI

is this the same strat ? Probably just coincidental MIJ black strat w/ Fatpups demo.

brentona · Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:19 pm

Partscaster wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KdZnm1QeSI

is this the same strat ? Probably just coincidental MIJ black strat w/ Fatpups demo.

Nah, that one has a gold bridge. I’ll get some videos up!

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brentona · Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:38 pm

]It came and it’s wonderful. I haven’t had much time with it, but what I’ve had, I’ve really enjoyed.

This is some goofing with the neck pick up. Position 4 sounds incredible. I’ll have to grab that next!

[media] [/media]

Partscaster · Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:01 am

Yeah, that sounds great. Can hear the edge of breakup with great string separation..n-all that. Sounds lively.
Congrats on a good purchase. Looking forward to hear other positions too.

brentona · Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:29 am

Partscaster wrote:Yeah, that sounds great. Can hear the edge of breakup with great string separation..n-all that. Sounds lively.
Congrats on a good purchase. Looking forward to hear other positions too.

This thing is thick as London Fog in November with a fuzz face

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brentona · Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:22 pm

Partscaster wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:01 am Yeah, that sounds great. Can hear the edge of breakup with great string separation..n-all that. Sounds lively.
Congrats on a good purchase. Looking forward to hear other positions too.

A swipe through all positions.

[media] [/media]

brentona · Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:15 pm

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Mossman · Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:11 pm

Congrats! Those pickups sound snarly... Do you know what kind of magnets are in them?

BTW, I like how your outfit matches your amp.

brentona · Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:30 am

Mossman wrote:Congrats! Those pickups sound snarly... Do you know what kind of magnets are in them?

BTW, I like how your outfit matches your amp.

Haha!! Good old fashioned work clothes. Bust off work and plug in!

You know I can’t recall if the seller mentioned the mags. The middle pickup is hot!

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