WAS: Japanese Squier serial number

[jtees4]

Well, that deal was put on hold (it may still happen)...but I just got
home. I purchased a really nice condition 1989 Korean made Squier
Telecaster with a nice hard real Fender case and an old and near mint
Fender 85 amp. Paid $110. Didn't have the heart to talk him down to
$100, but I could have. Will put them through their paces tomorrow.
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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610

[Squier]

does this have the top loader bridge plate ?
I have MIJ Squier Tele from the early 80's and it has top loader bridge.
A lot of the Tele Squiers from the 80's (MIJ and MIK) don't have
the typical string through body. Personally it's not an issue for me
as my MIJ Squier has the same sort of sustain as any MIA string through bridge.

Also FYI - the neck pocket on my 80's E series MIJ Tele is just a little
too small to fit standard sized modern MIM or MIA Fender necks.
The 80's MIJ Squiers have 1 5/8" nut (rather than now standard 1 11/16" nut)
and then taper down to smaller neck heel. So I found out right away
you can't simply bolt on a newer Fender neck and expect it to fit.

The only thing you also might find (looking 'under the hood') is that
many times they used the cheaper 'mini pots' and cheaper 3 way pup switch.
So I replaced mine with full sized CTS pots and a CRL 3 way switch (the cavity
is the same size as regular Teles so the pots/switch all fit in there nicely).

Hmm.. only other thing was that the neck pup was mounted old school
using the screws right into the wood so the pickguard at the neck pup
didn't have the 2 little holes for more modern pups where you mount using
screws/springs for easy height adjustments. No prob - I just drilled 2
small holes in the single ply pickguard and mounted a Dimarzio Area Tele neck
pup there. (yeah - the money shot in a Tele is that bridge pup sound but
don't discount the sounds you can get with in-between and neck only if
you have a good neck pup in a Tele).

ok - looking forward to your impressions of the MIK Tele after you
put it through its paces. The MIJ and MIK necks usually have a great
feel to them (although you might have to get used to the older style 7 1/4"
radius feel on the neck.)

[jtees4]

Yes, top loader. I had two earlier 80's American mades with top
loaders, an '83 and an '84. I really liked those guitars a lot, and I
found I liked top loaders and they still sounded like Teles. In fact,
I think I prefer top loaders.
1983:
http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s239/jtees4/?action=view&current=DSC00708.jpg
1984:
http://tinyurl.com/7llmt8z
Both of those also had the old school mounting for the neck pickup.
Had a bit of time this morning. So I took the new one apart, cleaned
it. Set it up with new 10's. And played it awhile. I like the
thickness and feel of the neck a lot, I'd say its on the thinner side.
Fingerboard feels relatively flat I didn't particularly like the neck
pickup sound (usually something I DO like in Teles...seemed a bit
weak. The bridge pickup sounds fantastic...real rock'n'roll tone
sounded great with distortion too. Really nice guitar overall, and
solid feel and quality. Right up there with many Mexican and even some
USA Fenders I have had or played. I can't say for sure it's a keeper,
I really do not generally like maple boards....and I actually took the
deal more for the amp at this point. BUT I feel naked when I don't own
a Tele, so I may keep it.
Here are some pix I just took:
http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s239/jtees4/89%20Squier%20Tele/


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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610

[Squier]

thanks for the links/pics. appreciated! cool stuff there.