80s AVRI vs. MIJ RIs

I'd be more wary of this 'respected' tech. A few of the nicest sounding Strats I've played have been basswood.
I used to have a basswood bodied Telecaster which was just fantastic.

 

Other than Telecasters and some other non strat models the Japanese don't do reissues just guitars similar to early strats. It all depends on what you want to spend you will pay a lot of money for early AVRIs and for JVs not so much for the Es and other MIJs. You will probably lose money on a partscaster even if you take it apart and sell the parts, why not try an early MIJ first and see if it suits you, you will be unlikely to lose money to any degree if you don't like it and have to sell it.

 

Market for AVRI's is rock solid so you won't get one cheap but won't lose anything if or when you sell. I've got an AV62 from '86 and it's head and shoulders the best strat I've got, better than my Custom shop '66 and noticably better than any of the AM standards I've owned.

I've never had a Japanese strat so can't comment there but I've heard good things. There are a number of models though with varying quality levels so do your research on model numbers roger you buy.

 

None of the Japanese Fender stuff except for a few rare JV's have nitro finish...they are all a thick polyester on body and neck...they are also not true reissues, just 'styled' after a 57 or a 62 Strat, etc... (E and A serials I'm talking about)

Also only the lowest end models have spaghetti logo with basswood body and ceramic pickups, most of them are alder with alnico....

The thing is that some of the Fender 'STANDARD' strats with basswood body, 60s transition logo, and cramic pickups get labelled as '57' or '62' by either unknowledgeable sellers, or sellers trying to rip people off....

So if it doesn't have the Fender 50s Spaghetti logo, it's not what you're after....prices for A and E serials are about $400-550.

The 4th link in your 2nd post, the 1985 Fender Japan ST-62 is NOT what you're after. See the '55' sticker on the back of headstock? That means it sold for 55,000 Yen when new, the bottom of the line - basswood body and ceramic pickups

The first 3 are way overpriced, same with the $1100+ neck in 5th link....

I would NOT recommend building a partcaster, you will spend $1000 or so on parts and be left with a guitar worth about $400-500.

 

While I've seen many with thick poly that breaks off in big chunks, they're not all that way.
Mine has a REALLY thin coat of poly over a very thin coat of paint.
Actually one of the thinnest coats of poly I've seen on a guitar.
The finish on the neck is thin enough to have worn through to the wood in places from normal playing wear.
Hard to tell from the photos but...there you have it.

 

What is your serial number and model?

 

We discussed it here: http://www.strat-talk.com/threads/a-cij-strat-from-1993.434268/
I just picked up an alder-bodied ST58 model made a few years later and it's the same deal. Very thin finish. Both made by Dyna, not Fujigen.

 

I have a MIJ as well as a couple of MIA strats.

There is no noticeable difference in quality from MIA to MIJ from that era, at least to my hands/eyes.
The neck of my MIJ guitars are smooth like a butter.

I happen to have a CS as well and maybe that one has an extra notch of quality.

I have both alder and basswood bodied guitars and can tell you: maybe my ears aren't refined enough, but I think there is no noticeable difference in sound in different guitar woods... plus basswood weighs less in general.

 

1993, made by Dyna Gakki...TOTALLY different finish than 80s FujiGen Gakki guitars....

that's why

 

Ok, that makes sense!
In any case, they're both very well made guitars with great feeling necks. No sloppy neck pockets here. The stock electronics are crap, though. I replaced everything under the pickguard on the ST57, the ST58 is waiting on some newly-ordered Don Mare SwingOtones.

The necks on those two guitars are pretty much perfect for me.

Don't the 'ExTrad' models have a nitro finish?
I've seen some priced in the same range as US RI models...
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148356&icep_item=232465573822

 

I own 3 guitars (soon to be 4!) and my Surf Green 57 AVRI is by far my favorite! The quality of the build, the 7.25 "V" neck, and the 57/62 pickups make for a great "off the rack" guitar that you initially pay a lot for up front, however you know you are getting a great guitar. I'd be wary of the Partscaster route, but that is just my opinion and I think you brought up valid concerns.

 

My thoughts exactly. What is your aversion to basswood? I have, and have had guitars made from basswood that sound and play killer.

 

I think it's pretty much just a purist point of view. There are many high end expensive guitars made from basswood: Suhr, EBMM, EVH, Ibanez, Fender, to name a few. I like basswood, because it's light and resonant.