The MIJ has the string tree directly below the 5th string tuning post.
AVIR has the tree halfway between the 5th and 4th.
Just beware such guitars with a dubious history are harder to resell and you will lose money unless you acquire it for a price that takes this into consideration. I'd be checking if the pickups were swapped out. You could be getting ceramics.
What about the neck pocket. They usually have a red letter stamped from what I have seen on earlier guitars from Japan
MIJ would have either the Tex Special pick ups or the St Vintage but most likely would have used Japanese components. They had 2 models with the Tex being more expensive (alder body, rwood fretboard,) Vintage ( basswood/ maple).
It could also be a 65 with the small headstock.
Last edited: Nov 21, 2020