Help me out with this Japanese squier!

[Bluestrat83]

I recently bought a Custom shop 63 reissue strat and I’m currently looking for a cheaper model to hang around rehearsals and some gigs.
I have a friend who is also a guitar dealer that is offering this late 80’s squier strat. He is selling it around $500/600. Is this a good model? Is the price fear or should I go for a classic vibe or something like that?
Thanks in advance guys!
Best blustrat,

 

[Lucius Paisley]

For what price? Is there a decimal point missing? Tell him to stick it.

 

[3bolt79]

I think you would be better off getting a new Classic Vibe Strat. The pickups will likely be better, and they are less money than what your buddy wants.

 

[Lateralu_s]

I think you would be better off getting a new Classic Vibe Strat. The pickups will likely be better, and they are less money than what your buddy wants.

location says OP is in ecuador not sure what the current exchange is.

But I agree if a price of a CV isn't far from sellers price I'd venture towards the CV.

 

[HighwayStar106]

I agree a Classic Vibe is probably the better guitar overall, and should be cheaper too. However, I do remember playing an E-serial MIJ Squier once which had one of the best necks I’ve ever encountered. I’m a big fan of the CV series, but that MIJ was in another league in terms of how it felt.

 

[Mbroady]

An E series Squier, most likely ceramic pickups and basswood Body. Not saying it is not put together well. But for my money I would find an older (pre-2017) made in China Classic Vibe 60s Strat. The Body will be Alder and the pick ups will be Alnico 5 tonerider-esq picups. They have gone up in price but can be found for under 5 bills (US $). Even the new ones are decent at 4 bills and change.

 

[Bluestrat83]

location says OP is in ecuador not sure what the current exchange is.

But I agree if a price of a CV isn't far from sellers price I'd venture towards the CV.

We use US dollars as an official currency (really long story lol) we have more inflation but US asking prices always serve me as a starting points (specially in the used market).
A CV sells here for around $600.

 

[Lateralu_s]

We use US dollars as an official currency (really long story lol) we have more inflation but US asking prices always serve me as a starting points (specially in the used market).
A CV sells here for around $600.

excellent time to try out some CV's and see which one ya like to bring home.

 

[6th Stringer]

If you look at it from an investment standpoint, the Japanese stuff will only increase in value in the future because it is more rare.

I have had several MIJ Squiers and the quality is great compared to the modern low end stuff. Do you want a Chinese copy of a vintage guitar, or an actual vintage guitar? I would choose the latter if possible because I like history and stuff.

 

[Tsjackson]

I had an E serial MIJ strat and whilst it was nice I’d echo what everyone else has said, I think a CV is a better buy.

The one I had, whilst the neck was nice, had ceramic pickups, an MDF (or similar) body and pretty poor quality wiring components.

The classic vibe strat I had was absolutely flawless in every way, pickups were great, neck was great, body was great, components were much better quality than the MIJ… maybe if I was being generous the mij had slightly better hardware but I doubt there was much in it at all.

 

[stratmanshow]

If you like narrow nuts and string spacing, go for a CV. If you like vintage specs go for the MIJ. I've had 2 of the early CVs but they just felt too "small". The E series are pretty nice but the days of getting them for a fair price are gone. Prices have been jacked up by Japan guys doing the "pay me, and I will buy cheap and take a profit" sellers on Ebay and Reverb. $600 US seems too much though unless you really want one. E serial MIJ did not use MDF, those came later with some "Silver Series" models.
Keep in mind though, that guitar is about 37 yrs old so it is a vintage guitar and it looks in very good condition from the pics.

 

[Tsjackson]

If you like narrow nuts and string spacing, go for a CV. If you like vintage specs go for the MIJ. I've had 2 of the early CVs but they just felt too "small". The E series are pretty nice but the days of getting them for a fair price are gone. Prices have been jacked up by Japan guys doing the "pay me, and I will buy cheap and take a profit" sellers on Ebay and Reverb. $600 US seems too much though unless you really want one. E serial MIJ did not use MDF, those came later with some "Silver Series" models.
Keep in mind though, that guitar is about 37 yrs old so it is a vintage guitar and it looks in very good condition from the pics.

Oh yeah maybe mine was an early 90s one, it definitely wasn’t a silver series but absolutely could’ve been from the same years. I may be getting guitar’s confused, I had an E serial mij st-67 now that I think about it my squier might have been early 90s MIJ

 

[stratocarlster]

Beautiful guitar. Pickups are easy to upgrade. I would be leaning to the MIJ. But you can't go wrong, buy the one that feels better and inspires you.

 

[stratmanshow]

Oh yeah maybe mine was an early 90s one, it definitely wasn’t a silver series but absolutely could’ve been from the same years. I may be getting guitar’s confused, I had an E serial mij st-67 now that I think about it my squier might have been early 90s MIJ

Yeah that makes sense. That was a strange time for Squiers. Not all Silver Series versions were the same. Some didn't say on the headstock, some were MDF (domestics I think), others alder, at least 3 different serial prefixes (O,P,Q) and cheap Gotoh can covered tuners and good quality sealed ones. Single ply and 2ply guards. I have a Q serial with all the good stuff but I've seen Q's with all the bad stuff too.
Back on topic

Beautiful guitar. Pickups are easy to upgrade. I would be leaning to the MIJ. But you can't go wrong, buy the one that feels better and inspires you.

I'm inclined to agree. Based on the few photos, the rather rare colour, look of the frets, and the overall condition it may be a rare find. Most that I see these days have a ugly chunk of the finish missing somewhere. This one doesn't look as if it's been played much

 

[simoncroft]

At one time, I owned a MIJ Fender Strat and a MIJ Squier Strat, both from the late 1980s. I must say, the build quality was very high, and I think they both came off the same lines. The only reason I sold the Squier was the neck was too small for me.

As for what that guitar is worth in Ecuador, I can't tell you. But I think some of our S-T friends in the US may be underestimating how much more guitars cost in South America.

 

[Strat-NRW83]

What's wrong with the CS when going to rehearsals?
In the end, I always would go for the guitar which feels and sounds better! Try different models.

 

[Willmunny]

I would be leaning towards the mij.
If the price is equal.
Cv is a very nice, good quality guit
Mij has cool factor and that sexy rosewood fretboard.
Mij would be vintage specs, frets and radius, most likely a smallish c neck
Cv taller frets, gloss finish on the neck. "Modern" c shape
Just my 2c

 

[Bluestrat83]

What's wrong with the CS when going to rehearsals?
In the end, I always would go for the guitar which feels and sounds better! Try different models.

South America is tough man, high theft rates so there’s some situations that I would like to avoid bringing the most expensive stuff. Not saying that the CS is going to be a closet queen, I’m still gigging and taking it to some rehearsals in the safe neighborhoods but I need another strat to feel safe on a daily basis.
I have tried CV strats and they are fine by all accounts haven’t tried the MIJ yet if it feels good let’s see!

 

[Strat-NRW83]

Ah ok, I didn't know! In areas with high theft rates I won't carry a CS guitar around too.
If you'd ask me, there is much hype about the japanese Squiers which were offered with cheaper pickups and hardware. So, not each and every japanese Squier is comparable to a JV!

With the CV line Squier offers a fantastic guitar, comparable to top notch Japan Squiers regarding quality and sound.

 

[gotzz]

I don't understand how can someone recommend CV over any japanese squier, even if they're at the same level and CV is a bit cheaper