USA Squire with 4 Digit Serial Number

[claptonfan1]

Fender doesn't account for it on their list of serial numbers, yet a friend and I bought two from Thoroughbred Music in Tampa in the 80's and there's at least 2 others with posts in various forums with serial numbers 08XX and 09XX. Anybody have anything on these, why and where they were built, etc.

 

[Strato67]

Its Squier ..and welcome to the site...its a 89 0r 90 model.

 

[Clark Kent]

Neato, never seen that before. I want to see it naked. Have you ever dismantled it? Any markings on neck heal or pocket?

 

[claptonfan1]

Neato, never seen that before. I want to see it naked. Have you ever dismantled it? Any markings on neck heal or pocket?

No I haven't. Do I risk any harm to the guitar by dismantling it, especially removing all the tension from the strings? By pocket do you mean under the pick guard?

 

[DaveRave]

When you unscrew the neck, you will have the neck and the body. The part that the neck fits into, in the body, is called the pocket. The part of the neck that fits into the pocket is called the heel. On these parts, hidden from view until you separate the neck from the body, are markings and date stamps. Don't do this unless you feel comfortable doing it. Welcome to the forum!

 

[mijstratsq]

If you do take neck off loosen all the strings before you loosen neck screws.You can use a capo or tape the strings to neck if you want.It makes it easier.If the strings do come undone,They can be rewound on tuners again most of the time without breaking.

 

[claptonfan1]

Thanks! I'll give it a go tonight and post results.

 

[claptonfan1]

Well, here are pics of the heel and pocket. Not much to go on from what I can tell. Looks like someone's name, Hector Montes, and date of what could be June 29, 1989 with an X thru the month on the heel, and what may be Nov 24, and a year obscured accidentally or on purpose by tool work in the pocket. Your comments are greatly welcomed.

 

[claptonfan1]

I found evidence on line at various sites about Hector Montes who was a neck and/or body sander and employed at the Fender Custom Shop in 1990. That and the date with the year 1989 leads me to believe this is a USA, Corona California Squire Strat. I'm still stumped by the serial number though. I can't find anywhere online that addresses the 4 digit SN.

 

[Strato67]

Yo......told you that 2 days ago...I owned one in 90.

 

[claptonfan1]

Thank you Strato. I bought it new, so felt you weren't leading us astray. Just thought I would continue to add to recorded one's and identification. Serial number issue still baffling. Any idea how many were made? I have only heard of as high as 09XX.

 

[Strato67]

I know they didn't make many..this was while the Mexican plant was getting ready to take over production....These are becoming pretty rare....keep it..

 

[Tele like it is]

Wow... And I thought I had seen it all! A cool ad rare bird my friend! I have honestly never seen one before, but the markings and such are all consistent and it is the genuine article!

 

[claptonfan1]

Can anyone tell by the exposed wood in the pocket, what the body is made of? Thanks!

 

[balston11]

Lot of info on US Squiers on 2 previous threads one is
http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/squier-strat-forum/30635-1989-squier-strat-made-u-s.html

 

[balston11]

other one
http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/squier-strat-forum/430-squire-made-usa.html

 

[claptonfan1]

Thanks Bill!

 

[HotDan!]

Yours is number 822 of the initial production run. Later versions were serialized 'E' for eighties and 'N' for nineties. The first run of approximately 1500 or so carried no year designation...just the run number. The body is alder and the neck is maple.

The partially obscured number in the neck pocket is probably a run code rather than a date which would tell the assemblers how to build it (color, fretboard and so on...).

 

[Luthier-Atlanta]

Thank you Strato. I bought it new, so felt you weren't leading us astray. Just thought I would continue to add to recorded one's and identification. Serial number issue still baffling. Any idea how many were made? I have only heard of as high as 09XX.

Try over at Squier-Talk
Squier-Talk Home

 

[claptonfan1]

Thanks to everyone who responded with info on this guitar. It is greatly appreciated still, and yes I still have it. Actually, what prompted my return to the thread was to retrieve copies of pics I posted to provide to law enforcement. The strat was stolen days ago, but I located it and am waiting for the 30 day hold mandated by law on pawn shops before I can pick it up.