I prefer my crow bar-bee-qued.

[64Firebird]

Remember all that stuff I said about Strats? How I couldn't hear any differance between the cheap ones and the over priced ones. Well, today I stoped into Mars and saw a used late 80s Jap Strat. I pulled it off the wall and played a few licks and HEARD the differance. Rich, thick tone and sustain for days! The heavyest pickup switch I've ever seen and the smoothest roll off of tone and volume I've ever heard. This is one ass kicking ax! Without a doubt the best strat in the store! So, I bought it.

 

[acidrock]

I've got a japanese strat and my guitar snob friend had to admit that it is one cool axe.
I must say I'm not too impressed with the mexican strats,lame electronics.

 

[philboyd studge]

I bought a Jap (Ibenez) Strat in '86 with insurance money for a '64 Duo Sonic. It's got the lock nuts on the peghead with the little micro tuners on the bridge. After putting some heavier springs in it and it's been a great workhorse since it was new. Ya mean these things actually have some value?

 

[acidrock]

My strat is a FENDER japanese licensed strat not a clone,
I'm assumeing thats what 64 was talking about.

 

[64Firebird]

Here's what I'm talking about. Click here.

 

[acidrock]

Mine is a 60's reissue,sparkle red and it rocks!

 

[trew]

Japanese Fenders & Squiers

I have a '95 Foto Flame '62 Reissue Tele that I bought new. It looks great and all, but lacks the Tele tone & feel. It behaves a lot more like a Strat, IMO. I picked it out of a long row of similar guitars, they were blowing them out at Sam Ash at the time. I guess I chose this one because it felt familiar...oops...well, at least it has a good feel... Now I have a Peavey Tele clone that acts and sounds A LOT like a Tele should, much more than the above mentioned Tele. Maybe that factory was better at making Strats?

I also have a few different models of '80's Japanese Squiers, and as you probably know, these are also pretty cool guitars. Of course, nothing can replace a Fender that has been well used over the years. I'm sure this has been discussed already. I wonder how these Japanese Fenders & Squiers will play after they've had a chance to age and spend some time around smoke & sweat?

 

[acidrock]

I don't smoke or sweat

 

[philboyd studge]

As I undersand it Ibanez owned Fender in '86, mine says Fender and in little itsy bitsy letters 'made in Japan'. It's has aged and the neck has yellowed quite nicely. I think it was about $300 new.

 

[64Firebird]

Are the letters on the headstock or on the heal?

 

[philboyd studge]

On the headstock it says Fender, then Stratocaster ® and underneath that 'made in Japan'.

It's been a good guitar and really locks in tune even in extreme heat. I sold my '72 tele a few years back cause I never used it.

 

[Badger]

Cant wait to hear it firebird. You still bringing it by today?

 

[64Firebird]

On the headstock it says Fender, then Stratocaster ® and underneath that 'made in Japan'.

It's been a good guitar and really locks in tune even in extreme heat. I sold my '72 tele a few years back cause I never used it.

The best Jap Strats were almost all 60s reissues and the "Made in Japan" decal was on the heal of the neck under the finish.

The way to know for sure, is to take a peek under the pickguard and see how much wood was taken out to install the pickups. It'll have 3 little holes (one for each pu) or one really big hole for all 3 pickups.

Unfortunely, since they say "Made in Japan" they will never have any resale value. The good news is that these guitars have all the surf and blues tone of the old ones and they are cheap to buy.

 

[Evildick]

I must have a freak of nature "Made in Japan" Strat then 64. It's a '96 with the decal on the headstock. However, after removing the pickguard, it has been routed for three pickups, with the neck and the bridge routed for humbuckers and the other for a single coil. I'm pretty sure it's basswood (3 part shows through the sunburst finish) and the cutaway on the back isn't painted black like the photo's on Ed Roman's site. Oh well, I'm happy with the sound and what I paid for it so that's enough for me.

 

[Cyrokk]

I don't know what the hell I have.

My Fender copy actually reads "Zender Splaterblaster®" on the headstock, numbered R00001. "Made in Japan" is engraved on the backplate where the neck bolts on the body. 21 Frets with no tremelo. I bought it in Canada in either '84 or '85 for around $100.

Usually gets a few laughs and then people hear it and they realize it's a pretty good guitar.

Cy

 

[64Firebird]

I must have a freak of nature "Made in Japan" Strat then 64. It's a '96 with the decal on the headstock. However, after removing the pickguard, it has been routed for three pickups, with the neck and the bridge routed for humbuckers and the other for a single coil. I'm pretty sure it's basswood (3 part shows through the sunburst finish) and the cutaway on the back isn't painted black like the photo's on Ed Roman's site. Oh well, I'm happy with the sound and what I paid for it so that's enough for me.

Sounds like you've got a good one. I don't have a lot of info about them, but the research I've done suggests that these 90s strats are the best ones sence CBS bought Fender. MY understanding is that these guitars were made in the same factory that now makes $2500.00 Ibinez guitars.

All I know for sure is this one I bought has a MUCH fatter tone than than any other strat I've ever played except for a few of the costom shop models.

I think the new Strats sound more like Teles than they do Strats. Now, there's nothing wrong with the sound of a good Tele. But, if I'm buying a strat, I want it to sound like one.