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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Korean Stratocaster

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9/23/1999 11:35 AM

Korean Stratocaster

I´ve been offered to buy a Fender Stratocaster which is not Japanese made, instead it says made in Korea on the headstock. From everything I´ve read, all the Korean made Fenders are of the Squire brand. How is this possible?

The serial number appears to be E1049221. The guitar itself feels very good but the pickups look a bit crappy.

I´ve owned some nice Japanese made Strats and this one is just as good or better than those were.

Does anybody know when this guitar was made and has anybody seen a Korean made Fender before?

9/23/1999 5:59 PM

For a short time, a year or two around 1990, strats were made in Korea, just before fender's factory in Mexico was up & running smoothly. The two Korean strats I've had my hands on were same quality as the standard (mexican) strat of the '90s. One guitar was kind of a "fat strat', black body/ RW fingerboard, with a HB in the bridge position, 3 controls, and a mini toggle switch for a coil tap. I think the other one had a bright blue body, maple board, and 3 single coils. Both guitars had vintage style hardware, i.e., split post tuners, a narrow spaced vintage trem bridge with thin sustain block (like the present day mexi), and narrow wire vintage frets. Also, they had iron pole piece ceramic bar magnet pickups, loud but not sweet.

If the neck feels good to you, the frets aren't worn beyond good playability, you like the color, etc, and the price is right (bear in mind the store price new was $299), then you'll know what to do. (IMHO, 150-200 wouldn't be unreasonable.) Change out the electronics and you'll have a decent player guitar. It's nothing "collectible" as an investment.

9/24/1999 9:31 AM

Thanks, Doc. This guitar has the normal 3 pickup configuration but the tuners are Gotohs. The neck has a rosewood fingerboard and the frets are in good shape. I´m afraid the guy asks too much money for it, though. Don´t you think it might be a collectible some day just like the first Japanese Squiers? I once had one and I got it (and later sold it too) for next to nothing, but that was a long time ago. Anyway I don´t need a collectors item, just a guitar to play.

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