Stratocaster Resurrection!

[@michaellevesque8084]

Glad I stumbled across your channel, looking forward to catching up here!

[@AlansGuitarShack]

Thanks very much and welcome! just getting started n here so much more content to come

[@-dazz-]

Fantastic job! Nice to see that old strat getting the love she deserves.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

Thank you very much. It was a lovely old guitar and I knew that it meant something to the owner so it was fun to go the extra mile with it. No extra charge through!

[@jltrem]

I have a '92 Fender Squier Series strat made by Cort. It has a laminate body. Out of the five strats I own ( 4 alder bodied) it is the loudest and most resonant when played unplugged. It just rings.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

Very nice! I think they made some really interesting guitars in that period while they figured out what they wanted Squier to be. I've also just picked up one of the Mexican made Fender "Squier Series" from 1994. Basically a MIM with Squier hardware. It has all been upgraded with CTS pots, vintage tuners and set of Texas Specials and it is the nicest playing Strat I have. The wiring is a rat's nest though, so there will need to be a redo video of that one on here fairly soon 😂😂

[@derekclacton]

I’ve had the exact same guitar since 1991 and never felt the need to change anything, apart from the strings! It’s very resonant acoustically - more so than my other guitars which have classic traditional ‘tone wood’ bodies. It’s recently had a fret dress and first pro setup, which has transformed its playability. Even though I’ve gigged it, only now can I appreciate how good it is and could be - better late than never! The electronics will need to be replaced soon, which will be a challenge - the knobs feel welded on (!) and I’d prefer full size CTS pots, which will need some changes to the scratch plate. A couple of observations, which I hope are of interest: Tony Bacon has written a great book on Squier guitars which dates the S9 serial number to 1989/90 The “Fender” stamps on the saddles are all in line on the Squier whereas on Fenders they alternate on each saddle.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

Thanks Derek. I didn't notice that about the stampings - I'll look out for that next time! And yes I have the same book by Tony Bacon, and his Fender one too - great sources of information. I agree about the knobs, they weren't coming off this one and I didn't want to break anything. If I were you I'd be tempted to swap out the whole pickguard and build one up with CTS and Switchcraft components and some new pickups. I've used Toneriders and Iron Gears on MIMs and Squiers which have transformed them, so you don't have to beak the bank. The beauty is you can put the original components back later if you want to sell (originality will be increasingly important as the these guitars are now considered vintage at 30 years+), and keep the upgrades or sell them on.

[@derekclacton]

@@AlansGuitarShack Thanks for your suggestion, Alan - I may well go down that route! I’ve recently built a couple of partscaster Teles (my first project builds) and fitted Iron Gear and Tonerider pickups, which I’m very pleased with - I’ll be catching up with your Tele video asap!👍

[@rocanrola]

My first guitar was a red Squire Stratocaster with a rosewood fretboard. I bought it in September 1990. Made in Korea, very well built, well finished. The worst were the pickups that were very strident. It cost me 270€ new. I remember that the Japanese Squire cost 600€.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

That’s always been my experience of these early Squiers too - nicely made, good to play (when properly set up) and with a pick up upgrade they can be fantastic guitars. Great value.

[@ranman58635]

I juat sold one. It had alnico pickups and metal plates on the backs of each. Ply body with original cheaper style tuners that wrre actually serviceable. Had a nice 5 way switch too that i refurbished. Everything but the jack was original. The gyy stole it from me too as he wont pay. The neck didn't feel right in my hqnd but it was the twangy'ist stratocaster i wver played. Yours looks like it got most of the part's but you didnt get the true Squier treatment like mine. You wanted the squer 2, not that one.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

Sorry to hear that about the buyer and hope you sort it out ok. I do like early Squiers - this one wasn't mine but I did have a very early Affinity from when they still had the full depth body. I threw in a set of Alnicos and that guitar sang!

[@ranman58635]

@@AlansGuitarShack , early afinity was good too. My friend has one. It was in a fire and I brought it back. Early ones are fun, have you tried the 86 bullet 1 hybrid tele/Stratocaster? It has a thin wizzard neck on it. Japanese made guitar.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

No I haven't tried one of those. They do look fun but I think the hybrid nature would mess with my head as a Telecaster freak! I built an offset Telecaster partscaster and I'm still getting my head around that one!😁

[@ranman58635]

@@AlansGuitarShack, lol, I hear ya and it did me too. It sounds great as a stratocaster. The ply body may go.

[@simseven4967]

This guitars are great

[@AlansGuitarShack]

Indeed they are

[@dp9550]

WHen putting springs on ... put the end in the block first then you won't have to beat them in with a hammer.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

Ha ha, yes. Although then I usually find they will slip off my pliers then nearly take my eye out! The little blighters will get me either way... 🤣🤣🤣

[@dp9550]

😅@@AlansGuitarShack

[@Aceroxx02]

7:25 - Yes, that trem block IS full size.

[@AlansGuitarShack]

You are right! 😂

[@terryjohinke8065]

All Sqires have different measurements that don't fit genuine Fender parts.