those may have come with 3 ways (my JV '62 Vintage Strat came with a 3 way and was quickly replaced) but I don't think it was common on other models. The first Japanese models were Fender Reissues or Vintage guitars. The Japanese Fender serial numbers from 1982 1984 have a few oddities. Modern Fender production guitars, 1976 to the present, have their ID numbers. 1982 1984 Japanese Vintage and Squier Fender Serial Numbers. From 1954 to 1976 Fender stamped its guitar’s serial number on either the top or bottom of the neck plate. From 1950 to 1954 Fender guitar unique numbers were stamped in the bridge cavity cover plate. If you don't see any other holes - it's stock.Īs for the 5 way. The serial number location has changed a few times of the years. That is not to say there weren't any 8 hole versions - I'm just saying that 11 hole is very common. I have an '83 SQ H2 Bullet with the same 'looking' tuners, but they are labelled 'Fender Japan' (likely made by Gotoh).Īny pictures I see of Squier E-Series strats is 11 hole pickguards, so there is no reason to believe that isn't stock. This was a running change, and both Made in Japan and Crafted in Japan decals appear on instruments from 20. Personally - I have never seen Gotoh labelled tuners on a Squier, but that doesn't mean they didn't exist. 2007 was another transitional year for Japanese-made Fender instruments, with the return to the Made in Japan country-of-origin identifier on the serial number decal. It would have been obvious with many additional holes. based on those, there is no way this guitar had trapazoid tuners. and the internet - well, I don't trust that (but you can trust me ) The people you talked to may not be aware of all the differences. I'm in Canada and own a JV '62 Vintage so I have done a lot of homework in this regard. The UK/Canadian exports of Squiers during this era are different from what the rest of the world saw.

Japanese fender serial number lookup