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For sale Vintage MIJ P bass (SQ serial Squier)

Sold
$750.00
Strings
4
Status
This item has been sold and is no longer available!

Details

This is a Japanese made 1983 SQ series Squier P Bass.
Not to be confused with current day Squiers, this bass is every bit as good as its American made counterparts if not superior, but I suppose if you've clicked on this you know what you're looking at.
Here's a little demo - (straight into a mic'd B15, no processing)

Everything on this bass is original other than the pickguard and the tuning keys. The original tuning keys got a little rattly and were replaced with Fender MIM/Highway 1 type tuners. The original pickguard is a 3 ply white pickguard which I have it and will put it on the bass for you if you prefer it over the tort one.

As you can see, it got a fair amount of imperfections, none of it affects the sound or playability, nor it is unusual for a bass its age.

The bass weights 8lbs 6oz, it is strung with DR flats, has a straight neck with nice low action, and had a fret leveling about a couple of years ago (was taken on a gig about 5 times since then)

As one might expect from a 40 years old bass, it has its fair share of scrapes/scratches/dings but non of it affects the playing or sound.

price includes shipping CONUS
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Comments

groovaholic

Protect your hearing. Protect your hands.
Supporting Member
Sep 19, 2004
5,360
9,933
Mount Prospect, IL
That must be an early one!

My 1983 Squier Precision looked just like that when I got it, but my serial number starts SQ4#### - my very first bass was a 1984 Squier Precision that also started SQ4####.
So yours must be from 1982 or possibly even earlier!

In "The Fender Bass Book", they talk about the Fender USA Team visiting the factory in Japan when the Squier line was about to launch.
The Japanese instruments were so good, it made the company worry that they would undercut sales of the US instruments.
 
Aug 3, 2010
120
153
Brooklyn, NY
That must be an early one!

My 1983 Squier Precision looked just like that when I got it, but my serial number starts SQ4#### - my very first bass was a 1984 Squier Precision that also started SQ4####.
So yours must be from 1982 or possibly even earlier!

In "The Fender Bass Book", they talk about the Fender USA Team visiting the factory in Japan when the Squier line was about to launch.
The Japanese instruments were so good, it made the company worry that they would undercut sales of the US instruments.

I've always thought that 1982 was the JV serial era, but it might have been one of the first SQ basses made. In any case the Japanese stuff from the ear is outstanding. I got 3 MIJ P basses which is the only reason I've listed this one.
 

Treyheartsweed

Supporting Member
Apr 3, 2022
108
526
North Carolina
Currently have one of these with a pretty early serial number as well (not as early as yours).

What's interesting with this one tho, is that even though the SQ series were 70's era reissues, I've never seen one with that 70's tilt adjustment before. That's gnarly!
 
Last edited:
Aug 3, 2010
120
153
Brooklyn, NY
Currently have one of these with a pretty early serial number as well (not as early as yours).

What's interesting with this one tho, is that even though the SQ series were 70's era reissues, I've never seen one with that 70's tilt adjustment before. That's gnarly!
If you're referring to the dot on the neck plate it is the reflection of a lighting fixture on my ceiling
 

Treyheartsweed

Supporting Member
Apr 3, 2022
108
526
North Carolina
Ohhh lol, I read somewhere (don't know how true it is) that Fender US shipped a bunch of wood and pick ups when they were trying to get the Squier and Fender Japan brand off the ground.

I was thinking this bass might be an example of this/supports this claim. Pickups might be American too.
 
Aug 3, 2010
120
153
Brooklyn, NY
Ohhh lol, I read somewhere (don't know how true it is) that Fender US shipped a bunch of wood and pick ups when they were trying to get the Squier and Fender Japan brand off the ground.

I was thinking this bass might be an example of this/supports this claim. Pickups might be American too.

I've heard this claim and I think it applies to the first ever Squier Japan series - JV.
I don't know whether or not it is the same case with the SQ series, however, using surplus parts from one series in the next one was a pretty common practice in the Japanese factories at that time, so maybe?
 

Treyheartsweed

Supporting Member
Apr 3, 2022
108
526
North Carolina
I share the same sentiment. I already have the same bass and some bills, otherwise I would snag this in a heartbeat.

If there's anyone on the fence reading this, these MIJ Squiers are the bees knees. My absolute fav neck I've ever played.
 
Mar 25, 2015
363
575
These are great basses! The necks are amazing and mine was my #1 for a long time.
 
Jan 3, 2005
2,113
201
Denver, CO
32" scale by chance? Looking at where the thicker part of the E string lands on the tuning post, it looks like it could be. I've owned two of these in white, and they were both 32" medium scale, although I think they may have made 34" scale during this period as well. Cool basses!
 
Aug 3, 2010
120
153
Brooklyn, NY
32" scale by chance? Looking at where the thicker part of the E string lands on the tuning post, it looks like it could be. I've owned two of these in white, and they were both 32" medium scale, although I think they may have made 34" scale during this period as well. Cool basses!

This one if definitely a 34". I know of some 32's that made it to the US one way or another, never tried one but I bet they're pretty cool to play
 
Jan 3, 2005
2,113
201
Denver, CO
Yeah, it's strange that I ran into two in the same finish within about 5 years. I really only bought the second because it was stock, and my first one wasn't. Both played great, though, and I could barely tell a difference going between the 32" and my 34" basses. Nothing like going between my 30" SG bass and my 34" stuff.
 

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