Beware of some MIJ Squier silver series

[kenjikun]

I got the biggest shock of my bass life yesterday. I recently won a Squier silver series jazz body for a project ay online auction. One peculiar thing I noticed was the complete absence of grain patterns. Even basswood shows some grains. There was also "swelling" around the bridge. Thinking it was from the poly finish, I hit it with sandpaper and to my surprise, the top was made from LAWANIT a cheaper board commonly used in the Philippines as alternative to regular plywood. (Link Removed). This board although strong and tough, easily deforms when water enters it. Classic sign is darkened rounded area where water had entered or remained. That darkened area was present on the bridge screw holes. Water had entered the holed creating the swelling. The previous owner probably used it as boat paddle. Anyway, I was turned-off. I always thought Fender Japan use quality materials. Why in the world did they use LAWANIT for top and back???!!!

Notice the swelling, the bridge had sunk
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Notice the darkened area where water had entered
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[Revvv]

That's a silver for ya.

 

[Musky]

Whoa - that's nasty!

Are you sure someone hasn't sold you one with a non Squier body?

 

[Anonymous Guy]

Whoa - that's nasty!

Are you sure someone hasn't sold you one with a non Squier body?

Yeah, that routing looks suspect.

 

[Jimmy Bones]

Never heard of the silver series. But wow, even SX uses real wood.

 

[LCW]

That routing is weird i dont think thats a real squier,

 

[BassBod]

That routing is nothing like the Silver series Squier I had ten years ago - mine was standard "fender" routs (and really was a great bass)

 

[Eilif]

That might not be a squier. On the one hand, it does have the opaque burst (all solid color, no translucent paint in the middle) that seems to be a characteristic of the silver series. On the other hand, the plywood and the routing seems to be off. I have a silver series P-bass with the opqaque 3 color sunburst, and it is routed at the control plate and at the pickups only.

My vote would be for not-squier, what kind of markings were on the bass?

 

[myhot4]

That is MDF. It looks molded rather than cut/routed.

 

[Thor]

MDF is very machinable. There is a good discussion of
it's properties on www.diyaudioandvideo.com . That
being said, getting MDF wet is the kiss of death.

Edit: I agree, the routing alone makes it suspect. Are there any actual Fender
markings at all?

 

[LCW]

That needs to be painted flat black and used for a punk band, i dont smoke but if you do leave the guard off and keep a pack in the route.

 

[bassbenj]

That needs to be painted flat black and used for a punk band, i dont smoke but if you do leave the guard off and keep a pack in the route.

<SNORT>

Yeah, I've got an MDF Carlo Robelli bass. It's not unusable or anything, but I'd never pick it over real wood. It had a real bad habit of the strap buttons pulling out easy until I put screws about 2.5" long in there to hold them on.

 

[Craig_S]

I had never even heard of a body made from MDF. It has to be ridiculously heavy. I don't think it's a real Japanese Squier body. I could be wrong, but someone might have pulled the 'ol switcheroo.

 

[heliotropic]

I like how they took the time to make a form fitting route for the neck pickup, and then just took out huge chunks of the other areas under the pickguard

 

[WoodyG3]

Are you sure someone hasn't sold you one with a non Squier body?

That routing is weird i dont think thats a real squier,

That routing is nothing like the Silver series Squier I had ten years ago - mine was standard "fender" routs (and really was a great bass)

That might not be a squier... My vote would be for not-squier, what kind of markings were on the bass?

Edit: I agree, the routing alone makes it suspect. Are there any actual Fender
markings at all?

Um, I dunno', but maybe it's not a real Squier body?

I have an old Korean Fender/Squier body that is plywood, but not MDF.

 

[kenjikun]

Guys, this is a real MIJ Squier Silver series. I got it complete with neck, pickup, pickguard. The neck stamp and neck pocket stamp are similar with my Squier Silver series P-Bass. Craftmanship was superb, routing was very precise. I always like MIJ that is why until now I was "shocked" by the use of inferior material for the body. Probably just a factory lemon. I felt betrayed though. I have read about MDF. Probably MDF was used and not lawanit. Anyway, next time, I'll be cautious of buying grainless body hehehe.

 

[LCW]

Guys, this is a real MIJ Squier Silver series. I got it complete with neck, pickup, pickguard. The neck stamp and neck pocket stamp are similar with my Squier Silver series P-Bass. Craftmanship was superb, routing was very precise. I always like MIJ that is why until now I was "shocked" by the use of inferior material for the body. Probably just a factory lemon. I felt betrayed though. What is MDF by the way?

Its kinda like particle board alot of wood debris and scraps combined with high tempetures, glue/wax and pressure to compound it into something. My cheap desk is made of it

 

[Simo98]

MDF = Micro Density Fibre.

Pretty much sawdust and glue, if i remember right they are starting to phase it out here in Australia because the dust is carcinogenic, so dont go sanding it down without a dust mask

 

[superblues]

MDF = Micro Density Fibre.

MDF = Medium Density Fiberboard

(edit: just noticed you're down under. maybe its different there.)

 

[Michael Case]

Its kinda like particle board alot of wood debris and scraps combined with high tempetures, glue/wax and pressure to compound it into something. My cheap desk is made of it

It's the hot dog of the wood world.