Beware of some MIJ Squier silver series

[Simo98]

MDF = Medium Density Fiberboard

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

Your probably right, im just going from memory, which is not good at the best of times

 

[Musky]

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.

I've got admit I'm still not convinced that is a genuine Squier body. It seems very strange that they would completely re-jig for the different routing on that bass (I know it'll be CNC, but it still needs a new set up). Even the routing at the butt end of the neck pocket is different to your P bass, and you've 3 extra letters in the body stamp.

(Hope you don't mind the hotlink.)

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[Meddle]

...the top was made from LAWANIT a cheaper board commonly used in the Philippines as alternative to regular plywood.

Hahahah plywood substitute? That must be the worst materials.

Im having doubts, I thought the silver series was regarded as ok? Also people out there will copy ANY guitar, even random old Squiers they can make a bit more out of.

That aggressive route under the scratchplate is giving me doubts.

Also how did water end up in it?

 

[kenjikun]

I've got admit I'm still not convinced that is a genuine Squier body.

I just wish you're right but I talked to the seller and he told me it is a genuine MIJ Squier. The liquid that penetrated was not water, it was lacquer thinner that he poured after removing the bridge, he was modding the bass and he thought the finish was lacquer. He let the liquid there for quite sometime to dissolve what he thought was lacquer finish. When nothing happened, (of course nothing because it was poly) he screwed back the bridge and after a few days, the wood area around the bridge started to swell, that is why the bridge looked like submerged. I can't blame him for a rip-off because he categorized the item in auction as JUNK, WYSIWYG but if you look at the actual photo he posted, the swelling was not visible. Also notice the neck, he also painted it, which I think was the worst finish ever. Though I was disappointed, I just took the other parts. Not bad for $50, anyway.

This were the photos he posted at auction:

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[elgranluis]

the silver series basses ive seen have a brass grounding plate from the bridge pup to the bridge, ala 62 reissuem as well as threaded saddles. So based on the pics, I'd go with the rest of the crowd and say you ended up with a silver series neck.

And about the neck, the silver series basses i've seen had a regular fender decal in place of the squier, but i wouldnt worry about the decal as many different lines of squiers have carried a big fender decal with a smaller squier, that was later switched to a big squier with a smaller fender.

 

[kenjikun]

the silver series basses ive seen have a brass grounding plate from the bridge pup to the bridge

It had, but broken, one strip was under the bridge, and the the other tip was connected to copper base of the bridge pickup .

And about the neck, the silver series basses i've seen had a regular fender decal in place of the squier

No, absolutely not. Totally disagree. There were no MIJ Fender silver series. Only Squier silver series.

but i wouldnt worry about the decal as many different lines of squiers have carried a big fender decal with a smaller squier, that was later switched to a big squier with a smaller fender.

These were the early JV series from '82-'83.The Squier silver series was produced from 92-94. Check my signature, it has informations on JV and Silver series Squiers.

 

[Simo98]

I wouldn't have thought that Squier would make their bodies from MDF though, especially japan.

They might aswell make them from plastic

..hmmm..

 

[elgranluis]

These were the early JV series from '82-'83.The Squier silver series was produced from 92-94. Check my signature, it has informations on JV and Silver series Squiers.

It's cool that you disagree. I've seen (as well as plenty of others, don't take my word for it) squiers from different countries (mexico, indonesia, japan) with a large fender decal and a smaller squier one.

Maybe it's different in japan, but the silver series basses that i've seen were as described (fender decal, smaller squier decal).

 

[kenjikun]

It's cool that you disagree. I've seen (as well as plenty of others, don't take my word for it) squiers from different countries (mexico, indonesia, japan) with a large fender decal and a smaller squier one.

My friend, while it is true that Squier made from other countries carry a big Fender decal with small Squier decal, those are not Silver series. As a reminder, we are talking of Silver series here. As I have mentioned, the Squier Silver series was only made in Japan from '92-94. And never never a big Fender decal had a Silver series mark on the headstock. No matter what country it was made. I invite any TB member here who can post a real photo (not Adobe Photoshop) of a bass with big Fender decal and small silver series.

Maybe it's different in japan, but the silver series basses that i've seen were as described (fender decal, smaller squier decal).

Ok, for the benefit of doubt, kindly post some pics.

Calling hypercarrots, hey man you're also knowledgeable with MIJ Fender and Squier, perhpas you can join

 

[elgranluis]

My friend, while it is true that Squier made from other countries carry a big Fender decal with small Squier decal, those are not Silver series. As a reminder, we are talking of Silver series here. As I have mentioned, the Squier Silver series was only made in Japan from '92-94. And never never a big Fender decal had a Silver series mark on the headstock. No matter what country it was made. I invite any TB member here who can post a real photo (not Adobe Photoshop) of a bass with big Fender decal and small silver series.



Ok, for the benefit of doubt, kindly post some pics.

Calling hypercarrots, hey man you're also knowledgeable with MIJ Fender and Squier, perhpas you can join

Man, I'm not really into making a point, or into the "i'm right-you're wrong" thing.

I do not own any silver series bass, so can't post a pic, I'm just going for what i've seen and remember. Just for kicks I did a quick google search and came up with this:

Maybe we are talking about different stuff?

 

[kenjikun]

Man, I'm not really into making a point, or into the "i'm right-you're wrong" thing.

I do not own any silver series bass, so can't post a pic, I'm just going for what i've seen and remember. Just for kicks I did a quick google search and came up with this:

Maybe we are talking about different stuff?

I understand you my friend. I am not also trying to create "I'm right-you're wrong scenario". I just want to also give my point as owner of MIJ Squiers (JV and Silver series) and Fender basses Since this is a forum, discussions like this is very healthy, as it provides useful informations to others. I really appreciate your points. The photo you have just posted had been posted and discussed here before. The Fender decal was definitely a replacement, that was a MIJ Squier Silver series. If you are going to do google search on Silver series photos, chances are, you won't get any photos of Large fender decal with small silver series decal. All are Squier. But of course, I maybe wrong. Anyway, nice discussion

Good day and happy bassing

here is the thread http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124530&highlight=

 

[elgranluis]

YEah, the pic isn't clear enough to see the edges of the decal, the pic I got from a quick google search. Oddly enough, I chimed into that thread as well saying how it looked ok from what i'd seen!

But, the thread does mention the very odd routing underneath the pickguard, so that clears that one our of the way.

 

[basmartin]

Strange, I always thought that Silver Series had solid wood.

 

[LCW]

Could body filler be apllied and sanded flush? i know its not pretty but its cheap and makes it useable

 

[kenjikun]

But, the thread does mention the very odd routing underneath the pickguard, so that clears that one our of the way.

Yeah, that is also a mystery for me, first time I see that kind of routing, perhaps that serves as "expansion" area, maybe the wood material has thermal expansion.

@bassmartin

All silver series I have owned had solid wood, this one was the only lemon.

@LCW

you're right, there were some kind of body sealers on top.

 

[Eilif]

But, the thread does mention the very odd routing underneath the pickguard, so that clears that one our of the way.

If the strange route under the guard is on both this body and the squire in the other post, that's enought for me change my opinion to be that this could well be a real squier body.

All silver series I have owned had solid wood, this one was the only lemon.

Besides this swelling, do the cavities or neck pocket reveal the plywood body? Also, how heavy is it. Most ply bodies are heavier than real wood bodies.

My Squier Silver series P-bass is extremely light, and I hope this indicates that it has a solid baswood body. Strangely, it has no channel route, and is routed so nicely that that I could play without a guard if I got a cover for the control cavity.

 

[kenjikun]

Besides this swelling, do the cavities or neck pocket reveal the plywood body?

Not really, it seems that the solid wood was sandwiched between thin layers of this mysterious plywood. Therefore, the cavities reveal solid wood.

My Squier Silver series P-bass is extremely light, and I hope this indicates that it has a solid baswood body.Strangely, it has no channel route, and is routed so nicely that that I could play without a guard if I got a cover for the control cavity.

That is also the same with my other Squier silver series P-Bass. Anyway, I am still 100% this is genuine MIJ. Just a factory lemon.