Squire made in Japan

[kenjikun]

Lots of great info on this thread. Anybody have any more info on the Silver series basses. Models, configuration, components, etc ?

Silver series were the last to be made in Japan in the early '90s.

The most unique feature of this bass from other MIJ Squier is the way the headstock is shaped. The corner near the E-string tuners had sharper contour compared to the more rounded JV, SQ, E and A series Squier. It is also the only MIJ Squier that had the truss -rod hole on the headstock.

Body: All were basswood while some came with MDF. Poly finish in black, white, 3T sunburst only. No other color were offered.

Neck: Untinted maple with skunk stripe at the back, rosewood board. All has natural satin finish. The Squier decal is colored silver.

Pickguard: Single-ply white or black for P-bass, 3 -ply black, white or red tort for J-Bass.

Pickup: Japanese made with copper baseplate for P-bass, for J-Bass an additional copper baseplate is located on the control cavity. Some J-Bass has copper grounding strip from the bridge towards the rear J-pickup cavity, some don't. Pickup has plastic covered output wire rather than cloth.

Hardware : Tuning pegs has smaller hole diameter (similar to Gotoh GB-1) and smaller base. Bridge doesn't have threaded string saddles.

Pots : P-bass has big pots while J-bass has small pots.

Note on the body material:

I discovered that some SS Jazz had MDF body with routed holes under the pickguard. I posted it here but some fellow members doubted it (which is understandable) but I never stopped researching until I found another one on auction. I asked the seller from what bass was the body, he told me its from a Silver series jazz. here is the photo of mine and the other one. Very similar indeed. Notice also the neck pocket, routing was very similar.

Mine
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

and another one
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Tommygunn]

My '84 SQ P-Bass

I knew I would find this bass in this thread. I cannot get over how nice that burst is! I would seriously trade me burst sterling (actual MM) for that bass. A warmoth all maple neck and (maybe) an upgraded pup or bridge.

 

[auximines]

I just acquired a 1983-1984 Squier Japanese Vintage Precision Bass. Serial number starts with SQ. Will the standard p-bass pickguard fit this bass? It seems just a tad smaller than a standard Fender or Squier precision.

I am looking for a tortoise shell (preferably) or black pickguard for this bass. Where can I possibly find one?

 

[Anonymous Guy]

I know it's not exactly bass related, but I do remember that Japan's last foray in Squier production came in the mid-late 90's with the Jagmaster for the Vista series, which was a guitar made of leftover Jaguar parts.

 

[mike_v_s]

I've got a line on a "Squier" jazz bass with the large Fender/ small Squier logo on the headstock. The oddity is that the bass has a one piece pickguard (all plastic, no control plate). I suspect the body and neck are mismatched...am i correct? Is the body even a Fender/Squier ? Thanks.

Mike

Edit: I just found another link that gives a few details on a mid 1990's MIM Squier series that this appears to be from. Thanks anyway, fellas.

Mike

 

[mav]

here's a pic of my SQ Series

The standard Fender pick guard will fit.

 

[johnnycat42]

I know it's not exactly bass related, but I do remember that Japan's last foray in Squier production came in the mid-late 90's with the Jagmaster for the Vista series, which was a guitar made of leftover Jaguar parts.

Actually, in the late 90's, they made a Vista Series Musicmaster Bass. As far as I know, that is the last MIJ Squier bass ever in production. I have a line on one right now and will give it a review if I can score it.

 

[Musky]

Actually, in the late 90's, they made a Vista Series Musicmaster Bass. As far as I know, that is the last MIJ Squier bass ever in production. I have a line on one right now and will give it a review if I can score it.

The Vista Musicmaster was made in China, though a decent bass in it's own right. As far as I know the rest of the Vista range was made in Korea, but maybe the Jagmaster story is right. I didn't pay much attention to it really.

 

[wraub]

Hey all, been a while. This thread drew me back in.

I actually have a "rare" SQ '62 Jazz bass, and it seriously rocks. So hard.

All original, except for 4 saddle height adjustment screws, a volume and a tone knob, and a strap button. These were missing when I bought it, and it only had 3 strings, so the seller let me have it for $60.00. All told, I have $75.00 into it. Yup.

It weighs just under 9 lbs, records like a dream, wears like an old t-shirt, and has a neck like warm buttah without the guilt. Nice dark rosewood board, loud and resonant unplugged, and schweet with flats.

However, I have been mostly unable to find much info on SQ Jazz basses (and have seen only one other, on ebay a while back.) Anyone know anything about these?
Thanks...

Peace,

wraub

 

[Musky]

Hey all, been a while. This thread drew me back in.

I actually have a "rare" SQ '62 Jazz bass, and it seriously rocks. So hard.

All original, except for 4 saddle height adjustment screws, a volume and a tone knob, and a strap button. These were missing when I bought it, and it only had 3 strings, so the seller let me have it for $60.00. All told, I have $75.00 into it. Yup.

It weighs just under 9 lbs, records like a dream, wears like an old t-shirt, and has a neck like warm buttah without the guilt. Nice dark rosewood board, loud and resonant unplugged, and schweet with flats.

However, I have been mostly unable to find much info on SQ Jazz basses (and have seen only one other, on ebay a while back.) Anyone know anything about these?
Thanks...

Peace,

wraub

Take a look at Invalid Link Removed

Nothing there specifically about the Jazz (though you can try the forum), but the construction details are going to be similar to the other SQ's there.

 

[wraub]

Thanks, Musky. Have been there and have even sent pics of my J bass to the peeps there.
Mine is a lot like the JV basses pictured, but in black w/ white pickguard. Grounding strap from bridge to bridge p/u, smaller peghead, router hump, etc. all adding period detail, whatever that is.
I have had this bass a few years (pretty sure I am second owner but who knows), and have been digging up all the info I can find on the SQ, JV, and E instruments for that time. I have seen almost nothing on SQ J Basses.
I also have an E series MIJ Strat. Big fan of that gear.

Peace,

wraub

 

[not_jason]

I feel very very lucky to have stumbled into owning my 1982 Squier Jazz (JV33560). It is such a fantastic instrument.

 

[MTMTEX]

Thought I would show my SQ Squier Bullet, next to its American cousin a Bullet Deluxe.

 

[lowend1]

I knew I would find this bass in this thread. I cannot get over how nice that burst is! I would seriously trade me burst sterling (actual MM) for that bass. A warmoth all maple neck and (maybe) an upgraded pup or bridge.

That's pretty impressive - but I'm hanging on to this one Sunlight always brings out the best in the grain and color.
I upgraded the pickup in it to a MIJ 57 P-bass reissue.

 

[auximines]

1983 or '84 Squier SQ Series Precision. Plays like a champ. Originally came with a white pickguard. About to have a bridge upgrade, SD Quarter Pound pup, and new wiring kit installed. Also filed the nut a bit to install a B string. It's tuned D A E B. Pretty damn solid bass. Love it!!

 

[pwnyman]

I hate to necro this thread but I've got a "squire contemporary bass" It's got a J and P bass pick ups, a painted neck/head and no pickguard. There is no serial number on it and I'm told by my step dad that he acquired it from someone who knew someone who worked at fender and claimed this is a prototype. Will post pics very soon, hope someone out there can help shed some light on this thing I'm very curious.

Other JV and SQ These were mostly contemporary basses with P/J pickup and painted neck and headstock. No pickguards on these basses.

This perfectly describes the bass I have however that is the only bit of info I can find about it. How much are these worth nowadays?

 

[Hot Rats]

Squier Bass for the heck of it pictures....

 

[Batmensch]

OK, one question that comes to mind after all this. IF these early Squiers were so great, and as some have said the 90's ones were good too, and the current crop are also great, Where did this supposed reputation that Squiers were/are crap come from? Or have I been reading all this wrong?

 

[warwick.hoy]

OK, one question that comes to mind after all this. IF these early Squiers were so great, and as some have said the 90's ones were good too, and the current crop are also great, Where did this supposed reputation that Squiers were/are crap come from? Or have I been reading all this wrong?

Affinities aren't all that great. I had a ~96 Korean Squier P and I hated it. Replaced it with a MIJ 75RI Jazz. Great bass. Pawned it cause I was broke. Now I have a ca. 82 JV Squier (which I'm now thinking is absolutely a 1982 cause of this thread) It is as nice as the RI. Just doesn't have the 70's Jazz pup placement or killer block inlays, but it's still an awesome bass.

I put it on the chopping block to buy another cab,...I'm reconsidering selling it.

 

[snowblinder]

My '83 SQ series Precision:

I replaced the pickup with a Seymour Duncan Antiquity II. This is by far my favorite bass that I've ever played. It'll never leave my possession.