1983 Fender (Japan) JV Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Update: I finally got internal pics posted -- sorry for a delay -- note that I copied the presumably-original wiring harness layout when I fit my new pots & orange drop cap in. The original pots were on the way out and the cap was not working at all. I think the owner still has these parts. I used 500k mini Bourns audio taper pots because, at the time that I did this, getting a supply of the full-size ones was difficult and they're the brand I like. They work well and sound great, no worries. 

Update Part 2: I've been chatting with a JV fan and he's come to conclusions that I agree with (and sort-of wondered about). It appears to be a Japanese domestic market "ST57-65" neck model but it has an EX-marked (Export) Squier JV body. There are any number of reasons this might have happened but I'm pretty sure this guitar has been kept stock as much as possible. The headstock does not look re-decal'd to me and the finish looks authentic and original throughout. As I recall the history of the guitar is that it was purchased from overseas and had been a one-owner up to that point, but I will have to ask the owner again to confirm.

Now back to my earlier listing info...

Early Fender Japan guitars are not only excellently-collectable these days but they're also excellent guitars. This one is an early-on "JV" model (based on a '57 Strat) and it certainly feels vintage-cut in-hand via its neck shape, overall weight, body cuts, and tone. The finish, of course, is poly, though, which gives it a bit of an early-'70s retro feel.

Based on this guy's features (check the JV Chronicles site), it's likely that this was made in '82 or '83. The fact that it has black finish and a maple neck suggests that it's an '83 but its headstock bears an early, Japanese domestic market-looking set of decals, as far as I can tell.

It has all of the "vintage" features you'd like -- stamped saddles, simple 1-ply pickguard, skunk stripe maple neck, Kluson-a-like tuners, you name it. It's lightweight, handles beautifully, and has the "ducky" sound in the 2 and 4 positions just as the Doc ordered. Pickups on these are American-made units -- a greybottom at the bridge and two blackbottoms in the neck and middle positions. These sound like the real thing because they are the real thing.

I recently did a bunch of minor work to the instrument and it's playing spot-on and good to go. I will have internal pics up as soon as possible, but the short of it is that the guitar is completely original except for replacement potentiometers and small wire runs in the harness -- the old pots had been mucked-with a number of times and were pooping-out and the owner was into the idea of livening-up the sound as much as possible -- which was a good choice as it did liven the sound up.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, wiring work, setup, adjustments.

Body wood: unsure

Bridge: stamped saddles vintage style

Fretboard: maple

Neck wood: maple

Pickups: 2x USA black-bobbin pickups, 1x USA grey-bobbin (bridge)

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 46w-10

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: 7.25"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-lower

Scale length: 25 1/2"

Nut width: 1 5/8"

Body width: 12 3/4"

Body depth: 1 3/4"

Weight: 7 lbs 3 oz

Condition notes: while there are nicks and dings around the body's edge and plenty of mild wear and tear (scratching/scuffing) to the finish throughout, the overall look is good and healthy. It handles like an old guitar and looks like one -- all in the best of ways. The most egregious wear is some "buckle rash" to the back along the tummy cut that's pretty severe, but, ya know -- authentic.