Squier necks: Japan v. Indonesia

[bobworship]

Hello, first: I've been reading and learning on this forum for quite some time, thanks to all who post so much amazing info.

I purchased an Affinity Tele and modded it with new pups, controls, etc. Next up for this one is to tint the neck, fret leve, new nut, etc.

However, I'm also moving on to another modded/build/whatever and I want to go another step however continue to mod a fairly inexpensive guitar. Sooo.

How do the necks/guitars made in Indonesia compare to the Japan ones? I am looking at buying a used Squier Vintage Modified Custom for a great deal, however will I be dissapointed? Will it play similiar to the neck made in Japan? My Affinity neck is great and I love it. I enjoy the smaller profile and I think it is quality construction for the money.

I am just getting into learning about radius/nuts/finish, etc. so any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[MatthewK]

You really need to check it out in person (or have an exit strategy) because it's so hard to predict. I have an old Squier Japan Tele, absolute favourite neck ever, better than my Fender Japan, etc. It's quite beefy and I had heard that the Squier 51 was similar, and people liked those necks particularly. Bought a 51 off eBay, had it shipped, it arrived, neck felt cheap and unpleasant. Tried all the tricks, rolled the edges, dressed fret ends, got it all right, but it still felt like a cheap piece of junk to me. Fortunately I live in Australia and even Squiers are expensive here, so I was able to eBay it for twice what I paid. But the lesson I learned is that you can't trust anyone else's opinion and that even close similarities like profile and fingerboard wood are no guide to whether you will actually like a neck. My two favourites are a fat maple neck with a 7.25" radius, and a thin Gibson style neck with a bound rosewood board and a 12" radius.

[Mike Eskimo]

I have an old Squier Japan Tele, absolute favourite neck ever,

+1

2 best necks I ever played were both early MIJ Squiers. Nice rolled edges too.

I've played a couple of the 1st Squier 51's (Indonesia ? India) that had really great necks on them. Probably better shaped than a couple of MIA necks I've played. $100 guitar vs an $800 one.

[telepath]

I have a Squier Standard (not Affinity) Strat ('04) - but made in China (CY) not Indonesia. So many potential variations with Squires eh?!
But hey - incredible neck! just .. utterly lovely :)

[bobworship]

Thank you for the info. Tried some dif squiers at GC tonight, it is definetly hit or miss.

[Late Comer]

The only reason I'm building a Partscaster at the moment is because my son got me a Korean Squire neck that I LOVED on another guitar. (The kid with the guitar wanted to "upgrade" to a "real" Fender neck, so my son was able to gift me with the rejected Squire neck.)

[tap4154]

Squier 51 necks are excellent. If you equate heavy poly gloss to an expensive/quality neck you won't like them, since they have a very thin/slick satin finish, which feels like bare wood. They have a great chunky profile and are usually made of pretty dense maple. Also real medium jumbo frets (not the small "medium jumbos" on the Classic Vibe series, which are closer to vintage frets).

[tfsails]

I have an Indonesian Bullet Strat and the neck on it is just fine. It's marginally thinner than the neck on my MIM Tele, but it's nice and straight, the frets are level, and it plays beautifully. It's a rosewood neck.

[AngryHatter]

I have two Indonesian guitars.
A 51 Squier and a CV tele.
The tele neck is awesome, the 51 neck is awful.

Tele neck is finished, frets are good et cetera.
51 neck is unfinished, they laminated a maple fretboard to a maple neck and the frets are neither level nor crowned - sharp edges et cetera.

Some good, some bad.

[Late Comer]

Originally Posted by tap4154

Squier 51 necks are excellent. If you equate heavy poly gloss to an expensive/quality neck you won't like them, since they have a very thin/slick satin finish, which feels like bare wood. .

I hate that thick poly finish. Feels like a gymnasium floor. Satin has always been my preference.

[PinewoodRo]

From '82 to '86 all Japanese fenders and squiers (and Ibanez) guitars were made in the same factory (I got this from the history of fender book) in Japan. I definitely agree that ideally you should check a neck out in person but this isn't always possible. The japanese necks from these years will however tend to be made of high quality seasoned wood shipped from the USA. I have a '82 JV Squier and a '85 'E' series Squier both from Japan and they are both brilliant necks, for me a higher quality feel than any I have played from Indonesia, China, Korea or even Mexico. So I'm a big fan of the older *** stuff.
As for gloss or satin - maybe just personal preference?

[bullitt]

I too have 2 mid 80s Japanese Squiers and the necks are highly flamed and just superb IMOP.

[boris bubbanov]

Go for the Indonesian necks because they will be vastly more available. I suspect a Squier Japan neck is gonna cost too much and you may as well order an Allparts neck.