Made in Korea Squier series strat. Worth it?

[AdrianO]

Hello there!! I have a made in korea strat. It says fender as the main logo, very small it says squier. Its just here, sitting in a case, use to belong to my brother years ago, atleast 15 years or so. Now its just sitting in a case, he doesnt play anymore.
Well.. anyway, what I want to know is, would it be worth it so put some new pickups and hardware on it? It gives a scratching sound switching between pickups and using the knobs. The neck feels fine, from what I can tell its 1 piece, apart from the line in the back. Everything feels good, but would it be worth it?

 

[tuuur]

I'd say yes, provided the guitar feels well played acoustically.
Most important is if the neck feels right to you.
Korean Squiers/Fenders have a fairly nice build quality, just not that great electronics; my Fender MIK Strat's biggest problems were the dull pickups and the (for my needs) too thin neck.

 

[AdrianO]

I was actually suprised how well it sounded acousticly.
Ill probably go for it then. The neck, and fretboard have been worked on by a local guitar smith, the tuning kets were always replaced with higher quality ones, the old ones were loose and broken. I might as well put some money into it then. Might become a new baby to me.

 

[AllroyPA]

Definitly worth it, as soon as you put your touches on it, you'll love it more.

 

[tele salivas]

Ahh! I toured with a cream colored version of that guitar for 6 years. Sometimes going from dry, cold weather to humid ,hot weather conditions in the same day, and never had a problem with the neck. I got it cause it sounded great, had a great neck, and it was inexpensive enough that if anything happend on tour I could replace it easily. During that time I had to switch out the electronics due to the scratchiness you describe. I liked the pickups enough but the wiring and switch and pots were crud from he beginning. The whammy may surprise you , don't be afraid to play with the tension. I'd keep it.

 

[AdrianO]

I'm thinking of keeping the pickups, they sound really nice, apart from the scratch. A nice strat tone.

 

[Ronsonic]

Get a can of Caig DeOxit D5 contact cleaner. Spray the switch run it back and forth a dozen times. Lift the pickplate to get a short spray into each pot you can spray it into the gap by the terminals. Exercise each of the pots running it back and forth a bit. Likely to fix your problems.

 

[Dejected_Ridge]

Korean Squiers can be pretty nice guitars. I have a Squier Pro Tone Strat from Korea and it's a real player with very nice vintage sounding pickups.

-DJ

 

[Octave Doctor]

What I'd do is check to make sure it's a solid wood body--you can do this when you do the contact cleaner, just look on the inside of the routs, the plys of laminates are pretty easy to see. Plywood bodies can be decent, but your chances are better with solid wood.

The neck looks pretty good, maybe it just needs some TLC.

 

[AdrianO]

I'm also thinking of changing the pickgaurd. What are your opinions on what would look nice?

 

[david fernley]

nice necks these guitars are going up in price, put good pickups in should do you fine.

 

[5595bassman]

I have one similar from the same year

Look at this thread : http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/85474-squier-series.html#post2186521 there is a pic on post # 16

 

[Loco]

I'm also thinking of changing the pickgaurd. What are your opinions on what would look nice?

Don't think you'd go far wrong by sustituting black or tort. Keep the white pup covers, knobs and switch tip on there for a bit of contrast.

 

[rocksteady Max]

Absolutely. This is was my first electric guitar. You can order presoldered pickups and pickguard from GuitarFetish and Bob's your uncle!

 

[AllroyPA]

Mint green or white pearl or red tort would look good on it.

 

[lckyjcky]

Those MIK Fender guitars are all CRAP, piece of sheize, and worse. I will take them off your hands and am willing to pay for shipping as well. Please? Pretty please? PLEASE?

 

[teletina]

I haven't seen this post.I still have mine but is Mexican made with original Floyd Rose II and HSS config.,maple neck,it works very well.

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[rokdog49]

Mint green or white pearl or red tort would look good on it.

red tort and change the pup covers and knobs to black....yeah baby!

 

[Luthier Atlanta]

Some have the Plywood body as stated earlier, however the necks are awesome.

 

[LACampbell. esq]

red tort and change the pup covers and knobs to black....yeah baby!

that sounds about right. but it also looks good keeping the knobs and pickup covers white
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I have a 90's korean strat that's plywood that has incredible resonance and natural reverb from the spring trem. Love it. I also have a 90's korean tele that I redid in Toyota "Creme" with a white pearloid deluxe pickguard