Mexican strat?

[deex]

I have this mexican stratocaster 1993 and noticed, by demounting my tuners, that my headstock hasn't got the two little holes for keeping the tuners in place, with the distance of 1 cm (centre to centre).
In fact there are two small wholes in line, but they are for the lower screw of one tuner and the upper screw of the tuner below it (distance 1,15 cm.) .
Is it possible that my strat ain't a mexican one?

Thanx in advance

 

[bluejazzoid]

Welcome to Strat-Talk @deex -- some pics of your headstock and tuners would help with this.

 

[OttoG]

Pics?

 

[muttonbuster]

I'm sure there is a resident expect on early Mexican strats. From what I read from Fender's old CEO Bill Mendello, Ensenada was initially Fujigen's show. They brought over their own people to do the training and equipment from Japan. I would imagine even though Fujigen sold their half of the partnership to Fender, it wasn't until the fire in 1994 when Fender had to rebuild it all, that Mexican strats started to become more MIA like and less MIJ.

 

[Believer7713]

It sounds like the OP may be talking about trap tuners. If so, then I would like to see if it is a black Label. 1993 was the first year of the black label Fender line of the Squier Series which is a real MIM Fender but was made with import Asian hardware and electronics. The pickups would have been 2 ceramic bar magnets indicative of MIM at the time too.
Overall, if this is a black label, it is a great guitar. I would put mine against ANY other strat out there.
To be sure, I would need to see the pictures of the entire guitar though.

 

[deex]

Pics posted above

 

[bluejazzoid]

Pics posted above

@Believer7713 is correct – you have yourself a genuine MIM Strat... quite nice for sure!

 

[EJay]

Yeah that’s a black label I believe with the “Squier series” label removed. Here’s how it would have looked with it:


Edit: I’m now convinced it’s a traditional series and never had the Squier series decal

 

[deex]

So, it's re-decalled in fabric, and therefore a real mexican strat? Point for me now is, mounting locking tuners on it and drill the two holes that hold the tuners (without the little screws). And also fill the old screwholes, of course.

 

[pn8830]

Judging by the solid black logo and the kind of tuners, you have a Squier Series Strat. It's still a Fender Stratocaster. Here is some info https://spinditty.com/instruments-gear/The-Fender-Squier-Series-Stratocaster-Not-A-Typical-Squier

 

[deex]

Made in U.S.S.R.? I'll send some more pics.

 

[Lonn]

Yeah that’s a black label I believe with the “Squier series” label removed. Here’s how it would have looked with it:

Doesn’t look like this is one of the Squier Series, just a plain Traditional Model.

 

[EJay]

Doesn’t look like this is one of the Squier Series, just a plain Traditional Model.

Standards had a different logo and different two-pin tuners.

 

[Believer7713]

This is what you have.
It is a 1995 Traditional Series. the serial number is MN5 therefore it cannot be from 1993. The Traditional Series was pretty much the same as the Squier Series but had a clear (no stamp) ball on the headstock. They switched from the SS to the TS in 1995 due to the "Squier Stigma" at the time. This one is kind of a unicorn because part of the switch was to give the Traditional Series a 3 ply Pickguard to make them look a little more expensive than the single ply Squier Series pickguard. I can tell this one is from that particular line by the shape of the pickup route and the placement of the pickguard screws. There are only two screws that will be close if you want to replace the pickguard but will absolutely need to drill new holes for all of the rest. The pickup route looks like it is HSS but it is actually SSS. You can fit a humbucker in it but you will need a custom cut pickguard that moves the humbucker about 8mm closer to the bridge if you don't want to cut the body for it.
They made these in three colors; Black White and Red. They were considered the lowest tier strat at the time but they were really well made and most of them have had the frets played off of them which will give you an idea about them.
@deex you have a great axe!!! I would replace the tuners, and the electronics. The pickups are actually pretty nice sounding once they are properly adjusted. I did change mine out with an AlNiCo set then it got the Atheris Innovations setup installed on it so it currently has 7 different pickup sets. The tuners are 8mm so if you aren't comfortable reaming the holes for more modern style tuners then I might suggest a set of vintage style split shaft tuners.

Edit: Another tell that it is a Traditional Series is that it has the same Squier Bridge and saddles that MIC "The Bullet Series" and "Affinity Series" from 1995-1997. The trem arm will need to be 5mm if you need to replace it.

 

[Willmunny]

C'mon man, give a whole guitar pic or two, ya tease
Looks like a nice torino red
Peace

 

[Bob the builder]

Yeah that’s a black label I believe with the “Squier series” label removed. Here’s how it would have looked with it:

View attachment 625149

It's a traditional series
I have one also
never said Squier

Still got the trap tuners
Mine's a '96

 

[Lonn]

Standards had a different logo and different two-pin tuners.

Correct, but you’re leaving out in the traditional series, which is what this is.

 

[EJay]

Correct, but you’re leaving out in the traditional series, which is what this is.

Yep. I was thrown off by the 1993 year. Turns out it’s a 95. I’ve updated my original response.

 

[Believer7713]

Looking closer at the inspection sticker on the pickguard on a bigger and much clearer screen, I can tell for sure that this is an early 1995 model that was part of the transition and they were still using parts from the SS at this point. The Pickguard was QC'd in what appears to be August 1, 1994. Being that it was made outside the States, It would be using the international date code of day then month then year.

 

[deex]

This is what you have.
It is a 1995 Traditional Series. the serial number is MN5 therefore it cannot be from 1993. The Traditional Series was pretty much the same as the Squier Series but had a clear (no stamp) ball on the headstock. They switched from the SS to the TS in 1995 due to the "Squier Stigma" at the time. This one is kind of a unicorn because part of the switch was to give the Traditional Series a 3 ply Pickguard to make them look a little more expensive than the single ply Squier Series pickguard. I can tell this one is from that particular line by the shape of the pickup route and the placement of the pickguard screws. There are only two screws that will be close if you want to replace the pickguard but will absolutely need to drill new holes for all of the rest. The pickup route looks like it is HSS but it is actually SSS. You can fit a humbucker in it but you will need a custom cut pickguard that moves the humbucker about 8mm closer to the bridge if you don't want to cut the body for it.
They made these in three colors; Black White and Red. They were considered the lowest tier strat at the time but they were really well made and most of them have had the frets played off of them which will give you an idea about them.
@deex you have a great axe!!! I would replace the tuners, and the electronics. The pickups are actually pretty nice sounding once they are properly adjusted. I did change mine out with an AlNiCo set then it got the Atheris Innovations setup installed on it so it currently has 7 different pickup sets. The tuners are 8mm so if you aren't comfortable reaming the holes for more modern style tuners then I might suggest a set of vintage style split shaft tuners.

Edit: Another tell that it is a Traditional Series is that it has the same Squier Bridge and saddles that MIC "The Bullet Series" and "Affinity Series" from 1995-1997. The trem arm will need to be 5mm if you need to replace it.

Thankx Believer7713 and all the rest of you! I'm always getting a little jealous hearing people talk about guitars, so well-informed and experienced like you all. I now know it's a '95 mexican strat eventhough photo 161357