1989 USA Fender YJM strat.... Is this legit ?

[Gainiac]

Aww, crap.... I was gonna suggest you carefully get it home and 'apart' and look in neck pocket and behind pickguard, for internal marks, serial numbers, paint or date codes, ANYTHING you could shoot a pic of and send off to FMIC for help or piece of mind and then could always return the following day with a reciept...

But, alas.... NO sale...

[/quote

I so want to love this guitar but fear I wont. Its the scallops that are the unknown. Ive always wanted run......ugggh. I might send one of my two splawn guitars in for a blackmore scallop. That would be cheaper. I tried to have a second neck made but after a falling out I think I have to move on to another company. Jon Hill in Cleveland is my thought now. If he can make me a neck to fit my Splawn and I scollop it and hate it I still have my original neck. Im leaning that way.

Hey, some thoughts,
Do you REALLY need the entire neck scalloped? I've found an incredible, truly useful benefit to be gained from simply scalloping from the last 4 (on a 24 fret, ala Jem) or from the '12th forward' and still retained the density and thickness (= original tone on a custom piece you LOVE?) on the lower bouts of an original board by NOT scalloping there, where it wasnt needed...
For me, while still getting the benefits of having easier bends and more 'finger-pad area' on the upper frets, on a few (5) of the necks I've scalloped myself, using small round files, keeping a sharp eye on the curvature and radius of the board, working SLOOOWLY and smoothly as I go, and finishing up with smaller sandpaper grits and finally 0000 steel wool, and I started this whole 'learning experience' by looking at a brand new JEM as a starting point, and, frankly, under close up scrutiny, the work was kinda... well,... not precise... or precise enough from fret to fret to make me think I couldnt do a bit better in terms of height, width and depth graduating from fret to fret...

My results were actually VERY satisfactory, better than the seeming 'rush job' I've seen on some commercially produced guitars (Jems included). DISCLAIMER: I'M NOT CRAPPING ON ANYONES FAVORITE JEM!!!

I'm just suggesting if you have any experience with woodworking and a few files/sandpaper, you could probably achieve great results on a neck if you wanted to...
AGAIN, this is only on the small wood removal of the Upper frets, I've NEVER gone further, since, frankly, I never found the need, but it might be worth considering if the neck(s) you buy or come across dont have the feel or the snap or the tone you might LOSE by bolting on a piece of lumber that isnt quite up to the same feel/fretwire/wood quality as your Spalwn, while keeping your neck pocket bone stock and all original...

Just adding more thoughts to the mix....

Although most of my favorite guitars are non-scalloped, and most of my scalloped work has actually been sold off (guitar GAS IS a NASTY DISEASE!!!)
I DO have a commercial, (wont say who...) aftermarket full scalloped board bolted to an old crackle paint Dimarzio body and I will admit I love ripping on it once a while... nothing quite like playing with a lite touch and feeling the Yngwie vibe..... like it or not.... Scallops do ROCK!!!

 

[stompboxfreak72]

Thanks Gainiac. I only played a YJM once and I absolutely hated it. I figured it was the set up at the time but I could not wrangle farmer chords out of that guitar. The Blackmore Strat I played really loved with the partial scallop. The only reason I have not pulled the trigger is that $1200 is steep for MIM in my opinion and I was hoping to score a used one to no avail. The Blackmore is what really has my attention ( gas) currently. I was going to scallop another guitar I own but decided against it. It seems its Blackmore or bust currently for me ( could change next hour). Thanks for the post. I appreciate hearing of your experience and information on this.

 

[bog70]

The Blackmore has a 7.5 radius so expect to keep your high E at a HIGH action otherwise it frets out. Had one and shitcannerd it. Had numerous Yngwie models as well. I wanted the challange of the scalloped neck, but IMO there are NO real advantages........other than the high E slipping off the neck during pulloffs. Save your money

 

[stompboxfreak72]

The Blackmore has a 7.5 radius so expect to keep your high E at a HIGH action otherwise it frets out. Had one and shitcannerd it. Had numerous Yngwie models as well. I wanted the challange of the scalloped neck, but IMO there are NO real advantages........other than the high E slipping off the neck during pulloffs. Save your money

I really liked the Blackmore I played. It may have just been that I was " in the mode" so to speak but I really liked the grip of the partially scalloped neck.

I took the plunge and ordered the Blackmore from Sweetwater today. They agreed to set it up for me free of charge before shipping. I was told it would only delay my order by one day so I should have the guitar on Thursday if all goes well. With a 30 day return policy and a Sweetwater Platinum card I figure I cant go wrong. Ive hemmed and hawed over this issue for weeks now and I need to put it to rest. With no way to demo a YJM or Blackmore locally this was the best way for me to put it to rest. If I dont gel with it I will just send it back and stick with my Splawn, Charvel and Jackson superstrats. Im a little leery of a MIM strat for $1199....Ill have 30 days to figure it out.

 

[bog70]

The Blackmore has a 7.5 radius so expect to keep your high E at a HIGH action otherwise it frets out. Had one and shitcannerd it. Had numerous Yngwie models as well. I wanted the challange of the scalloped neck, but IMO there are NO real advantages........other than the high E slipping off the neck during pulloffs. Save your money

I really liked the Blackmore I played. It may have just been that I was " in the mode" so to speak but I really liked the grip of the partially scalloped neck.

I took the plunge and ordered the Blackmore from Sweetwater today. They agreed to set it up for me free of charge before shipping. I was told it would only delay my order by one day so I should have the guitar on Thursday if all goes well. With a 30 day return policy and a Sweetwater Platinum card I figure I cant go wrong. Ive hemmed and hawed over this issue for weeks now and I need to put it to rest. With no way to demo a YJM or Blackmore locally this was the best way for me to put it to rest. If I dont gel with it I will just send it back and stick with my Splawn, Charvel and Jackson superstrats. Im a little leery of a MIM strat for $1199....Ill have 30 days to figure it out.

Good idea. I got my last few Strats thru Sweetwater. I got the Blackmore and an Yngwie thru them as well. If you don't like it.....back it goes

 

[80sGuy]

I know this is an old thread. Just happened to stumbled upon it and wanted to chime in for future reference....
The YJM Strat noted above is indeed genuine. It was the 2nd generation released in the late 90s, for this model according to the serial number it would be a '98. It is based off a late 60s to very early 70s model before the 'bullet' era introduced by Fender early/mid '71. The third gen/crop of YJM models would feature such noted change - with the bullet but still retains that '69-'70-style logo 'with synchronized tremolo' wordings. Pickups were also revised over the years with DiMarzio H-3 (N/B) on 1st and second gens then subsequently changed to DiMarzio YJMs (HS-4, HS-4, HS-3) on 2nds, then to Duncan YJMs on current models. As stated, the 2nd gen YJM models are pretty much sought-after, just like the first gen.