My first electric, a 94 Korean made Fiesta Red Squire Strat. I must have won some sort of guitar lottery, because everyone who plays it asks me if it's really a Squire. It's got the 21 fret neck, vintage style tremelo, single ply pickguard, and a real "vintage" vibe to it since the pickup covers and knobs have yellowed. The pickups are gold - I don't know if someone was overwinding them that day or what, but they are hot and fat, and some of the best single coils I've heard.. and I've owned a couple MIA Strats and other Fenders.
It is a Squire, though. The neck has developed a slight twist toward the bass side in it's old age, and I've pretty much worn out the frets at the 12th and 5th positions. I replaced the jack plate with a better quality item, it has a switchcraft jack and switch now, the neckplate and screws have been replaced and I replaced all the pickguard screws. I'm currently kicking the idea around of putting a new neck on it.. (Anyone know how the old and new Squire necks compare? Or should I go Mighty Mite or even invest in a MIA Fender neck, maybe a Highway One..) I've also thought about removing the poly finish and having it redone in Fiesta Red nitro.
But for sale or trade? Never, no how. Not only because it really isn't worth much, but because I simply haven't found a Strat I like better, bar none.. and I've tried them all because I didn't want to have "just a Squire".
Loves me some Gold Tops!
