Whitstable Guitars
A selection of good quality, used guitars and specialising in imports from Japan since 2008
WHITSTABLE GUITARS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLIDAY UNTIL 17TH SEPTEMBER AND UNABLE TO HANDLE ANY SALES. ALL SALES ENQUIRIES WILL BE DEALT WITH ON A "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED" BASIS ON MY RETURN.
THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
ROB
1983 JV Squier Japan ST-552 H/H Candy Apple Red & new hard case
£789.00 + shipping
JAPAN IMPORT
Here's a little bit of a rarity that you don't see very often outside of Japan. This Squier ST-552 was made at the famous Fujigen facility during the golden era and originally intended for the domestic market in Japan as part of the "Contemporary Series" It dates from 1983 and therefore has a JV serial number.
Condition:
Guitar is all original apart from the tremolo arm which was missing and has been replaced. Other than a couple of chips on the top edge (see gallery pics) this guitar is in remarkable condition for a 40+ year old guitar and plays really well. As mentioned, the Dragster Humbuckers have a warm bluesy sound. I really like it!
Here's some information I found online and from my contacts in Japan.
The Fender Squier ST-552 is a vintage electric guitar. It was built in Japan by Fujigen Gakki during the early 1980s (JV and SQ serial number eras). It belongs to the Contemporary Series, which featured modern, non-traditional specifications built for rock and metal players.
Key Specifications
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Body Material: Alder
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Neck Material: Maple with a comfortable C or U shape
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Fingerboard: Rosewood with a 10-inch radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and a 25.5-inch scale length
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Pickups: Dual Fender Dragster humbuckers (HH configuration) mounted on escutcheon rings
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Controls: Master volume, master tone, and a 3-way toggle switch
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Hardware: 6-point vintage-style Stratocaster tremolo bridge with Fender-stamped saddles
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Distinctive Looks: Often featured matching painted headstocks in finishes like Candy Apple Red or Lake Placid Blue.
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Highly regarded for exceptional build quality that rivals or exceeds contemporary Fender instruments of that era.
Model Name: ST-552 Stratocaster
Series: Contemporary Series
Body
Colors: CAR, CAG, LPB, PWH, BGM
Body Material: Alder
Neck
Neck Shape: “U” Shape
Neck Material: Maple
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 10”
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Nut Width: 42.5mm
Scale Length: 25.5”
Electronics
Pickup Configuration: H/H
Pickups: 2 Dragster Humbucking Pickups
Pickup Switching:
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Hardware
Hardware: Chrome
Tuners:
Bridge: End ROX Tremolo
Pickguard: 3-Ply B/W/B
Miscellaneous
Unique Features: Matching Painted Headstock/Neck
MSRP:
Country of Origin: Japan
Introduced: Fall 1983
Discontinued: 1987
Contemporary Series (JV numbered Strat style)
An unlikely candidate for a JV serial number are the first versions of the Contemporary Series guitars. However this was planned by Fender Japan to cover the 'Metalist' end of the market.
These models were introduced in late 1983, with (again) numbers starting around JV7xxxx.
The Contemporary series model was considered part of the second phase of Fender Squier Japan (There were no fewer than 13 different models in this range). These guitars had painted headstocks
As you will see from the pictures below, they are not typical of what you would expect see with a JV (Japanese Vintage) number.
While they are excellent guitars in their own right (and will obviously appeal to a lot of people), they are, despite their JV serial number, generally not considered to be a true JV instrument by serious enthusiasts and collectors.
The tone on this JV is suited not only for Rock but Blues also, the Humbuckers have a warm vintage sound to them.
Two open style "Dragster" humbucker pickups were used in the '502' model, the single coil pickups used in the ST-501 and ST-801 models were the "Hotrod" model.
All Fender branded guitars with the 'Original Contour Body' decals, were not exported and sold only in Japan.
A short lived export vintage Fender brand / Squier series model was produced alongside the first domestic market Fenders (these were not sold in Japan). After the first three months (roughly) of export 'Fender brand' / Squier series production, the first 'Squier brand' (export) models replaced the Fender / Squier series models. Initially just the decals changed, but some other very subtle changes appeared in the ensuing months.
The "Fender Contemporary" models were (with the exception of the very first Fender brand / Squier series guitars) the first Fender Japan models to be exported officially as Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters. I think in the domestic market, these Fender contemporary models were sold as "Squier Contemporary" models, because "Fender Contemporary" models are very rare in the Japanese market meanwhile "Squier Contemporary" models are hard to find in the USA. According to some information, These " Contemporary" models were produced from the fall of 1983 right up to 1987.
A few of the Specs:
Weight: approx 3.61 KG
Neck profile: U shape
Neck width at nut: 42.5mm
Additionally, this guitars has an "END ROX" Steel Block which locks the strings into place with Allen Wrench/Hex Key. These are located on the underside of the bridge's tremolo block. The guitar can be strung Similar to a Floyd Rose, however the strings pass through the bridge & tremolo block and are locked in place by winding around the posts of 6 hex screws (much like how one would tighten a wire in an electrical socket). If you don't need to lock the strings you can string the guitar in the usual manner. Personally I think this is a poor design and see no need for it but its part of Fender Japan's history!
Hardcase: A new rectangular generic hardcase (Black or Tweed) is included with this guitar
Hard Case
As said many times, all my guitars come shipped in a new black hard case which is included in the price. I find this is the safest way to avoid damage in transit. Please contact me before purchasing if you would like this. Alternatively, if you are collecting the guitar and, like some buyers have cases coming out of their ears, that's no problem, I'll adjust the price (usually around a £50 discount) and I can usually find you an old gigbag to take the guitar away in. The only hard and fast rule I have is that i won't ship a guitar in a gigbag.
If you are further interested in this guitar, you can either email me with any queries & I'll do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.
Or, you can buy quickly and safely using the PayPal "buy now" button and I will ship to most UK addresses the next working day. Highlands and Islands can be slightly dearer but I'll keep the cost as low as I can.
I can accept credit card payments by phone and will also offer a small discount to purchasers using bank transfer payments.
Overseas customers are very welcome but please email me first for shipping quotes.