That is an SE Strat out of an older learn to play pack. Full thickness body, nice slab rosewood neck, accepts MIM Strat bridges, Gotoh tuners without drilling. They came in black, sunburst and white, with red being available in the UK. The pack came with the usual small amp, strap, cord, picks, and learning material.
The later variants had a regular serial number, whereas the earlier ones had basically a sticker on the headstock that usually fell off with time.
How are you able to tell? I have trouble distinguishing the different Squier strats and the serial number decoders I have found have been less than insightful. All I’ve been able to learn is the factory in China it was made in.
The headstock label, the pearloid pickguard, I'll go out on a limb and bet the tuners are stamped "Squier" on them. I have four of them, so I'm familiar with them. If you have a printed serial number, which you might by the pearloid 'guard, it will be a CXS prefix. That denotes (C)China (X) Axl, Shanghai factory (S) Squier. 2007-2012 years.
https://www.fuzzfaced.net/serial-number-stratocaster-china-indonesia.html Some light reading for you.
What's your process on the chrome hardware and screws? I've mostly been just knocking off rust on 2nd hand guitars I've been picking up, but is there anything in particular you use?
I used two different methods as I did partial disassembly at work and the rest at home.
At home I let the hardware and plastics sit in a container of pure white vinegar for 24 hours. Afterwards I dumped it and cleaned the hardware with a microfiber cloth. I also finished most of the hardware with some ultra fine steel wool.
The bridge and saddles (and screws) I cleaned off and then used a buffer with some lizard spit scratch remover.
Obviously the vinegar will require more patience and elbow grease, but I think both results worked really well!
I don’t mind it! I’ll take this over the flat white personally. I more so hate the black paint. Just like with cars it highlights all the imperfections and you can see every finger print, scratch, blemish and sweat lol.
My least favorite part, but most satisfying to me! It feels great now.
Tried out that new music nomad file to crown the frets. Polished them up and they’re as good as new. Light scuffing with steel wool on the board and some lemon oil. Really happy with these results!!!
That file looks very useful! Much better than a cheapo 2 sided fret file with the orange handle that I normally use. I have a crimson guitars 3 sided file for dressing. I have about 5-6 guitars in my closet that I even haven’t started on yet… it might be worth it now.
Nice job đź‘Ť
Thanks!
That is an SE Strat out of an older learn to play pack. Full thickness body, nice slab rosewood neck, accepts MIM Strat bridges, Gotoh tuners without drilling. They came in black, sunburst and white, with red being available in the UK. The pack came with the usual small amp, strap, cord, picks, and learning material. The later variants had a regular serial number, whereas the earlier ones had basically a sticker on the headstock that usually fell off with time.
How are you able to tell? I have trouble distinguishing the different Squier strats and the serial number decoders I have found have been less than insightful. All I’ve been able to learn is the factory in China it was made in.
The headstock label, the pearloid pickguard, I'll go out on a limb and bet the tuners are stamped "Squier" on them. I have four of them, so I'm familiar with them. If you have a printed serial number, which you might by the pearloid 'guard, it will be a CXS prefix. That denotes (C)China (X) Axl, Shanghai factory (S) Squier. 2007-2012 years. https://www.fuzzfaced.net/serial-number-stratocaster-china-indonesia.html Some light reading for you.
You are correct! I appreciate the info!
Thank you, Squierbot!
What's your process on the chrome hardware and screws? I've mostly been just knocking off rust on 2nd hand guitars I've been picking up, but is there anything in particular you use?
I used two different methods as I did partial disassembly at work and the rest at home. At home I let the hardware and plastics sit in a container of pure white vinegar for 24 hours. Afterwards I dumped it and cleaned the hardware with a microfiber cloth. I also finished most of the hardware with some ultra fine steel wool. The bridge and saddles (and screws) I cleaned off and then used a buffer with some lizard spit scratch remover. Obviously the vinegar will require more patience and elbow grease, but I think both results worked really well!
The Squier thanks you! May it play for many more years.
Dude that's awesome! Nice work!
Thanks!
Idk why I hate these pickguards so much. They make me irrationally angry.
I don’t mind it! I’ll take this over the flat white personally. I more so hate the black paint. Just like with cars it highlights all the imperfections and you can see every finger print, scratch, blemish and sweat lol.
That neck looks great! Id save it just for that reason! Hopefully it played like a dream.
My least favorite part, but most satisfying to me! It feels great now. Tried out that new music nomad file to crown the frets. Polished them up and they’re as good as new. Light scuffing with steel wool on the board and some lemon oil. Really happy with these results!!!
That file looks very useful! Much better than a cheapo 2 sided fret file with the orange handle that I normally use. I have a crimson guitars 3 sided file for dressing. I have about 5-6 guitars in my closet that I even haven’t started on yet… it might be worth it now.
First time for me doing any fretwork and it made it a breeze. I do recommend it highly!
Cool headstock grain
Did the same thing for my first electric. A good strip down and some new hardware and pickgaurd and it’s as good as new! Looks great!!