Squier SST30 Strat, made in Japan 1984, Torino red. These JV serial instruments are legendary, and that's not hyperbolic. Here's the tale in very short form: after CBS bought out Fender in 1964, the quality and craftsmanship out of the Fullerton USA plant gradually dived as they pushed to make more and more guitars in less time; by the late 70s the quality was pretty all over the place. Meanwhile, Japanese builders like Greco and Yamaha were making millimetre perfect copies of Fender models. Dan Smith and a couple of other Fender execs went to Japan in the early 80s and signed a joint venture deal to start Fender Japan and build Fender branded instruments outside the USA for the first time. When they landed in USA in early 1982, the response was glorious: this was how Fender guitars were meant to be made. The Squier brand was launched at the same time, so the first couple of years of Squiers were made at the Fujigen plant by the same hands as the Fender stuff with many of the same parts. This one was made in March 1984, and factory finished in Torino red. We've had a few black and sunburst examples of this model through, but a spicy red finish in very tidy shape with three decades of yellowing on the clock is a very appealing find. Torino red is usually a little darker and less orange than fiesta red, but the natural ageing over almost four decades has seen this mellow to a gorgeous vibrant muscle car orange. The real magic on JV guitars is always in the neck. It's carved from a gorgeous, tightly grained piece of maple with some beautiful parallel grain lines running up the back, paired with a dark, rich piece of rosewood on top with some long ochre streaks open pores. It's fairly slim in shape, being a similar to the classic '62 reissue vintage C profile, but there's a certain indescribable *thing* about the neck that feels incredible. The pickups are the original ceramic flat-pole single coils, and despite their basic specs, they deliver a really sweet, complex tone. The neck pickup is thick and glassy, with plenty of plonk through the low end and a chiming, clear top end. The bridge pickup is creamy and full, with a percussive attack and a nice balance of sharpness and warmth, while the in-between positions deliver that snappy-quack with a pleasing fullness and nuance. There's so much to love on this one, and those of us with a nose for collectable guitars will see value here, but I certainly hope this lands in the hands of a player who'll come home and play it every night, smiling every time.

Model: Squier Stratocaster, SST30
Made: Japan, neck date 9 Mar 1984, Fujigen plant (serial JV87722)
Finish: Torino red (TRD), white 3-ply guard
Body: basswood
Neck: maple, rosewood slab board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius
Weight: 3.525kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Squier Japan SQ-3 ceramic bar single coil x3
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just a handful of tiny dimples on the back. The back has a little smudge on the bottom edge and elbow area, a dimple on the elbow area and back edge near the rear strap pin and widespread very light scuffs. The sides have a dimple on the top horn, some dimples in the elbow area and a minor chip and some scuffs near the jack. The front has a few dimples near the jack and behind the bridge, a little dent in the elbow area and some standard play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for life left. Setup with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.