ok, this might be one of the better vids. fender japan are some of the most legit guitars in the world to me. bring it on

Japanese-built guitars are some of my favorite. I love their culture’s passion for patience, discipline & hard work, business skills and perfection in whatever they work on to design.

I am so grateful JAPAN was and still is involved in Guitar making! Some of the very best guitars i have owned and played were MIJ! 🤘 There are so many examples of their excellent craftsmanship it is impossible to list them all here!

It’s amazing how Japan Is still making top line quality instruments for Fender. It speaks volumes about Japanese culture and perfection when it comes to design. 🙏👏

I’ve had my ‘87 MIJ Strat for 36 years. I could tell it was a top notch instrument right off the shelf. It will never be sold.

I once heard John Page say that when they got the first few shipments from Japan, they went over them and wanted to cry they were so good. At that point there was no production and they had only the Japanese guitars. Just as a side note…. I grew up in Fullerton only about 1/2 mile from the factory. I would ride my bike there and peek in to watch guitars being made. Flash forward to 1995, my wife and I moved to Corona, about 1.5 miles from the factory. John Page got tired of working in the Fender factory and founded “Kids rock free” to give kids a place to learn Guitar, piano, drums and dance. It also served as a museum with many of Leo’s amps and guitars. Some celebrity guitars and custom shop guitars. I was asked to be docent, mostly because while my son was in lessons, I would walk around and look at the displays. People would come in to look at the displays. I could hear them Talking to each other wondering how the amps or guitars were made ect. IF I knew the answers, I would tell them What I knew. So, I guess I already was a docent….. kind of. I got to know John and Dana Page pretty well as well as Dana’s co-worker Batina. When it came time to put the final museum together I helped John with a few of the display’s. I can say(and always have)that John Page is one of the most kind, down to earth people I know. If we had more people like him there would be far less strife in this world..

I live in Toronto, about 10 minutes from a music shop. They have a Fender Telecaster from Japan in stock, and it is by far the best guitar I've ever played. It took only 10 seconds for me to connect with that, and the guitar always seems to know what I want to play even before I do. Japanese-made Fenders are truly something special

I rewatched this short history 3 times because I didn’t want to miss facts. This one was awesome. Late Fender history hasn’t been as well documented as the Leo years.

Japanese craftsmanship has always been about the details. Best Fender guitars ever made.

People need to realize Japanese workers take great pride their workmanship. Their Yamaha guitars and Bass's are fantastic wherever they are made.

My dad got me my first electric guitar back in high school, it was a 1983 SQ Strat, and still to this day, it’s by far the best Strat I’ve ever played! 😎🎸

When I lived in Japan and would go into guitar stores, I would see the Japanese Fender models, and they had guitars that I never saw in the US and all were very well made and sounded and played great

Most US KZfaqr would pronounce the name “Fuji Gen” with soft G sound. Keith used the right hard G sound here. That proves how well he knows about what he’s telling and makes the story more believable.

I own two MIJ Limited Edition Fender Stratocasters. One with a rosewood, and the other with a maple fretboard. The quality and playability of both are amazing. I'll be keeping these always. Thanks for a great video.🎸🇯🇵👍

I own three identical MiJ Strats with the System One bridge - one from '85 and two from '86. They are, to this day, the best playing guitars I've ever owned. They also have perhaps the best tuning stability among my guitars. Truly, the Japanese knew what they were doing back then and likely still do.

Fantastic video-thank you! I’ll start off saying Japan is now the only country with a Fender-branded company store. It’s 4 floors around the corner from Takeshita Dori in Harajuku. It’s amazing! I was there for a couple of hours 2 weeks ago, and it’s worth a visit for any Fender fan. The top floor is the new Custom Shop. Back to Fuji Gen (thanks for getting the pronunciation right! 😉). I own one of those newer JV teles and 3 FGNs. Best guitars I own! Thanks again for the great content! From a Californian and current 38-year resident of Japan.

Love Japanese Fenders. I bought a Geddy Lee MIJ jazz bass and it it one of the best feeling and playing bass I own. I’ve owned MIM and MIA Fenders at some point in my life. I did like those basses but there is something about that MIJ bass that just feels so good.

I was working at a guitar store in 2006 when a Japanese blue flower single coil P-Bass fell off the wall and chipped the clear coat near the output jack, sat at the store for a year with no one wanting it due to the blemish. Then one day my boss said: grab every scratch and dent guitar in the store, we're gonna blow em all out for $100. I ran to that bass and it's been my go-to ever since. I also bought a japanese aerodyne tele and pj bass ive since sold.

The fact that Fender once stated that their American and Mexican models couldn’t compare to the models that were coming out of Japan in the 80s

Just to add, after the contract with FujiGen ended in the 90s, there was a short period from 1997 up until roughly 2008 where Tokai Gakki was contracted to make some of the higher-end guitars for Fender Japan for the Japanese Domestic Market. They were never meant for distribution outside Japan, but a few of them have made their way out of the country.

As a touring guitar tech I own many Japanese Fender instruments that I have extensively modified & provided you're ok with vintage frets & 7.25" radius they are an excellent platform (also great if you re-fret with 6105 which I've done on occasion ). Overall I think the wood quality & finishing is really excellent for what you pay & the rest is all replaceable (as per Leo's design brief). They are so good once built-up, that I have done countless purchase/mods for clients over the years. Somewhat rare now but the "VSP" models are the best option as these feature the closest to vintage USA spec, 2 piece bodies, nitro finish etc. Ishibashi usually have a few in their used inventory - last year I purchased a 2013 ST62 "VSP" from them in CAR in close to new cond', with the exception of a few very minor blemishes to the body (hey, it's Nitro which generally falls off of Fender instruments). By the time I'd replaced all the hardware with Callaham, fitted a set of Kinman pickups, Mojotone pots, Luxe cap, vintage wire etc etc blah blah I was into it for less than 40% of a Custom Shop. The guitar is absolutely killer, has been out with me on tour for the last year as a workstation instrument/emergency backup, has been used on shows by clients & led to more build requests as well as similar mods to existing guitars.....nothing like gutting a Fender Custom Shop because the client wants it to sound/play more like your glorified "Japanese Partscaster". ;)

Japanese here. It's funny how Japanese guitar players I know are all about the US Fenders (they even opened the first-ever flagship store here in Tokyo this year), while most American and western guitarists I know here are always looking for Fender Japan guitars. Great video.

No Jags covered here. I'll survive, haha, but Japan's long affinity for surf music is worthy of a mention. As a career woodworker I'm constantly impressed by Japanese woodworking, traditional and modern. Lots of respect for their skills and dedication to quality work.

My late 80's fender MIJ Tele is the best playing guitar I have ever owned. The wood grain on the body is something else too, very intense. Great video!

Keith, you missed my favorite part of Fender Japan's history.....the Katana era! I was playing and buying, selling, and trading guitars from 1983-present and I lived through this Fender Japan/Squire Japan/Squire Korea era. In 1987 or 1988, I purchased my first brand new guitar from (I believe) Mid-West Music in Cinncinnatti, Oh....it is a LONG and hilarious story but to keep it short, I wanted a Gibson Explorer or Flying V and ended up with a brand new Fender Katana (the list price was $795.00). Wow, what a switch from Fender's traditional line!!!! However, their traditional guitars changed as well. My uncle had a Strat from this era as well and I found it odd to see a Strat with the "Katana" trem system (a forward diving trem with fine tuners, a pop-in whammy bar, and a locking nut)! Both guitars were very high quality but that Katana was really weird!!! I remember there was a MIK Squire Katana (single pickup and bolt-on neck) that was much cheaper. I would have loved the inclusion of this whole side of the story along with what Gibson was doing at the same time.....Gibson was trying to make Super-Strats while Fender was making a set-neck "Randy Rhoads style V". The guitar world was a strange place in the 80's!!! I have a professional photo of me with that guitar (high school senior picture type photo) that I would be happy to share sometime.

No lie I just bought a 2023 Fender Strat made in Japan international color in desert and the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail blew me away. I’ve been frequenting many guitar centers for 2 decades and have tried all sorts of guitars and I was amazed at how almost perfectly built it was. It literally felt like a 11 out of 10. Hard to put it into words.

I have a pile of vintage Gibsons and other axes… but my main go-to everyday guitar is an E-Series MIJ Strat that I have extensively customized. There’s something magic about it.

As soon as I saw this video was available yesterday, I knew I was going to have a lovely Saturday morning watching it with a hot cup of coffee. And then rewatching it. What a perfect Saturday morning. 🙂 Am I going to go rewatch some past short histories from Keith & team? Yes. Yes I am ✌️😌🎸

great video Keith, I finally understood why in mid to late 80s there were only MIJ fender here in Italy 😅 and the one I bought is still my most loved of mine

my main guitar is a MIJ 1986 Fujigen '72 reissue Ltd stratocaster, still the best

I am a massive Fender fanboy. I own more than 10 Fender guitars and basses, almost all made in Japan from the 80s to the late 90s. It was the only way for me to have a fender instrument with vintage specs without giving up a kidney for a 60s original. I have played many American made fenders in my 20 year guitar journey and honestly my Japanese guitars have nothing to envy, other than the electronics which I have changed to better CTS ones. Thanks for this video!

My uncle had a made in Japan fender. It was a 1994 model. It only has one volume and one tone switch. He used it for his gigging back in the 90s and early 2000s and then let it rot in my fathers basement. So my brother and I decided to bring the guitar back to life and fixed up the wiring and now I’m making it sing like it hasn’t ever been played before (still got to get the frets replaced one day)

I have a few MIJ guitars: Fender, Ibanez, Heartfield... mainly Fuji Gen built. They are one of the best guitar makers in the world. Great job, as always, 5W!

Had a late 80s Strat from Japan… LOVED it. Everyone that played it loved it, too. It cost me a grand total of about $300-something. Best purchase I’ve ever made. Sadly, had to sell it abou 10 yrs ago to pay bills.

Here in New Zealand, I have a few Fender Strats & also have a few "Tokai" Strats from 1986. Just lovely to play

Fender US in the 80s was hit or miss , but one good thing that came with the pleasures coming out of Japan was that by the mid to late 90s Fender US really were knocking out some of their best guitars since the beginning.

Being fortunate to live in Japan I regularly check out all the great guitars that blow away anything coming out of the custom shop, and for 1/2 the price. Moridaira, Westville, Terada, Momose, Sugi, Saito, FGN etc...

I have been a proud owner of Fender Japan over the years. This video had so much info I didn't even know. Thanks Keith.

All my current 3 Fender Basses (60's Style White J-Bass/70's Style Natural J-Bass/Standard Black P-Bass) are all MIJ and I love 'em!

Back in 1992 I traded a Mexican made Strat copy for a MIJ Waynes World edition Strat with Fender branding. I found out later that is a Squire 2 model, but I always felt like it was "less than" because it somehow wasn't a "real" Fender. More than 30 years later I have recently bought and built 2 MIM Strats and my first US made Strat. After dusting off the old Excalibur and giving it a good setup, I now get to appreciate just how good this guitar really is. Thanks Keith for bringing us these stories.

Back in the 80's I had an acquaintance that had connections with Japanese collectors and dealers and he would have them send him all kinds of catalogs from the various brands of guitars only available in Japan. I was amazed at what Tokai, Greco,, Fernandez and others were producing at that time...copies of vintage Fenders,Gibsons,Gretsches, Rickenbacker, not to mention Burns,Vox, Eko, Hofner, Framus basicaly anything cool from the 50's, 60's,70's,etc. So prolific and amazing. Lots of great stuff to discover if you know what to look for and where to look. Cheers!

After owning some two dozen USA strats, including 3 AVRIs, my 83 MIJ Squire Strat is still my favorite, and will likely always be my go-to strat.

My MIJ Fender story is about the one that got away: I bought a Fender branded Japanese Strat in 1988 when I was attending MI in Holmywood as a drummer. I never really learned to play at that time, but everyone who touched that guitar loved it. I sold it about 12 years later because I needed the money and still hadn't learned to play. Then, 2 years later I caught the guitar bug and have been playing ever since. Wish I had that one back...

The best bass Fender ever made was the made in Japan Jazz Bass Special. It's the only bass I play while all of my other Fenders sit in the closet, in the cases, unused & untouched for what is decades now. My only regret is not buying another one when they were available.

Love my MIJ tele. Great subject matter, Keith. Thanks for being a historian of the culture!

I have one of these from 1993. It has the CUSTOM EDITION sticker on the back of the headstock. I looked up the number and it dated back to 1993. It has an 8 screw pick guard. It has the exact appearance of a 1954 Stratocaster. This one was made for the Japanese market. (so I was told) The guy that traded it in to Guitar center was stationed in Japan according to the Guitar Center manager (manager was a friend also) who questioned him. The thing that made me stop and look was the 3-way pickup selector that I discovered when I reached out to pick it up. Heavy too! It resonated through my body even before I plugged it in, that was all I needed as I took it to pay whatever the price was, as there was no price tag attached yet as I soon learned. One salesman told me I didn't want that year Fender and I quickly told him it was sold already. I had seen that look before, and that salesman wanted that guitar but too bad. I've owned it for 20 years now and many that see it and get to play it want it. I got a good deal on it in the end and the tone! Sen-Ash body around 12 pounds.💥 It hangs on my wall in my studio and makes a rare appearance on a gig very occasionally.❤

I tried to buy a candy apple red MIJ Fender in the late 80s just like the one you show, my card got declined, I walked away dejected. It is to this day "the one that got away". I would not be able to resist this guitar!

You nailed it out of the park again with another "Short History"! I am lucky enough to be the first owner of a 2016 Floral "1969 Blue Flower" Telecaster that was hanging on the wall at my local guitar store. I picked up a few Teles that day and when I pick up mine I had that 'ah-ha' moment and understood why Fender Japan released that guitar, it was AMAZING!! Thank you again, for your research to create the video and share with all of us a Five Watt World!

This was actually a comment on the last video I watched w/ an EB/MM Valentine. I think it posted here b/c of auto play: Bought One in the same tobacco sparkle finish about 9 mos ago. Found it online at a GC as a B stock w/ blem for $1000 less. When it arrived, the case was smashed in in a couple of places but guitar was FLAWLESS. Plays like a dream and the boost and coil split options are super useful. And it looks damn good!

Years ago I bought a 1980's Fender Squier Bullet with the Tele neck for my 13 year old daughter. She's now 29, and we still have it and I still play it. What a sweet little guitar.

I've owned several Fender Japanese Models...Love them! Love pretty much anything Fender! Thanks for another great show!

Great little history lesson. Many thanks. I've always loved Japanese guitars, and I am privileged to own a few - a JV Squier Strat, an A serial Esquire and an E serial Strat as well as a Tokai 'Strat' and a Kasuga 'LP' from the 'lawsuit' era. All beautifully made instruments that are becoming increasingly sought-after. For those who haven't tried one, you definitely should.

I ordered a 75th year stamped MIJ Aerodyne bass from the factory in 2021 (named her Aja after a NDE I had in 2021….I ordered her from my hospital bed) An absolutely beautiful bass that arrived in perfect factory set up condition😊

Ive held out for over 24yrs before buying an actual fender brand guitar. 🎸 I had a Peavy predator as my first strat style guitar that got me going years back, along with ESP guitars. I’m proud to say I purchased a sunburst JV Modified Fender yesterday for $750. I have always respected Japans craftsmanship and know they have a love for music like no other. This made me gravitate to a Japanese made fender. I’m excited!

I am becoming increasingly obsessed with Japanese Fender’s. I’m planning a trip to Tokyo soon to bring a couple home with me, can’t wait. Thanks for the video, as usual, top notch.

I think I learned more from this one than I have in a long time! Great vid, Keith!

In 5/1987 I bought a new MIJ Contemporary Tele to celebrate my graduation from college. E serial number, gun metal grey body, glossy black neck and headstock, H-S-S config, with a trem. Over the years I’ve added 20 some acoustic and electric guitars to my collection and always thought of that MIJ Tele as “less than” until about 10 years ago, when I read that they are highly sought after. I still have it. I played that thing so much when I was poor that when I made some money, and could afford Gibsons, every time I played a Gibson I’d catch myself reaching for the trem bar I was so used to on that Contemporary Tele. Really appreciate your research and presentation on this one. 👊🏻👊🏻

Got mine built in 1983 I think JV series.... fond it in a second hand store for 125$ .. in 1995. The neck felt amazing. Still got it and its my main guitar.. I've owned at least 25 to 30 guitars in my life.

I have a Japanese Stratocaster....HSS ....Kahler bridge ...all black with a black headstock....bought it in 1986....$450.00....one of the best instruments I've ever purchased.....still have it ...pancaked the frets....played it for 20 years before I retired it and got a 62 Reissue strat.....great job as always Keith

Glad to see Squier mentioned as the early Squiers were quite good. The original Bullet models also showed up in the early 80s, although some of the Bullets weren’t very good, but some were. Cool video

Really enjoyed that cheers .japanese craftsmanship is incredible. Their woodworking and joints are mind boggling

I got a 70’s spec Fender Jazz Bass from the Made in Japan Heritage series and it plays like a dream. The craftsmanship and sound is hard to beat.

In the late 90's, Squier/Japan came out with some really creative guitars, including clear-finish Strats, and limited runs like the Venus and Super-Sonic (I still own a Venus). The story behind the Squier Venus, Courtney Love, and Mercury Guitars is possibly worth a video on it's own.

This is probably my favorite guitar related page on KZfaq. You do excellent work

My first Fender Japan guitar was a candy apple red Jazzmaster…I absolutely adored that guitar and played it for a number of years before moving on to something else. I currently have a 1987 ‘62 Strat and a 1994 ‘66 Jazzmaster with the bound neck and block inlays…those 2 guitars easily stand toe to toe with the best American Made Fender’s I’ve ever played. It’s insane that Fender Japan was able to produce such high quality guitars at such reasonable prices

I'm so glad the guy can actually pronounce Japanese names properly! Thank you!

Thanks for making/sharing this with us, Keith. I've always been a big Fender fan, just as much for the guitars, as for the history of the brand. Fender Japan, however, was a part of the Fender history that until now, I knew very little about, in regard to it's own history anyway. Great job, as always!

I have a Fuji Gen Gakki Stratocaster and it's by far the best guitar I have ever played, let alone owned. The attention to detail is beyond exceptional and I consider myself lucky to have been able to find one let alone pick it up.

I found a 1984 Japan Strat about 7 years ago and was my first Fender and always knew that the build was very good. I did some research and realized pound for pound, it was probably going to be the best Strat that I could afford, so I am hanging on to this one. I enjoy it and play it often. Great video as always, stop by for a beer anytime!

I recently bought a 2023 limited edition Fender Jaguar MIJ Traditional Late 60s Sunburst. The guitar is a limited edition product for 2023. It has a binding on the neck and block position inlays, vintage style bridge with a floating tremolo tailpiece and original style pickups. To my understanding it also has a USA-made CTS-pots, Switchcraft switches and USA Fender plastic parts. Let me tell you, it's a great, great guitar! Fender Japan is doing a fantastic job!

I've had lots of Japanese Strats and Teles over the years and they were very well made.Thanks for this video telling the history.

Thank you so much for making this video, Keith. I am lucky enough to have two 1982 JV Squier Strats (a 57 and a 62 copy) and both are amazing instruments.

I have and had three Japanese Fenders, ‘62 Re-Issue Strat, Squier Silver Series Tele and a Pawn Shop Mustang. All great guitars

I bought a Made in Japan Strat in 1984 and never realized at the time of its quality. It was only years and years later after bringing it to a few Music Shops and listening to owners raving on how well it was made .I still have it along wth 10 other guitars but it remains as one of my favorites

Thanks for this short history of my favorite instruments! My first MIJ acquisition was a medium scale Squier Precision Bass, and ever since then I've become a complete addict, replacing many of my American instruments after they begin to collect dust. I'm also a huge fan of Tokai, but for me the 80s Fender/Squier necks in particular are the absolute pinnacle of comfort. Recently bought a non-catalog MIJ Fender E serial Precision in LPB that is a spectacular unicorn! Love love love this stuff.

You left out one of the best manufactures in Japan during this time. Fernandes made some very high end teles and strats. I have a tele from 1979 (I believe) that is as good as it gets. Fernandes is still making great instruments.

Excellent as always, I love your Short Histories! Back in the early 80s I was doing a lot of top 40 gigging and I really needed a strat, so I picked up a brand new 1983 Japanese "Squier by Fender" stratocaster. I have had this guitar for 40 years and it is my most reliable instrument. It has a few nicks and plenty of wear, but I have never had to do anything to it other than routine maintenance. It plays better than most American made strats I have played. Even using the tremolo the tuning stability is perfect, such a well crafted instrument.

Yea, Mike is the King of anything you can play surf on. Very knowledgeable. I watched a lot of his videos and your during the pandemic along with many more. Now I know who to go to for any issue to at least ask a question and hopefully get an answer.

Yes. That is the important stuff. Looking for it

Always wondered about the history of why Japan made Fenders. Thanks !!

Dude I love learning about guitars and these videos are so awesome. Keep it up man

This is a blessing and a curse: Great info, but now the price of MIJ guitars/Fenders is going to go up! My wife is Japanese, and I spent a couple weeks over there playing a 1970 or so, Yamaha classical guitar. The thing had sat in the closet for decades with steel strings on it. The top was dished, and the whole thing looked like hell. I cleaned it up and put nylon strings on it. The top flattened out, and it sounds amazing. It actually inspired me to discover Paco De Lucia, AND buy my own flamenco guitar. FYI, Spanish and flamenco is hands down the best, and most impressive style (I can't do it, I just admire it tremendously).

i and several of my friends have the 1985 Tele custom model from Japan. We all love them. I replaced the entire (small pots, small wires) harness with American parts, and a set of Lollars vintage T pickups. I have said it many times it might be my best sounding guitar. I have a 1963 Strat that I assume shares the dot pattern with the Telecaster of the time, and the 1985 model had them in the same exact spot, neck shape as well was spot on. Thanks for the cool video, it gives me more appreciation for my guitar.

What an amazing retrospective on the complex arrangement between Fender and the beautiful craftsmanship of the Japanese guitar builders.

Nice, I do like a Japanese Fender from the 80's. As an aside it would be worth stating that the first models to be exported from Japan as Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters, rather than as Squiers, were the Fender Contemporary models. These were very different from the traditional Strat and Tele in that they occupied a space in the "superstrat" niche. I have a Tele from 1986 and it is a really great guitar. There's a Wikipedia page with a few more details, these guitars are quite hard to come by.

Your videos never dissapoint, Keith. Even what I expect to be niche topics always turn out teaching me something new while I enjoy the storytelling. Always cool to see the lineage behind guitars and the history behind "close to bankruptcy" moments. Right now my squier paranormal cabronita is my main guitar, and it wouldnt exist without the custom shop, which may never have come to life without fender Japan filling in the income as the US factory moved. Cause and effect. Gotta appreciate the history.

I own 5 guitars of which 4 are japanese. 2 1982 squiers (telecaster and stratocaster), K Yairi akoestic and a 2022 Revstar. Love'm and won't sell till I die. Appreciate all the work that went into this video.

Thank you for making this one! Always glad to hear you talk about guitars and amps. 🎶🎶

An amazing level of detail and history on this video. Thanks!

Being a lifelong Fender guy, I really enjoyed this and foundvit very informative and interesting. Thanks Keith!

Great video Keith!! My Solid Rosewood Telecaster was MIJ

Japanese built guitars are just insane. Wether it’s Fender or Gibson knock offs. The Tokai and Greco guitars are stellar. I’m glad Fender still has a Japanese built line. I have 2 ESP guitars that are just utter perfection. I love my USA Gibson’s too. But the build quality on Japanese guitars are second to none. I think Korean guitars are highly underrated now.

The detail and production of this video is excellent. Thank you for the time and effort to put this together

I own the current JV Modified 50s Telecaster and absolutely love it. Fit and finish are outstanding, the neck profile is super comfortable and it sounds amazing.

Great video Keith as always. I imagine it's getting pretty tough to come up with new "Short History of" videos, you've covered almost everything.

fascinating video as always, It may surprise you to know I have never played a note on a guitar of any kind, testimony to your presentation style, no one, but no, does it better. keep them coming, more like this please.

I have two Japanese fenders. I hadn’t tried to seek them out but both happened to be the most resonant/best sounding Stratocasters I have encountered. Great video, Keith!

5 years ago I bought a 1983 Fender Stratocaster (Fullerton era) for 2,5k and my girlfriend bought a 1983 Squier "Frankenstrat" (only the neck could be identified as a 1983 Squier Stratocaster neck and the body/electronics etc. were so extremely modified that you couldn't tell what it exactly was -> but probably a Greco Stratocaster copy). She paid 500 bucks (5 times less than I did) and I soon after sold my Fender Strat that only gave me troubles (severe tuning issues, crazy humming and buzzing depending on where I stood on stage). Last year I then found a heavily modfied 1983 Squier Strat for 700 bucks and had it refretted and bought some Lollar pickups for it. It now is the best Strat I ever owned. You can't go wrong with a cheap Squier from that era or with a nice Fender Japan built guitar. FANTASTIC instruments!

I think this might be your best video you’ve ever made. For one, you shed a light on something we’ve all witnessed, but never knew the story of. As to why these guitars are so damn great. I had no idea there was so much involved. But you may have done the job fender should’ve always been doing all along. Is tell the story of why these guitars are special, and matter.

WHERE ARE THE AERODYNE GUITARS?????????????