Squier SST30 Stratocaster, Torino Red, made in Japan 1984. Very few acronyms get Japanese guitar nerds jazzed up as much as 'JV', and honestly: the hype is for a reason. For those of us new to the game, 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 1970s, 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, wearing 'JV' serial numbers(short for either 'Japan  Vintage' or 'Joint Venture', depending on who you ask), the response was glorious: this was how Fender guitars were meant to be made. The Squier brand was launched in the same breath, 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 May 1984, and factory finished in Torino red. It's a fantastic Strat, truly. The neck is the headline: it's carved to a super comfy rounded vintage C from some dark, streaky rosewood and tight, consistently grained maple, and it feels like a million bucks. The pickups are simple but very effective: this sounds like a vintage Strat. It's fat and punchy on the bass, open and expansive through the mids and sweet and clear up top. The red finish has mellowed a little over the decades, and paired with the creamy plastics and golden headstock, it's got a cute vintage look. This is an amazing player and a cool little slice of history to boot.

Model: Squier Japan Stratocaster SST30
Made: Japan, neck date 21 May 1984
Serial: JV89881
Finish: Torino Red, gloss poly
Body: basswood
Neck: maple, rosewood  fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, 42mm nut, vintage C shape
Weight: 3.390kg
Mods: none
Pickups: SQ-3 ceramic single coil x3
Accessories: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples and scuffs on the end and some dimples on the bottom edge and front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has scuffs on the top horn and around the cavity, dimples on the bottom horn and some scuffs along the back edge, bottom corner and elbow area. The sides have a minor finish-only crack on the bass side of the neck pocket, as well as minor scuffs around the whole body. The front has dimples on the top horn and elbow area and some decent scuffs around the jack and behind the bridge, as well as minor scuffs 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 electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only