❌SOLD❌ Fender JV Squier Series Stratocaster Rosewood MIJ Sunburst, 1982

In 1982 the Fender JV series appeared – Made in Japan Vintage reissues- to compete with the proliferation of low-cost copies made outside the USA. The first models were intended for the Japanese market and were built under contract by FujiGen Gakki in Matsumoto, Nagano prefecture and the earliest were fully branded as Fenders- there was no Squier designation – and many used hardware including pickups and pickguards made in the USA. By late in the year, Fender started to export some of these models to Europe, and the Squier designation appeared.

Dating these early models includes examining the decals and branding. The first JV Stratocasters used vintage-style Fender two-part logos, including the ‘Original Contour Body’ section at the end of the headstock. Underneath the word ‘Fender’ was, in small letters, ‘Made in Japan’. Then, the early European export models replaced the second section with a small ‘Squier Series’ logo. Approximately 3,000 instruments with this kind of branding were shipped, including other models. Halfway through 1982, the decals changed completely with ‘Squier’ being the focal point and ‘by Fender’ appearing in much smaller text.

These early instruments were exceptionally well built, as has been the case with most Japanese production since the mid 1970’s.

This Fender JV series Squier Stratocaster with Rosewood fingerboard and Sunburst finish – the 1962 Reissue model, built by FujiGen-Gakki at Nagano is an Export model in early to mid 1982. This very nice guitar has had its original pickups – which are included and appear to be US made – replaced with a set of EMGs.

It plays well, and is in overall good shape though fretwear is relatively heavy in the low positions. To my hand, the 1962 Rosewood neck size and profile is one of the most comfortable. This is no exception, and the thickness is even a bit less than some of the original, vintage models.

A Fernandes gig bag is included, and contains the trem arm and the original electronics.