Domestic JV
JV numbered Guitars made only for Japan
I have added this page, mainly because not so much is known outside of Japan about the internal Japanese JV range, and as we see more and more domestic Squier JV numbered instruments being sold on ebay, I felt it was time to let you know what was available there, and what the differences are between the domestics and exports.
I have also added some info on the high end domestic Fender JV guitars.
Hopefully this page will also make potential domestic JV buyers aware that (in some cases) a JV number doesn’t automatically qualify a guitar as a top dollar vintage accurate instrument (build quality (not parts) is not in question here, as this remains fairly high throughout the range). This will again (hopefully) also help potential buyers identify the varied classes of domestic JV numbered guitars.
In my own personal opinion, the export Squier JV guitar is the more important of the Squier JV line, as they conform a little more closely to vintage spec' than domestic Squiers and are the guitars that (along with the JV Fenders) recieved a JV prefix from the start (not to mention the inclusion of vintage spec' USA made Fender pickups as standard equipment on the Stratocasters).
They were not only the first ever Squier models available (and first Fender Japan export), but were the guitars that started the whole JV phenominon.
A little later after the introduction of the export models, Japan introduced it's own domestic line of Squier JV numbered guitars that ranged from introductory hybrid models which were very loosley based on the pre-CBS Fender guitars (introduced in late 1983), right up to the more higher spec'd and earlier SST- 45 and SST-50 models (from late 1982).
The very first JV numbered guitars were domestic Fender badged guitars that were virtually equal in spec' to the export Squiers (The top line ST-115 is the only real exception;......Note: There was only a very short period between the introduction of the Fender JV and the Fender logo'd Squier series models, and there is no earlier run of serial numbers for either model).
Fender JV (Not Squier)
The first models to hit the shops in Japan were the excellent quality Fender JV guitars, with full vintage Fender spaghetti logo's (see above) and serial numbers starting JV0xxxx.
These were the instruments that first stunned Fender USA with their quality and vintage accuracy.
The Fender JV models were:
57 Stratocaster model: ST’57-65, ST’57-85 and ST’57-115
62 Stratocaster model: ST’62-65, ST’62-85
52 Telecaster model: TL’52-65 and TL’52-95
57 Precision Bass: PB’57-70 and PB’57-95
62 Precision Bass: PB’62-75 and PB’62-98
62 Jazz Bass: JB’62-75 and JB’62-115
Above: Top of the Fender JV line; The nitrocellulose fnished ST'57-115T. This model (and all '57 vintage Fender JV models), like it's '57 vintage Squier brothers, has a 'C shaped neck profile, and not the fairly pronounced 'V shape of the genuine article. A few of these early JV Fenders (again like some very early Squier series guitars) also had a flatter 9.25" fingerboard radius, and not the period correct 7.25" that would become the norm.
Above: This is an ST'62-85 3TS also finished in nitro.
Above: Another ST'57-85, this time in Vintage white (VWH)
Above: Yet another ST'57-85 in black.
Above: An ST'62-65 in in CAR. This one is from late 1982 and was finished in poly.
The top line ‘115 models used original USA Fender parts (Pickups, Pickguards and controls....see above), but other Stratocaster models were fitted with Japanese made pickguards. (Note in picture above, the alder body and red 'B' stamp in the neck pocket of this 57 model).
Finishes were Black (BLK), Vintage White (VWH), Tobacco Sunburst (T), for the ST’57 and PB’57 models.
Three tone Sunburst (3TS), and Vintage White (VWH) for the ST’62, PB’62 and JB’62.
Blonde (BLD) and Butterscotch Blonde (BSB) for the TL’52-65 and TL’52-95.
Candy Apple Red (CAR) and Fiesta Red (FRD) were added a little later.
Some left handed options were also available slightly later, starting with the Stratocasters in 1982, and some other models later in 83 (at a higher cost).
Above: A top line domestic TL'52-95 with nitro finish and U.S parts owned by Tim Pershing (more details below).
Above: Headstock detail.
Above: Some closer shots of the TL'52-95 body with it's nitrocellulose finish and black fibre bakelite pickguard.
Above left: Routing details.
Above: The picture on the left shows a JV stamp with four digits instead of the usual five, It is our belief (though there is no hard evidence) that due to the American hardware used for these high end Telecasters, coupled with the slightly different 'JV stamp (with the 'J 'being the most obvious.....compare a Squier JV one: Here!), we belive these were stamped in the USA, and it is possible that there was either a missunderstanding over the number of digits used (I have seen others with only four digits), or more likely the die could only be set up with six characters / digits (if anyone can provide anymore ideas on this one, please email me).
Neck date seen on the right (5-19-83).
Above: The control plate showing the U.S made switch and pots.
Above two pictures: An alder body, nitro finished 3 tone sunburst Fender JV '62 Stratocaster, clearly showing it's 'Pickup Made in USA' sticker (just like the export Squiers).
The ’85 and 115’ models were finished in nitrocellulose, and the ’65 model in polyurethane.
Body woods were alder and ash.
These guitars used a bolder than usual Fender decal (seen on the JV Details page), with ‘Made in Japan’ printed underneath the large word ‘Fender’ (This Large Decal minus the original contour Body decal was used for a very short time on the rarer and more collectable first issue export Squier models.) For the Fender JV, these decals continued on to the end of the JV line.
A steel trem block was also fitted to the top line Fender 115 models.
Above left: An owners manual and Tags from an early Stratocaster (model 115).
Above right: The blue model class / price sticker found on all domestic JV models.
I couldn't resist adding these pictures of a beautiful mint condition alder body ST'62-85 Fender JV Stratocaster, Serial No. JV013xx; Though there is some text here, the pictures speak for themselves (see below!....photo's from ebay sale).
Above: Rarer flat or level pole American pickups (standard equipment on mid to late 70's USA Stratocasters) and a 9.25 radius neck, as also seen on the 1st issue Squier decaled export Stratocaster on the JV Details page.
Above: Nice deep rib contour; Note the smooth transition from the back of the guitar into the contour (nicely rounded). This is typical of most JV Stratocasters, export or domestic.
Above: Headstock and decal.
A minor detail (something which I personally find mildly irritating) is where the Fender Japan workers often placed the 'Original Contour Body' decal at a different angle to the main decal text (It doesn't bother me in quite the same way for some reason with the first Squier models though). This is also found on a lot of later Japanese Stratocasters.
The Fender (and Squier) JV line ended in 1984 with the introduction of the Collectable series.
These guitars were different in that all the parts were of Japanese origin.
Sometime during 1983 (most likely mid to late 83) the ‘Made in Japan’ decal (changed years later to ‘Crafted in Japan’) was moved to the back of the neck where it meets the body, and Stratocasters were appointed with the more vintage correct in size headstock decal, without the earlier JV associated "Made in Japan" decal underneath the Fender script.
Below are some scans of the Fender Japan catalogue 'Twang 1983 .
Additionally here is the english version of some of the specifications.
Domestic Squier JV
The Japanese domestic Squier JV market came a little later than the exports, and the Japanese public were offered a wider range of options.
1982 models were:
Stratocasters: SST-45 and SST-50 (S=Squier ST=Stratocaster)
Telecaster: STL-50 Standard Model.
Precision Bass: SPB-50
Jazz Bass: SJB-55
The 1983 catalogue (see further down the page) shows the addition of the SST-30, SST-30s, SST314-50 and SST314-55 (314= short scale, and the 55 was the CAR finish) and other models.
The number ’45 (SST-45) was an indication of it’s class / quality, it also indicated the price ’45 = 45,000 Yen. This is the same for all models, Fender or Squier; again i.e; SST’62-85 = 85,000 Yen.
These numbers could be found printed onto a small round blue sticker at the back of the headstocks (see picture below) on all of the domestic JV guitars (a system also used by the Tokai guitar company during that era; Tokai stickers were affixed to the back of the neck where it meets the body).
Domestic Squier guitars were sprayed in the same polyester finish as the export models, with body woods consisting of ash, alder and basswood.
The SST-45 and 50 were largely similar visually to the Squier brand export models, but lacked the export Stratocasters American pickups (In my opinion a shrewd marketing move on the part of Fender USA) and correct vintage details, i.e; 3 way switch, rubber tube pickup height adjusters, cloth wire etc.
Japanese made SQ-3, SQ-4 and SQ-5N Hotrod pickups were fitted to the domestic market Stratocasters.
Note: Although the official 1983 catalogue specifies a 5 way switch for all of these domestic Squier models, some earlier 1982 Stratocasters were factory fitted with a 3 way DM30 switch.
SST (Domestic Squier JV Stratocasters)
Colours and Pickups
These are the colours and pickup specs for all SST models througout the domestic Squier JV period: (these can be seen in the catalogue further down the page).
SST-30.........Black (BLK), Vintage White (VWH) and Fiesta Red (FRD)........SQ-3 Pickups (Ceramic bar type; Late 83 model).
SST-30s.......3 Tone Sunburst (3TS), and Tobacco Sunburst (T)........SQ-3 Pickups (Late 83 model).
SST-45.........Black (BLK), Fiesta Red (FRD), California Blue (CBL), and Vintage White (VWH)........SQ-4 Pickups.
SST-50.........Black (BLK), 3 Tone Sunburst (3TS), Tobacco Sunburst (T), California Blue (CBL), and Vintage White (VWH).......SQ-5 Hotrod pickups.
SST-55.........Lake Placid Blue (LPB) and Candy Apple Red (CAR)........SQ-5 Hotrod pickups
SST314-50 (Short scale model).......3 Tone Sunburst (3TS), Tobacco Sunburst (T) and Vintage White (VWH).......SQ-5N Hotrod pickups.
SST314-55 (Short scale model)........Candy Apple Red (CAR).........SQ-5N Hotrod pickups.
Not shown is the Metallic Pink (MP) option; This later replaced the CAR finish in the SST line.
Above: An SST-45 headstock with the blue sticker (domestic JV's only) indicating it's model number / class and it's price; 45,000 Yen.
Above: Tags and manual for an SST-45 Strat model (late JV No......probably an early 84).
Above: Stratocaster neck pocket with the red production line 'D stamp of JV instruments destined for Japan's guitar dealers. Occationally a domestic model turns up with the EX or EXT designation on the neck heel, which I would assume just means that the necks were originally intended for export.
Above: The pickups fitted to the SST-45 and SST-50 domestic JV Strats, were essentially copies of the American units (the bobbins are also very similar to those of later Greco pickups).
Above: Another pickguard from an SST-45, showing the small springs (between the end of each pickup and the pickguard) that were used for adjusting the height of it's plain wired SQ-4 pickups. And pictured on the right is a DM30 (3 way) pickup selector switch which was (according to the 1983 catalogue) not standard equipment on the domestic line (photo credits: eBay sale).
Above: SST-45 routing detail (photo credit: eBay sale).
The SST-45 with maple fingerboard, was available in black, and the rosewood neck SST-45 in Fiesta Red, FRD) California blue (CBL) and Vintage White (VWH).
Note: This is the official word on SST-45 colours (see ad / chart above), although this black one came with a rosewood neck, so we could have either a neck swap, a respray, or simply that the black model was later made available with a rosewood neck ??(I will be researching this one further!)
The SST-50 with maple neck was finished in Tobacco sunburst (T) and black (BLK), and the rosewood neck SST-50 was finished in 3 tone sunburst (3TS), Vintage White (VWH) and California blue (CBL).
Above: One of the custom colours; California Blue (CBL).
The Telecaster (STL-50) was available in Black (BLK) and Blonde (BLD) with both rosewood and maple fingerboards.
The SPB-50 (rosewood neck) was finished in Vintage White and Fiesta Red.
In 1983 the Fender Japan catalogue ‘TWANG’ No. 2 announced a new custom colour, Candy Apple Red (CAR), but this was later dropped in favour of Metallic Pink (MP)
Above: A Candy Apple Red (CAR) SST-55.
This picture above shows the difference in scale length of the 1983 SST-314 models (left) compared to the standard scale (right; see 1983 ad further down the page). This one is in CAR finish.
The next selection of pictures below, are of a custom colour JV stratocaster in Metallic Pink, which replaced the Candy Apple Red option. The detail photo's show a five way DM50 switch, and spring pickup height adjusters. (Photo's courtesy: Ingo Raven).
Above: The domestic market 5 way switch (1983).
Here below are some beautiful pictures of a beautiful guitar; A top line domestic 1982 SST-50 Squier JV Stratocaster, featuring an alder body, excellent SQ-5 Hot Rod pickups (Note: just visible; light copper colour windings as opposed to the dark maroon windings of the USA units) and a 3 way (DM-30) pickup selector switch (commonly found on guitars from 1982).
Thank you to Sami Stenholm from Finland for sending in, and allowing us to show these superb pictures!
SST-30, A JV for all Pockets
The picture above shows an SST-30 JV Stratocaster, with it's 'not so vintage' no-slot tuners. This model was produced late in 1983 with numbers starting around JV7xxxx. These had flat / level pole ceramic pickups. These (Hybrids) may have been produced as a budget alternative to the SST-45 and 50 models (more likely), or just a result of the phasing out of the JV series (?).
Below:
Masanori Misawa of Tokyo Japan, has very kindly allowed me to show you his beautiful photo's of details from an SST-30, which he has owned from new (this guitar was recently sold on ebay).
Above: No-slot tuners.
Above: Blue sticker indicating it's 36,000 Yen price.
Above: 30B ink stamp in neckpocket.
Above: Model Stamp.
Above: These guitars are generally late number JV's.
Above: 5 way switch.
Above: Ceramic bar magnet pickups.
Above: Level pole (faced off) pickup poles.
Above: Standard JV vintage bridge assembly.
CST (Domestic JV 'Current Stratocaster Series')
During 1983, another model made an appearance, this was the large headstock 70’s Stratocaster with a JV number, the CST-30S, CST-45, CST-50 and CST-55 (these were the Japanese domestic versions of the export SQ line)
These models appear to have begun life around April 1983, and (rather confusingly) start with a JV0xxxx number. It is (as yet) not completely clear as to why this was done, but it has caused a few problems with less knowledgable buyers getting the impression that they were the first JV's made. This of course is not so, as the first JV guitars had 1952, 1957 and 1962 appointments and were produced a full year earlier (from April 1982).
Colours and Pickups
CST-30s.......Black (BLK) with black plastic parts, and Olympic White (OWH) with a white pickguard and black plastic parts........SQ-3 PU.
CST-45........Black (BLK), with Black plastic parts, and Olympic White (OWH) with a white pickguard and black plastic parts.......SQ-4 PU.
CST-50.........Black (BLK) with black plastic parts, 3 tone sunburst (3TS) with black parts, and Olympic White (OWH) with a white pickguard and black plastic parts.........SQ-5 PU.
CST-55..........Pearl White (PWH), Candy Apple Red (CAR), Lake Placid Blue (LPB and Natural (NT).....SQ-5 PU.
(CAR, PWH, LPB and Natural were introduced as custom colours).
Above: A domestic JV 'Current Stratocaster Series' model (CST-55) in Natural finish.
Above: A Lake Placid Blue CST-55 Stratocaster.
STL & CTL (Domestic Squier JV Telecasters)
Colours and Pickups
STL-50.......Black (BLK) with white pickguard, and Blonde (BLD) with white pickguard........011 pu (neck) and 014 pu (bridge).
During 1983 Fender Japan changed the specification of the STL-50, which became the CTL-50 (this had 70’s specifications) and the CTC-55 (BLK) which had a humbucker pickup added (the SHB-1 pickup).
CTL-50.......Black (BLK) with black pickguard, and Blonde (BLD) with black pickguard........011 pu (neck) and 014 pu (bridge).
CTL-55......Black (BLK) with black pickguard.........SHB-1 pu (neck) and 014 pu (bridge).
Above: The domestic JV Tele was finished in blonde and Black.
Above: The body routing and neck pocket stamp of a domestic STL-50 Telecaster.
Again (like the domestic Stratocasters), the domestic Squier Telecaster models were not as vintage accurate as their export counterparts, with plain un-clothed pickup wires, and serial numbers stamped onto the neckplates.
Contemporary Series (JV numbered Strat style)
And an even more unlikely candidate for a JV number are the first versions of the Contemporary Series guitars.
These models were introduced in late 1983, with (again) numbers starting around JV7xxxx.
The Contemporary series model was considered part of the second phase of Fender Squier Japan (There were no fewer than 13 different models in this range). These guitars had painted headstocks (also shown in the 1983 Fender Japan catalogue 'Twang' further down the page).
As you will see from the pictures below, they are not the kind of guitar you would expect see with a JV (Japanese Vintage) number.
Whilst they are good guitars in their own right (and will obviously appeal to a lot of people), they are, despite their JV serial number, generally not considered to be a true JV instrument by serious enthusiasts and collectors.
Shown below are some pages from a 1983 Japanese Fender catalogue 'Twang, which although written in Japanese, does clarify some things a little.
Also available during the domestic JV line, was the Jeff Beck model, which had the earlier 2nd issue Squier decal but a more contemporary layout on the pickguard with two knobs and three toggle switches in place of the normal five way switch. These rarer guitars were based upon the previous Greco SE500J, SE600J and SE800J models (seen on the catalogue at the bottom of the 'Before JV' page).
Domestic Squier JV Basses
Although the picture below also shows two domestic Fender models, I have included it as a tuner comparison.
The Bass guitars of the domestic Japanese Squier line are (unlike some domestic stratocasters) immediately identifiable from the more vintage accurate export models by the lack of a rivet through the top of the tuner stem (see pic above), and a different shaped tuner blade and back plate (see photo further down this page), though the Fender versions (like the export Squier JV's) are period correct (see again above picture).
© 21Frets / The Squier JV Pages
