The Electra Forums

Whether you agree with it or not, this guitar is the reason I dropped out of the walnut x140 bidding (see my post in the auction section). I know this is an Electra forum, but first and foremost I am a fan of Japanese guitars. For a Japanese Fender, this one was about as rare as it comes. I received it today and the body is ash. After only a few hours playing it, it is easily one of the best playing guitars I own, regardless of the Squier decal on the headstock.

This is an '86 E-series Squier. These were made for 1 year as Squiers and renamed "Contemporary Stratocasters" the next year. This one is different from the Contemporary's as it has a traditional trem instead of the System 1 and System 2 trem bridge and locking nut. The neck and body are the same. There is also one other difference.....there is no 5 way. Instead there are 3 micro switches. The "top" 2 turn on the 2 single coils and the bottom switch is is a 3-way. It is humbucker-off-single coil switch. This makes this guitar extremely versatile. It still has that position 2 and 4 strat "quack" or many other combinations. Yes these are original and not a "mod". I can't help but think they learned something from the Electra Phoenix's here The neck is a Gibson scale neck with 22 frets and is incredibly fast. After purchasing this, I thought I would need to have a setup done......not needed, the action is GREAT!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.......this looks to hardly ever been played..the frets look mint and the body has very minimal wear.

I like it, Very nice indeed Congrats on the score.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

Thanks Mortar. It's a bit off topic, but it's a player. In 6 months I'll go for another Electra hopefully. By the way, what does your username mean?

I have a MIJ Squier Strat that I stuck Fender vintage noiseless pups in. Bought it new in the early/mid 80's. It has a really nice neck and I like to think it would hold its own with any Strat on the planet. If anyone gets hold of a MIJ at a reasonable price, they can be converted into monster guitars without too much cost.

Sandspur - I've never seen an E series before. The set of features on there is definitely a step or two above the "normal" found on Squier's - very nice. My opinion on MIJ Squier is that they cut cost on their electronics/pup's. I've never had a reason to complain about the body, tuners or overall build.

Jead, I have read the same things about the electronics. I don't know if these are original to the guitar but I believe they are. These pickups sound nice though so I think it varied from year to year and model to model. Maybe it has something to do with trying to sell the contemporary line or this weird switching system and they put in better pickups. In any case, I was wanting another strat in the house since my cousin took his USA back. Can you believe I pull his strat out of his closet, fix it up and play it for 6 months, and now he is interested in playing again? But seriously, good for him and good for me as this one plays as well as his.

Looks good. The only Squier I've ever owned is my "Pro Tone" P-J from 1997 or thereabouts. Very well made (in Korea) and plays very well.

Jack,

I've read about the Pro-Tones. They tend to go for a good amount when they come up on Ebay.

OK here is the breakdown:
mortarman=military term for a mortar crewman
120=120mm mortar(I served on a 120mm mortar crew)
gang=slang name for mortar platoon
11c=11 Charlie (US Army military occupational speciality job code for mortarman
I played with big guns and made thing go BOOOOOOMMMMM. Mortars are indirect fire weapons which means we could shoot over trees, hills, etc and did not need a line of sight to shoot at a target. Thus the name Mortarman120gang11c Hope this answers a few questions.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

Thanks Mortar. Were you stationed at Ft. Sill?

Never made it there,closest to there was Ft Riley. Most of my time spent with Third Infantry Division at Ft Stewart Ga, Ft Benning, Ga, Ft Bliss Texas, USMC time spent at Camp Lejune N.C, MCAS Cherry Pt N.C. and various third world dump holes such as Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, etc. All the nice garden spots of the world including our own Ft Polk, La. Was fun and I had planned on a 20+ yr run at it but at the 15yr mark an IED said otherwise. I am here and thankfull to have served and would so it again now if they would let me back in. At least now I have time to enjoy my music and my electras again but I do miss my Big boy toys that go bang.Semper Fi and HOOOOAAAHHH mortarman120gang11c out

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

My mistake Mortar, I saw 120 and thought of the Army artillery base. I'm sorry to hear about your incident. Thank you for your service.

My father served in the Corps as a forward artillery observer in Vietnam. I wanted to follow in his footsteps but I broke my neck on a bike when I was 16. Thanks for your service, and I look forward to engaging in many years of eBay warfare with you!

I envy your self control Sandspur! I used to get a single guitar (or amp) once a year, that was my way of spoiling or rewarding myself. Since ElectraFest 2009 I've bought 12 guitars though (and two amps), so I really fell off the bandwagon man.

Thanks for the info on the Squier, pretty interesting and you're preaching to the choir as far as admiration for Japanese build quality here. It reminds me alot of the Charvels I have. The Model Fours have three independent pickup switches, but no coil tap option. Good stuff, Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

I am blessed with every day I have now and I enjoy each one to the best of my ability. Like Humpty Dumpty I am all together again for the most part. Still a few hickups now and again but still kickin and Rockin on my electras. I enjoyed all my years of service and all the great individuals I met and served with over the years. I would go again in a heartbeat if they would let me. Just remember all those service members out there all over the world and say a XMAS prayer for them as it gets mighty lonesome in the service during the Holidays. This is not Electra related but is very nice I thought so read it and remember:


Christmas Poem

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY BELIEF IN GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I WEPT FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

This poem was written by a Marine.
Semper Fi from Mortarman120gang11c

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!