I’ve worked on a lot of Japanese Fenders over the years — more than any other breed. But this one really took me by surprise.
It’s as if they had a stack of parts left over in the Fender FujiGen factory and teamed them up. Very odd!
But then her Q serial dates her at 1993/94, which I think is right at the end of that era of MIJ Squiers. So the mix-and-match theory might be true. Also, someone on Facebook very kindly located a Japanese advert from the era that shows Fender doing a short run of these very rare Foto Flame Squiers …(this one is third from left).
I’ll talk you through the details
NECK
OK, so this is the most normal bit about the guitar. It’s a straightforward Japanese Squier neck with the Silver Series logo on the ball of the headstock.
But oddly enough. The guitar came with the clunky machine heads normally seen on other MIJ Squiers – but never on a Silver Series. So I’ve swapped these for vintage-style tuners.
The neck is a C profile with a 7.25 radius. I’ve dressed the frets. It’s got a nice lowish-medium action (how I like it) but it can go lower if you want. She’s set up with 10-46 strings.
BODY
Now here’s where it gets odder. This is the fourth Foto Flame Fender I’ve worked on over the years. But I’ve only seen them on full-on Fenders, never on Squiers … until this one.
Almost always with Foto Flame models, the finish splits because the bodies expand but the flame veneer doesn’t! No wonder Fender stopped making them.
This one has the usual crazy paving effect in the veneer, front and back.
Splits to the in many places when you look up close. Battle worn vibe, for sure!
This body is odd for a couple of other reasons. It’s the full 44.5mm thickness. But it’s a high-density composite body (like you see on regular Japanese Squiers) rather than basswood. Also, the routing isn’t for the usual tight S/S/S pickup configuration — you’ve got a ton of space in there. Take a look …
Gives you the option to add a humbucker maybe?
PICKUPS & PICKGUARD
The pickups seem to be the stock ones for a MIJ Squier Silver Series. Decent, edgy sound and plenty of oomph.
However, the original pickguard, pickup covers and dials were black (as per the sunburst Silver Series models). Personally, I’m not a fan – so I swapped these out for an aged white set of everything.
I left the black bridge pickup cover to suggest there’s something special going under there (a bit cheeky, I know).
I’ll supply the original black plastics set with the guitar. You can always fit everything back the way it was with some drilling/hole filling, etc.
ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY?
She feels more like a full-on Fender than your average Squier.
A good weight, worn-in feel and lovely to play. But with her various quirks, the price could be way lower than you might expect.
This guitar is now sold.
Postage within the UK is £20. Note: Postage might be higher for the Highlands and Islands.
This item will be sent with tracking, insurance and signed-for delivery so there’s proof it’s posted and has arrived.
I will also be willing to post within the European Union area for around £20-35. But message me first for an exact quote, as postage can vary between regions of the EU.
Axe Relics UK 