This Early 80's
Squier Strat was originally produced as a low cost version of the Fender
Stratocaster. These were made by Fender in Japan beginning in 1982 if I
remember correctly (my old friend Brian Jones bought one of the first Precision
Basses of this era of Squiers which he still owns today, a very fine bass).
The quality on these guitars was excellent in relation to the copies of
the day (if you get me drunk enough I'll expound on Fernandes guitars from
the 80's). The quality was so high that Fender eventually began marketing
the Japanese models as a re-issue series and had their lower price copies
produced in Mexico, Korea, and eventually Indonesia (don't bother with
these pieces of crap). These are great axes (an "axe" is slang for an instrument,
a term used by musicians).
The 72 Gibson
SG is the real deal. This one has been refinished (a "re-fin" if you will,
also known as a "player" as opposed to a "collectors model"), but it is
in top condition and gets that Angus Young sound. This one still belongs
to a friend of mine, but I'm trying my best best to convince him to transfer
ownership to me (translated as "if you need some cash, I'll take that SG
off your hands, man")
The Epiphone
SG Jr. is a low cost copy of a real Gibson SG Jr. made in the 60's. This
is the first brand new guitar I've bought in a long time, but it was well
worth the $150 I paid for it. It's only weaknesses are the cheap tuners
and bolt on neck (the real SG necks are glued on). It gets that Pete Townsend
"Woodstock era" sound, and it kicks ass. I considered painting it white,
but I don't have enough beer. The source for this axe was Ebay.
Here is a comparison
picture of the Squier vs. my 68 Stratocaster (which my Dad bought for me
in 1982 for a measly $500). The only real difference I can see is the pickups.
The Squier is based on the late 60's / 70's Strats, large headstocks and
all. The Squier has a 5 position pickup switch while my 68 still has the
original 3 position. Both are heavy guitars, good tone. The Squier has
a chunkier neck and is a maple neck as opposed to the Rosewood on the 68
(Fender now makes a 68 Japanese reissue which is more or less identical
to my original except for the fretboard).
This is my other
latest acquisition from Ebay. It's on the way from Canada as we speak.
It's an Aria brand copy of a guitar Ampeg produced in the 70's. These are
heavy as a rock and made out of Lucite. More news when I actually get it.