sQUIER sILVER sERIES

1991 UK catalog with Silver Series, Squier II and the new Hank Marvin Strat

Although the Squier brand relocated production to Korea in 1987, some Squier guitars were still manufactured in Japan for a short period. However, after 1989, no more Japanese Squiers were produced, so guitarists looking for one had to settle for a Korean model. Unfortunately, these Korean Squiers quickly gained a reputation for poor quality—both in terms of hardware and electronics—and many even came with plywood bodies. As a result, sales collapsed.
As a result, Fender decided to resume Squier production in Japan with the ​Squier Silver Series Stratocaster, which was officially launched in 1990, followed by the ​Hank Marvin Stratocaster a year later.
The Silver Series Stratocasters were recognized by their silverish Squier logo and the “Silver SERIES” decal on the ball of the headstock. Although some sources state the Silver Series started in 1992, a small run was already produced in 1988 and 1989, most likely for the Japanese market only. Production then paused but resumed definitively in 1990. By that time, a limited number of Fender-branded Silver Series Stratocasters were also made alongside the Squier versions.​

The first Squier Silver Series Stratocasters were shipped to the United Kingdom in 1990, with production continuing until 1996. In Japan, they were sold as the SST-33 model

Squier Silver Series headstock

Fender Silver Series Strat

There were some inconsistencies among the Squier Silver Series Stratocasters: some featured a basswood body (or, according to some sources, alder) with standard SSS routing, while others used a cheaper “P.A.F.” wood fiber body with a pool rout. Sunburst Silver Series Stratocaster bodies made of basswood (or alder) had a transparent yellow finish that revealed the wood grain, while those made of P.A.F. had an opaque yellow finish.
Usually, the basswood versions came with Gotoh cast/sealed tuning machines, whereas the P.A.F. units had cheaper “trapezoid” tuners. All models featured a vintage-style bridge with unstamped saddles, die-cast block, ceramic pickups, and low-quality electronics. A few units had a smaller tremolo block stamped with “FUJIGEN.”
A significant difference between the Japanese export Squier Standard Stratocasters of the early ’80s and the Japanese Silver Series was the location of the truss rod adjustment: on the Silver Series, it was at the headstock, while on the older Squiers, it was at the neck heel.
Starting in 1993, additional Squier Silver Series Stratocaster models were sold exclusively in Japan: the SST-36, which was identical to the SST-33 but offered in Gun Metal Blue and Gun Metal Red, and the SST-39, recognizable by its foto flame finishes.

SST-33 Squier Silver Series (Rockin)

SST-39 Squier Silver Series (Ameblo)

THE gEORGE hARRISON'S sQUIER sILVER sERIES sTRATOCASTER

The Silver Series holds a very unique record: indeed, one of these guitars was the most expensive “used” Squier ever - in 2003 the Silver Series that belonged to George Harrison and Spike Milligan was auctioned for $29,384!
George Harrison had already used a Squier on stage.  In fact he played the export "JV" Stratocaster he bought for his son Dhani at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala at London's Wembley Arena, on June 5, 1987.  On this occasion, he performed While My Guitar Gently Weeps with Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton.  This didn't go unnoticed by Jamie Crompton, Fender Artist Relations Manager for England and Europe, who decided to give George a new Squier model to promote this brand. ​

George Harrison with the JV Strat he gave to his son Dhani, Price's Trust Rock Gala, June 5, 1987

According to Jamie the Silver Series Stratocaster in original tweed case was delivered to George Harrison, who then personalized the instrument with a 2-point tremolo instead of a vintage style one and a mint green pickguard.  The serial number L036415 indicated probably a 1991 model.
Later, George gave this Squier to his friend Spike Milligan, one of Britain's leading comedians after gaining popularity on the radio show "The Goon Show" in the '50s and then on TV, who, in turn, later gave the guitar to the session guitarist Troy Tempest.

The George Harrison's Squier Silver Series Stratocaster, auctioned in 2003, was accompanied by a letter from Jamie Crompton, artist relations manager, Fender Europe, dated 16/3/03 (Courtesy if Heritage Galleries)

The George Harrison's Squier Silver Series Stratocaster, front

The George Harrison's Squier Silver Series Stratocaster, back

Wayne's World Stratocaster

Wayne's World was a 1992 comedy film for a young audience, with the participation of the novice Mike Myers and Alice Cooper.  In one of the scenes one of the protagonists was seen playing a Fender Stratocaster.
Given the success of the film, Fender decided to realize, between the end of 1992 and 1993, in the FujiGen Gakki factory, the ​Wayne’s World Stratocaster.  Essentially, it was a Squier Silver Series but with a basswood body instead of alder, covered unslotted tuning machines in place of the Gotoh ones of the Silver Series, a neck plate on which the Wayne’s World logo was engraved, and was available only in the Arctic White finish.
We should not forget ​Wayne’s World 2 Stratocaster, manufactured in Mexico at the Ensenada plant only in 1994.

Antonio Calvosa

1993 Squier Wayne's World Strat advert: the guitar in the picture oddly had Gotoh tuners

Extract from the movie