Originally Posted by PopTodd
I play a Jap-built 1988 Squire Strat and that thing is built like a tank.


The early Japanese Squiers (JV Squiers) are indeed excellent. The build quality was as good as the newer American Fenders.

Quote
Fender (under the direction of Dan Smith at the Fullerton Plant) started to really get things going prior to 1982 so that
they could release their “vintage” line of reissue guitars, which are still being made today. Since the Japanese were already
so successful, they hired a Fender Japan team (largely made up of Greco’s designers and luthiers) to try to do what they
did best, but by changing the logo to “Fender” and putting Fender USA pickups in them. After a trial period, the USA team
decided to pay the Japanese team a visit and see how things were going. Upon completion of their trip, Dan lamented:
“Everybody came up to inspect them and the guys almost cried, because the Japanese product was so good - it was what
we had been having a hell of a time trying to do."


Source


http://www.soundclick.com/MarkKaufman