1983 MIJ Strat Needs Some Help

Video Description

In this video, the owner first talks about his convictions concerning the origins and authenticity of this Strat. We then discuss the poor condition of the tuners, corroded hardware, as well as playability issues. Of particular concern are the volume and second tone pots, which are damaged and need to be replaced.

Upon disassembling the Strat, we notice a penciled date on the neck heel. This indicates that the neck was manufactured on September 1, 1983. We also examine the hardware and electronics, which largely conform to US specifications. The only exception are the A250K mini pots, commonly found on Asian guitars. As for the body, it appears to conform to vintage specifications, such as the "worm route" leading from the bridge pickup cavity into the control cavity. The owner also shows me an image of the original neck plate (and serial number), which has somehow been lost. Finally, we take a closer look at the body, which appears to be a two-piece.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Condition of Tuners

01:20 Playability Issues 

02:44 Pickups and Bridge - First Look 

03:15 Damaged Pots

04:37 Failed Pickup Tap Test  

05:50 Strat Taken Apart 

06:08 Neck Pocket

06:15 Neck Heel 

07:09 Control Cavity Electronics

08:39 Output Jack  

09:35 Body Cavities  

10:27 Discussion on Body Wood 

11:06 Large Tremolo Block

11:19 Where's the Original Neck Plate? 

Ultrasonic Cleaner in Use

Using a Digital Ultrasonic Cleaner on a Strat's metal hardware. Recorded at 10:36 PM on July 30, 2026. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

Is This Single-Coil Still Working?

This video demonstrates the method I use to check if a pickup (in this example, a neck single-coil) is still working. The two tools utilized are a modified analog multimeter and adjustable spanner. "Modified" relates to the needle, which has been adjusted to read 15 DCV when at rest, allowing it room to either kick right or left when in use. The selector knob has been set to 0.1 DCV, though 50uA will work just as well. 

The test begins with the meter's positive (red) probe connected to the pickup's hot lead (white), and the negative (black) probe to the pickup's ground lead (black). Next, we gently tap on the pickup with the adjustable spanner. If the pickup is working, the needle will momentarily kick right or left. On the other hand, if nothing happens, we are most certainly looking at a dead pickup. In this demo, the needle kicks left, indicating that this particular pickup is working.

This video was recorded at 7:59 PM on July 30, 2026. CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.

Ibanez GRG121PAR - First Look

In the shop is an Ibanez GIO GRG121PAR that was purchased new around two years ago. It did not come with a gig bag, and has remained exposed to the elements ever since, hence the dust and grime. I'm also not surprised to see tarnished and corroded hardware, given that we're living next door to the South China Sea. To make matters worse, the strings and fretboard have never been wiped down after playing. Long story short, the main issues brought to my attention include fret buzz, unstable intonation, strings noting out, and dissonant double stops.

Headstock Face

Bound Amaranth Fretboard

"Art Grain" Top

Controls and Selector Switch

IBZ-6 Bridge Humbucker

F106 Fixed Bridge

Irregular Saddle Radius

Back of Headstock

Serial Number

Close-Up of Tuners

Maple Neck

Bolt-On Neck Joint

Okoume Body

Output Jack Plate

Kuantan Under the Covers Vol. 4

This gig was held at WarmRoom Records Kuantan on July 18, 2026. Six bands took to the stage that night, namely, Friends Ferdinand, Fluxs, Musa, Handspring, Paracetamol, and Monyeks. The night's proceedings ran along smoothly like a well-oiled machine, thanks to the friendly and helpful WarmRoom staff on duty. Last but not least, a shout-out to one of the most talented emcees I've seen in years, the affable Chris Yeast.

Check out all six bands here:

Kuantan Under the Covers Vol. 4 Playlist

Kuantan Under the Covers Vol. 4 Poster

Emcee Chris Yeast

Friends Ferdinand

Fluxs

Musa

Handspring

Paracetamol

Monyeks