I own a 1995 MiM, and I must say it’s my favourite guitar. Even though it was assembled in Mexico, I can absolutely appreciate how it reflects the quality of US craftsmanship. It’s a great job from all those involved.
This was my first guitar. My dad got it for me when I was a kid. I've modded the hell out of it and still love it to this day. Very cool to learn more about it.
Thanks for this. I bought a ‘96 about two months ago, for $255 delivered. I fought with Fender necks on and off since 1985. Not anymore. I can’t explain it, it’s just somehow the best fit for my hands. Now, it’s not my most fave, but it’s close.
I feel you about the bridge. Those smaller blocks just don't quite do it. I upgraded my Jazz Bass with a Hipshot Kickass high mass bridge and it was night and day difference. I'm super pleased with it.
@@IntoTheImpossible321 that’s awesome. I am not handy with guitar updating but am looking into it. This guy broke open his 94 black series Strat and proved, like your book, that it’s genuine fender. The quote you mentioned made things way more clear though. ruclips.net/video/vl-eyRKMmUk/видео.html
That's actually the video that sent me down the Black Label rabbit hole. I bought my bass new in '95, and played it stock til last year. It worked fine stock, but the bridge was wearing from adjustments, and it always had a rattle on the A string, so I decided it deserved some upgrades. I've been wanting to do some short videos on those upgrades. Would that be interesting to you?
I've got an MN5 that I totally gutted and replaced everything down to the nut. The only original parts are the body and neck. It plays and sounds amazing!
They are widely renowned for their necks being so comfortable. Those teles are tough to find, too. I don't think they sold very well to begin with, and often go for the highest amount of the four black label models. Enjoy!
I saw this video this morning while getting ready for work. I had never heard of these guitars before this video. I began researching these guitars, and there is a lot of information out there regarding this anomaly. A couple of hours ago I found one online for $300 out the door. I grabbed it. I just bought a 1988 MIJ ST-62 Fender Strat last week. I hope my GF doesn’t strangle me, LOL.
Oof, good luck with the GF. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the MIM since you have a fresh new MIJ to compare it to. They were always two very different price points, but it'll be an interesting comparison.
@@IntoTheImpossible321 - I appreciate your comment and apt reply. I confided to my GF… 😬 She actually seemed happy for me once I explained the lore and the deal I found. I was floored (and grateful). I am curious as to whether you have ever dialed in any Black Label serial numbers into Fender’s Serial Number Lookup Tool. My serial number is MN414056. My body color, fingerboard and pick guard color are different than what the tool reads. The tool read out: Brown Sunburst (body), rosewood fingerboard, and a 3-ply black pick guard. The guitar I bought has a black body, a maple fingerboard, and a pick guard (and matching back plate) that’s either Pearloid or an Aged White Moto. I heard that ‘93 is the first year the Fender Serial Lookup Tool registers searches. On top of this, I guess that it is possible that, given the circumstances of the necks and bodies being shipped to Mexico, that the neck and colors (body and PG) might be different than what they were originally intended to be listed as. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. 🙏 EDIT: My serial number registered in the system, but no other Black Label Fender that I found online registered in the Lookup Tool’s system. I searched more than a dozen guitars. Why couldn’t my serial number be one that doesn’t register, LOL?! I’d rather have that than one that registers a different body color and fretboard. I prefer rosewood to maple. 🥲
@@IntoTheImpossible321- I finally took delivery on the ‘94 Black Label Strat. The guitar was pretty banged up, but nothing insurmountable. The pickups look as if someone pushed a couple of the magnets in. The tuners need work or replacing (the high E goes out of tune real easily). There’s a wicked scar (scratch) under the bridge and one ding that isn’t too crazy. These things aside, the body feels great. The neck is smooth, but not as nice as the MIJ. The tone and volume knobs are tight, as is the control switch. The pickups, although a bit rough looking, are hot AF. I seriously cannot believe how good this guitar feels and sounds - all things considered. I feel like if it was as clean as the MIJ I have I would be head over heels in love with this thing. And I can’t help but wonder if I should keep it original or not.
@@danalexander2149 Sorry I missed your second comment, it only showed up after I clicked on your profile pic button, which is pretty annoying since you complimented me on my prompt response before. Anyway, it's been a while since I tried to look up a serial, but it seems like I got a similarly inaccurate response for color. Fender has never had very good records of their serials, but luckily the year is a lot easier to nail down now. If you're not aware, the convention is M=Mexico, N=Nineties, 4=production period starting in mid-1994. So your strat and my jazz bass are of the same period, made between summer of '94 and summer of '95. I was actually able to find legible dates in mine of Feb 95 on the neck and body, and March 15 1995 on the back of the pickguard. The strats for whatever reason were taken a step farther with an assembly check list adhered to the pickguard, which is a nice touch in my opinion. As far as modding your Black Label, I get why it may feel a bit questionable to do so. About half of all Black Labels I see for sale are modded to some amount. A lot of the strats have different pickguards and tuners. The basses tend to get new pickups, and the Jazz basses frequently have the one-piece pickguard replaced with the standard pickguard/control plate. I've replaced the bridge, pots, capacitor, knobs and nut (that actually broke years ago, and is the one thing I do recommend changing because it's crappy plastic) on my bass, and added shielding, and am very pleased with the results. When I got my bass new in '95 I felt the pickguard and knobs were kinda plain, and my drummer gave me the blue sparkling heart sticker it still sports almost 30 years later. Now I look at the understated aesthetics of the Black Labels as a blank canvas for the player to make their own. But, I also understand Black Labels are a particular line from a particular era, and may one day be viewed like we view '50s Les Paul jrs, now. They were a humble budget line that gained a cult status with a special legend wrapped around them. And they play great!
I got Al Staniforth's from when he was in the Canadian band Lighthouse. His son sold it to me for the price of the padded gig bag it was left in. Fast forward, my brother takes it to South Korea... takes it to his Luthier, which puts Texas Specials in them ( & remarks how good the electronics are) sends it home with me after I visit, rest is history.
I"ve got a red 96/97 black label strat (not labeld squier series) and I absolutely love it. I paid $40 for it and besides needing a major cleaning and setup, it looked barely played
I too have a red '96 - '97 (MN6 serial #) bought new in London UK for what would have been $300 at the time. Only ever had the Fender black label, and as you say, it was never labeld Squier series.
@billwilkinson1397 such an amazing feeling guitar. Only the earlier ones were labeled squier series. Later before production ended they were just like ours, and then the fender traditonal series replaced them
I have a start and the neck and also the sustain is so amazing I can’t resist not using it for my main guitar on stage it’s like why but give the fans the best and it’s wild it’s from a 400$ used strat
I have my brothers old 94-95 Fender "black label" Jazz Bass. It was beat up and I thought of it as worthless. After about 30 years I finished a proper cleaning and setup and realized it's something people like.
A lot of people don't give these instruments their due because they say Squier and look a lot like the inferior Asian guitars. It's really the folks who spend some time playing the Black Labels who understand just how great they are. The myth wrapped around them is a bonus feature to me.
My first bass ever was almost identical to yours. I loved that bass. Sadly the truss rod nut had been stripped and I ended up selling it to a pawn shop. I wish I just replaced the neck.
That sucks. For a while I thought my truss rod was at the end of it's travel, even with 45-100 gauge strings. The neck was straight, but I wanted to go up a guage to 50-105. I took the nut out and found there was some hardened glue on it from installation that seem to be binding it. Cleaned all the glue off, greased the threads and all was good for the new setup, still with plenty of travel left.
I just watched a couple of you videos, very impressive playing! I saw you upgraded the bridge and pickguard on your Jazz Bass. Did you do any other modifications to it?
@@IntoTheImpossible321 i use EMG JVX Pickup And Omega Bridge...Unfortunately The One Piece Pickguard Has Replace By Original Owner When I Bought This Bass...
had one in black when i got it someone sanded the squire sticker off i new what it was and the story got it for like $200 -$225 hardware / electronics was absolute rubbish funny i did kinda dig the pups i think i may still have them lol,, i ended up putting all american gold hardware upgraded wiring and gold pearliod pickguard and Texas specials had the nicest neck i giggid the shite out of that guitar just felt so compacted and stubby i dug it ,, one of my friends bugged me for a long time to sell it to him ended up selling it to him for $500 ,, actually he borrowed it and didn't give it back then when i saw him he busted out the money and said man its all i got plz take it ,, i laughed pretty sure we drank up all the money that night it really was all the money he had 🤣😂
From mid 1993 to mid 1999 (MN3-MN8 serial numbers). The first year they were labeled with the same black Squier by Fender as you'll find on Asian models. I've only seen Strats with that year and label. Presumably, these are the fewest Black Labels made because in February of 1994 the factory burnt and was expanded when it was rebuilt, and the Fender Squier Series with four models was introduced in '94 and continued through '95. The Traditional series, which has no label on the ball of the headstock, ran from mid '96 to mid '99 along side the Gold Label Mexican squiers when both lines were discontinued and Squiers were permanently licensed to Asian manufacturers.
Of course. But this comment got me thinking if Fender still machines their own hardware or not. If I recall correctly, they did have in house equipment for hardware at Fullerton, and I thought that was being used in the Custom Shop, now, but for how much of their product?
Yeah, but I take that as an advantage. I had a '95 American Strat that I stripped the truss rod hex, and what would have been a cheap and easy fix on a MIM was impossible for me to do at the time, and would have cost me for a luthier to handle because of that stupid walnut plug.
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I own a 1995 MiM, and I must say it’s my favourite guitar. Even though it was assembled in Mexico, I can absolutely appreciate how it reflects the quality of US craftsmanship. It’s a great job from all those involved.
I have an mn4 black label tele. It's my number 1 for 20 years now. Love it.
This was my first guitar. My dad got it for me when I was a kid. I've modded the hell out of it and still love it to this day. Very cool to learn more about it.
Thanks for this. I bought a ‘96 about two months ago, for $255 delivered. I fought with Fender necks on and off since 1985. Not anymore. I can’t explain it, it’s just somehow the best fit for my hands. Now, it’s not my most fave, but it’s close.
Congratulations, that's quite a bargain! I've been watching them on reverb and eBay, and most are going between $400-600.
Well, asking $400-600. The way the economy is going, there might be some price changes.
That's true. I should also point out I speculate the MN6s switched from a poplar body to alder. I haven't been able to confirm that, though.
Thanks. Just got a '96 Black Label HSS Strat. Tried it along with multiple modern strats recently and it played and sounded so much better.
Nice. Congratulations! Out of curiosity what humbucker does it have?
I feel you about the bridge. Those smaller blocks just don't quite do it. I upgraded my Jazz Bass with a Hipshot Kickass high mass bridge and it was night and day difference. I'm super pleased with it.
@@IntoTheImpossible321 that’s awesome. I am not handy with guitar updating but am looking into it. This guy broke open his 94 black series Strat and proved, like your book, that it’s genuine fender. The quote you mentioned made things way more clear though. ruclips.net/video/vl-eyRKMmUk/видео.html
That's actually the video that sent me down the Black Label rabbit hole. I bought my bass new in '95, and played it stock til last year. It worked fine stock, but the bridge was wearing from adjustments, and it always had a rattle on the A string, so I decided it deserved some upgrades. I've been wanting to do some short videos on those upgrades. Would that be interesting to you?
@@IntoTheImpossible321 I would. I’m a guitar player but would definitely like to learn more about upgrading
best feeling fender neck ive ever played
I've got an MN5 that I totally gutted and replaced everything down to the nut. The only original parts are the body and neck. It plays and sounds amazing!
Just got a black label telecaster 95 mim anniversary issue. Picked it up and the neck made me buy it.
They are widely renowned for their necks being so comfortable. Those teles are tough to find, too. I don't think they sold very well to begin with, and often go for the highest amount of the four black label models. Enjoy!
Thank you so much for posting this, I just found a 94 Tele for around $300 USD. I’m definitely getting it now 🙌🏼
You're welcome. That's a really good price for any '94 Mexican Tele. A lot of them I see are $500-700.
I saw this video this morning while getting ready for work. I had never heard of these guitars before this video. I began researching these guitars, and there is a lot of information out there regarding this anomaly.
A couple of hours ago I found one online for $300 out the door. I grabbed it. I just bought a 1988 MIJ ST-62 Fender Strat last week. I hope my GF doesn’t strangle me, LOL.
Oof, good luck with the GF. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the MIM since you have a fresh new MIJ to compare it to. They were always two very different price points, but it'll be an interesting comparison.
@@IntoTheImpossible321 - I appreciate your comment and apt reply. I confided to my GF… 😬
She actually seemed happy for me once I explained the lore and the deal I found. I was floored (and grateful).
I am curious as to whether you have ever dialed in any Black Label serial numbers into Fender’s Serial Number Lookup Tool. My serial number is MN414056. My body color, fingerboard and pick guard color are different than what the tool reads.
The tool read out: Brown Sunburst (body), rosewood fingerboard, and a 3-ply black pick guard.
The guitar I bought has a black body, a maple fingerboard, and a pick guard (and matching back plate) that’s either Pearloid or an Aged White Moto.
I heard that ‘93 is the first year the Fender Serial Lookup Tool registers searches. On top of this, I guess that it is possible that, given the circumstances of the necks and bodies being shipped to Mexico, that the neck and colors (body and PG) might be different than what they were originally intended to be listed as.
Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. 🙏
EDIT: My serial number registered in the system, but no other Black Label Fender that I found online registered in the Lookup Tool’s system. I searched more than a dozen guitars. Why couldn’t my serial number be one that doesn’t register, LOL?! I’d rather have that than one that registers a different body color and fretboard. I prefer rosewood to maple. 🥲
@@IntoTheImpossible321- I finally took delivery on the ‘94 Black Label Strat. The guitar was pretty banged up, but nothing insurmountable. The pickups look as if someone pushed a couple of the magnets in. The tuners need work or replacing (the high E goes out of tune real easily). There’s a wicked scar (scratch) under the bridge and one ding that isn’t too crazy.
These things aside, the body feels great. The neck is smooth, but not as nice as the MIJ. The tone and volume knobs are tight, as is the control switch. The pickups, although a bit rough looking, are hot AF. I seriously cannot believe how good this guitar feels and sounds - all things considered. I feel like if it was as clean as the MIJ I have I would be head over heels in love with this thing. And I can’t help but wonder if I should keep it original or not.
@@danalexander2149 Sorry I missed your second comment, it only showed up after I clicked on your profile pic button, which is pretty annoying since you complimented me on my prompt response before.
Anyway, it's been a while since I tried to look up a serial, but it seems like I got a similarly inaccurate response for color. Fender has never had very good records of their serials, but luckily the year is a lot easier to nail down now. If you're not aware, the convention is M=Mexico, N=Nineties, 4=production period starting in mid-1994. So your strat and my jazz bass are of the same period, made between summer of '94 and summer of '95. I was actually able to find legible dates in mine of Feb 95 on the neck and body, and March 15 1995 on the back of the pickguard.
The strats for whatever reason were taken a step farther with an assembly check list adhered to the pickguard, which is a nice touch in my opinion.
As far as modding your Black Label, I get why it may feel a bit questionable to do so. About half of all Black Labels I see for sale are modded to some amount. A lot of the strats have different pickguards and tuners. The basses tend to get new pickups, and the Jazz basses frequently have the one-piece pickguard replaced with the standard pickguard/control plate.
I've replaced the bridge, pots, capacitor, knobs and nut (that actually broke years ago, and is the one thing I do recommend changing because it's crappy plastic) on my bass, and added shielding, and am very pleased with the results. When I got my bass new in '95 I felt the pickguard and knobs were kinda plain, and my drummer gave me the blue sparkling heart sticker it still sports almost 30 years later. Now I look at the understated aesthetics of the Black Labels as a blank canvas for the player to make their own.
But, I also understand Black Labels are a particular line from a particular era, and may one day be viewed like we view '50s Les Paul jrs, now. They were a humble budget line that gained a cult status with a special legend wrapped around them. And they play great!
@@IntoTheImpossible321- I got a quick question for you…
Have you seen any Black Label Telecasters from ‘94-‘95 (with the black waterslide)?
I got Al Staniforth's from when he was in the Canadian band Lighthouse. His son sold it to me for the price of the padded gig bag it was left in. Fast forward, my brother takes it to South Korea... takes it to his Luthier, which puts Texas Specials in them ( & remarks how good the electronics are) sends it home with me after I visit, rest is history.
I"ve got a red 96/97 black label strat (not labeld squier series) and I absolutely love it. I paid $40 for it and besides needing a major cleaning and setup, it looked barely played
I too have a red '96 - '97 (MN6 serial #) bought new in London UK for what would have been $300 at the time. Only ever had the Fender black label, and as you say, it was never labeld Squier series.
@billwilkinson1397 such an amazing feeling guitar. Only the earlier ones were labeled squier series. Later before production ended they were just like ours, and then the fender traditonal series replaced them
I got mine when I was 13 and it was in terrible disrepair. I did a refin and lace sensor in the neck and Seymour Duncan in the bridge.
I have a start and the neck and also the sustain is so amazing I can’t resist not using it for my main guitar on stage it’s like why but give the fans the best and it’s wild it’s from a 400$ used strat
I have my brothers old 94-95 Fender "black label" Jazz Bass. It was beat up and I thought of it as worthless. After about 30 years I finished a proper cleaning and setup and realized it's something people like.
A lot of people don't give these instruments their due because they say Squier and look a lot like the inferior Asian guitars. It's really the folks who spend some time playing the Black Labels who understand just how great they are. The myth wrapped around them is a bonus feature to me.
Not yet. I still need to buy a few more.
My first bass ever was almost identical to yours. I loved that bass. Sadly the truss rod nut had been stripped and I ended up selling it to a pawn shop. I wish I just replaced the neck.
That sucks. For a while I thought my truss rod was at the end of it's travel, even with 45-100 gauge strings. The neck was straight, but I wanted to go up a guage to 50-105. I took the nut out and found there was some hardened glue on it from installation that seem to be binding it. Cleaned all the glue off, greased the threads and all was good for the new setup, still with plenty of travel left.
Tenho um Fender Precision com etiqueta preta Tradicional 1995-1996. Não possui a etiqueta "squier séries" Eu adoro ele!
Agradaval!
I just bought one today for 100 bucks. HHS
1 have a MN5. The body is alder and she has 2 date stamps on the body. One blue Mexico Nov. 1995 and the other US
1995
I have Traditional Jazz Bass Serial Number MN6..No Squier Font On Headstock...This Is My Main Bass...
I just watched a couple of you videos, very impressive playing! I saw you upgraded the bridge and pickguard on your Jazz Bass. Did you do any other modifications to it?
@@IntoTheImpossible321 i use EMG JVX Pickup And Omega Bridge...Unfortunately The One Piece Pickguard Has Replace By Original Owner When I Bought This Bass...
had one in black when i got it someone sanded the squire sticker off i new what it was and the story got it for like $200 -$225 hardware / electronics was absolute rubbish funny i did kinda dig the pups i think i may still have them lol,, i ended up putting all american gold hardware upgraded wiring and gold pearliod pickguard and Texas specials had the nicest neck i giggid the shite out of that guitar just felt so compacted and stubby i dug it ,, one of my friends bugged me for a long time to sell it to him ended up selling it to him for $500 ,, actually he borrowed it and didn't give it back then when i saw him he busted out the money and said man its all i got plz take it ,, i laughed pretty sure we drank up all the money that night it really was all the money he had 🤣😂
That's a great story!
how long did they make the black labels for
From mid 1993 to mid 1999 (MN3-MN8 serial numbers). The first year they were labeled with the same black Squier by Fender as you'll find on Asian models. I've only seen Strats with that year and label. Presumably, these are the fewest Black Labels made because in February of 1994 the factory burnt and was expanded when it was rebuilt, and the Fender Squier Series with four models was introduced in '94 and continued through '95. The Traditional series, which has no label on the ball of the headstock, ran from mid '96 to mid '99 along side the Gold Label Mexican squiers when both lines were discontinued and Squiers were permanently licensed to Asian manufacturers.
@@IntoTheImpossible321 I have a 94 tele black label that is labeled "Squier Series". Like everyone else says, the neck is ridiculously good.
only the wood parts
Of course. But this comment got me thinking if Fender still machines their own hardware or not. If I recall correctly, they did have in house equipment for hardware at Fullerton, and I thought that was being used in the Custom Shop, now, but for how much of their product?
obviously truss rod and plug are mim
Yeah, but I take that as an advantage. I had a '95 American Strat that I stripped the truss rod hex, and what would have been a cheap and easy fix on a MIM was impossible for me to do at the time, and would have cost me for a luthier to handle because of that stupid walnut plug.
@@IntoTheImpossible321tru that walnut plug looks nice but a pain