squier hank marvin signiture

[jleig]

does anyone know what pickups are on a 1991 squier hank marvin signiture, and where to get some.

[stephen]

I regret that I cannot furnish you with a 'scientific' answer to your query, although I have no doubt that there will be many on this site that can and will probably do so.....................

However, I did own a new, Japanese Squier Marvin that I bought in 1991/92 for £199. At the same time I also owned a Japanese, Fender 'special' (!) Stratocaster that was bought new in 1989. The pickups in both these relatively 'budget' guitars, both looked and sounded identical to my eyes & ears at least. How & where you would source these relatively ordinary pickups from, I really couldn't advise.

To be honest, I really only bought the Squier Marvin out of nostalgia for the colour. It was splendid! To be candid, that was really the best thing about the guitar, if I'm being both objective and a tad critical. The hardware was adequate, although the tuners were distinctly 'clumpy' looking, contemporary but efficient Gotohs. Kluson a-likes would have suited the vibe much better. Also, the shape of the headstock was somehow 'wrong', seeming to ape the design that Fender adopted when they switched from the large CBS style and just guessed at the original outline, having lost Freddie Tavares' drawings.

I really don't know why some people get that excited about these Marvin Squiers as apart from Hank's squiggle on the headstock, for the same price as a 2nd hand example, a new, Fiesta Red, Mexican '50's Stratocaster represents a more authentic look to what Hank was using at the time. They feel & sound pretty good too................
Stephen.

[kipper]

I regret that I cannot furnish you with a 'scientific' answer to your query, although I have no doubt that there will be many on this site that can and will probably do so.....................

However, I did own a new, Japanese Squier Marvin that I bought in 1991/92 for £199. At the same time I also owned a Japanese, Fender 'special' (!) Stratocaster that was bought new in 1989. The pickups in both these relatively 'budget' guitars, both looked and sounded identical to my eyes & ears at least. How & where you would source these relatively ordinary pickups from, I really couldn't advise.

To be honest, I really only bought the Squier Marvin out of nostalgia for the colour. It was splendid! To be candid, that was really the best thing about the guitar, if I'm being both objective and a tad critical. The hardware was adequate, although the tuners were distinctly 'clumpy' looking, contemporary but efficient Gotohs. Kluson a-likes would have suited the vibe much better. Also, the shape of the headstock was somehow 'wrong', seeming to ape the design that Fender adopted when they switched from the large CBS style and just guessed at the original outline, having lost Freddie Tavares' drawings.

I really don't know why some people get that excited about these Marvin Squiers as apart from Hank's squiggle on the headstock, for the same price as a 2nd hand example, a new, Fiesta Red, Mexican '50's Stratocaster represents a more authentic look to what Hank was using at the time. They feel & sound pretty good too................
Stephen.

just goes to show how two guitars can sound and feel so different i have just brought one and its one of the best sounding and playing strats i have ever owned.
its that good in my opion that i am spending some £££££ having the neck refreted and restored. and it didnt get worn out sitting in a box. its been really well played over the years. this is a great exsample of how guitars differ. peter

[marvwelch]

Hi . I`d be interested in how much you`d pay for a re-fret. I too have a H Marvin neck from 96 and it needs doing . I`ve been quoted so far at £347 which i feel is a little over the top . So any help will be appreciated . Many thanks guys . Ron Wood

[stephen]

Peter,
I'm glad that you are pleased with your recently acquired Squier Marvin, there's certainly nothing intrinsically 'wrong' with the way thay play or feel and that would relate to the example that I owned as well as I suppose, everyone else's. The Squier Marvin production run would have had the same consistencty (i.e. good!) as other, contemporary Japanese factory output.

If you read my post again, you'll see that any critique therein, was aimed at the actual concept and not my individual guitar. I still stand by those comments, in that there was nothing really that 'special' or Hank-tastic about the model, save for the colour and of course, that all-important scribble on the headstock. The choice of tuner style and headstock shape was peculiar to say the least and any relevance to anything Hank had used, still eludes me...............

The Squier Marvin was really just a fairly low-budget marketing exercise by Fender, rather than any serious attempt at producing a Hank replica. Perhaps they were 'testing the waters' for the possibility of future, more expensive (and correspondingly more accurate) Hank related product. Who knows........

I'm sure that most people that have sourced a used example and paid £300-£400 (or more??) for the priviledge will undoubtedly feel that it is one of the best guitars that they have played and it will be their 'first rung' on the Hank guitar acquisition ladder. If they then go on to buy a Fender-badged, Jap. Hank signature, they will also then rate that as the 'new' best. Similarly if their Shadows enthusiasm leads to buying a Custom Shop 1956 NOS, that will be similarly lauded. This is just the way of the world and there's no harm in it, just don't let it cloud objectivity, that's all.

Personally speaking, I have no regrets about parting with mine when I p/x'd it (for the £199 that I originally paid) against a used, 1994 PRS Custom 22 about 15 years ago, a guitar that I still treasure as much as my 1994 40th Anniversary 1954 Strat., the numbered 'Buddy Holly' model.

***By the way, Peter, just a thought..................
During the time I owned my Squier, I changed the 'buttons' on the tuners. I really didn't like those squared-off, modern Gotoh ones. I managed to source a more Kluson-like, rounded button, so fitted those. I still have the originals, so if the tuner buttons on your guitar are looking a bit worn (as I know the neck is) I'll be happy to send them on to you, as they're still in great condition. Free, of course!
Stephen.

[stephen]

Ron,
With regard to your query about the cost of re-fretting a neck..................

Although I'm not au fait with current workshop prices, I do know that lacquered maple necks cost more to re-fret than rosewood ones. A lot more care & time is involved in the removal of the old frets from a maple 'board, as it is very easy to chip 'chunks' of lacquer (& bits of adhering wood!) from around the fret. Therefore, it is more time-consuming/labour-intensive to both remove the old and install new frets into maple, than a non-lacquered rosewood 'board. More often than not, (especially if it isn't a super-valuable & not to be messed with vintage piece) it is more economic & best to remove the old finish completely and re-lacquer after re-fretting. It could well be that the price you were quoted, involved this. Check if it does.............

If I may offer a bit of advice. Do choose your repairer/luthier with care and for a job like this, don't just be swayed by price alone, as a poor re-fret will potentially ruin your guitar. As far as guitar repairs go, good work does cost, I'm afraid. If you mention the area you live in, I'm sure there will be some members of this site that will be able to advise you, based on their experience.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!
Stephen.

[leddo]

does anyone know what pickups are on a 1991 squier hank marvin signiture, and where to get some.

What an astonishing stroke of luck. I have been clearing away some assorted guitar bits and pieces and have just come across the pickups I took off my Squier Marvin and was wondering what to do with them! I am sure we could come to some arrangement. Send me a message if you are interested.

[leddo]

And I 've also found the original Squier Marvin bridge which I replaced with a USA one. I reckon if I rake around long enough I might find a whole guitar! Open to reasonable offers if you are interested. By the way the pickups were replaced with a set of Kinmans I had. Sadly, the guitar was sold a few years back due to the purchase of a Custom Shop Hank Marvin Strat. Seemed pointless keeping the Squier at the time. A decision I now regret. Such is life.

[kipper]

hi stephen thats most kind of you i will take up that offer. i will message my address to you. peter

[marvwelch]

Hi Stephen . Thankyou for that imformation . I am in the Woolwich S E London area . So if anyone out there knows a good luthier in this area , please let me know . Many thanks . Ron Wood .