In the late 80’s and 90’s Squiers were built in Korea. Below is information to help identify and determine the quality of these models.
Black Headstock Logo
Korean models with an all-black headstock logo will always have a thin laminated body. They are the lowest quality of all the MIK models. The black logo models were built between 1992 and 1995 with serial numbers starting with CN2, VN4, CN3, etc.
Silver Headstock Logo
The silver headstock logos were used on models built in the late 80s and on the CN2, CN3 and VN3 Fender Squier Series strats built in 1992 and 1993. The CN2, CN3 and VN3 Fender Squier Series Strats will have a silver Fender logo on the headstock with a small Squier Series in black near the end of the headstock. If it says Squier and not Fender in Silver on the headstock logo and its Korean it is an 80's model.
Most silver logo models will have full width laminate. This includes the CN/VN Fender Squier, the E9, S9 and S10 models. The exceptions to this are the 87' E7 and E10 models built by Young Chang
The Squier II models also came with silver headstock logos. They include strats with E9, S9, M1 and J1 serial numbers. The Squier IIs were the only silver logo Squiers to come with a thin laminate body.
Gold Headstock Logo
All gold logos will be a full width alder body or it will be ash if it’s a ProTone.
Gold logo Squiers were built stating in mid-1995. The CN5, VN5, VN6 VN7, KV97, KV98 and the ProTones will have gold logos. All have full width wood bodies.
Fretboard Radius
1987 models are all 9.5” radius.
From 1988 to mid-1995 all are 12” radius.
Starting with the VN/CN gold logo models in mid-1995 the radius is 9.5”
All other MIK strat/tele models built from mid-1995 until the end of 1998 have a 9.5” radius.
Korean Years
Strats, Telecasters, Bullets, P-Basses and Jazz Basses were built from 1987 to 1998.
Stagemaster and Showmaster models where built from 1999 to 2002.
The 24 Series models were built from 2002 to 2004.
The Master Series models where built from 2004 to 2007.
Factories
During the mid-90's Squiers were built at two factories. They had serial numbers starting with CN and VN. For instance CN5, VN6, etc.
In 1996 the CN factory moved to making ProTone models.
The VN factory kept building VN models into 1997(VN7). In mid 1997 the VN factory changed over to building KV97 models. Which were the same as the VN7 models except that the logo on the headstock was changed and the serial number was moved from the headstock to back of neck near the neck plate. They later moved on to building KV98 models which were the last Korean Squiers built.