1998+ Fender Squire "Mini" Stratocaster

Steven Nadal and John Mayer's guitar ownership history is almost identical...

 

John Clayton Mayer (born October 16, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.  He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but left after 2 semesters to pursue his musical career

1. John Mayer's 1st guitar was an acoustic guitar that was rented from a local guitar shop
2. In the early 1990s, Mayer was still a teenager when he bought his 1st electric guitar was a black Fender Squier Stratocaster with a white pickguard & pickups, and a rosewood fretboard. (Image #2)
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan was an early influence that shaped Mayer's style
4. In 1996 while he was in Boston attending Berklee, he purchased his 1st professional guitar, a 1996 Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster which he used to record his 1st album "Room for Squares" in 2001, and as his main stage instrument until 2003  (see separate page titled "1959-64 Fender Stratocaster")
5. In 2003, Mayer released his own Signature acoustic guitar, the Martin OM-28 John Mayer, limited to a run of only 404, an Atlanta area code  (see separate page titled "Martin Acoustic Guitar")

• Eventually, he collaborated with Fender to release his own John Mayer Signature Stratocaster in 2005

 

Stevie Ray Jawn's (aka Steven Nadal) guitar progression interestingly followed a very similar path as John Mayer (although not realized until researching for this web site!)

1. His 1st guitar was an Acoustic (Images #3 & 4) - just like John...   
2. His 1st electric guitar was a Black 2006 Fender Squire Stratocaster with a white pickguard & pickups, and a rosewood fretboard (Image #1) - just like John...  
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan was an early influence that shaped SRJ's style
4. Eventually he moved up to a 1994 Fender Artist Series Stevie Ray Vaughan "Number One" Signature Stratocaster (see separate page titled "1959-64 Fender Pre-CBS Stratocaster") - just like John...
   • If that is not enough similarity, note that Stevie Ray Jawn's SRV Strat was purchased from a Berklee student in Boston, the same school where John Mayer got his SRV Strat!!  - just like John...
5. In 2019, for his 21st birthday, Stevie Ray Jawn hand build his "Signature" OM28 at The Martin Guitar Foundation Luthier Lab under the direction of Sean Brandle who was one of the original 12 luthiers to form the renowned Martin Guitar Custom Shop.  This guitar was limited to a run of only 1 :)  (see separate page titled "Martin Acoustic Guitar") - almost like John...

• Next up, a Stevie Ray Jawn Signature Stratocaster - maybe like John??...

 

Guitars - John Mayer Gear - The gear behind his signature tone

The Squier Mini Stratocaster has been produced in several iterations, primarily under the Affinity Series (1998–2017) and later as the Mini Stratocaster V2 (post-2017). Here’s a breakdown of the model years and key changes:

 

• Gen 1:  1998 – 2003 Squier Mini Stratocaster Affinity Series Model Number: 031-0100-(Color#) 
  • Production: Crafted in Indonesia (Cort or Samick factories).
  • Key Features:
    • Laminated hardwood body (often basswood), gloss polyurethane finish.
    • Maple neck, “C” shape, 22.75” scale length, rosewood fingerboard, 20 medium jumbo frets.
    • Three single-coil pickups (SSS), 5-way switching, master volume, single tone control.
    • Hardtail 6-saddle bridge, chrome hardware, top-mounted output jack.
    • Colors: Black (506), Torino Red (558).
    • Headstock: “Squier by Fender,” “MINI,” and “Affinity Series” decals.

 

• Gen 1.2:  2003-17 Squier Mini Stratocaster Affinity Series Model Number: 031-0121-(Color#):
  • Series: Affinity Series (until ~2012), later marketed as Bullet Series or standalone Mini Stratocaster.
  • Production: Crafted in Indonesia (Cort or Samick factories).
  • Key Changes:
    • Fingerboard switched to Indian Laurel (post-CITES regulations, ~2012) for environmental compliance.
    • Side-mounted output jack (in a “dish”), replacing the top-mounted jack.
    • Headstock updated with “Designed and Backed by Fender” decal on the back.
    • Colors expanded to include Shell Pink (556, introduced 2012), Dakota Red (554), and others like Blue, White, and Tobacco Sunburst (less common).
  • Specifications (specific to 031-0121-506):
    • Body: Laminated hardwood (poplar), Black finish, gloss polyurethane.
    • Neck: Maple, “C” shape, 22.75” scale length, 20 narrow tall or medium jumbo frets, Indian Laurel fingerboard (9.5” radius), synthetic bone nut (1.6” width).
    • Pickups: Three standard single-coil Strat pickups (SSS), middle pickup reverse-wound for hum cancellation in positions 2 and 4, 5-way blade switch.
    • Controls: Master volume, master tone (mini potentiometers).
    • Bridge: 6-saddle hardtail, chrome hardware, standard die-cast tuners.
    • Headstock: “Squier by Fender,” “MINI,” “Crafted in Indonesia” decals.

 

• Gen 2:  2017+ Squier Mini Stratocaster V2 Model #031-0121-(Color#)  MSRP $189
  • Series: Marketed as Mini Stratocaster V2, no longer explicitly Affinity or Bullet Series.ber: Continues or new SKUs for specific finishes.
  • Production: Indonesia (primarily Cort factories).
  • Key Changes:
    • Colors: Black (506), Dakota Red (554), Shell Pink (556), Imperial Blue, Olympic White, Tobacco Sunburst.
    • Side-mounted output jack retained, with noted quality issues (loose nuts common).
    • Consistent use of Indian Laurel fingerboard.
    • Further refined neck profile for improved playability.
  • Notes: Post-2017 models are nearly identical to the 2003–2017 version but benefit from improved quality control and modern manufacturing.

 

The Mach Five Guitar a 2006 Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster v2 DIY Relic'd  SN 060610709 - Steven Nadal's 1st electric guitar

• Body: Laminated hardwood (often poplar), thin and lightweight, 3/4-size Stratocaster shape, gloss polyurethane finish.
• Neck: Maple, “C”-shaped profile, natural satin finish, 22.75” scale length (shorter than the standard 25.5” Stratocaster scale).
• Fingerboard: Indian Laurel (replaced rosewood post-2003 due to CITES regulations), 9.5” radius, 20 narrow tall or medium jumbo frets.
• Nut: Synthetic bone, 1.6” (40.6 mm) width.
• Pickups: Three Squier standard single-coil Stratocaster pickups (SSS configuration), with 5-way blade switching
• Middle pickup is reverse-wound for hum cancellation in positions 2 and 4
• Controls: Master volume, master tone (single tone knob, unlike full-size Strats with two tone knobs).
• Bridge: 6-saddle vintage-style hardtail (no tremolo), die-cast saddles for improved tuning stability and sustain.
• Hardware: Chrome, standard die-cast tuning machines, smaller strap pins, 1-ply white pickguard, white control knobs, white switch tip.
• Output Jack: Side-mounted (post-2003 models), located in a “dish” on the body, though noted for lower quality and a tendency to loosen.
• Headstock: Small, with black silkscreen “Squier by Fender” logo, “MINI” decal, and “Crafted in Indonesia” marking. Post-2003 models include a “Designed and Backed by Fender” decal on the back.
• Color: Black (506). Other available colors included Dakota Red (554), Shell Pink (556, introduced 2012), and Torino Red (558)
• Weight: 5 lbs, 8 oz.
• Body Shape: Stratocaster® 
• Body Material: Poplar 
• Body Finish: Polyurethane
• Neck Material: Maple 
• Neck Shape: "C" 
• Scale Length: 22.75" (578 mm) 
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm) 
• Number of Frets: 20
• Fret Size: Narrow Tall 
• String Nut: Synthetic Bone 
• Nut Width: 1.600" (40.6 mm) 
• Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Squire
• Neck Finish: Satin Urethane 
• Fingerboard: Indian Laurel 
• Position Inlays: Pearloid White Dot 
• Bridge/Middle/Neck Pickups: Standard Single-Coil Strat®
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone 
• Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade
• Pickup Configuration: SSS 
• Bridge: 6-Saddle Hardtail
• Tuning Machines: Standard Die Cast
• Orientation: Right-Hand 
• Hardware Finish: Chrome
• Pickguard: 1-Ply White 
• Control Knobs: White Plastic
• Switch Tips: White

 

1 - The Mach Five Guitar

2 - John Mayer with his 1st electric guitar

3 - Stevie Ray Vaughn with his 1st acoustic guitar

4 - Baby Stevie Ray Vaughn with his "Cuntar"