Thanks for the super fast reply.
I think you're right. Maybe I should go for my money back. I just wish I didn't like playing it so much.
I DO have a 1988 Korean one as well, originally Olympic White, now aged to a lovely cream, but that has an 'S' number 993999 (great number). Even though the 88 one has a ply body it sounds completely different -better - and has a two piece headstock maple neck and pickups which are so 'super vintage' in sound that I prefer them to my Pro Tone when playing Shads stuff.
You may have gathered that I have become a Sad Squier Semi collector. I can't help it ,Doctor!!
Any ideas on the 'E' serial?