(SOLD) Cool Z ZLJ-RV Olive Green 2013
Cool Z ZLJ-RV, olive green, made in Japan 2013. I saw this pop up in Japan and had to have it... so cool, right? Cool Z is a house brand for major Japanese instrument chain Shimamura, who have stores all over Japan. They're made at the legendary Fujigen Gakki plant, the very same factory that made all those famous Fender Japan guitars from 1982-96, the famed Epiphone Japan models from the mid 2000s as well as producing Ibanez Prestige and other tasty biscuits to this day. These come up semi-regularly in the standard black and yellow type colours, but this is the only green example I've come across. The amber bell knobs and black plastics lend the green a classy border... I still can't decide if it's gorgeous or hideous, but hey. Plugged in, though, it's definitely gorgeous. The neck pickup is clear and bell-like, with a plonky attack and warm gooey midrange. The bridge pickup is crisp and crunchy with heaps of presence and power, perfect for palm muted chuggs and wailing lead lines. The neck is straight and stable and carved to a moderate '59 style D shape, which works really well for a simple riffstick like this. I don't expect to see another one of these rolling through the door anytime soon, so if you want it, you've got one shot!
Model: Cool Z ZLJ-RV
Made: Japan, 2013, Fujigen plant (serial K130360)
Finish: olive green, thin gloss poly
Body: mahogany
Weight: 4.195kg
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, slim 60s profile
Mods: none
Pickups: History SP-90 single coil x2
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor marks on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The side have minor dimples the whole way around the body, as well as a couple of small chips near the jack. The front has some dimples around the whole body, as well as some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear but they're pretty even and there's no major buzz issues, 7/10 for fret life left. No headstock breaks. Setup with fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.