Fender '62 Strat, black, made in Japan 1991. Back in the 80s/90s, Eric Clapton was a huge deal in Japan, so the very popular Eric-ish Fender Japan model was a black/white '54 Reissue Strat with a V-neck, Lace Sensor Gold pickups and a mid-boost. A stack of those were sold for many years, they're fairly common and very good... but this is the much less common '62 style model, which sports the same electronics and controls and very similar specs, but you get the slim, rounded neck profile, a lovely dark rosewood board.The combo of the lightly aged and slightly checked black finish, slightly yellowed creamy plastics and a very dark, luxurious rosewood slab board looks extremely classy. The tone on offer is exceptional: the alder body and rosewood board offers a balanced, full midrange with a creamy dollop of natural bass. The clarity, precision and dynamic attack of the Lace Sensor pickups translates every nuance of your playing accurately; dialling in a bit of heft on the mid-boost pushes the tone to  a creamy delight. The neck is superbly comfortable and an exemplary piece of maple; this slim round profile quickly wins friends and this is an especially tasty specimen. This is only the second of this model we've ever scored, so it might be a long wait for the next one. All in all: a perfect example of MIJ-Strat goodness.

Model: Fender Stratocaster '62 Reissue (ST62-770LS)
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, stamped 20 Mar 1991 (serial J029881)
Finish: gloss black (BK), 3-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius
Mods: none
Pickups: Lace Sensor Gold single coils x3, active mid-boost circuit
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear.  Headstock has some minor dimples on the end. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor dimples on the back only. Back has some minor scuffs around the cavity cover and belly carve, as well as some checking lines near the neck plate and a scratch near the battery cover. The sides are pretty clear, just some dimples near the jack and on the shoulder. The front has no major marks, just some dimples near the jack, dimples and checking lines on the shoulder and some light scratches on the guard and top horn. Overall: very good condition (8/10).

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets look good, some normal wear but they're pretty even, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings