Fender American Standard Strat, olympic white, made in USA 1987. The American Standard model launched in very late 1986, so this is basically a first year example of the long running and well regarded model. Don't be fooled by the 'E4*****' 1984 serial number, as Fender took a lot of E4 stamped necks from the Fullerton plant over to the newly opened Corona plant that were used on early American Standard and Strat Plus models. If this was all original and in shiny shape, it'd fetch some serious cash these days, as these late eighties early Corona guitars are both very good and increasingly collectable. But... it's heavily modified. The mods are awesome though, this is heaps of fun. First, the hardware: this has a set of locking Gotoh tuners with the staggered posts, which makes for quick and easy string changes and eliminates the need for string trees, as well as a deluxe Wilkinson-by-Gotoh two point trem bridge and a flash bone nut. All that makes for awesome tuning stability, even if you mash the trem like a mad dog; it's very sturdy indeed. The bridge pickup has been swapped for a Duncan SSL-1 single, and the pots, switch, jack and cap have all been upgraded too, so it's crispy and fresh under the hood. It sounds tremendous; it's very convincing indeed. The top end is glassy and sweet, balanced by an assured low-end with a satisfying fatness and a spacious, expressive midrange. The bridge pickup is growly and juicy, while the neck pickup is nuanced and rich. The neck is straight and stable and feels nice and slick, the satin finish feels great for all the play on the clock and it's carved from a lovely piece of maple. It's no surprise that this shows the signs of being played and played: if it was mine, I'd play it all the dang time too. I really like this one, and I would wager you will too. So will your Mum, she'll be so proud.

Model: Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Made: USA, Corona plant, 1987 (serial E462623)
Finish: olympic white
Body: alder
Weight: 3.585kg
Neck: one piece maple with skunk stripe, 9.5" radius, 25.5" scale, C shape
Mods: tuners replaced with staggered locking Gotohs, string trees removed, nut replaced, pots and capacitor replaced, switch and jack replaced, bridge pickup replaced, bridge replaced with Wilkinson deluxe two point model, back cover removed and missing
Pickup: Fender American Standard single coil x2, Seymour Duncan Vintage Staggered SSL-1 (bridge)
Case: Fender 80s era ABS hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor dimples on the end and bottom edge as well as on the top edge near the nut. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some glossing from play on the back and some rub wear on the edges of the board only. The back has a decent chip in the finish up from the cavity, as well as some minor dimples around the whole body and some light scuffs along the belly carve, back edge and top horn. The sides have a chip and some scuffs on the top horn, some dimples, small chips and rub wear in the elbow area, some dimples and small dents from the rear strap pin around past the knobs, and a chip and some scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has a couple of bald patches in the elbow area, which are possibly deliberately accentuated. There's also widespread scuffs and dimples around the body, most notably on the top horn and behind the bridge, plus a couple of dents near the jack and some play scuffs on the guard and horns. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets are looking good, they look to have been recently levelled and dressed, 7/10 for fret life left. Set up with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.