Fender American Standard Strat, sunburst, made in USA 1995. This arrived in a bit of a sorry state, but we've nursed it back to health and it's now ready to love again. It's got some new parts: the bridge assembly, pickguard, pickups and all the electronics under the hood have been replaced, plus the frets have been levelled and dressed. Good news: there was a great guitar under there after all... what a heartwarming tale of redemption. The neck certainly looks played, but that adds up to a great feel in the hands: it's smooth to the touch and has that certain thing that only well played guitars have. With a fresh black guard, the body is looking crispy fresh indeed: that aged 90s blocky sunburst with the alder grain peeping through is all sorts of awesome. The Tex Mex single coils enjoy a dose of overdrive: this snaps and snarls and sings, all with a tight, pronounced attack and plenty of chiming clarity. Sure, you could go and buy a new Strat, but... that's not gonna have this kind of mojo for a good twenty or thirty years, right?

Model: Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Made: USA, Corona plant, 1995 (serial N507595)
Finish: sunburst, gloss poly
Body: alder
Weight: 3.715kg
Neck: one piece maple with skunk stripe, 9.5" radius, 25.5" scale, C shape
Mods: pickguard, strap pins and bridge replaced, re-wired with new pickups, pots, capacitor, jack and switch
Pickup: Fender Tex-Mex single coil x3
Case: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor chips on the end and bottom edge, as well as significant clouding and checking in the lacquer all over the headstock. The neck has some clouding on the board, some rub wear on the sides and some significant rub wear and dimples on the back, it's clean and smooth in the hands. The back has some dimples along the back edge as well as widespread light scuffs around the whole body, nothing nasty. The sides have light scuffs around the whole body but no major marks. The front has a little chip on the edge in the elbow area, as well as widespread minor scuffs around the whole body. The guard is new. 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've just been levelled and dressed, 7/10 for fret life left. Set up with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.