Fender AVRI '57 Strat, two-tone sunburst, made in USA 1999. The American Vintage series launched to wide acclaim in 1982: finally, Fender were building guitars like they did in the golden era again. This one was made in 1999, so it's old enough to have a few hours on the clock. The neck and headstock are covered in fine checking lines, which looks awesome. The neck is a soft-V shape, which is intuitive in the hands with a reassuring bit of 'meat' to it while being quick enough to play fast runs without being awkward. The alder body is fairly light and acoustically resonant, so you really feel the notes you play ringing back at you. The nut has been replaced with a roller style, which improved the tuning stability and keeps the slot heights constant; it looks a bit curious but is a handy practical mod. The pickups have been replaced with Dimarzio HS-3 stacked single coils, so they're a fair bit hotter than the stock alnicos but are whisper-quiet between notes. The bridge pickup is especially satisfying, it's growly and warm with a hefty natural bass and will get your tube amp singing gloriously. The neck and middle pickups offer a classic glassy 'plonk'; there's a nice base of quacky Strat goodness with a bit of extra oomph available on command. The burst finish and golden maple board look all the better for a couple of decades of tunes and yellowing, it's got a streetwise sleek aesthetic that a relic can't really imitate. This is a very classy Strat, you'll have a lot of fun together.

Model: Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster
Made: Corona USA, neck date 30 June 1999 (serial V117102)
Finish: 2-tone sunburst (2TS), 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with maple board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, soft V profile 43mm nut
Weight: 3.550kg
Mods: pickups replaced, Wilkonson roller nut installed (originals not included)
Pickups: Dimarzio DP117 'HS-3' stacked hum-cancelling single coil x3
Case: non-original 60s style black hardcase, trem arm and docs included

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. The headstock has a burn mark near the low-E tuner as well as some dimples on the end and some checking lines on all sides. The neck has a lot of checking lines up and down the whole length as well as some minor dimples on the back; it's clean and smooth in the hands. The back has no major marks, just some widespread light dimples and scuffs. The neck plate is slightly bent and the back cover is missing a corner. The sides have light scuffs on both horns and some dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front is pretty clean too, there's widespread very light scuffs and dimples, mostly behind the bridge and near the jack, as well as some dimples in the elbow area and some play scratches on the guard and horn. 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. Frets have some minor wear  but they're pretty even with no major buzz issues, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.