Fender AVRI '62 Strat, sherwood green, made in USA 1993. Sometimes, a guitar just makes you feel things. This is a magical Strat, it's kinda perfect to me. The American Vintage series launched in 1982 to critical and widespread acclaim: finally, proper vintage style Fenders, built with period correct specs and love and care, were back on the menu. You get proper alnico single coils, cloth wire and hefty CTS pots, a steel block tremolo bridge and a super thin nitro finish. The finish... oh heck. You see these around in sunburst, white, candy apple etc., but sherwood green is a sought after but seldom seen treat. It's yellowed and mellowed and worn a few bruises from the decades of play, but oh boy: this looks absolutely stellar. The neck is the tradition slim 60s C profile with a vintage correct 7.25" radius; it's a profile that many players enjoy as it has that certain effortless ease in the hands. The slab of rosewood on the board is richly coloured in dark red and brown, popping beautifully against the green body. The maple is super tightly grained, arrow straight and played-in to perfection; it's a dream in the hands. All Strats are spanky and bright, but the good ones have a certain thickness to the attack and a hefty, rounded bottom end, and this absolutely smacks of that. There's an exquisite complexity through the midrange and an assertive, talkative treble that lets every note speak it's piece; it's a glorious and additive sound to enjoy. I absolutely love this guitar, it's magical. You also, if you know what's good, will love it.

Model: Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster
Made: Corona USA, neck date 21 Nov 1993 (serial V068865)
Finish: sherwood green, 3-ply cream guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius
Weight: 3.360kg
Mods: none
Pickups: American Vintage '62 single coil
Case: non-original hard case, no case candy

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has a couple of dimples on the end and bottom edge as well as a couple of nicks in the waterslide decals. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's a little dent on the bottom side behind the 2nd fret approx and a few light dimples but it feels superb. The back has widespread scuffs and dimples, some scratches around the neck plate and a little dent behind the cavity. Back cover is missing. The sides have a few marks: light scratches on the top horn, dimples and little chips on the elbow area, a little chip near the rear strap pin, dimples along the whole bottom side and a couple of little chips near the jack. The front is pretty tidy, there's two notable chips neat the jack and above the bridge and widespread light scuffs and dimples around the body. 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 normal wear but are in reasonable shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.