Fender '57 Strat, sonic blue, made in Japan 2010/11. Sonic blue is a universal favourite on a Strat, there's something very 'right' about it. Paired with a golden maple board and the classic 50s white guard, this is a gorgeous machine. This is a deluxe model, so it's packing a nice lightweight alder body and a set of Texas Special pickups. The tone on tap is terrific: heaps of body and low-end with a sizzling treble that slices through the mix. The overwound single coils love overdrive and eat up big lead riffs, but they clean up nicely under a soft touch too. The one piece maple '57 profile neck is a little chunkier than a standard '62 or 'modern C', but it's very intuitive in the hands and adds a certain spicy brightness to the mix. There's a couple of marks on the body but it's largely in good shape. It'll look superb on any stage or by the pool with a cocktail within reach; instant endless summer!

Model: Fender Stratocaster, '57 Reissue (ST57-TX)
Made: Japan, 2010-11 (serial U039597)
Finish: sonic blue (SBL), 1-ply white guard
Body: alder 
Neck: maple with maple board, dot inlays
Weight: 3.4kg approx
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender USA Texas Special single coils
Case: very basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. There's a couple of minor nicks on the edge of the headstock and some very light dimples on the neck. The back has some very light scratching; it's most concentrated between the neck plate and the cavity cover and on the body carve. The front has a bit of discolouration in a couple of patches: up from the middle pickup, behind/above the bridge, neat the first tone knob; the marks look like they may be a mild deliberate burn in the finish. Aside from those, it's just some normal play scratches and the occasional dimple. Overall: good condition (7.5/10).

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets have some normal wear but nothing dramatic, 7/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.