Fender '57 Strat, vintage white, made in Japan 1994. In the 80s and 90s in Japan, Eric Clapton reigned supreme, so Fender Japan offered a black '54 reissue model with a soft-V neck, a set of tasty Lace Sensor pickups and a mid-boost... not quite a signature model, but very close. They sold a heap of those over the years, but they also made a small handful of these: a '57 style model with a chunky round neck, gorgeous vintage white and the same electronics. It's a mighty combo, this surely sounds exceptional. The Lace pickups are extremely clear: heaps of articulation, crystal clear note separation, amazing balance. The boost offers subtle thickening that adds just enough warmth to get things cooking... delicious. The neck on this one has seen plenty of play, as evidenced by the wear on the edges of the board, and not for no reason: it feels absolutely superb. It's a typical '57 mildly chunky rounded D style profile carved from a really lovely piece of maple, and it just has the magic. As a general rule, I'm absolutely on board for a well-played white finish, and this one is nailing the brief: it's yellowed to a delicious creamy lemon meringue hue with plenty of little marks but no catastrophic war wounds... perfect. I reckon these high-end Fujigen-era Strats laugh at run of the mill USA stuff in terms of feel and tone, but don't take my word for it, like Jon Snow, I know nothing. Except this: this guitar rules.

Model: Fender Stratocaster '57 Reissue (ST57-95LS)
Made: Japan, 1993-4, Fujigen Plant (serial Q006483)
Finish: vintage white (VWH), 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with maple board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, 50s rounded D shape
Weight: 3.450kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender USA Lace Sensor Gold single coil x3
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some scuffs and dimples on the end and around both edges, nothing nasty. The neck has a decent dose of rub wear along the edges of the board, some play wear on the board, as well as minor dimples and scuffs on the back, it's clean and smooth in the hands. The back has a dent near the cavity cover and neck plate, dimples on the horns and elbow area, as well as widespread light scuffs, nothing nasty. The sides have some dimples near the jack, discolouration on the top horn and widespread minor scuffs around the whole body. The front has some checking lines behind the bridge, widespread light scuffs and some play wear on the guard and horns but no major marks. 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 have some normal wear but are pretty even with no major buzz issues, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.