Fender '62 Strat, made in Japan 1989, sunburst. First up: this guy has had the fingerboard scalloped, so that makes for a fun time. The idea was made popular by players like Deep Purple's Richie Blackmore and famed neo-classic shred lunatic Yngwie Malmsteen. The additional room under the fingers yields some interesting benefits. First, the capacity for vibrato is greatly increased: you can bend whole chords just by squeezing the left hand, plus the scope for squeezing single notes is greatly increased. It also cleans up big bends, so you can bend two tones or more on notes up the neck without it 'choking out', despite the vintage 7.25" radius. It also cleans up the attack of the notes, so each little nuance comes out clearer... less forgiving but more precise and certainly rewarding of a soft touch. All that noted, it's also a great vintage MIJ Strat. The neck is a superbly straight and tastily aged piece of maple and rosewood, slim and comfy in the hands and effortless to move around on. The alder body and USA pickups offer a heap of brightness and sparkle, balanced by a hefty punch through the lows and a warm, balanced midrange. The early Fujigen-made Strats are very well regarded for feel and tone; it's certainly a tasty thing. If you're curious on the scalloped thing and not inclined to blow huge cash on a Richie or Yngwie signature model, nab this and put the spare cash towards getting an enormous 80s hairdo sorted. Perfect!

Model: Fender '62 Reissue Stratocaster (ST62-70)
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, neck date 1989 (serial E957958)
Finish: three tone sunburst (3TS), 3-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, fretboard scalloped
Weight: 3.575kg
Mods: fretboard scalloped
Pickups: Fender USA ST-Vintage single coils 
Case: basic non original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end and bottom edge. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just a few minor dimples on the back; no major marks. Note the scalloped fretboard as listed above. The back is pretty clean, just a few dimples and scuffs around the outside edge. The sides have a few marks: a small chip on the top horn, a couple of chips and some scuffs on the elbow area, a couple of chips and scuffs near the jack and some dimples on the bottom horn. The front is pretty tidy, just a few scuffs near the jack and in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: good condition (7/10).

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Frets have some minor wear, they're in pretty good shape; 7/10 for fret life left. Setup with fresh 10/46 Mooonshiners strings.