Fender '62 Strat, refinished in shell pink, made in Japan 1989. This is one of the more insane takes on the classic MIJ Strat we've had, and I'm all in for it. First up, it's got a scalloped fretboard. Deep Purple's Richie Blackmore and Swedish shredlord Yngwie Malmsteen both played scalloped Strats, and for good reason. You get increased capacity for vibrato, as you can bend a note by squeezing downwards, as well as cleaner bends up and down the board. It also reduces the tension required to fret a note, so you can move faster with a lighter touch. This guitar came through the shop with the neck as-is a few years ago, and it was bought by a regular Topshelfer who plays a whole lot around town. He upped the game: refinished from sunburst to shell pink, and modded with not one, but three push/pull switches on the pots. That means you can add the neck pickup into any position, which is handy for the Tele-middle position we all love, as well as reverse the phase on the middle pickup, and engage a giant-humbucker type sound using the bridge and middle single coils. That's a lot of options folks. The classic Strat-spank is on offer at all times, with a generous snappy treble and a fast, tuneful bass. The refinish looks cool too; some of the dents and marks from the original finish are still on show, but overall it's a good job both visually and under the hands. Anyone can Strat, but what about... this?

Model: Fender Japan '62 Stratocaster ST62-70
Made: Japan, neck date1989
Serial: E957958
Finish: shell pink, satin poly, refinish over factory sunburst
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, scalloped, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, slim vintage C
Weight: 3.655kg
Mods: fretboard scalloped, refinished, re-wired with three push/pull pots, middle 
Controls: master volume and neck pickup added to any position, neck pickup tone and middle pickup phase reverse, middle and bridge pickup tone and engage humbucker style circuit on middle+bridge
Pickups:  Fender USA ST-Vintage single coil (neck, bridge), unbranded alnico single coil (middle)
Accessories: none

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples and scuffs on the end and edges, a dent on the front near the Fender logo and a dent on the back near the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, a small dent behind the fifth fret and some rub wear and dimples on the back. The back has dents on the top horn and belly carve, a fade/spray line neat the tremolo cavity and some minor dents along the back edge. The sides have dents and scuffs on the top horn and elbow area, a chip and some scuffs near the jack and some rub wear on the bottom horn. The front has dimples on the top horn, rub wear and scuffs in the elbow area, some dimples near the jack and knobs and play and play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only