• Fender '68 Strat, crafted in Japan 2002-4, olympic white. These were Fender Japan's subtle nob to Jimi Hendrix. They don't come around that often, but oh boy, this is a great Strat. First up: it's a tasty olympic white, lightly yellowed with age and looking tasty, paired with a stripe-less maple cap neck and the big bold CBS era 'TV friendly' decals; so it looks great. This one gets all the good stuff: alder body, USA made Texas Special overwound single coils, Schaller F-key deluxe tuners and a saucy steel block bridge. All that gives it quite the edge over a standard Strat. The pickups are slightly hotter than a standard single coil, so they're happiest giving your tube amp a little bit of cheek; this really eats up big lead lines. There's an enhanced tightness and fullness to the low-end, which balances the natural slicing chime perfectly... this sounds terrific. The neck is a slim, round profile and just has that *magic* feel to it; there's something about the maple-cap thing that just works a treat in the hands. It's been a while since we had one of these, and oh boy, it's looking good on the wall. It'll look better around your neck though, right?
  
  

Model: Fender '68 Reissue Stratocaster (ST68-85TX)
Made: Japan, 2002-4, Dyna plant (serial Q011522)
Body: alder
Neck: maple with maple board, dot inlays, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 3.570kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender USA Texas Special single coil x3
Case: basic non original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has a couple of minor marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just some minor dimples on the back. The back has a few scuffs around the back and bottom edge, no major marks. The sides have a couple of small dimples on both horns and some scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front is pretty clean, just some dimples on the elbow area and near the jack and some play wear on the guard and horn. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

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 pretty good shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.