(ARCHIVE) Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986

Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender Japan '72 Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
  • Description
  • Guitarchives

Fender '72 Strat, made in Japan 1985-7, black. The black Strat is an untouchably  cool genre, and as black Strats go, this is a very cool one. This is a legendary 'E serial' example; these were made just after the legendary JV instruments and share many of their virtues. The magic here comes from two things: exceptional build quality and some terrific wood selection. The neck is a glorious piece of maple, superbly straight with beautiful subtle grain and dressed in a golden syrup hue to show it's several decades of play, paired with a luxurious dark choc rosewood board. It feels amazing in the hands: super lively and resonant, slick under the fingers and hard to put down. The tone is bright and spanky with a fat and tight natural bass, perfect with some light overdrive and sure to sit nicely on top of a mix. The original guard came in a bit warped, so we've dressed this up with a sweet USA made black sparkle guard; it looks even better in the flesh than in the pics. These are getting harder to come by, so if you're after a super affordable and superb playing Strat that's edging ever closer to 'vintage' status, nab this and give me a big old high five.

Model: Fender '72 Reissue Stratocaster (ST72-58US)
Made: Japan, 1985-7 (serial E635971)
Finish: black (BK)
Body: basswood
Weight: 3.560kg
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Mods: guard replaced (original included)
Pickups: Fender Japan ST-current single coil x3
Case: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end. The neck is pretty clean, no major marks. The back has some very light scuffs but no major marks. The sides are also very clean, just some very light scuffs on the top horn, shoulder area and around from the knobs. The front is also in great shape, just some play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is very low, neck is straight, intonation is good. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear but no major buzz issues, 7/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s Moonshiners strings.

This listing is an archived entry. We love to look back and remember fondly what characters we've had through the store, so we keep them around for reference.