(SOLD) Fender Japan Stratocaster ST-40 Olympic White 1990
Fender Japan Strat, olympic white, made 1990. When I say this is 'olympic white', I mean it used to be olympic white... now it's more like yellowed, mottled, faded, natural relic super stanky awesome white. This was a new model for 1990 listed in the 'limited edition' part of the catalog; it was a pre-cursor to the Japan Standard series that launched a couple of years later. Being not a strict vintage reissue, this gets the modern late 80s style logo, a 9.5" fretboard radius and satin finish neck and a bridge with some hefty block style saddles. The neck is the highlight: it's a superb piece of maple, straight as an arrow, played in and smoothed to perfection, heavily yellowed in colour; quite frankly, it's a seriously saucy situation. The tone is charming; it's a rounded, open, warm, clear take on the classic Strat-spank. It eats up chiming chords and blue-hued riffs very happily. It's pretty hard to beat the well worn white-on-white with rosewood board for a Strat, so if you like them creamy, nab this before it gets too much older and becomes a vintage collectable.
Model: Fender Japan Standard Stratocaster (ST-40)
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, neck date 21 Mar 1990 (serial G035029)
Finish: olympic white (OWH)
Body: basswood
Weight: 3.405kg
Neck: maple with rosewood board, dot inlays, satin finish, 9.5" radius
Mods: none
Pickup: Fender Japan ST-Single x3
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some marks on the end and some light rash around the tuners and significant yellowing of the lacquer. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has no major marks, just some rust on the springs and plate in the cavity and some widespread yellowing, light scuffs and mottling. Sides have no major marks, just some dimples on both horns, the shoulder and near the jack. The front has some scuffs and scratches around the jack, on the shoulder and on the bottom horn, as well as widespread mottling and yellowing. 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. Frets have some normal wear; 7/10 for fret life left. Set up with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners.