(SOLD) Fender Strat Plus Natural Ash 1993
Fender Strat Plus, made in USA 1993, natural gloss over ash. This, friends, is spectacular. The Strat Plus model debuted in 1987; the same year the very first guitars from Fender's shiny new Corona CA factory opened. The model was launched alongside the iconic American Standard and was designed to be the deluxe step-up option. The early Corona-made guitars heralded a significant return to form for Fender; finally, they were making brilliant guitars with a strong nod to their glory days and one foot in the future. The Strat plus was made from 1987-98 and is enjoying increased critical acclaim s years go by; they're an increasingly revered and collectable item. This one is unusual in that it's sports a gloss finish over a gorgeous two-piece ash body, a departure from the more common alder-body-solid-colour examples. The ash is nice and light and features some gorgeous grain patterns; it's a brilliant look when combined with the aged maple board and the matte finish hardware, it has a lovely simple and classy aesthetic. The neck is a joy in the hands; it's had seen some play and has the smoothness to show for it. It's a great slim, round profile that's extremely easy to get along with. The real majesty here is the tone. Ash and maple always make for a bright, lively combo, and this is no exception. There's a superbly complex, warm and full midrange on tap, translated with exceptional clarity and dynamic response by the brilliant Lace Sensor pickups. The pickups are a low-noise single coil; these later examples offer a bit more bass and low-mid than the earlier Gold models. All in all, this is an extraordinary Strat: looks sweet, feels slick, sounds sublime.
Model: Fender Strat Plus
Made: USA, Corona plant, neck date 18 Feb 1993 (serial N271157)
Finish: natural gloss, 3-ply white guard
Body: ash, two piece
Neck: maple, one piece w/skunk stripe, 9.5" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 3.435kg
Mods: string trees added
Pickups: Lace Sensor Red/Silver/Blue single coils
Controls: 5-way switch, master volume, n-tone, m+b tone with cut/boost treble function
Case: non-original generic hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: Headstock has some scuffs on the end and bottom edge. The neck has some checking lines and small dimples on the back but feels smooth; the board has some checking and rub wear along the edges as per the pics. The back has no major marks, just some very light scratches and a couple of dents around the cavity area. The sides are pretty clean, just a dent on the top horn, some light dimples on the shoulder and some light scuffs around from the jack. The front is very tidy, just a couple of dimples behind the bridge and some light play-wear on the guard and top 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 light wear, there's plenty of height in them; 8/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.