(SOLD) Fernandes P-Project ST-Style Red Burst c1990
P-Project Strat-style, made in Japan circa 1990, red burst. P-Project is branch of Fernandes, one of Japan's most successful guitar brands. These days, they offer a handful of very high end signature models as well as a custom order service, with prices starting around ¥300000.... well over $3000aud. This one is an early example, although the lack of serial numbers and it being a non-catalog model, dating it is a bit of a guessing game. Here's what I can say for sure: this sounds and feels like a very classy guitar indeed. The neck is a slim C shape with some lovely detail in the tightly maple grain, and going on the fading in the finish it'd be a reasonable guess to say it was done with satin nitro. It's arrow-straight and super responsive, plus the rich dark streaky rosewood board looks superb. The body is resonant and tightly constructed, and going on the handful of dings and scratches it appears the gaudy finish is pretty thin. The tone: heck. The single coils are rich and glassy with a superb rounded low end, balancing fatness with clarity and offering a juicy musicality. The bridge pickup can be split to a single via the mini toggle switch, which is handy for those in-between quacky sounds, but in humbucker mode, it delivers a thick slab of meaty growl with a generous dose of creamy sauce. The finish is a lot, if were being honest, but hey... if you're in a conservative mood you can just buy a sunburst Fender Player Series and die in obscurity, right?
Model: FernandesP-Project ST-style
Made: Japan, 1990 approx (no serial)
Finish: red to salmon burst
Body: alder (not verified)
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 12" radius, slim-C shape
Weight: 3.550kg
Mods: none
Pickup: Fernandes single coil x2, rails style humbucker (bridge)
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end, a scuff on the back near the nut and some chips on the front around the edge near the high E tuner and logo. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and significant discolouration on the back only. The back has widespread surface scratches and scuffs, as well as some dimples along the back edge from the elbow area to the jack. The sides have dimples and scuffs around the wwhole body, nothing too nasty though. The front has dimples near the jack, in the elbow area, behind the bridge and on the top horn, as well as some standard play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. The frets are in good shape, 8/10 for fret life left. All electrics tested and working properly. Setup with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.