Fresher Straighter Strat style, white, made in Japan circa 1975. Fresher was a cool little brand sold to the Japanese domestic market in the seventies and eighties. They largely traded in Fender and Gibson style designs and were made at the Chushin Gakki plant that went on to make all those pointy, sleek playing guitars for Jackson and Charvel in due course. This is a cool 70s style Strat, so it's got the block saddles, big headstock, 3-way switch and a slim U shaped neck, similar to a Fender of the same era. The neck is a lovely piece of maple with the '68 style maple cap board and no skunk stripe, mildly chunky in the back but with a slim 40mm nut. It feels solid and intuitive in the hands, it's reassuring to play and has that certain slickness that comes from a few decades of play. The tone is great: chiming, glassy treble with a juicy, percussive bass. It certainly has a dash of that 70s brightness, but it's not brittle or harsh as there's plenty of warmth to balance it out. The finish left the factory in a slightly creamy white, but it's faded now to a cheddar cheese yellow, which looks extremely cool. Why buy some charmless mass-produced thing new off the shelf when you can nab something beautifully made and well played like this?

Model: Fresher Straighter FS3310W
Made: Japan, Chushin Gakki plant, 1975 approx (no serial)
Finish: white, gloss poly
Body: sen ash
Weight: 3.600kg
Neck: maple with maple cap board, 10" radius, 25.5" scale, mild U profile, 40mm nut
Mods: none
Pickups: Fresher single coil single coil x3, note the switch is a three way
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has minor scuffs on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a few minor dimples and scuffs around the outside of the body, no major marks. The sides have a few things to note: a couple of cracks in the finish only coming off the neck pocket, dimples on the top horn, a couple of dents and scratches in the elbow area, some chips around the rear strap pin, some dents and a minor chip near the jack. The front has some dimples around the whole outside edge and some play wear on the guard and horn. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets look freshly dressed and polished, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.