Squier CST30 Strat, made in Japan 1985, olympic white. These mid 80s Squier Strats are a Topshelf favourite, and increasingly a cult-classic guitar with considerable clout. The build quality and wood selection will easily surpass many USA made guitars; there's a whole stack of mojo of on offer and you can feel it immediately upon picking up the guitar. The slim 70s neck is quick and natural to move around on; it feels well 'played in' and the piece of maple is truly a stunning specimen. This one has a pair of Lace Sensor Gold single coils in the neck and middle position, which offer a crisp and articulate attack with plenty of spank and definition. The mysterious unbranded bridge pickup is pretty hot, it offers a strong and cutting lead tone and happily pushes an amp into a smooth overdrive. There's a combo of three decades of play wear and a light relic job give this a cool worn-in look; it's a nice touch on top of the already-awesome olympic white finish and big 70s headstock. A-serial Strats like this are currently several hundred dollars less than guitars made just one years earlier with the more collectable JV-serial; but they're basically exactly the same guitars, and their fame is steadily on the increase. A for 'awesome'.

Model: Squier Stratocaster CST30
Made: Japan, neck date 6 Sep 1985, Fujigen plant, (serial A007361)
Finish: olympic white (OWH), 3-ply white guard
Body: alder (possibly basswood) 
Neck: maple with rosewood board, dot inlays, 9.5" radius, modern C profile
Mods: pickups and knobs replaced, extra trem springs added, light relic appled
Pickups: bridge Bill Lawrence stacked humbucker (80s era), neck and middle Lace Sensor Gold passive single coils
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: moderate finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end and back. Neck has a number of very minor dimples, nothing you can really feel but it's seen some play. There's a crack in the lacquer at the neck join, it doesn't get as far as the wood. The back has some checking lines, some dents and dings (near cavity, bottom horn, back edge)  as well as some widespread but minor 'buckle rash' scratches and dimples. The front has been lightly sanded all over to take the sheen off the gloss finish; you can see the resulting very light scratches if you look extremely closely. There's also a spattering of dings behind the bridge and on the top horn, and the guard has some play wear. Overall condition: good condition (6.5/10)

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; 6/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.