Squier JV Serial Strat, CST45 model, olympic white finish, made in Japan 1983.  JV serial guitars were the first instruments Fender ever manufactured in Japan, made in 1982-84 at the legendary FujiGen Gakki plant. Late CBS-era (late 70s-early 80s) USA made Fender instruments had become notoriously inconsistent in quality, and the first arrivals from Fender Japan were met with great joy and amazement: this was how they were meant to be made. This was a 'Current Stratocaster' in the 1983 catalog; so you get the big 70s-style headstock (yes please) and a modern 9.5" fretboard radius, perfect for athletic lead work. The neck is truly exceptional, the quality of wood on offer and the infamously meticulous build quality combined with a few decades of play on the clock mean this absolutely has 'the magic' in the hands. It's seriously a joy to play! Later models in this series have ceramic bar magnet pickups, but this features the desirable more traditional alnico pole magnet pickups; they're slightly overwound and have a chiming clarity, thick and fast attack and a warm, tight bass... so tasty. The early 80s take on olympic white meant adding some eye-catching black covers and knobs, giving this a slightly twisted reverse-tuxedo look; it's very cool. A guitar like this could happily sit around as a collector's piece, but that's a bit of a crime; it's so brilliant to play, it really needs a busy companion who'll take it out and show the world what it can do. Legendary for a reason!

Model: Squier Stratocaster CST45
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, neck date 2 Jun 1983 (serial JV58071)
Finish: olympic white (OWH), 3-ply white guard
Body: alder 
Neck: maple with rosewood board, dot inlays, 9.5" radius, 25.5" scale
Mods: pickup switch replaced
Pickups: Squier Japan SQ-4 Singles (overwound alnico single coil)
Case: cool vintage faux-leather gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. There's some marks on the end and bottom edge of the headstock. The neck is pretty clean, just minor dimples on the back, a very small chip on the edge of the board near the 5th fret (no worries in the hands) and some light play wear on the board. The back has some widespread shallow scratches and scuffs, nothing nasty; mostly around the cavity cover. There's some little dents and scuffs around the sides, again nothing nasty, but they're visible on the top horn, shoulder area, near the rear strap pin, near the input jack and on the bottom horn. The front is fairly clean, just a few marks behind and around the bridge, some scuffs along the outside edge in the carve area, some dimples on the top horn, some play wear on the guard and a couple of clusters of little dents near the switch and bottom horn near the joint. Overall condition: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is very low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have minor wear; 8/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.