Fender '62 Reissue Stratocaster ST62-85LS Surf Green 1992
Fender ST62-85LS Strat, faded Surf Green, made in Japan 1992-3. I love this finish, it's got a pleasing depth and variance to it you can't really get on a newer guitar. Now that it's yellowed for thirty years, I like to call it Shrek Green, although it's been suggested Matcha Green might be more hipster friendly. This is an unusual model, we've only ever had a couple through the shop. Back in the the 80s and 90s, Eric Clapton reigned supreme in Japan, he was huge. Accordingly, Fender Japan did a Clapton-ish model: Lace Sensor pickups and an active mid boost strapped to a 1954 style Strat with a single ply guard and a big fat maple neck carved to a soft V shape; they sold a tonne of them. This isn't that: it's the much rarer 1962 style model, that came with those same Clapton-style electronics from factory, and was the only model in the early 90s catalog that came in surf green. Unfortunately some of those electronics and pickups were dead on arrival, so our friendly house tech has wired in a nice set of Noiseless single coils we had on hand, as well as a new set of pots, caps and switch to make the most of them. It's a great sound: clear and balanced, heaps of plonk in the attack and a pleasing balance of round juiciness and angular snappiness. The neck is a dream: super tight maple and very dark rosewood carved to a glorious fast vintage C, which is very similar in shape to actual sixties examples. It feels fantastic, it's the fastest of friends. This will make newer American stuff at twice the bucks blush for tone and feel, and that colour: perfect.
Model: Fender '62 Reissue Stratocaster ST62-85LS
Made: Japan, 1992-3, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: N025585
Finish: Surf Green, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, slim vintage C
Weight: 3.620kg
Mods: pickups replaced, re-wired with 1meg pots, orange drop cap and new 5-way switch
Pickups: Fender Noiseless Gen II single coil
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the end and some minor scuffs on the front around the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, scuffs and rub wear on the back only. The back has scuffs on the horns and bottom corner, dents and rub wear along the belly carve and some sticker marks and scuffs in the elbow area. The sides have minor scuffs around the whole body as well as some dents and sticker marks near the jack. The front has dimples around the jack and elbow area, scuffs along the back edge and around the bridge, sticker fade marks in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only