(SOLD) Fender Japan '57 Stratocaster Candy Apple Red ST57-70 1989
Fender '57 Strat, candy apple red, made in Japan 1989-90. If you like your Strat well played, dented up and sounding superb, this one will surely tickle your fancy. First up, it sounds awesome. There's a snappy, punchy attack on offer with a chiming, sweet treble and a percussive and plump bass. It's very articulate and really brings out the nuance and subtlety of differing attack. The neck is a round and moderately beefy 50s style D shape, which is intuitive and friendly in the hands and feels all the better for plenty of play on the clock. We had our local luthier do a full fret level, dress and polish on arrival, so it's playing nicely up and down the neck. Candy apple red is a tasty finish on a Strat, but sometimes it can look a little naff if it's too clean and tidy... nothing to worry about in this case, there's a plethora of little dimples and scuffs around the body, yellowing on the plastics and a perfect golden-brown tinge to the neck to match to give it an alluring real-life-vintage aesthetic. These Fujigen-era Strats enjoy a great reputation, and this one certainly won't let the team down!
Model: Fender Stratocaster '57 Reissue (ST57-70)
Made: Japan, Fujigen Plant, 1989-90 (serial J005360)
Finish: candy apple red, gloss poly, 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with maple board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius
Weight: 3.720kg
Mods: back cover removed and missing, bridge pickup replaced, saddles replaced, guard screws repalced
Pickups: Fender USA ST-Vintage single coil x2, Dimarzio SPD218 Super Distortion rails humbucker
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: moderate finish wear. The headstock has some dents on the end, marks on the top and bottom edges and some scuffs on the back. The neck has scratches and rub wear on the board, decent rub wear on the edges and some dimples and scuffs on the back, but it's smooth in the hands. The back has widespread scuffs and dimples around the body, as well as some small chips on the back edge, bottom edge and top horn and some dents near the cavity and belly carve. The sides have dents and dimples around the whole body, as well as a bald patch on the top horn. The front has dimples and scuffs around the whole body as well as 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. All electrics tested and working properly. We arranged a fret level, dress and polish on arrival, so it's playing smoothly with no buzz issues but there is some height missing, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.