Fender Japan '57 Stratocaster ST57-TX Sonic Blue 1998
Fender '57 Strat, sonic blue, crafted in Japan 1997-00. My favourite green finish is one that used to be blue and has yellowed and faded to green: it's the best, you know it's true. This slick, summery Strat started life as the high end model of it's day, so it got a alder body and a set of snazzy Texas Special pickups. The neck is a reasonably chunky D shape, typical of 90s era MIJ '57s, and feels reassuring and responsive in the hands. The pickups deliver a hotter, more scooped take on the classic Strat tone, perfect for SRV or Jimi stuff, although they clean up beautifully too. There's plenty of attack, a weighty fast bass response, chirpy highs and smooth musical mids. This is really swell take on the classic Strat, it will surely scare some pricier examples for charm and quality and look very relaxed all the while.
Model: Fender Stratocaster ST57-TX
Made: Japan, 1997-00, Dyna Gakki factory
Serial: O091335
Finish: sonic blue, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple inc fretboard, 25.5" scale, 42mm nut, 7.25" radius, generous 50s D shape
Weight: 3.490kg
Mods: back cover removed and missing
Pickups: Fender USA Texas Special single coil x3
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and bottom edge and some scuffs on the top edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs on the back only. The back has dimples along the belly carve and scuffs in the elbow area, back edge, around the cavity and bottom edge. The sides have scuffs all over the body as well as some dimples in the elbow area and on the bottom horn. The front has sticker fade marks, scuffs along the back edge, a scratch near the jack 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: 8/10, minor wear only