Fender Japan Pro Feel Stratocaster STR-850LS Sienna Sunburst 1990
Fener Japan STR-850LS Strat, made in Japan 1990, Sienna burst. The Pro Feel series launched in the late 80s, replacing Fender's Boxer line as their modern offerings for the Japan market. This model shares some specs with the USA-made Strat Plus, although it's not exactly the same. It's a contemporary take on the Strat genre, so you get some classic touches like the 65-era gold transition decal and an ash body, but lots of bits have a modern flavour: headstock-end truss rod adjuster, Gotoh tuners, thick single ply beveled guard, American Standard two point tremolo bridge and a cool set of low noise Lace Sensor pickups. Most Fender Japan models with Lace pickups have the Gold model single coils, but this has the hotter, punchier Silver and Blue pickups. The factory boost function has been wired out, so it's a simple passive setup under the hood now, which allows the pickups to shine. The neck pickup clean tone is always a highlight on a good Strat, and in this case, it's truly exemplary: tight, fast and responsive, but with a gorgeous balance of weighty punchy and shimmering piano-like clarity. The middle pickup has midrange punch galore, and the bridge pickup offers a creamy hot slice that will get a dirty amp cooking with gusto. The neck has a sweet easy access heel join, allowing easy reach all the way to the 22nd fret. These Fujigen-era Strats have fantastic necks made from very carefully chosen timbers, so this really has that extra special sauce from a feel angle: it's very easy to play indeed. The finish is classy, it lets the ash grain do the talking. This is a very convincing Strat that would give USA-made options at twice the price a good scare. Feel pro with the Pro Feel!
Model: Fender Japan Pro Feel Stratocaster STR-850LS
Made: Japan, 1990, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: H030810
Finish: Sienna Sunburst, gloss poly (catalog lists code as LAS, might be 'light amber sunburst')
Body: lightweight ash
Neck: 3.660kg
Weight: maple, rosewood slab fretboard, 22 frets, 9.5" radius, 25.5" scale, slim C
Mods: fully rewired, standard passive Strat setup with volume and two tone controls, new 250k Alpha pots, new capacitor, new 5-way switch, new jack, all new cloth wire
Pickups: Fener Lace Sensor Blue (bridge), 2x Silver (neck, middle); all original
Accessories: basic gig bag, trem arm
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear only. The back has minor scuffs along the back edge and bottom corner, and the cover is missing. The sides have a minor crack in the clear coat on the bass side of the neck pocket, scuffs in the elbow area and some dimples near the knobs. The front has some scuffs around the back edge and trem and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
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