Fender Made in Japan Exclusive Classic 60s Stratocaster Sonic Blue 2017
Fender MIJ Exclusive Classic 60s Strat, sonic blue, made in Japan 2017. What a cute little slice of summer this is. Back in 1982, Fender USA set up a joint venture partnership with Japanese instrument distributors Kanda Shokai and Yamano Gakki, creating a new entity: Fender Japan. That joint venture agreement ended in 2015, which meant the whole Fender catalog for Japan changed entirely under new management. This short-lived series launched to fill the gap the classic ST62 model occupied for so long: Made in Japan Exclusive Classic 60s Stratocaster. It's a silly long name, but it's a great guitar. You get the classic vintage decals, rosewood slab fretboard, three ply cream guard, stamped saddles and three USA-made single coils. This one is a pretty lightweight example, and feels super comfy in the hands. The neck is a slim C, different to what you get on the current MIJ Trad model and a little easier to get around on in my opinion. The blue finish has seen a few knocks and scrapes, but paired with the yellowed plastics, it looks fantastic. Our friendly house tech cut a new bone nut and replaced the pots and switch, so this is sounding great and ready to gig. The tone is bright, clear and musical, with a lovely shimmering top end and expressive mids; it's classic Strat-stuff with an understated charm. I like this one, it's a great sounding Strat and looks very fetching.
Model: Fender Made in Japan Exclusive Classic 60s Stratocaster
Made: Japan, 2017, Dyna Gakki factory
Serial: JD16005889
Finish: sonic blue, gloss poly
Body: basswood
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, slim 60s C shape
Weight: 3.385kg
Mods: new bone nut, re-wired with new Gotoh 250k pots and 5-way switch
Pickups: Fender USA ST-Vintage single coil x3
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples in the elbow area and back edge as well as widespread scuffs around the whole body, most concentrated near the neck join and belly carve. The sides have a small dent on the top horn, scuffs in the elbow area, small dents and scuffs near the jack and some dimples on the bottom horn. The front has surface scratches around the jack and elbow area, scuffs near the bridge and back edge 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, normal wear inc minor pitting, playing smoothly with no major buzz issues