(SOLD) Fender Japan '54 Reissue Stratocaster ST54-115 Vintage White 1987
Fender '54 Strat, made in Japan 1986-7, vintage white. The white Strat is always a good idea, and add in a very worn maple board, some tasty natural checking and a stack of vintage MIJ-awesomeness, and you're definitely onto a winner. This is one of the high-end models in it's day, so you get the period-correct three way switch (weird but fun), a steel block bridge, an alder body and a set of USA made pickups. It adds up nicely to the ears; there's a chiming breathiness to the tone that lends the guitar excellent note separation and clarity. The neck pickup still manages a dollop of sparkle and the bridge pickup still offers a dusting of thump; it's a tasty tone indeed. The neck is obviously well-played; the worn fretboard is testament to many hours of love and punishment and feels fantastic in the hands. All that awesome real-world wear means the frets have some miles on the clock; they're functional and don't require immediate attention but a re-fret might be needed in the not too distant future, so this is priced accordingly. These high-end 80s-era Fujigen models seldom pop up these days, so if you're hankering for a superb and well-loved creamy Strat then you'll surely enjoy the refined company this well spoken old soul offers.
Model: Fender Stratocaster, '54 Reissue (ST54-115)
Made: Japan, 1986-7, Fujigen plant (serial F000285)
Finish: vintage white, 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: one piece maple, soft-V profile, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 3.410kg
Mods: none
Controls: 3-way switch (standard on this model), volume and two tones
Pickups: Fender USA ST-Vintage single coils
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. There's some light marks around the end and bottom edge of the headstock. The neck has some minor dimples on the back, mostly at the nut end, but feels smooth. The fretboard has some lacquer wear as per pics; it's wearing off all the way up the neck but is most worn between frets 4-9. The back is fairly clean, just some light scuffs around the body, a few dimples around the back edge, some worn corners of the back plate and the start of some lacquer checking down the bottom. The sides have a few minor marks: dimples on both horns, some scuffs and dimples in the shoulder area and aroiund from the knobs. The front is fairly clean, just some light scuffs and marks on the bottom horn, behind the bridge and on the shoulder area, some play wear on the guard and top horn; the top horn also has a couple of small dents and the start of some checking. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Electronics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear, there's no major buzz issues but there is some pitting, 5/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s.