(SOLD) Fender Japan '54 Stratocaster ST54-85LS Torino Red 1994
Fender '54 Strat, very red, made in Japan 1994. Very few players cast a shadow over the guitar universe as long as Sir Eric Clapton, and this beauty is... not his signature model. But, it was a catalog Fender Japan model in the mid-90s and surely took some cues from our Creamy pal. It's a '54 style model, so you get some vintage touches: soft-V shape neck, 7.25" radius, single ply guard, spaghetti decal, Kluson-style tuners etc. You also get some more Eric-flavours: three Lace Sensor Gold single coils and a juicy mid boost on the second tone knob. It's a mammoth tone; the Lace pickups deliver a crystal clarity and vocal eloquence, brimming with detail and zing, and as you wind in the midrange boost, things get increasingly hairy. At full boost, it does screaming sustain that's endless fun for big bends, or with a subtle boost, it adds weight and thickness to chords convincingly. Understandably, these come up most often in black, but I'm always pleased to score one in a flashier finish: heck, this red is popping. It's a little darker and less orange than fiesta red, but more vibrant than dakota red... it's pure Heinz tomato sauce punch-in-the-eye red, which I love. Paired with the generously yellowed guard and golden maple headstock... *chefs kiss*. These Fujigen-era high end MIJ models are growing in renown and climbing pretty steadily in value, so I reckon it's a smart buy before next year... it'll be thirty, flirty and thriving in no time. Saucy stuff.
Model: Fender Stratocaster (ST54-85LS)
Made: Japan, 1993-4, Fujigen plant (serial Q010995)
Finish: torino red (LPR) 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple, maple board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, soft V shape
Weight: 3.500kg
Mods: board refinished in satin, back and headstock still gloss poly, frets replaced, TBX treble boost/cut tone control installed, new nut installed
Pickups: Lace Senor Gold single coil x3
Case: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples and a dent on the end and some dimples on the bottom edge and back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a few dents around the cavity cover and near the bottom and back edges and some scuffs in the elbow area, along the belly carve, top horn and back edge. The sides have a patched chip and some dimples in the elbow area, some dimples near the jack and a scuff on the bottom horn. The front has dimples near the jack, behind the bridge, in the elbow area and up from the pickups, as well as some 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. Electronics tested and working properly. The frets have been replaced and look pretty new, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.