(SOLD) Fender Japan '62 Stratocaster ST62-900 Candy Apple Red 1990
Fender Japan '62 Strat, candy apple red, made in Japan 1990. Now folks, to understand what we're looking at here, we'll have to do some background work on how Fender Japan model numbers work. Back in the 80s and 90s, Fender Japan did several different versions of key historic Strats, so the 1962 Stratocaster came in five different versions in 1990... wild, right? The basic one was the ST62-480, which sold for ¥48000 back in the day. This one, however, was the highest end '62 style, so it sold for ¥90000, and as such it got all the deluxe specs. It's got a nitro finish, an alder body, a steel block tremolo, a different pickguard and deluxe electronics with a set of USA-made American Vintage pickups, CTS pots, braided cloth wire and a vintage-correct three way switch. What does all that mean in practice: the thing feels fantastic and sounds superbly clear. The neck is a comfy, rounded vintage C shape, neither super skinny nor fat, and carved from some gorgeous tightly grained maple and midnight dark rosewood. The body is lightweight and loud unplugged, hinting at the fun to come. Plugged in, you get sparkle, clarity and fatness by the bucketload. The neck pickup is glassy and thick with a gorgeous piano-like clarity, while the middle and bridge are percussive and articulate with heaps of body and warm to balance the chime and snap. This is a very similar guitar to an 80s era American Vintage reissue, but for around half the dime and with a bit of sleeper-swagger... it's a proper vintage MIJ jewel.
Model: Fender '62 Stratocaster (ST62-900)
Made: Japan, Fujigen Gakki plant, neck date 23 Aug 1990 (serial I012054)
Finish: candy apple red, gloss nitro top coat, 3-ply cream guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood slab board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, 43mm nut
Weight: 3.580kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender USA ST-Vintage x3, note the switch is a 3-way and the pots are CTS from factory
Case: basic non original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and top edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor dimples on the back only. The back has a dent on the top horn and two small dents in the bottom corner near the jack, as well as widespread light scuffs, surface scratches and dimples around the whole body, no major marks. The sides have very minor dimples on both horns and some light scuffs in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has some small dents and light scuffs in the elbow area, scuffs and some gig-bag burn on the back edge and top horn, scuffs near the jack and some scuffs from play on the guard and horns. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have some normal wear but are pretty even with plenty of height left, 7/10 for fret life left. Setup with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.