(SOLD) Fender Japan '62 Stratocaster ST62/VSP Sunburst 2010
Fender Japan VSP '62 Strat, sunburst, made in Japan 2010-11. This is one of the revered 'Vintage Special Project' models; the highest-of-the-high-end Strats of it's day. Owing to that, it's got absolutely all the best appointments: nitro topcoat finish, deluxe two-piece premium alder body, premium maple neck with a gorgeous prime rosewood board, cold-rolled steel block bridge with stamped saddles and a set of Fender Japan's finest Alnico Custom grey-bobbin style single coils . Spec-wise, this is very similar to the famed American Vintage series models, and it'll certainly match it with those for feel and tone despite being $1-2k less cash. The neck is a glorious item: this '62 style slim vintage C profile wins a lot of fast fans, it's a very agreeable shape for most palyers. The maple on show offers some gorgeous detailed grain and the rosewood board is dark and streaky and equally lux. The nitro finish reflects light a little differently to a regular Strat and really lets the subtle, close grain of the two piece alder body do the talking. Plugged in, this is all class. Creamy, wide and complex through the midrange, with a glassy clarity on the top end and a convincing, hefty bass response... it goes from whispering sweet nothings to inspiring eloquence to all-out riot squad punch with a twist of the volume knob and some right-hand creativity. History will absolutely be kind to these; the 'Extra-D' models of the late 80s/early 90s were the forerunners to these VSP guitars with very similar specs and those are fetching obscene cash in Japan these days. If you're only going to buy one Strat, you may as well get it right, right?
Model: Fender Vintage Special Project '62 Stratocaster (ST62/VSP)
Made: Japan, 2010-11, Dyna plant, (serial U055305)
Finish: sunburst (3TS), nitro topcoat, 3-ply white guard
Body: two piece alder
Neck: maple, rosewood board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, slim C profile
Weight: 3.6kg approx
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender Japan Alnico Custom passive single coil x3
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a few marks near the neck plate and on the belly carve as well as widespread light scuffs. The sides have a couple of little chips on the bottom horn, some nitro burn/run near the rear strap pin as well as scuffs near the jack and on the shoulder area. The front has a couple of dimples in the elbow area as well as light scuffs around the body and some play wear on the guard and horn. 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 are in great shape with negligible wear, 9/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s. Phwoar!