(SOLD) Fernandes LD-85KK Love Driver Champagne Sparkle 2000
Fernandes LD-85KK Love Driver, champagne sparkle, made in Japan around 2000. This is a signature model for L'Arc-en-Ciel guitarist Ken. If you haven't heard of Ken and the band, he was a big enough deal to have six signature models in the 2001 Fernandes catalog and later land a deal for a signature Fender... L'Arc-en-Ciel are one of the most successful J-rock bands in history. There's a lot going on visually here: super sparkly finish and the black cat inlay are pretty hard to ignore. It's very eye-catching in the shop and will surely do it's best work on stage... sparkles make life better, right? This was a pretty expensive guitar in it's day, so it's nicely appointed: deluxe iron block trem, tasty alnico single coils, push/push switch to engage the neck pickup... all nice touches. It sounds seriously good: thick and full through the low end, open and warm through the mids and (fittingly) sparkly on the top end. The neck is a moderate C style shape with a fairly flat radius, easy to move quickly on without making you think too hard about it. Be sure to buy a matching pair of sparkly sunglasses and a sparkly hat to go with it, okay?
Model: Fernandes LD-85KK Love Driver
Made: Japan, 2000 approx (no serial)
Finish: champagne sparkle, 3-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 13.75" radius, 42mm nut, C-shape
Weight: 3.650kg
Mods: none
Pickup: Fernandes VS-4 single coil x3
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor dimples on the end and bottom edge. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some minor marks around the bottom edge and some scuffs on the cavity cover, nothing nasty. The sides have a few dimples in the elbow area and near the jack, no major marks. The front has a couple of tiny marks on the back edge and near the jack as well as some standard play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets have some normal wear, but they're pretty even with no major buzz issues, 7/10 for fret life left. All electrics tested and working properly. Setup with fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.