(SOLD) Fender '57 Reissue Stratocaster ST57-70 Lake Placid Blue 1987
Fender '57 Reissue Strat, lake placid blue, made in Japan 1987. This finish is a non-catalog option, so straight away it becomes a rare guitar. 80s Fujigen-made Strats are increasingly scarce and sought after owing to their exceptional playability and tone, and this is a great addition to that legend. The neck and bridge pickups have been switched for hotter output models, lending the guitar a bluesy, smooth lead tone with a heap of attitude and richness. The neck is a really lovely piece of maple, it's yellowed beautifully with age and feels brilliant in the hands. There's a few marks on the body, and the headstock has a burn,as well as a minor crack repaired as noted below, but it's in pretty great shape. If the condition was 'excellent' this would easily fetch $1200+, so it's a great buy if you're more into a gig machine than a museum piece. Did I mention it looks spectacular? Holy Moses, what a stunner!
Model: Fender Stratocaster '57 Reissue (ST57-70)
Made: Japan, Fujigen Plant, neck dated 22 may 1987 (MIJ, serial E776397)
Finish: lake placid blue (LPB), 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with maple board, dot inlays
Weight: 3.6kg approx
Mods: neck and bridge pickups changed, Switchcraft input jack and bone nut installed, pickguard and cavity shielded
Pickups: Van Zandt Rock Strat (neck), original Fender Japan ST Vintage (middle), Seymour Duncan SSL6 (bridge)
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: moderate finish wear. There's a pretty strange deliberate scratch mark on the back, as well as a few 'buckle rash' marks and a couple of chips near the input jack and on the shoulder carve. The front has a few dings and some play-wear. The lacquer has some minor uneven yellowing which lends it a nice depth of colour. The headstock has a burn mark and also had a minor professional repair from an impact crack, you can see the line running through the A-string post; it's stable and barely visible. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have very some normal wear, 7/10 for life left. Good!