Fender AVRI '57 Strat, two-tone sunburst, made in Fullerton USA 1983. Wow! This is a proper collector's item and quite possibly the best Strat I've ever played. The American Vintage series heralded a return to form for Fender. Under the guidance of iconic executive Dan Smith, Fender completely re-worked their entire manufacturing process over the early 80s so they could once more produce guitars to the kind of quality they offered in the 50s and 60s. The series launched in late 1982; they were made in the original Fender factory at Fullerton, CA until that plant closed when CBS sold Fender in 1984. This one was made in late 1983, so it's right in the middle of that little window. It's in incredible shape: barely a mark worth mentioning on it, case included, docs included, all original... holy heck, what a find. Leaving aside the historical significance for a moment, this is a wonderful guitar. The neck is a superb piece of quartersawn maple, slightly on the slim side in profile and played-in to perfection... it just feels perfect. The body is lightweight and rings enthusiastically at the lightest touch. The original pickups are gorgeous too: thick and punchy with heaps of attack and a rounded, fat bottom end, balanced by an amazingly wide and complex midrange and a snappy, zingy top end. It's superbly satisfying clean as it's so articulate, but with a dose of gain it's a bluesy, warm goblet of delight. The naturally yellowed and faded nitro sunburst finish is looking extremely classy, it has that true vintage aesthetic despite it's outrageously clean condition. This, friends, isn't going to go down in value any time soon, so if you're a collector you'd do well to nab it now before it turns forty in a couple of years. Don't stash it under a bed though, it'll surely reward you richly if you play it daily!

Model: Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster
Made: Fullerton USA, neck date Nov 3 1983, pots date 1982 (serial V016721)
Finish: 2-tone sunburst (2TS), 1-ply white guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with maple board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, 50s C shape, 43mm nut
Weight: 3.445kg
Mods: factory-supplied 5-way switch installed
Pickups: Fender 'black bobbin' single coil x3
Case: original Fender tweed hard case, excellent quality, very good condition with a handful of minor scuffs and some fading etc
Bonus: original hangtags, warranty docs, Fender strap, trem arm and 3-way switch

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has some minor dimples on the end and bottom, edge, no major marks. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just some very minor dimples on the back and some light rub wear from play. The back has some minor dimples on both horns and some light rub wear mostly around the back edge, no major marks. The sides have some very light dimples on both horns and near the jack. The front has some very minor dimples near the jack, light scuffs in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horn; no major marks. Overall: excellent condition (9/10).

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets are original, so they have some normal wear including the start of some pitting, but they're pretty even with no major buzz issues, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.