Fender FSR American Vintage '62 Stratocaster Tropical Turquoise 2011
Fender AVRI '62 Strat, FSR tropical turquoise finish, made in USA 2011. I love the American Vintage series, they're such great guitars. This little cutie pie was part of a limited run made in 2011-12 in this vibrant blue-green hue, It's a little bolder and darker than a daphne or sonic blue, notably greener than a California blue, but also closer to a sky blue than surf or foam green... it's tropical turquoise friends, what a time to be alive. The original pickups are missing, but the black-covered single coils against the mint green guard and vibrant blue remind me of the International Series stuff from 1979-82. It really does look great, and with some honest play wear and yellowing with age, it's got all sorts of swagger. The neck is super comfy, carved to an agreeable slim 60s C shape and topped with a lovely dark streaky piece of rosewood. Kinman pickups an Australian brand, and their whole line are noiseless. This set is a fat 50s style affair, with plenty of beef and thump on the lows and mids, Many noiseless pickups lack pizzazz, but these are probably the best ones going around and sound very close to a legit vintage single coil. It's thick, warm and clear, with an expansive midrange and plenty of shimmering high end sparkle; it really has that proper Strat-spank. I really enjoy this one, it's got a lot of personality. "Mister speaker, he's going troppo." - Paul Keating
Model: Fender American Vintage '62 Stratocaster
Made: Corona USA, 2011
Serial: LE02019
Finish: tropical turquoise, gloss nitro
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood slab board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, vintage C shape
Weight: 3.580kg
Mods: pickups replaced, originals not included
Pickups: Kinman AVn-59 Strong Vintage noiseless single coil x3, exact model not verified
Accessories: non-original hard case, non-original trem arm
Cosmetic Condition Notes: the headstock has minor dents and scuffs on the end, dimples on the bottom side, two decent dents on the top side. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has minor chips on the bottom horn, belly carve, elbow area and bottom corner, as well as minor scuffs around the whole body and some discolouration along the belly carve. The sides have minor chips and dents around the whole body, the biggest dent is near the jack, as well as some scuffs along the bottom edge. The front has some chips in the elbow area, near the bridge and jack and on the top horn, as well as scuffs in the elbow area, back edge and near the jack and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing Condition Notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 7/10, minor wear but fairly even with no major buzz issues