Fender Japan '72 Strat, sunburst, made in Japan 1984. If you're not familiar with the legend around JV serial guitars, do yourself a favour and google it; it's a great story. In brief: after CBS bought out Fender in 1964, the quality and craftsmanship out of the Fullerton USA plant gradually dived as they pushed to make more and more guitars in less time; by the late 70s the quality was pretty all over the place. Meanwhile, Japanese builders like Greco and Yamaha were making millimetre perfect copies of Fender models. Dan Smith and a couple of other Fender execs went to Japan and signed a joint venture deal to start Fender Japan and build Fender branded instruments outside the USA for the first time. When they landed in USA, the response was glorious: this was how Fender guitars were meant to be made. This particular example is a later JV, dating to 1984. It's in remarkable shape: the frets are in great shape, there's barely a ding on the body and there's no mods as best we can tell. It's a superb experience in the hands: the wood selected for the neck is absolutely prime, the shape is a tasty rounded modern C and it's arrow-straight and super resonant. The body features some really delicious grain and rings like a bell; the sunburst finish has yellowed to perfection and oozes class. Tone-wise, this absolutely delivers. There's zingy brightness, bell-like clarity and rich harmonics, balanced by a juicy, rich low end with a feel-it-in-your-chest kick. These come around very seldom and this one isn't far off turning forty, propelling it deep into the vintage category... You won't regret it.

Model: Fender '72 Reissue Stratocaster (ST72-55)
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, 1984 (serial JV71582, dated on catalog/specs)
Finish: three tone sunburst, gloss poly
Body: sen ash
Weight: 3.840kg
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender Japan ST-current single coil x3
Case: original vegan leather Fender gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor dimples on the end. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back is nice and clean, just some light scuffs around the back and bottom edge. The sides are also pretty clean, just some minor scuffs on the elbow area, near the jack and a dimple on the bottom horn. The front is super tidy, just a couple of light scuffs behind the bridge, on the elbow area and some light play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is very low, neck is straight, intonation is good. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have very little wear, 9/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46s Moonshiners strings.