Fender Japan ST54-75RV Strat, natural gloss nitro, made in 1993-4. In the mids 90s, Fender Japan had a little catalog section called 'Custom Edition', with some unusual offerings with funky hardware and specs and even something that looks like an Ibanez Artist series. These 'Real Vintage' Strats were part of the offering, and they were the most carefully correct vintage style models available at the time. There's some pretty spicy specs: two-piece centre joined lightweight USA ash body, thin gloss nitro finish, chunky proper 50s style hard-V quarter-sawn maple neck, deluxe steel block tremolo, USA-made alnico single coils... heck yeah. The neck takes a little getting used to, but it's really worth the trouble: it's a lovely piece of maple, the V-shape is handy if you're a Jimi-style thumb-overhanger and the slightly chunky profile adds some extra snap and upper-midrange presence to the tone. The tone, oh boy: it's bright, probably more so than any other Strat on the wall, but in a really swet and eloquent way, not in a harsh way. There's a lot of harmonic complexity to the midrange, and the natural resonance of the body translates to a hypersensitive dynamic response plugged in. The neck pickup is glassy and clear with a plonky, punchy bass, while the bridge pickup has a whisker more output and loves to get your amp cooking with a creamy, snarky growl. We haven't had one of these in the shop for a couple of years, and not for lack of trying, so don't count on seeing many around. That ash grain... phwoarrrr, am I right?

Model: Fender Japan 'Real Vintage' '54 Stratocaster ST54-75RV
Made: Japan, 1993-4, Fujigen plant, (serial L033851)
Finish: natural gloss, nitro topcoat, 3-ply tort guard
Body: two piece centre-join lightweight ash
Neck: one piece maple, hard-V profile, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale
Weight: 3.650kg
Mods: 5-way switch installed, guard replaced, neck plate replaced
Pickups: Fender USA ST-Vintage single coil x3
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock and neck are pretty clean, no major marks. The back has a handful of light scuffs but no major marks. The sides have some dents near the jack and some dimples in the elbow area, nothing nasty. The front has some light scuffs near the jack 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. Electronics tested and working properly. The frets appear to be freshly levelled, dressed and polished, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.