Fender Japan Stratocaster ST72-55 Black 1986
Fender '72 Strat, Black, made in Japan 1985-7. This has some swagger, that's for sure. The 1972 version of the Stratocaster got big bold black logos, a U-shaped neck, radius laminate rosewood fretboar,d 3-ply black guard and a six-point vibrato bridge with block saddles, so Fender Japan's reissue model got all those specs as tribute. This one was made in the mid 1980s at the iconic Fujigen Gakki factory, which produced some of the finest Fender branded instruments of all time. The neck is fantastic: played in and scuffed up, carved to a slim U shape and made from some beautiful tightly grained maple and very dark rosewood. A previous owner upgraded the bridge, tuners, pickups and wiring, so this is packing some deluxe guts. The sound is awesome: glassy and expansive on top, fat and tuneful with a strong fundamental note down low, and chewy and complex through the mids. The in-between positions are wired for a reggae/dub friendly out-of-phase sound, which is surprisingly endearing. The hi-fi cleans on the neck pickup especially are divine. The black finish has plenty of wear on the clock from riffs previously delivered, but in my books, black always looks better with a bit of history on show. This is great balance of style and pragmatism and will surely serve you well.
Model: Fender Japan Stratocaster ST72-55
Made: Japan, 1985-7, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: E680229
Finish: Black, gloss poly
Body: Basswood
Neck: Maple, Rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, U shape, 42mm nut
Weight: 3.580kg
Mods: bridge, strap pins and tuners replaced, pickups replaced, re-wired with new CTS pots, Switchcraft jack, orange drop cap and Oak Grigsby switch; wired out-of-phase on switch positions two and four. Cavities painted with shielding paint
Pickups: Fender USA ST-Vintage single coil (neck, bridge) and Dimarzio DP171 Blue Velvet (middle)
Accessories: none; no trem arm or case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end, bottom edge and back and some scuffs on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, dimples and scuffs on the back only. The back has surface scratches along the back edge, elbow area and around the cavity and belly carve, as well as minor dimples all over. The sides have a decent dent near the jack and minor dimples and scuffs all over the body. The front has sticker fade marks, scuffs and dimples all over the body, as well as surface scratches around the bridge and elbow area and 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 only