Fender Japan Stratocaster ST72-55 Vintage White 1985
Fender '72 Strat, Vintage White, made in Japan 1985. Creamy and dreamy with a big headstock... hell yeah. This is a great example of an early Fender Japan. It's got an SQ serial number, which were mostly attached to the first couple of years of Squier branded instruments, made out of the same Fujigen Gakki factory from 1983-5. Towards the end of that couple of years, it wasn't unheard of for a Fender model to get the SQ plate, especially on these three bolt 70s style examples. There's very little difference on the spec sheet between a 1984 Squier CST50 Strat and a Fender ST72-55 from 1985; they're more or less identical guitars. Anyway, nerdery aside: this rules. The neck is a slim, rounded U shape, carved from some top-notch maple and still in great order after all these decades. It's paired with a naturally resonant, reasonably lightweight body, and the thing just feels alive in the hands. The tone is bright and crisp, with an airy wide midrange, plonky fast bass and a shimmery, sweet top end chime. The lightly played, yellowed and mellowed finish and fretboard look a treat too. Jimi called from beyond the grave, he said to call your Mum. xo
Model: Fender Stratocaster ST72-55
Made: Japan, 1985, Fujigen Gakki factory
Serial: SQ58987
Finish: Vintage White, gloss poly
Body: basswood
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, 42mm nut, slim U shape
Weight: 3.580kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender Japan ST-Current single coil x3
Accessories: basic gig bag, trem arm
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs on the end and edges and some fading on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, play wear on the board and some rub wear and dimples on the back only. The back has dimples on the horns and bottom corner and some scuffs on the back edge and elbow area. The sides have minor scuffs all over and a small crack in the finish only on the bass side of the neck pocket. The front has scuffs near the knobs, back edge and elbow area, dimples up from the pickups and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very 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