(SOLD) Fernandes Stone Logo MA-55 Sunburst 1981
Fernandes MA-55, sunburst, made in Japan 1981. Fernandes launched in 1969, initially offering flamenco style acoustic guitars, before expanding into electric guitars in the early 70s. They would go on to become one of the biggest guitar brands in Japan to this day. This is a 'stone logo' example, so it dates to what's probably the best regarded and most sought after period of their long and storied history. It's a cool little niche model: like a Strat, but with a full neck-through build and some fun switching. The build quality is top notch: the five piece neck is really quite something to behold and feel. It feels precise and lively in the hands, with a smooth feel all the way up to the top frets. The sound on offer is very clear and precise: brighter and cleaner than a regular Strat, with a bit more sustain and piano-like low end. Each pickup gets an on-off-on switch, so you can push the pickups in or out of phase and get a whole raft of tones. My go-to is the Tele-middle-style neck+bridge in phase, that's a gorgeous mix of hi-fi clarity and warm weighty lows. The golden burst finish lets the grain do the talking, it has a very striking aesthetic and will surely look great on stage. The mind boggles at what it would cost to get a brand new instrument made with these specs to this quality, it really is a remarkable guitar.
Model: Fernandes MA-55
Made: Japan, body date May 1981 (no serial on these models)
Finish: brown sunburst, gloss poly
Body: sen ash wings, 5-ply maple/mahogany centre
Neck: maple/mahogany 5-ply, neck-through construction, rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 12" radius, slim C shape
Weight: 3.760kg
Mods: knobs replaced, back cover removed and missing
Pickup: Fernandes flat pole single coil x3
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples and a lacquer chip on the end and some scuffs on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has dimples along the edge on the bottom corner and horn, a dent and some dimples in the elbow area, scuffs along the belly carve and minor scuffs around the whole body. The back cover is missing. The sides have minor dimples and light scuffs around the whole body, no major marks. The front has some dents on the back edge up from the jack, dimples around the bridge and elbow area and some play wear on the horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. The frets are in decent shape with no major buzz issues, 7/10 for fret life left. All electrics tested and working properly. Setup with fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.