(SOLD) Fresher FL500 LP Style Cherry Sunburst c1979
Fresher FL500 LP Standard style, made in Japan circa 1979, cherry sunburst. Fresher guitars were made by Chushin Gakki, the builders who later made Charvel and Jackson's MIJ models. There's not a whole lot of info around on the brand, but the general consensus is that they were a well made instrument. This is a higher end model with a sturdy set neck; it sold for the same cash at the time as a Yamaha SL500 Studio Lord or a Greco EG500. It's nice and light for what appears to be a solid mahogany family body, plus the grain on show in the plain maple top is very pretty. The neck is a slim 60s style profile, straight and in good order and very easy to get along with. Plugged in, the tone is great. The pickups are a low to moderate PAF style voiced humbucker; they're very convincing and offer a chiming treble and tasty warm saucy midrange. There's a lot to like here, and surely history will be kind to these niche MIJ Gibson style guitars from this era. It's the Fresher Prince.
Model: Fresher FL500
Made: Japan, Chushin Gakki plant, 1978-80 approx (no serial)
Finish: cherry sunburst over plain maple
Body: agathis/asian mahogany 3-piece, plain maple top
Neck: maple, 1-piece w/ heel cap, rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius
Weight: 3.755kg
Mods: guard removed, tuners replaced
Pickups: original PAF-style covered humbucker x2
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has a few chips on the end as well as a few dimples. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a number of dimples, scuffs and surface scratches, mostly around the edge, no major marks. The sides have dimples on both horns and some notable chips on the shoulder area and near the jack, as per pics. The front is pretty clean, just some light scuffs and dimples near the bridge, in the elbow area and above and below the strings. 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. Frets have some normal wear, they're fairly even and there's no major buzz issues but there is a little pitting, 6/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners.