Tokai Spring Sound ST-50, sunburst, made in Japan 1980. Without this guitar, Fender Japan might never have existed. In the late 70s and early 80s, Tokai were making guitars by hand referenced off 50s and 60s Fender and Gibson models to an exceptional standard. Strats like this were popping up with players like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Billy Gibbons, and understandably, Fender was getting nervous. These Spring Sound models were made from 1977-83 and are some of the more vintage-correct and collectable examples going around. The ST-50 was based off the 1958 Stratocaster, so you get a moderate U-shape neck profile with a vintage radius with a glorious golden maple board. The quality of craftsmanship on offer here is immediately obvious when you pick this up... every little detail is executed perfectly and the timber selected is obscenely high quality. Plugged in, this delivers heaps of brightness and chime, paired with a fast, hard-hitting low end and a complex, nuanced midrange. It's super responsive to differing attack and really brings out the sparkle and personality in your notes. These pop up increasingly rarely, so if you're after a collectable Strat that plays like an absolute angel, here's your shot. 

Model: Tokai Spring Sound ST-50
Made: Japan, 1980 (serial 8003638)
Finish: sunburst, 3-ply white pearl guard
Body: sen ash 
Neck: maple with maple board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, U profile
Weight: 3.490kg
Mods: 5-way switch replaced, guard replaced (original 1-ply white guard included)
Pickups: Tokai single coil x3
Case: non-original vintage vegan leather gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some marks on the end and some rub wear on the decal. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has a couple of dimples along the back edge and some widespread light scuffs, no major marks. The sides have minor dimples on both horns and near the jack as well as a small chip and some dimples in the elbow area. The front is nice and tidy, just a few dimples near the jack and on the elbow area as well as some standard play wear on the guard and horn. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have a bit of normal wear, nothing nasty, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.