Up for sale, a 1982 Fender "JV" Stratocaster ‘62 vintage reissue model ST62-85 in 100% original condition and in perfect working order. Produced in the first few months of Fender Japan production, this "Japanese Vintage" (JV) series guitar has a very low JV00-prefix serial number. An uncommon higher-tiered model, this Stratocaster boasts the same gray bobbin pickups and steel vibrato block used on the Fender USA Fullerton factory reissues from the same year. This JV series Strat is also notable for having a very faithful and fast-feeling '60s-style neck carve, with a bit more roundness than the Fullerton factory necks produced in the same year.

Extremely accurate to vintage spec and sold only within Japan and select international territories, tonewoods include an alder body, maple neck, and slab rosewood fretboard. The gray bobbin USA-made Fullerton-era pickups deliver quintessential Stat sparkle and spank: the bridge pickup is punchy and immediate, with classic Strat quack at the “in-between” positions on the 3-way pickup selector switch, and the neck pickup yields a broad, smooth sound with great clarity and sweetness. This JV-era Stratocaster ST62-85 weighs 7lbs 9oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .830” 1st fret, .925” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood slab, 7 1/4” vintage-spec radius
-Frets: Slender, faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 2-6
-Scale Length: 25 1/2"
-Nut: 1.650” (42mm), bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style, Gotoh
-Serialization: Small “Made in Japan” text on headstock face, JV-prefix serial on neck plate
-Factory Markings: Neck heel pencil dated 4-27-82, “B” stamp in pocket indicates 85,000 yen price and model tier

Body Specs:

-Wood: Alder
-Pickups: Fullerton gray bobbin pickups, 1981 date stamps on bobbins
-Harness: Untouched solder, full-size Japanese pots date to March, 1982
-Hardware: Six-point vibrato, steel block, jack cup
-Plastics: Three-ply white pickguard, white knobs/pickup covers

The gloss Black finish exhibits limited broad checking, and this thin gloss finish is purportedly nitro lacquer according to the Fender factory literature for this model tier. There is buckle rash central to the back, a number of nicks along the perimeter, pick scuffing on top extending beyond the bass-side edge of the pickguard, and some minor dings on the body as a whole, largely concentrated at the lower bout. The smooth ambered gloss on the neck profile is nigh flawless.

The original Fender-branded form-fit gigbag is included, and the padding on the case interior is shedding slightly.