Up for sale, a 1982 Fender "Fullerton" American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtags. A unique double custom color example, the Lake Placid Blue lacquer is shot over a Surf Green basecoat.
This Stratocaster was crafted in the first few months of American Vintage production at the Fullerton factory (sporting a V000-prefix serial) with a practically prototypical feature set. These Fullerton-made guitars were Fender's first vintage reissue models, and this Stratocaster represents a bridge between the Dan Smith Strats of the early '80s and the features which would become standard on the American Vintage models in the subsequent months. Of particular interest is the body carve (more subtle belly cut), a set of red bobbin pickups with flat alnico pole pieces, and CTS pots which date to early 1980.
Traditional tonewoods include an alder body and a one-piece maple neck, and this Strat weighs 7lbs 10oz. The red bobbin single coils are a coveted set, delivering quintessential Strat chime and clarity, with reedy sparkle at the bridge and a notably smooth treble response, punching through with a slight midrange hump. This American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster has been 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, modest shoulder, measuring .840” 1st fret, .890” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Maple, 7 1/4” vintage-spec radius
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1.650”, bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style
-Serialization: V000-prefix, neck heel dated 5-27-82, serialized sticker in pocket matches neck plate
Body Specs:
-Wood: Alder
-Pickups: Red bobbin single coil x3
-Harness: CTS pots date to 9th week of 1980, touched-up solder, new ground wires
-Controls: Volume, Tone x2, Five-way pickup selector (original three-way in case)
-Hardware: Six-point vibrato with Callaham block (upgraded) and ‘50s-style arm
-Plastics: One-ply pickguard, knobs/pickup covers
The custom color Lake Placid Blue finish is bright and vibrant, with the Surf Green base coat revealed in a couple small finish chips and in the neck pocket. Extremely well-kept for over 40 years, there is a bit of faint buckle wear central to the back, mild pick and jewelry-related scuffing on top, and a few small dings on the body as a whole. The smooth ambered gloss on the neck profile is flawless save for one tiny mark central to the carve behind fret 5 that is virtually undetectable to the palm.
The original tweed hardshell case is included, along with the hangtags, original three-way pickup selector, and original vibrato arm.