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Up for sale, a 1983 Fender Elite Stratocaster in exceptional, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. A reinvention of the Stratocaster platform produced in sparingly small quantities in the USA from 1983-84, the Elite model features active circuitry with both TBX treble/bass boost and MDX mid-boost circuitry, offering 12db of boost. The active circuit was designed by Paul Gagon, and the trio of Alnico II single coil pickups have an additional dummy coil for noise reduction concealed beneath the pickguard. Additional features of the Elite model include Schaller tuning machines and Fender's System II vibrato.
Offering both traditional single coil sparkle and spank and thicker, bolder sounds, each single coil has its own dedicated push button on/off switch. As such, 7 different pickup combinations are possible including Neck+Bridge and Neck+Middle+Bridge, two settings not available on a traditional Strat blade pickup toggle. The active EQ circuitry ensures a certain breadth and authority, and the tonewood combination of an alder body and one-piece maple neck ensures a clear, balanced platform. This Strat weighs 7lbs 13oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action and accurate intonation.
The one-piece maple neck has a slender, soft V-shaped profile carve measuring .805” deep at the 1st fret and .860” at the 12th. The maple fretboard has a 12” radius and features pristine original medium jumbo frets which have plenty of meat left and well-rounded crowns. This guitar plays cleanly in every register up the 25 1/2” scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The original bone nut measures 1 11/16” in width. On the headstock, the Schaller-made, Fender-branded tuning machines have clean chrome plating, turning smoothly and holding accurate pitch The neck heel is stamped Oct. 14, 1983, and the heel and pocket retain all other factory stamps and markings. The four-bolt, “Fender Elite”-engraved neck plate with micro-tilt adjustment is also present.
The original electronics function as intended, with untouched solder joints and visible date codes on the CTS pots from the 23rd week of '83. With the pickguard removed, the circuit board and dummy coil for noise canceling purposes are visible. Hardware includes the System II vibrato unit complete with metal-tipped arm. A premium iteration, not to be confused with the Free Flyte system, the toploader System II vibrato features a knife edge pivot and large string anchor block embossed with the Fender "F." Plastics comprise of the three-ply pickguard, Fender-embossed pickup covers, and a trio of “F”-stamped knobs with ridged rubber surrounds.
Cosmetic wear on the gloss three-tone Sunburst finish is limited to a small patch of faint buckle wear on the back at the waist, a handful of light finish scratches in the clear coat, and a few minor marks adjacent to the side-mounted flush input jack. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss.
The original molded hardshell case is included.
Offering both traditional single coil sparkle and spank and thicker, bolder sounds, each single coil has its own dedicated push button on/off switch. As such, 7 different pickup combinations are possible including Neck+Bridge and Neck+Middle+Bridge, two settings not available on a traditional Strat blade pickup toggle. The active EQ circuitry ensures a certain breadth and authority, and the tonewood combination of an alder body and one-piece maple neck ensures a clear, balanced platform. This Strat weighs 7lbs 13oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action and accurate intonation.
The one-piece maple neck has a slender, soft V-shaped profile carve measuring .805” deep at the 1st fret and .860” at the 12th. The maple fretboard has a 12” radius and features pristine original medium jumbo frets which have plenty of meat left and well-rounded crowns. This guitar plays cleanly in every register up the 25 1/2” scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The original bone nut measures 1 11/16” in width. On the headstock, the Schaller-made, Fender-branded tuning machines have clean chrome plating, turning smoothly and holding accurate pitch The neck heel is stamped Oct. 14, 1983, and the heel and pocket retain all other factory stamps and markings. The four-bolt, “Fender Elite”-engraved neck plate with micro-tilt adjustment is also present.
The original electronics function as intended, with untouched solder joints and visible date codes on the CTS pots from the 23rd week of '83. With the pickguard removed, the circuit board and dummy coil for noise canceling purposes are visible. Hardware includes the System II vibrato unit complete with metal-tipped arm. A premium iteration, not to be confused with the Free Flyte system, the toploader System II vibrato features a knife edge pivot and large string anchor block embossed with the Fender "F." Plastics comprise of the three-ply pickguard, Fender-embossed pickup covers, and a trio of “F”-stamped knobs with ridged rubber surrounds.
Cosmetic wear on the gloss three-tone Sunburst finish is limited to a small patch of faint buckle wear on the back at the waist, a handful of light finish scratches in the clear coat, and a few minor marks adjacent to the side-mounted flush input jack. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss.
The original molded hardshell case is included.
