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Up for sale, a 1991 Fender Stratocaster model ST-500VR in near mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, with a custom color Metallic Green finish. Made at the famed Fujigen factory, this early Fender Japan Stratocaster is a unique model, taking the '62 Strat platform and modernizing it with a 22 fret slab rosewood fretboard and Gotoh tuning machines. The original trio of flat pole black bobbin single coils have plenty of sweetness and sparkle, delivering a broad array of traditional Stratocaster tonalities on the five-way pickup selector switch. This Strat weighs 7lbs 10oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 11-49 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
The maple neck has a slender C, 60s-style profile carve with modest shoulder and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .800" deep at the 1st fret and .890" at the 12th. The slab rosewood fretboard is an extremely dark, tight-grained cut of this particular tonewood, retaining the original vintage-spec slender frets which retain their full factory height and well-rounded crowns, showing just a hint of wear on frets 1-2. The guitar plays easily up the 25 1/2" scale, with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 5/8" in width. The headstock has Fender's classic Pre-CBS shape and vintage-spec "spaghetti" logo, along with Gotoh tuners that turn very smoothly. The "Made in Japan" text and J-prefix serial is present just above the four-bolt, Fender-embossed neck plate.
All of the electronics work as intended, with untouched solder joints and full-size pots which date to February of 1991. The vibrato has a full-size block for optimal sustain, actuating easily with the original arm. The chrome hardware is clean and bright, and the all original plastics are all accounted for including the one-ply pickguard, uniformly aged pickup covers, and trio of knobs which show notably less yellowing. The Metallic Green gloss finish is vibrant and rich, exceedingly rare and likely a reaction to the 7-Up Green finish seen on the Eric Clapton model offered in the USA in the same era. Cosmetic wear is limited to a small spot of localized scuffing on the bass-side lower bout edge and just a couple additional small dings on the body as a whole. The neck profile is nigh flawless with a smooth ambered gloss.
A modern premium Fender-branded molded hardshell case with TSA latches is included.
The maple neck has a slender C, 60s-style profile carve with modest shoulder and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .800" deep at the 1st fret and .890" at the 12th. The slab rosewood fretboard is an extremely dark, tight-grained cut of this particular tonewood, retaining the original vintage-spec slender frets which retain their full factory height and well-rounded crowns, showing just a hint of wear on frets 1-2. The guitar plays easily up the 25 1/2" scale, with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 5/8" in width. The headstock has Fender's classic Pre-CBS shape and vintage-spec "spaghetti" logo, along with Gotoh tuners that turn very smoothly. The "Made in Japan" text and J-prefix serial is present just above the four-bolt, Fender-embossed neck plate.
All of the electronics work as intended, with untouched solder joints and full-size pots which date to February of 1991. The vibrato has a full-size block for optimal sustain, actuating easily with the original arm. The chrome hardware is clean and bright, and the all original plastics are all accounted for including the one-ply pickguard, uniformly aged pickup covers, and trio of knobs which show notably less yellowing. The Metallic Green gloss finish is vibrant and rich, exceedingly rare and likely a reaction to the 7-Up Green finish seen on the Eric Clapton model offered in the USA in the same era. Cosmetic wear is limited to a small spot of localized scuffing on the bass-side lower bout edge and just a couple additional small dings on the body as a whole. The neck profile is nigh flawless with a smooth ambered gloss.
A modern premium Fender-branded molded hardshell case with TSA latches is included.
