1997 Fender Stratocaster '62 Vintage Reissue ST62-70TX Candy Apple Red w/ USA Pickups, Japan CIJ

Up for sale, a 1997 Fender Stratocaster ‘62 vintage reissue model ST62-70TX in 100% original condition and in perfect working order. An early “Crafted in Japan” instrument boasting a custom color Candy Apple Red finish, the ST62-70TX model is an upscale iteration, rarely seen outside of its country of origin, boasting factory-installed USA-made black bobbin Texas Special pickups.This model was designed to pay homage to the golden era Pre-CBS Strats, with a traditional tonewood complement including an alder body, maple neck, and thick slab rosewood fretboard. The factory-installed Fender USA Texas Special pickups match vintage spec with black fiber bobbins and cloth-covered leads, offering great midrange chirp, tight bass, and a slightly aggressive overwound snap. Via the five-way pickup selector switch, the guitar delivers plenty of sparkle and spank in the bridge position, while the "in-between" positions have a snappy, thinned-out quack. The neck pickup is bold and round with a throaty zing that's harmonically rich and great for lead work. This Strat weighs 7lbs 7oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action and accurate intonation.The maple neck has a moderately chunky C-shaped profile carve with well-rounded shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, gaining a hair more heft as you travel up the fretboard, measuring .860” deep at the 1st fret and .990” at the 12th. The thick slab rosewood fretboard has a vintage-spec 7 1/4“ radius and retains the pristine stock slender fretwire.  This guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1.650” (42mm) in width. The headstock features a Pre-CBS small Strat shape with Kluson-style Gotoh-made tuners which turn smoothly and hold pitch well. The "Crafted in Japan" script text and N-prefix serial are present above the four-bolt neck plate, and this transitional model still conforms to the serial number sequences of the earlier "Made in Japan" instruments.On the body, the electronics work as they should, with three staggered pole alnico V magnet Fender USA-made Texas Special black bobbin single coils with cloth-covered leads wired to the stock harness with untouched solder joints. The vintage-style vibrato is faithful to Fender's early 1960's design, featuring a full-size block and actuating easily for quick warbles and deeper dives. The chrome plating on the hardware has just a faint dusting of surface patina. Plastics include the original trio of knobs and the three-ply white pickguard.Cosmetic wear on the gloss Candy Apple Red finish includes a singular finish chip on the bass-side lower bout body edge, and some minor nicks and light finish scratches on the body as a whole, largely on the back and lower bout body edge. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with just a few shallow marks that don't distract the palm while fretting.A gigbag is included.