Up for sale, a 2004 Fender Aerodyne Stratocaster model AST-65 in perfect working order. An uncommon model, this Strat was made exclusively for the Japanese domestic market and features a Black gloss finish with matching headstock and cream body binding. Loaded with a trio of stock single coil pickups, the guitar boasts a five-way pickup selector and array of classic Strat tonalities. Plenty of sparkle and smooth, warm single coil silk can be coaxed out of these pickups, and the Aerodyne feels elegant and effortless. This guitar weighs 7lbs 5oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.
The maple neck has a medium C-shaped profile carve with generous shoulder in all registers, measuring .855” deep at the 1st fret and .930” at the 12th. The dark slab 22 fret rosewood fretboard has a 7 1/4" radius, retaining the original slender frets which have their full factory height, showing wear beneath the plain strings on the crowns of frets 1-10. The guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2" scale, and the bone nut measures 1.650" (42mm) in width. The matching Black headstock features Kluson-style Gotoh tuners which turn smoothly and hold pitch as they should. The "Crafted in Japan" text and Q-prefix serial number are present above the four-bolt neck plate.
All of the electronics function as intended, with a traditional Stratocaster control layout and five-way pickup selector switch. The chrome-plated hardware is bright and clean, and the guitar features a vintage-style Strat vibrato which anchors with six screws and is slightly recessed into the body. Original plastics are well-kept too, with some light pick scuffing across the guard.
Wear on the gloss Black finish includes a number of dings on the body as a whole and an area of light buckle rash across the belly contour on the back. The smooth satin finish on the neck profile exhibits just a few shallow marks that have no impact on playability.
The original Fender-branded gigbag is included.