Up for sale, a 2008 Fender Stratocaster '57 vintage reissue model ST57 in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. Crafted in Japan, this guitar was made exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, uncommon outside its country of origin. The guitar has a lively, balanced natural acoustic tone, and the original ceramic magnet pickups have more punch and power than the typical alnico magnet design, sounding distinct and clear in all positions on the five-way switch. Weighing 7lbs 15oz, this Strat benefits from a professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, strung with fresh 10-46 strings and dialed in for low action and accurate intonation.
The maple neck has a quintessential medium C-shaped profile carve with moderate shoulder and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .855" deep at the 1st fret and .920" at the 12th. The maple fretboard has a vintage spec 7 1/4" radius, with pristine slender fretwire that plays cleanly up the 25 1/2" scale length with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1.650" (42mm) in width, and the headstock features a traditional small Pre-CBS Strat shape with Kluson-style Gotoh tuning machines that have the correct vintage look, turn smoothly, and hold pitch well.
All of the electronics work as they should, and the ceramic magnet pickups are cleanly wired to the stock Japanese harness and five-way pickup selector switch. The vibrato has a full-size diecast block, and the unit is very responsive for smooth surfy warbles and deeper dives, jumping back into tune with ease. The chrome hardware has plenty of shine with just a hint of patina, and the plastic parts are quite clean, save for faint pick scuffing across the one-ply white pickguard. Cosmetic wear on the gloss Black finish is limited to light marks and scuffs mostly relegated to the back body edges. The neck profile has a smooth ambered gloss finish.
A gigbag is included.