Up for sale, a 1994 Fender Stratocaster ‘57 vintage reissue partscaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order. This Stratocaster features the Burgundy Mist-finished alder body and matching neck plate of Fender's ST-57AS (Anniversary Special) model, paired with a later one-piece maple neck from Fender Japan's “Crafted" era. The aftermarket electronics include a trio of original alnico magnet single coils, and there's plenty of sparkling spank and throaty cut via the five-way pickup selector switch. This Strat weighs 7lbs 7oz, 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 good shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .850” deep at the 1st fret and .945” at the 12th. The fretboard has a vintage-spec 7 1/4“ radius, and the slender fretwire benefits from a level and crown, exhibiting virtually no wear. This guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod, and the bone nut measures 1.650” (42mm) in width. On the headstock, the Kluson-style tuning machines turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch, and the “Crafted in Japan” text and S-prefix serial (circa 2008) are present above the four-bolt neck plate. The neck plate (original to the body) is embossed “40 years of Fender Stratocasters …still rockin’ 1994” text. The neck heel and pocket retain their respective ST-57 and ST-57SA model stamps.
All of the electronics function as intended, and the aftermarket pickups (of indeterminate origin) are governed by a standard Strat control configuration. The hardware is original to the body and well-kept, including the bridge base and jack cup, and original plastics comprise the one-ply pickguard, knobs, and pickup covers.
The Burgundy Mist finish has the distinctive subtly bronzed hue consistent with early Fender Japan output, and cosmetic wear is limited to a handful of dings, finish checking at the edge of the neck pocket, and a few faint scratches in the clear coat on the body as a whole. The smooth ambered gloss on the neck profile is flawless.
A modern Fender padded gigbag is included