|
|
|
|
|
| This is an extremely interesting guitar, and is certain to become very, very collectable. Popular legend says that the first USA-made Stratocasters to be made after Fender shut down USA production in late 1984 (transferring all production to Japan in the interim) was in 1987. However, Fender USA, a private company, was formed in 1985 and began producing guitars again in very limited numbers (essentially hand-built) in November 1986. A new Strat, the American Standard Stratocaster, was developed in 1986, unveiled to key dealers, and introduced to critical raves at the January 1987 NAMM trade show. This is one of those very early build guitars, with a pencilled neck date of 1st of December 1986! Serial number is E351636, pre-dating the E4XXXXX serials on 1987 production Fenders. Details of the new Strat model included typical features of vintage Strats (three-layer pickguard, one-piece maple neck, etc.), plus a small headstock, 4-bolt neck, a 9 1/2” radius fingerboard with jumbo frets, use of Biflex truss-rod, a TBX tone circuit, a redesigned tremolo with two bearing points instead of six screws, flat-polepiece pickups, a hum-reducing, reverse-polarity pickup in the middle position, a silver transition logo, Schaller tuners and a urethane finish. Bodies were Alder and necks could be optioned with Rosewood fretboards (as this one is). The American Standard was to last as a model until the year 2000, and was pivotal in the success that the newly-reformed USA Fender was to eventually enjoy. This guitar would have originally had 3-ply W-B-W scratchplate and back cover, and a previous owner has replaced these with the tortoise items now fitted. It would be a simple matter to bring the guitar back to original spec - all else is as it left the factory back in 1986, right down to the moulded Fender hard shell case. Condition is extremely good, with some very light marks and play wear, but obviously much loved and cared for. Check out the 'more pictures' link below. This is a very affordable and very collectable made-in-the-USA Strat. Sold to Rob
|
