Whitstable Guitars
A selection of good quality, used guitars and specialising in imports from Japan since 2008
1999-2002 Fender Japan ST-57 Stratocaster Surf Green & new Hard Case
£649.00 + shipping
JAPAN IMPORT
I spotted this guitar in Japan and was really drawn to the Surf Green finish. It looks great & I don't think I've seen another this colour from that era. I just checked the old catalogues and can't see it listed there either which probably means that it's an "FSR" factory short run model which isn't unusual with Fender Japan.
This guitar is the model with Japanese Fender pickups. However, a look under the pickguard revealed that the guitar has had a pickup and wiring upgrade plus an orange drop capacitor or the volume pot. The pickups are Alnico with black fibre bobbins and staggered pole pieces. Readings are Bridge = 5.81k Middle = 5.70k Neck = 5.89k. They look to have been professionally fitted and of high quality. There are also a few small dents and scratches (see gallery pics) but overall it's in really nice condition for a 20+ year old guitar. The chrome on the screws and the saddles have dulled a little but that is about it & the frets have no pitting either. It's a nice example & a great reissue of the classic '57 Strat
Playability is also excellent. The pickups sound bright & punchy & it's just a shame I can't identify them. Coming from Japan they may well be from a factory like "Deviser" or a small boutique pickup maker. Being a '57 reissue, it has a Maple fretboard & like most vintage Fenders, a 7.25" (184mm) fretboard radius and an 8 hole single ply scratchplate.
Fender Japan ST-57 Stratocaster Surf Green
Specifications
BODY
Body Material Basswood Body
Finish Surf Green Polyester
Body Shape Stratocaster®
Weight 3.65 kg
NECK
Neck Material Maple
Neck Finish Aged polyester gloss
Neck Shape Slim "C" Shape
Scale Length 25.5 "(648 mm)
Fingerboard Material Maple
Fingerboard Radius 7.25 "(184.1 mm)
Number of Frets twenty one
Fret Size Vintage Style
Nut Material Synthetic Bone
Nut Width 1.650 "(42 mm)
Position Inlays Black Dots
ELECTRONICS
Bridge pickup: Unknown Alnico staggered pole pieces 5.81k
Middle pickup: Unknown Alnico staggered pole pieces 5.7k
Neck Pickup: Unknown Alnico staggered pole pieces 5.89k
Controls Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
Switching 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup Configuration SSS
HARDWARE
Bridge 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish Chrome
Tuning Machines: MHG-SD91
Pickguard 1-Ply White
Control Knobs White Plastic
Switch Tip White
Neck Plate 4-Bolt Chrome
Comes with Thomann Black Hard Case
Hard Case
As said many times, all my guitars come shipped in a new black hard case which is included in the price. I find this is the safest way to avoid damage in transit. Alternatively, if you are collecting the guitar and, like some buyers have cases coming out of their ears, that's no problem, I'll adjust the price (usually around a £30 discount) and I can usually find you an old gigbag to take the guitar away in. The only hard and fast rule I have is that i won't ship a guitar in a gigbag
If you are further interested in this guitar, you can either email me with any queries & I'll do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.
Or, you can buy quickly and safely using the PayPal "buy now" button and I will ship to most UK addresses the next working day. Highlands and Islands can be slightly dearer but I'll keep the cost as low as I can.
I can accept credit card payments by phone and will also offer a small discount to purchasers using bank transfer payments.
Overseas customers are very welcome but please email me first for shipping quotes.
