$1099.00
Vintage 1988 Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Dusty Rose
 1996 Ventures Fender Stratocaster US $1,999.00 |
 2010 Fender Road Worn 50s Stratocaster Strat Electric Guitar 2 Tone Sunburst US $949.95 |
 Fender Stratocaster 57 Reissue Strat Shoreline Gold Circa 1997 Rare Color US $1,200.00 |
 Warmoth Stratocaster with Fralin Vintage Hots and Some Killer Tone No Reserve US $635.00 |
 Freakin Beautiful Custom built strat stratocaster solid spruce top rosewood neck US $1,199.00 |
 MINT 2007 FENDER VG MODELING STRATOCASTER ROLAND GUITAR AND CASE STRAT US $1,565.00 |
 Fender Custom Shop Strat Pro NOS in Sapphire US $2,800.00 |
 Fender Eric Johnson Signature Stratocaster Strat Palomino Metallic Finish US $1,899.99 |
 FENDER AMERICAN STANDARD STRAT USA OCEAN TURQUOISE W RED LABEL OHSC STRATOASTER US $750.00 |
Up for bid is one of the earlier Stratocasters to be built by the Fender Custom Shop which officially opened in 1987. These early Custom Shop Production guitars are low in total numbers, highly desirable and quite rare. The Custom Shop had just been established at that time, and guitars were made at a much slower pace than today, where they may crank out as many as 200 guitars a day. Although the E4 in the serial number would suggest that this guitar is a 1984 model, the full serial number, early Custom Shop Logo, Neck date and Pot codes are all dated 1988 which demonstrates that this particular Strat was in fact made in 1988 and places it within the first full year of Custom Shop production. Not only is this considered a rare and important all-original piece, but it also has a very rare custom color finish called "Dusty Rose" with a matching headstock (guitar weighs 8.6 pounds).
In addition, it sports some of the first and most innovative and unique design features of that era, including the earlier Sperzel Locking Tuning Machine Heads with the Stars on top, special roller nut, dual trussrod neck, Black pickguard and Black lace Sensor pickups which were quite unique because they did not employ traditional strong magnets to pickup the sound. The Lace Sensor pickups could be adjusted as high up to the strings as desired with no issue of string pull, and noiseless, while retaining the tone of a vintage single coil. One further unique feature of this Custom Shop piece is the mid-boost built into the tone control knob, so if you turn it up full, you get a significant jump in the amount of mid-range giving you the best of both worlds---the traditional Strat tones or a mid-boosted lead or rhythm sound.
Cosmetically, this Guitar is in Excellent-plus condition. Most of the surface wear on this Guitar shows up as very light/fine swirl marks and feathering from maintenance and polishing, but there are a few minor blemishes that I will outline:1) There are scratches on the pickguard and two small dents on the top, one on the outer edge of the upper horn and the other just below the jackplate, 2) there is a tiny lacquer chip on the backside of the upper horn,
3) there are two light depressions on the back to the left of the bottom of the backplate and 4) there is a small area of worming above and to the right of the backplate and a light scratch below the backplate just above the strap button. All of these blemishes are extremely minor and very difficult to photograph as they only show up in certain light, but I have tried to capture them to the best of my ability in the photos. Other than that, this piece is extremely clean for a 22 year old instrument. This Guitar is currently set up with 10's and the 5-way position switch, Lace Sensors and mid-boost really do a wonderful job of capturing all the classic tones that you would expect from a Strat and more. You can really dial in just about any sound you're looking for with clarity and distinct tone separation. The Maple neck is extremely straight, very comfortable and feels like it has a wide/thin profile. The Rosewood fretboard is flawless--straight, smooth and fast with great frets and very little ware.
Bottom line---this is a wonderful instrument in every way: looks, playability and tone AND it is an EXCELLENT example of this early era in a very hard to find, Custom Color and likely to increase in value. It would make an excellent addition to a collection or for an active player looking to take advantage of its tone and unique features. It comes with a non-Original Tremolo Bar and non-original (period correct) Fender Hardshell Case ( in good condition). I am in the process of selling off a number of my pieces to generate retirement income so here is your opportunity to latch on to an excellent instrument at a reasonable price. I am listing this Guitar with a very fair opening bid to facilitate a sale so Good Luck. I also want to emphasize that I have been very discerning in the Guitars that have made their way into my collection, selecting only what I believe are the top of the line, best-playing, and best-sounding instruments I can find. Please check out my Feedback and you will see that the description I provide is exactly what you will get. This instrument will be professionally/carefully packaged prior to shipping. So, please bid with confidence. Please ask any questions before bidding as I do not accept returns. I accept Paypal only and ship strictly within the Continental U.S.----that means No International Bidders. I am also not interested in Trades so please do not ask. The Winning Bidder will be responsible for both Shipping and Insurance charges ($45.00 and $26.85 respectively). Payment must be made within 24 hours of auctions close unless you communicate with me before-hand. Thanks for checking out this particularly fine instrument! ( Be on the lookout for more of my pieces that will be coming up for auction ).
******** 7/24/10 Please note that I made a small change in the above listing. I was able to secure the correct case for this piece so it will no longer be sold with the New-Style Heavy Duty Fender Hardshell case initially described in the listing*********
703 total views, 3 so far today
You must be logged in to inquire about this ad.