Fender Japan ST68-85TX, crafted in Japan 2006-8, vintage white. As soon as you pick this up, all the Jimi tunes you can remember seem to magically play themselves on this guitar. We get plenty of '57, '62 and '72 reissue model Japan Strats around here, but these '68 style examples are way harder to get. The combo of the late sixties bold black CBS logos, big headstock, maple cap board with no skunk stripe, creamy white finish and the sixties style three ply guard make for a superbly cool aesthetic. The fading and play wear on the white finish only adds to the appeal in my view. The previous owner of this knew what was up, so it's had some spicy upgrades: new bone nut, Raw Vintage trem springs, re-wired with an orange drop cap, deluxe pots and Fralin wiring and a Montreaux switch, plus a set of Custom Shop pickups. No prizes for guessing, but: holy heck, it sounds amazing. There's plenty of clarity and sweetness in the top end, balanced by an assured and rounded low end and an open, talkative midrange. The in-between switch positions offer a perfect Jimi-quack, while the neck pickup delivers that thick and juicy smoothness and 'plonk' with eloquence and conviction. The neck is a slim sixties style shape, which feels especially good with the maple board under the fingers. The last one of these we had sold in a an hour or two, so don't faff about if you think it might be love.

Model: Fender Japan '68 Stratocaster (ST68-85TX)
Made: Japan, 2006-8, Dyna plant (serial S027269)
Finish: vintage white, gloss poly (VWH)
Body: alder
Neck: maple with maple cap board, dot inlays, 7.25" radius, 25.5" scale, vintage C
Weight: 3.775kg
Mods: pickups replaced, re-wired with deluxe Lindy Fralin wiring, orange drop cap and Montreux 5-way switch. Raw Vintage trem springs installed and new bone nut installed
Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '69 single coil x3
Case: basic non original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. The headstock has a deliberate Eric-style burn mark near the low-E post, as well as some dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor dimples on the back and some rub wear on the edges of the board only. The back has widespread minor scuffs, mostly around the outside of the body. The sides have minor dimples on both horns, some scuffs and marks in the elbow area and some discolouration and scratches near the jack. The front has a decent scratch from the arc of a trem arm behind the bridge, as well as some dimples near the jack, scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and some dents on the top horn, as well as play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear but are in pretty good shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.