Fender ST68-120SPL Stratocaster, Vintage White, made in Japan 1993. At first glance, this is a white Strat, but there's actually a bit more to the story here. This model appears in the Custom Edition section of the Japan 1993 catalog, alongside other oddities like the Bass VI, B-Bender Tele and the almost PRS-ish Robben Ford model. At ¥120,000, this was more than double the price of a regular ST62-53 '62 reissue model, so it was pretty high end back in the day. Fender Japan did a Clapton-ish model that we see plenty of, so I guess you could fairly say this is the Hendrix-ish model, although it was really only made for a year or two. There's some 1968-specific touches: big headstock, bold black decals, F-key Schaller tuners, slim 40mm nut, maple cap fretboard and no skunk stripe, alongside the standard 60s style stuff like a 3-ply white guard and stamped saddles. The 40mm nut is a couple of mm slimmer than all the other Japan Strat models, more akin to the MG69 Mustang, and it feels amazing in the hands. It's been rubbed to a satin finish, and it feels like a million bucks. Along with the deluxe tuners, you also get a steel block bridge, which adds some tuning stability, sustain and low end oomph to the mix. The sound is extraordinary: amazingly responsive to the lightest touch, caramel-rich through the mids, piano-like clarity and heft through the lows, and an eloquent, expressive high end. Every switch position yields new delights, it's fantastic on all of them. We've had a few of the later ST68-85TX Strats through the shop as they're a bit more common, but this is the only example of this amazing model we've ever had in ten years of doing this. Vale Jimi!

Model: Fender Japan Custom Edition Stratocaster ST68-120SPL
Made: Fujigen Gakki, Japan; 1993
Serial: N056419
Finish: Vintage White; gloss polyurethane
Body: alder
Neck: maple, maple cap fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25"  radius, 40mm nut, slim C
Weight: 3.625kg
Mods: strap pins replaced, neck rubbed to satin, back plate replaced
Pickups: US ST-Vintage x3
Accessories: trem arm, basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and bottom edge and some scuffs on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs and some rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples on the horns, a patch of dents and scratches near the neck join, a sticker fade mark near the trem cavity, dents and dimples along the back edge and elbow area and widespread minor scuffs around the whole body. The sides have surface scratches on the  top horn, dents and dimples in the elbow area, a chip and some dimples near the jack and minor scuffs around the whole body. The front has surface scratches near the jack and along the back edge, dimples on the top horn and elbow area, widespread minor scuffs and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only