Fender Japan Standard Stratocaster ST43 Capri Orange 1998
Fender Japan Standard Strat, Capri orange, crafted in Japan 1997-00. Surely this vibrant hue is among Fender's rudest and finest offerings, right? I've long been a fan and buy bright orange nasties as often as I can mange, although they weren't made for long, mostly between '97-01, and even then only as limited run offerings. This started life as a J-Craft Standard model: always great, with a no-nonsense spec sheet and a great feel in the hands. It's got a huge neck for a Fender Japan: a fat U shape, closer to a 'baseball bat' than the regular slim C you see on these models. It feel great though, with a comfy rounded carve and some high quality maple. This landed in the shop and was claimed by our handy tech for his very own. He's a gentleman with particular persuasions: he likes to add special sauce to the wiring and enjoys a generous dose of gain, so this has been modded accordingly. Firstly, it's got a recent set of USA-made low-noise single coils by Lace. They're not much like the Lace Sensor Golds of old: they're a little hotter, with plenty of low end kick and a snarling growl through the mids. The tone controls now apply to the neck and bridge positions, and the guts have been upgraded with fancy pots and caps and a nice new switch and jack. It's a great sounding guitar now, especially with dirt: into our pet JCM800, it's a wild and gregarious time. So hey, if you're after a Strat dressed to kill and dialed to play dirty, here's your big orange buddy.
Model: Fender J-Craft Standard Stratocaster ST43
Made: Japan, 1997-00, Dyna Gakki factory
Serial: O091987
Finish: Capri Orange, gloss poly
Body: basswood
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale, 9.5" radius, generous U shape, 42mm nut, 25mm/28mm deep at 1st/12th frets
Weight: 3.385kg
Mods: pickguard replaced, new knobs and neck plate, full re-wire with new pickups, Gotoh 250k pots, Switchcraft jack, Oak Grigsby switch and two new tone caps; tone controls wired to affect bridge and neck
Pickups: Lace Sensor
Accessories: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back and a dent near the third fret marker on the top edge of the board. The back has dimples around the elbow area and bottom edge, and some scuffs along the back edge. The sides have scuffs on both horns and some dents and dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has dimples in the elbow area, near the jack and around the bridge and some ply wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 9.5/46 strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only