Fender Stratocaster
Made in Japan, not a 1970s USA instrument
c. 1983–1987 (serial A010227) · ref G04
The auction has closed
- Starting bid
- $700
- Auction
- Closed
The starting price is the real one. There is no secret higher number to beat.
The auction is over. Interested in this guitar? Reach out to the family directly.
Ash body under a clear natural finish, maple neck and board, three single coils, vintage-style tremolo. It has the look of a seventies Fullerton Strat, but the serial places it squarely in Fender's Japanese production. Listed honestly as such. A well-worn, well-played instrument.
| Body | Ash, natural / clear finish |
|---|---|
| Neck | Maple, maple fingerboard, skunk stripe |
| Pickups | Three single coils |
| Bridge | Six-screw synchronized tremolo, Fender-stamped saddles |
| Neck plate | 4-bolt, serial A010227 |
What we know, including the problems
Everything we could research or see, including what we couldn't verify. We would rather tell you now than argue about it later. If something here matters to you, ask before you bid, or come try it on the 19th or 20th.
- DISCLOSURE UPDATE 2026-09-13: a professional guitar repair technician who says he played this specific guitar years ago reports it may be a custom-built instrument (a "partscaster") assembled by the original owner, rather than a stock factory Fender Japan Stratocaster -- based on his recollection of being told this directly by the owner at the time. We cannot verify this without removing the neck, which will not happen before the auction closes. Sold as-is with this added uncertainty disclosed. Starting bid is unchanged.
- This is a Japanese-made Fender, NOT a 1970s USA Stratocaster. The serial format and 4-bolt neck plate both confirm this. It is priced and described as MIJ.
- The natural finish may be a strip/refinish rather than factory. There is a purple-magenta cast in the grain on the back, which is a common sign of residual dye left after stripping a sunburst. Finish originality is not guaranteed.
- Heavy player wear and extensive lacquer checking throughout.
- Electronics originality unverified.
- Exact Japanese model code unknown without removing the neck.
