A "bluesy, rock machine" of a guitar that any Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, SRV, or Jeff Beck fan is sure to love. This American Vintage '70s Stratocaster is a 2005 model (the first model year, I believe) with serial number "V1050" on the 3-bolt neck plate. The guitar is all original except for the upgraded Fender Noiseless pickups/active electronics which are set up the same way as the reputable Clapton Stratocaster model (circuit board underneath the pickguard, and the 9-volt battery is underneath the backplate), and the polyurethane-Sunburst finish was removed (thick-plastic coating - "yuck!") was removed to have a lacquer-coating finish. It saves on weight [it weighs only 7.13 lbs on the scale), and it feels more like a "Roadworn" guitar altogether. It's got plenty of mojo for sure. The body is Ash (as were on all of the Sunbursts on the '70s Reissue models). The solid-colored ones were Alder, by the way. After the guitar was stripped of Poly (more like "peeled off with a heat gun") down to the bare wood, it was lightly primed, painted black, and then it had the brown-lacquer finish (much like the "Mocha/Walnut Brown" finishes during the 1970s) applied to it. A couple spots of the relic'd areas reveal the "brown over black"-effect which is so "Custom Shop", and it's done convincingly well. One of the up-close photos show that where there's more of the "forearm wear" on the body. It was "a labor of love" done to it with the help of a luthier I was using at the time, and it was done four years ago. The process took about two months to do. The guitar is bright and snappy, and the Clapton Boost can quickly change it to "humbucker-ish" tones at the fingertips. It's a great all-around package with this tone monster. The hardware (chrome bridge, tuning machines, pickguard screws, etc.) were also lightly aged to compliment the look-and-feel of the guitar. The maple neck was de-glossed front and back, and has more of "a satin-feel to it." It also has a bit of a flame effect on the back which is usually found on premium-quality guitars by the Custom Shop for example. The front of the headstock was tinted to create a more "period-correct"-appearance that is consistent with the '70s Strats at the time. The nut is original, and the frets are in excellent shape. The action is low without buzzes, and it has a brand new set of Elixir Nanoweb premium-quality strings (gauge 10-46) installed. The black-tolex hardcase is original to the guitar. It has the typical Fender '70s-style chrome-badge on the top lid, and the interior is the orange-colored lining. The case also has a lightly-aged appearance to it along the corners and ends [no tears or rips], and the chrome latches/hinges are a little more faded... or not so shiny, in other words. That's a good thing. The whole thing together really looks like something original from decades ago. Fender enthusiasts have also stated that the American '70s Reissues are better built than the originals. The originals had gaps in the neck pockets and sometimes loose machine heads, etc.. Most of the originals were also considered as being "too heavy" by many as they were exceeding 9 or 10 lbs or even more. This guitar is tight and light. The case includes two original keys with it. The case functions 100% without any issues. Tremolo arm is included. The guitar stand as shown is NOT included. As with all of my listings, Returns are not accepted. I stand by what I sell as I am accurate to describe everything in detail, and I've never had a disappointed buyer. I've been on eBay for several years, by the way. I ACCEPT PAYMENTS VIA 'PAYPAL' ONLY. NON-PAYING BIDDERS WILL BE REPORTED. 'UPS' SHIPPING ONLY... DELIVERED USUALLY WITHIN 5 BUSINESS DAYS TO THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ... FREE SHIPPING TO THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ... ALASKA AND HAWAII MAY COST ADDITIONAL. ABSOLUTELY NO INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS, SORRY. DELIVERY MUST BE MADE TO A 'CONFIRMED' U.S. ADDRESS ONLY. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR SHIPPING ADDRESS IS UP-TO-DATE AS I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING TO ADDRESSES THAT ARE NOT LISTED ON PAYPAL. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING