You're looking at a guitar that's 30yrs old and in incredible condition for its age. Made at the Fugi-gen factory in Japan between 1986 and 1987 (F serial number) when the USA wasn't making guitars after the employee buyout from CBS. Finished in fiesta red although it looks a lot darker like dakota red either way it looks pretty good. You'll also notice that the pickup covers and knobs haven't aged much, they yellow very badly normally. The only damage is a small dent by the jack plate and a few minor dings that are only visible under light. Hardly any fret wear and only a tiny bit of wear on the fingerboard pointed out with a pick. There's no trem arm by the way. I'm not 100% but it may have USA pickups, my 1985 ST72-70 has but I'm not sure about these. Comes with a brand new ABS Fender moulded case and I replaced most of the screws and all the bridge saddles for genuine Fender parts as the originals were in an awful state. A very nice guitar that plays and sounds good. Examples that have been looked after and in this great condition are hard to come by not that it's a rare guitar. *If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I'll try and get back ASAP. *THIS IS FOR SALE TO UK BUYERS ONLY, I WILL NOT SHIP OUTSIDE THE UK. *DUE TO THIS BEING A PRIVATE SALE RETURNS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. **Further reading if needed.
In 1982, Schultz virtually shut down U.S. production of Fender guitars, focusing instead on re-issuing limited editions of top-of-the-line, "classic" Fender guitars from pre-CBS days. Schultz also formed a joint venture, Fender Japan, with two Japanese distributors, Kanda Shokai and Yamano Music. Fuji Gen-Gakki, which made Ibanez brand instruments, was licensed to manufacture Fender guitars, which were sold only in Japan. Fuji Gen-Gakki also manufactured lower-priced, vintage Fender guitars under the Squire Series brand name. The Squire Series originally was intended for the Japanese and European market, but export to the U.S. market began in 1983. A year later, with CBS a potential takeover target, the company began soliciting offers for its Fender musical instruments division. Among the companies expressing interest were the International Music Co. and Kaman Music Corporation, which manufactured Ovation guitars. In the end, however, CBS offered to sell to a management group headed by Schultz for $12.5 million. The sale was completed in March 1985, and the company name was changed to Fender Musical Instruments. According to Forbes, the management group borrowed $9 million and CBS took back a note for $2.5 million, which gave Fender Musical Instruments about $11 in debt for every $1 in equity. Making matters worse, the sale did not include the production facilities in Fullerton, which CBS sold separately. As a result, Schultz, chairman of the company, was forced to halt all U.S. production of Fender guitars, and only Japanese-made instruments were listed in the 1985 catalog. Schultz also slashed employment at Fender Musical Instruments from 800 to about 90 workers, mostly in research and design.