1980s Fender Japan Stratocaster XII 12-String Electric Guitar (Post 2)
Tone: It's Stratty, of course, but the shorter scale length on this guy and the 12 strings gives it a thicker mids sound with a bit more of a growl. It's like somewhere between a Strat and a Duo Sonic sort-of voice. The bridge position also does a really good take on a Rickenbacker 12-string jangle sound!
Feel: It doesn't feel much different from a '60s or '70s Strat to play in the neck save that the nut is 1 11/16" rather than 1 5/8" in width. It still has the comfy C-shaped back and curvy, tight radius to the board like on most vintage Fenders.
Interesting features: These earlier, Japanese-made Strat XIIs feature a repro of the original, 12-saddle, Fender XII bridge. This makes these guitars innately superior in design to the later models with their modern, small-footprint adjustable bridges. This style is a lot easier to intonate on the fly if you change strings or whatnot. It also has a great-looking headstock shape and a just-for-this-guitar neck style with a short, 24 3/4" scale length.
Repairs included: a good setup and minor adjustments! I worked on this last year, it went into a studio stash, and it has arrived back here for sale in the same shape it left. There's only the tiniest fretwear on it (not enough to warrant a level/dress).
- Maker: Fender Japan
- Model: Stratocaster XII
- Body style: solidbody
- Weight: 7 lbs 10 oz
- Scale length: 24 3/4"
- Nut width: 1 11/16"
- Neck shape: slim C/slightly oval D
- Board radius: 7 1/4"
- Body width: 12 3/4"
- Body depth: 1 3/4"
- Body wood: alder, I think
- Bridge: XII-style
- Fretboard: rosewood
- Neck wood: maple
- Pickups: 3x original single coils
- Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
- String gauges: 46w-9
- Truss rod: adjustable
- Neck relief: straight
- Fret style: medium
Condition notes: It's very clean with only minor handling-wear throughout and a little age discoloration to the plastic parts. It's also completely original.
It comes with: Sorry, no case!
Consignor tag: SSCH
Comments