1990 Fender Heartfield EX-2 Made in Japan – Figured Maple Top, Rare Gray Case, Paperwork & Extras

For sale is a rare 1990 Fender Heartfield EX-2, made in Japan at the respected FujiGen Gakki factory. FujiGen was known for producing high-quality Japanese instruments, including some of the finest Ibanez guitars of the era.

Heartfield was a short-lived Fender guitar line introduced in the late 1980s and produced for only a few years. Fender developed the Heartfield line to enter the modern high-performance guitar market and compete with brands such as Ibanez, which had become extremely popular with rock and metal players.

Rather than producing another traditional Fender Stratocaster-style guitar, Fender used Heartfield to offer more aggressive super-strat designs, faster-playing necks, locking tremolo systems, high-output electronics, modern body shapes, and premium finishes.

Model and Technical Details

• Year: 1990.

• Brand: Fender Heartfield.

• Model: EX-2.

• Made in Japan.

• Manufactured at the FujiGen Gakki factory.

• Alder body.

• Two-piece highly figured AAA flame maple top.

• Set-neck construction.

• Rosewood fingerboard.

• 22 frets.

• 25.5-inch scale length.

• Locking tremolo system.

• High-output active electronics.

• Black hardware.

• Modern super-strat body design.

• Original red, orange, and amber burst finish over the figured maple top.

• Rare original gray fitted case included.

Original Price and Quality

The Heartfield EX-2 was not an inexpensive entry-level guitar when new. It was one of the premium models in the Heartfield lineup and originally listed for approximately 140,000 Japanese yen, or about $3,500 dollars today.

That original price reflected the upgraded construction and materials, including the alder body, highly figured AAA-grade maple top, set-neck design, locking tremolo, high-output electronics, detailed finish work, and Japanese craftsmanship at the FujiGen factory.

The flame maple top gives this guitar a distinctive three-dimensional appearance. Depending on the lighting, the finish shifts between red, orange, amber, and golden tones, allowing the maple figuring to show through beautifully.

History of Heartfield

Heartfield guitars were created during a period when Fender was expanding beyond its traditional vintage-style instruments. The line was designed for modern players who wanted the features associated with high-performance rock and metal guitars.

The Heartfield EX series was aimed at the same market that made Ibanez guitars so popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s. These instruments were built to offer fast playability, powerful electronics, locking tremolo systems, sleek body designs, and premium finishes while still carrying Fender-related history and Japanese manufacturing quality.

Heartfield produced several different model families, including the EX, Elan, Talon, and RR series. Because the brand was produced for only a short period, Heartfield guitars are much less common than standard Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster models.

Provenance

This guitar has an unusual and interesting Fender history. According to the information passed down with the instrument, it was gifted by Fender to a Fender salesman who worked with both Fender and G&L and had a professional relationship with Leo Fender and George Fullerton.

I purchased the guitar from his estate more than 10 years ago. George Fullerton was a longtime associate of Leo Fender and later co-founded G&L Musical Instruments with him, making this ownership history especially interesting to Fender and G&L collectors.

The included paperwork, advertisements, tapes, brochures, and other materials are part of the estate collection and are included with the guitar as shown in the photographs.

Included With the Sale

• 1990 Fender Heartfield EX-2 guitar.

• Rare original gray fitted case.

• Original paperwork.

• Heartfield and Fender brochures.

• Vintage Fender advertisements.

• Tapes and additional promotional materials.

• Other related items shown in the photographs.

Condition

The guitar is in very good overall condition for a vintage instrument from 1990. It has been played and shows some scuffs, marks, and normal cosmetic wear from age and use. The finish remains attractive, and the figured maple top displays excellent character.

The gray case and included paperwork also show some age-related wear. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition of the guitar, case, and accessories.

This guitar is not being represented as mint or museum condition. It is being sold as a vintage, played instrument with normal signs of age.

This is a rare and highly collectible Fender Heartfield model with premium specifications, FujiGen craftsmanship, an original high-value price point, a beautiful figured maple finish, rare case and paperwork, and unusual Fender-related provenance. It would make an excellent addition to a Fender, Heartfield, Japanese guitar, or vintage super-strat collection.

Please note: The active electronics and all included accessories are being sold in the condition shown in the photographs. Buyers are welcome to ask questions and request additional photographs before purchasing.