London, Canada
About this listing
This beauty of a Strat came out of Fender’s Fullerton, California factory in early 1984 and originally featured all the hallmark design elements of the highly collectible “Dan Smith” era. Most notably, it includes the then-newly designed Fender Freeflyte tremolo system, with springs located inside the pickup cavity. This system is still installed in the guitar and remains in perfect working order with all original parts. A detailed Fender Freeflyte Tremolo System user guide is also included with the sale.
From the factory, this Dan Smith-era Strat had its ¼" input jack mounted in the third knob position instead of the standard second tone control. This, along with the Freeflyte tremolo design, was intended to preserve more wood in the body for added sustain and tone—which it absolutely delivers.
However, this Strat has been lightly modified back to a more traditional Stratocaster setup. The body has been routed to accommodate the classic “boat-style” input jack, and the original pickguard-mounted jack has been removed. The control layout has been restored to the familiar Stratocaster “Volume–Tone–Tone” configuration we all know and love.
This is a fantastic player with some scattered playwear and light lacquer checking in the Sienna Burst-finished alder body, along with a few small dings—standard fare for a gigged 41-year-old vintage guitar. It features a one-piece “C”-shaped maple neck with a skunk stripe, original 21 jumbo frets, a 9.5" fretboard radius, and Fender’s “Neck Tilt” adjustment. It’s equipped with Fender Modern Series closed-gear, non-staggered, non-locking chrome tuners and a bone nut.
Fully restrung and set up with D’Addario EXL110 (.010–.046) strings. Comes with an aftermarket but period-correct black Fender-style hard shell case with white piping.
DETAILS
Year: 1984
Made in: Fullerton, California, USA
Serial Number: E-351954
Finish: Sienna Burst
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple, “C” shape with skunk stripe
Frets: 21 jumbo
Radius: 9.5"
Tremolo System: Original Fender Freeflyte
Tuners: Fender Modern Series (non-staggered, non-locking)
Nut: Bone
Mods: Routed for traditional Strat input jack; restored to standard Volume–Tone–Tone layout
Case: Aftermarket, period-correct Fender-style hard shell case
Condition: Light playwear, lacquer checking, and minor dings consistent with age
PriceC$1,499
+ C$60 Shipping
