PRE-SALE: Fresher Straighter ST 3rd Gen. - 3-Tone Sunburst, '70s

PLEASE NOTE! This instrument is presented as a pre-sale item. It will undergo luthier work, including, among other things, polishing of the finish, refurbishment of the metal parts and shielding of the electronics. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will receive an advanced levelling and polishing, or – if levelling (planing) of the fingerboard proves necessary – the instrument will receive a completely new set of frets. The final price includes the above work. This listing does not constitute a commercial offer within the meaning of Article 66 § 1 of the Polish Civil Code.

About the instrument

The Fresher Straighter ST is a Japanese electric guitar from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Fresher brand was introduced in 1973 by the Kyowa Shokai trading company of Nagoya, and Straighter was its line with a Stratocaster-style body. The example presented here comes from the third logo generation, which falls within the period when the brand's instruments were built at the Chushin Gakki factory. The guitar has a mahogany body, a maple neck, a 3-Tone Sunburst finish and a factory set of three single-coil pickups.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Fresher (Kyowa Shokai), 3rd logo generation
• Model: Straighter ST
• Year: 1977–1980
• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Frets: Vintage Style (80% remaining)
• Pickups: 3x Fresher Vintage Single-Coil
• Electronics: Passive (1x Volume, 2x Tone, 3- or 5-way switch)
• Bridge: Vintage tremolo
• Tuners: Vintage (CBS Fender-style, enclosed)
• Cosmetic condition: Dents in the finish on the front of the body, scratches on the back of the body, neck free of damage
• Finish: 3-Tone Sunburst (3TS)
• Weight: 3.79 kg

Body and construction

The solid Stratocaster-style body is made of mahogany and finished in 3-Tone Sunburst. The instrument uses a traditional Bolt-on construction, with the neck bolted to the body. The finish shows marked signs of use: dents in the front of the body and scratches on the back – details are visible in the photographs. In line with the pre-sale arrangements, the body will undergo polishing in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.

Neck and playability

The maple neck is paired with a maple fingerboard. The neck itself carries no damage. A trace of rosewood is visible on the fingerboard, which points to a probable earlier replacement of the fingerboard from rosewood to maple – we state explicitly that this is not the factory configuration of this example. The vintage-style frets are around 80% intact. The planned work includes a refret together with levelling and lacquering of the fingerboard, which will ensure correct intonation and proper string action along the entire length of the neck.

Sound

The instrument is fitted with three Fresher single-coil pickups in a passive circuit, with one Volume control, two Tone controls and a pickup selector switch.

• Character: Three single-coil pickups in a mahogany body give a voice with a clear top end, characteristic of this construction, over a somewhat fuller foundation than in instruments with an alder or ash body.
• Dynamics: The passive electronics respond in proportion to the strength of the picking attack. The planned servicing of the circuit and the shielding of the electronics cavities will reduce susceptibility to ambient noise – which is of particular importance with single-coil pickups.

Additional information

• Fresher was a trade brand – Kyowa Shokai contracted production out to external manufacturers. In the early period (1973 – approx. 1976/77) the instruments were built by an association of manufacturers in Matsumoto, and from around 1977/78 until the end of production at the Chushin Gakki factory.
• Fresher instruments are dated by logo generations. The third and fourth generations fall within the Chushin Gakki period and are associated with a noticeably higher standard of workmanship than the earlier series. This method makes it possible to establish the production period, but not the exact year.
• The fingerboard of this example has probably been replaced – we describe this directly, because it departs from the factory specification.
• The guitar is offered on a pre-sale basis, which makes it possible to reserve this particular example before the full programme of luthier work in our workshop has been completed.

Hardware

• Bridge: A vintage-style tremolo with adjustable saddles, allowing intonation and string height to be set. In line with the scope of work, the hardware will undergo cleaning and refurbishment, and the bridge – a full intonation and string height adjustment.
• Tuners: Vintage, enclosed, of the type used in instruments of this period. The hardware will be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to ensure tuning stability.

Condition

• Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the planned luthier work is complete, it will be fully functional mechanically and electronically.
• Cosmetic condition: The guitar shows marked signs of use: dents in the finish on the front of the body and scratches on the back. The neck is free of damage. A trace of rosewood is visible on the fingerboard. Details are visible in the photographs.
• Setup and modifications: The planned service work includes: a refret, levelling and lacquering of the fingerboard, refurbishment of the metal parts, servicing and shielding of the electronics, and polishing of the body.

Why choose this instrument

• An example from the Chushin Gakki period: The third logo generation corresponds to the stage at which Fresher instruments were built in a factory with a noticeably higher standard of workmanship than the brand's earlier series.
• Full programme of luthier work: This example will receive new frets and a levelled, lacquered fingerboard – once the work is finished the neck will be ready to play with no further outlay.
• Condition stated openly: The signs of use and the probable earlier replacement of the fingerboard are described directly and documented in the photographs, with no defects left out.
• Pre-sale offer: Buying on a pre-sale basis means you can reserve this particular example and receive it directly after the luthier work in our workshop has been completed.
• Comprehensive service: Within the agreed price the guitar will undergo all the planned preparation work, which removes the need for any further outlay of your own after collection.