PRE-SALE: Fresher Straighter ST 4th Gen. - Vintage White, '80s

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 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 fourth logo generation, that is from the period of production at the Chushin Gakki factory. The guitar has a Vintage White finish, a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Fresher (Kyowa Shokai), 4th logo generation
• Model: Straighter ST
• Year: early 1980s
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: Medium
• Pickups: 3x Single-Coil
• Electronics: Passive
• Bridge: Vintage tremolo
• Tuners: Die-cast (sealed)
• Cosmetic condition: Pre-sale / 8 out of 10
• Finish: Vintage White (VWH)
• Weight: 3.66 kg

Body and construction

The solid Stratocaster-style body is made of alder and finished in Vintage White. The instrument uses a traditional Bolt-on construction, with the neck bolted to the body. In line with the pre-sale arrangements, the finish and the wooden parts will undergo cleaning and polishing in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.

Neck and playability

The maple neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. 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. This will ensure correct intonation and proper string action along the entire length of the fingerboard. The fingerboard surface will be cleaned and conditioned.

Sound

The instrument is fitted with three single-coil pickups in a passive circuit.

• Character: Three single-coil pickups in an alder body give a voice with a clear top end, characteristic of this construction.
• 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 of Nagoya, which introduced it in 1973, 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 in the mid-1980s – 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.
• Leo Nine is the name of the Fresher model line with a Les Paul-style body, and the designations with the FL prefix (FL-400, FL-500) correspond to the individual models within it – in market materials they are sometimes mistakenly presented as two separate series.
• 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: Die-cast, sealed. 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: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use appropriate to the age of the instrument – details are visible in the photographs.
• Setup and modifications: The planned service work includes: a setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), cleaning and polishing of the frets or – if required – levelling of the fingerboard with a refret, cleaning and polishing of the wooden and metal parts, servicing of the electronics.

Why choose this instrument

• Good cosmetic condition: 8 out of 10 is an above-average result for instruments from this period.
• Medium frets: Frets in the medium size make string bending easier than the lowest vintage profiles.
• An example from the Chushin Gakki period: The fourth 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.
• 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.