PRE-SALE: Fresher FL-400 3rd Gen. - Cherryburst, '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 FL-400 is a Japanese electric guitar from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The FL-400 is a model from the Leo Nine line – the Fresher series of instruments with a Les Paul-style body. The example comes from the period when Fresher guitars were built at the Chushin Gakki factory. The guitar has a mahogany body with a maple top, a mahogany neck and a Cherry Sunburst finish.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Fresher (Kyowa Shokai)
• Model: FL Series (FL-400)
• Year: approx. 1978–1980
• Body: Mahogany / Maple Top
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 22, Standard
• Pickups: 2x Humbucker (Open-Coil)
• Electronics: Passive (2x Volume, 2x Tone, 3-Way Switch)
• Bridge: Tune-o-Matic, stop-bar tailpiece
• Tuners: Vintage (Kluson-style)
• Hardware: Chrome
• Cosmetic condition: 8 out of 10
• Finish: Cherry Sunburst (CS)
• Weight: 3.98 kg

Body and construction

The Les Paul-style body is made of mahogany with a maple top and finished in Cherry Sunburst. At 3.98 kg this example sits below the typical weights for instruments of this type. 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 mahogany neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard carrying 22 frets in standard size. 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 two open-coil humbuckers working in a passive circuit, with separate Volume and Tone controls for each pickup and a three-way switch.

• Character: A pair of humbuckers in a mahogany body with a maple top gives a voice with a clearly pronounced midrange and limited noise content. Independent control of both channels lets you set the pickups at different volume levels and use the middle position as a separate voice.
• 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.

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.
• There is a chip in the wood on the back of the headstock of this example, visible in the photographs.
• 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: Tune-o-Matic with a stop-bar tailpiece – a design with individually 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, Kluson-style. 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. A chip in the wood is visible on the back of the headstock – documented in a photograph. Otherwise the guitar shows signs of use appropriate to the age of the instrument.
• 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

• Low weight: At 3.98 kg this is below the typical weights for instruments of this type, which translates into comfort during longer playing sessions.
• An example from the Chushin Gakki period: The instrument comes from the stage at which Fresher guitars were built in a factory with a noticeably higher standard of workmanship than the brand's earlier series.
• Condition stated openly: The chip in the wood on the back of the headstock is described directly and documented in a photograph, 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.