PRE-SALE: Fresher FL Series 3rd Gen. - 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 FL Series is a Japanese electric guitar from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The designations with the FL prefix correspond to models from the Leo Nine line – the Fresher series of instruments with a Les Paul-style body. The example comes from the third logo generation, that is from the period of production at the Chushin Gakki factory. The guitar has a chambered, two-piece mahogany body back with a maple top, a mahogany neck and a Sunburst finish.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Fresher (Kyowa Shokai), 3rd logo generation
• Model: FL Series
• Year: approx. 1978–1980
• Body: 2-piece chambered Mahogany back / Maple Top
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 22, Standard
• Pickups: 2x Humbucker in metal covers
• Electronics: Passive (2x Volume, 2x Tone, 3-Way Switch)
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic, Stop-Bar tailpiece
• Tuners: Sealed (die-cast / tulip)
• Hardware: Chrome
• Cosmetic condition: Used
• Finish: Sunburst (SB)
• Weight: 3.86 kg

Body and construction

The Les Paul-style body is built from a two-piece, chambered mahogany back with a maple top and finished in Sunburst. Chambering the back lowers the weight of the instrument – at 3.86 kg this is below the typical weights for guitars 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 humbuckers in metal covers, 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 chambered mahogany body with a maple top gives a voice with a clearly pronounced midrange. Chambering the back of the body lowers the weight of the instrument and affects its resonance compared with a solid 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.

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: 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: Sealed, die-cast, with tulip buttons. 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 instrument shows signs of use appropriate to its age – 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

• Chambered body: The two-piece, chambered mahogany back lowers the weight of the instrument and affects its resonance compared with a solid construction.
• Low weight: At 3.86 kg this is clearly 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.
• 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.