We have before us an original 1983 Standard Series Stratocaster. At the time of creating this listing, I've owned it for about six months. I'm now selling it not because I dislike it, but because I just have too many guitars.

What is this thing?

Eighties Standard Series Strats were an experiment in some deviations from the traditional Stratocaster. The three really noticeable differences are a top-loading bridge, a single tone control for all three pickups, and an output jack set flush with the body, rather than the traditional concave football design.

Because there's no through-the-body apparatus, Fender devised a tremolo system, which it called the Free-flyte system, utilizing springs fitted within the front of the body, beneath the pickguard. To enable players to fine-tune the tension ratio between the inner springs and the strings, the bridge includes a feature Fender called Top-Just. This is a set screw located at the top of the bridge; turning it changes the bridge's resistence to the pull of the springs, according to a player's string gauge and preferred degree of float.

The Free-flyte system is known for being difficult to tame. Many players simply deck and block the bridge and treat the Strat as a hardtail. I happen to be more stubborn. With some patience and resourcefulness, I achieved a decent float.

Once everything is finessed and dialed in to your liking, the Free-flyte floating bridge system delivers. And it holds a tuning as well as any other Stratocaster.

Is it in one piece?

This 43-year-old guitar was well loved and heavily played by its past owner(s). While the body is in surprisingingly good shape and the neck is straight and strong, the fingerboard shows considerable wear. The wood at seven frets (first through fifth, seventh, and ninth) has lost much of its lacquer, exposing splotches of maple.

In several months, I never found this to affect playability or feel in any way. The frets are in good shape; its the wood that shows its years.

I can't be sure, but judging by their appearance, I suspect that the electronics and wiring are original. This would seem to suggest that the pickups are also original.

The case, included with the sale, is a bit worse for wear, and there's a crack near the top of the lid. But the really important thing about this line of Fender cases is the condition of the four metal feet that permit it to be placed upright. And I'm pleased to report that all four feet are intact.

What do I get?

With the guitar, you get the following.

Replacement bridge

This one's kind of important.

When I bought this guitar, the Top-Just set screw was stripped, as was the bolt hole. That threatened to sink any hope of setting up a usable floating bridge. So I hunted around and located a Free-flyte bridge for sale--an original 1983-84 Standard Series bridge, not an aftermarket copy--and replaced the one with the ruined Top-Just screw. It cost a bit, but it was the guitar's saving grace.

You'll get the operational bridge (installed), as well as the original one.

Replacement pickguard

Over the years, the original pickguard had become brittle and begun to crack. Just screwing it to the body resulted in cracking. Rather than destroy it completely, I put a black three-ply pickguard in its place.

You'll get both: the fragile original and the sturdy replacement.

Original molded case

The original case is included. It's one of those plastic and styrofoam deals. Gets the job done.

Leather guitar strap

This is the strap I always used with this guitar, so I figured I'd make it part of the sale. It was made by Fender.

Spare strings

In the course of my gradual mastery of the Free-flyte system, I discovered that the relatively heavy-gauge strings I like--10 - 48--just pulled too hard to permit the internal springs to keep up. So I settled on 9.5 - 44 gauge. You'll find a few sets of those in the case.

Hex wrenches

You'll need these. The Free-flyte system requires two different hex wrench sizes: one for the Top-Just bolt and one to hold the concealed portion of the bridge in place.

Anything else?

I don't believe so. Please don't hesitate to message me with any questions.

Thank you so much.