Up for sale, a 2015 Fujigen FGN Neo Classic model NCST-M10R/AL/SSH S-style Custom electric guitar in near mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. As the factory best known for all of Fender Japan's output in their golden "Made in Japan" era, Fujigen also continues to craft some spectacular instruments under their own banner, yet these guitars are rarely seen outside their country of origin. And while the model name is a real mouthful, it breaks down quite sensibly: NC-Neo Classic, ST-Strat, M10R-Medium scale (24 3/4") and fretboard radius (10-14" compound), AL-alder body, SSH- Single/Single/Humbucker pickup compliment.
With a contoured alder body, one-piece maple neck, thick slab rosewood fretboard, and SSH pickup configuration, the inspiration for this Neo Classic is unmistakable, and the essential Stat tonewood ingredients are used to great effect. The clear, chiming acoustic response that translates well through the pickups, and while the alnico magnet single coils in the neck and middle positions offer plenty of smooth warmth and sparkle, the humbucker at the bridge has a nice throaty bite. This FGN Neo Classic weighs 7lbs 12oz and has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings and comfortable action.
The one-piece maple neck has a medium C shaped profile with good shoulder and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .850” deep at the 1st fret and .965” at the 12th. The thick slab rosewood fretboard features a particularly dark and tight-grained cut with dot inlay and pristine slender vintage-style fretwire. The guitar plays well in all registers up the straight neck with an ideally adjusted and responsive truss rod, and a compound 10-14" fretboard radius. The guitar strays from typical S-style specs with a shorter 24 3/4” scale, great for smaller hands or players who simply prefer the comfort of a "Gibson" scale length, while the nut measures 1 5/8“ in width. On the headstock, the Kluson-style tuners turn smoothly and hold pitch well.
On the body, all of the electronics function as intended, with Master Volume and Tone knobs coupled to a five-way pickup selector switch. Currently setup with three springs, the two-point vibrato is smooth and responsive, jumping back to the original pitch with ease even after deep dives. The bridge features individual Fujigen-branded saddles for ideal intonation, and the chrome hardware shows just a touch of patina on the bridge base and output jack plate. The aged cream plastic pickup covers and knobs provide a great contrast to the dark tortoise pickguard, which shows just a bit of requisite pick scuffing on the treble side. There is sparingly little wear on the gloss Vintage White finish (a dead ringer for Fender's classic custom color Olympic White), and the neck profile sports a pristine smooth lightly ambered gloss.
