1997 Fender USA Roadhouse Strat loaded body w/Clapton Preamp - Shoreline Gold Stratocaster!

Fender USA 1997 Roadhouse Strat loaded body
Rare Shoreline Gold finish - With built-in Clapton MRB preamp board!

Up for sale is this hard-to-find loaded body from an original Fender USA Roadhouse Stratocaster. The Roadhouse was first produced in the USA, and while the later Mexican versions are good guitars, they can't compare to the original American Roadhouse. I am selling this guitar body "loaded" for easy installation. Everything pictured is included: all the pots and knobs, pickups, the bridge, and the Fender MRB "Clapton board" circuitry.

In my opinion, there is no better way to buy a guitar than buying a loaded body. Each guitarist has their own preferences in a neck. Simply find the Fender neck you desire and screw it to a Fender body and you have your ideal guitar.

Specs
Body: Alder
Finish: (844) Shoreline Gold, Polyurethane
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender/Schaller Deluxe Cast/Sealed
Bridge: American Standard Tremolo
Pickguard: White Pearloid
Pickups: 3 Texas Special Strat® Pickups with Special Flatter Pole Piece Array
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade:
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Middle Pickup)
Source: U.S.
U.S. MSRP: $1,170.99
INTRODUCED: 1/1997
DISCONTINUED: 6/2000

What makes this Roadhouse Strat so unusual is the addition of the preamp board from the Clapton signature model.
If you've never played a Strat equipped with this option you will be VERY impressed with the sound on this baby!

Condition:
I'll take it a bit at a time...

BODY:
Very good. Its Shoreline Gold finish is somewhat rare. The pictures taken outside make the finish look like silver, but it does indeed have a slight gold tint to it "in person". The body has some fine surface scratches, especially next to the pickguard, which I couldn't get a clear picture of. Those scratches may buff out. There are a couple of dings on the body's upper side at its edge, a couple of smaller dings elsewhere, and a wear spot on the back. There is no serious damage anywhere, and functionally the body is fine. The preamp route under the pickguard looks a little dodgy, but it does the job, and of course you can't see it once the pickguard is on! This body is a little heavier than most, with a total weight at 6 lbs. and 8 oz. Any standard Strat guitar neck will fit in its neck pocket, which measures the usual 2 + 3/16" width (Fender USA standard).   

ELECTRICAL:
This was a hot guitar to begin with, thanks to the Fender Texas Special pickups that came stock with the Roadhouse. The addition of the Fender MRB board lets you dial in a serious amount of boost with the lower knob. The board's installer copied its implementation from the Fender Powerhouse Strat, with a dummy (passive) pickup tucked in by the pots for noise reduction. The tone control controls all three pickups. I can't tell if the tone and MRB level pots are the originals or not, but they all work well. I replaced the defective volume pot with a good quality CTS 250K pot. The pickup switch works as well as new. 

SOUND:
About time I got to this, right? Hey, there's a lot to go over here! The Texas Special pickups have a hotter output and aren't as bright as an American Standard Strat - they have more of a meaty, bluesy tone to them. The middle pickup is probably not a RWRP, and you won't need it with the dummy pickup doing the noise cancellation. The sound gets even more aggressive when you add gain from the MRB preamp - what a great addition to this guitar! If you are looking for a laid-back or vintage Strat sound, look elsewhere - this baby has balls to spare. 

THE REST:
The Roadhouse's bridge is the standard Fender USA 2-point tremolo, and it is in excellent shape for its age. I've checked the bridge adjustment screws and all work fine. The pickguard has very minor wear that is nearly impossible to see, no major scratches, cracks or any kind of damage.

Summary:
They don't make 'em like this anymore - current Roadhouse models are made in Mexico, and none come with the MRB preamp option.

The price includes:
The 1997 Roadhouse Strat body itself, as shown, with its pearl back tremolo cover. I have cases available at extra cost.
Want to pay even less? I offer a 5% cash discount if you pay by any means that doesn't cost me a fee, email me for details.

TERMS:
Direct checkout through Reverb.com or mailed payment. I offer a 5% cash discount if you pay by any means that doesn't cost me a fee, email me for details.

Why buy from me?
Some of you might think my descriptions are a little too verbose, but I believe in giving a potential buyer ALL the information I have about an item. I also pack my items very well with recycled packaging and ship quickly. I'm not a faceless business but a life-long guitarist who can give you the personal touch. Your order won't get lost in the crowd.

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Shipping in the USA: Shipping costs will be LESS than the price quoted if you are within 500 miles of NJ, and quite a bit cheaper if you have a business address I can ship to. I may ship via US Mail or UPS Ground. If you have a PO Box for an address, or are not in the continental USA, email me to confirm a shipping method and price before buying - if you are not in the "Lower 48" shipping will certainly cost more than the quoted price in the listing, and UPS will not ship to PO Boxes. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Shipping to Canada: This item will ship via insured UPS for $46.  Email for a quote to offshore locations.
Shipping to Australia & New Zealand: This item will ship via insured USPS Priority Mail for $81.
Shipping to Japan & S. Korea: This item will ship via insured USPS Priority Mail for $72.
Shipping to Europe: This item will ship via USPS Priority Mail Express with full insurance and signature confirmation for $89.
Shipping to all other countries: Ships via USPS Priority Mail Express with full insurance and signature confirmation for $109.

Intl. Shipping Notes: PLEASE furnish me with a phone number for customs when you buy this item, so that your country's customs dept. can contact you when it clears. I will declare the actual sale value for customs - any duties or taxes your country charges you are responsible for. Please don't ask for cheaper intl. shipping options that do not offer insurance if you pay with Paypal or a credit card, I won't respond to such emails. Be aware that some countries will take up to a month to process your imported item, so please be patient, or call your country's customs dept. instead of mailing me. Due to security concerns, I reserve the right to refuse any Paypal or credit card payment from out of the USA. Finally, I will not accept returns from outside of the USA for any reason, and by buying this item you accept that condition. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

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THANKS FOR LOOKING!