I am offering a Fender The STRAT MN from 1980, the introduced by Dan Smith and still manufactured in Fullerton, California (USA), only for a short time luxury version of the Stratocaster with solid alder body, 4-bolt bolt-on maple neck with “C” neck profile, elegant maple fingerboard with black dot inlays and 21 frets, three hot Fender USA “X-1” singlecoil pickups, sophisticated electronics with a multi-rotary switch in the 2nd tone pot, and high-quality Fender 6-point tremolo bridge in a brilliant Olympic White high-gloss finish with 22-karat real gold (!) coated hardware and matching painted headstock in very good original condition, including original Fender vintage hardshell case and professional setup with 10-gauge Elixir strings.

This is the premium version of the Stratocaster from the early 80s, when Fender returned to some of the design features of the pre-CBS era, such as the 4-bolt neck construction, the smaller headstock design, and the removal of the bullet truss rod adjustment at the neck end . Combined with modern features of the highest quality, Fender truly ventured a glimpse into the future with this model.

The STRAT came first and foremost with brand new electronics that provided nine different, in some cases completely new, sound options. Fender's first attempt at S-1 circuitry focused on the Multi Rotary Switch, a twin-mode rotary selector switch in place of the lower tone control, which, in conjunction with the 5-way selector switch, not only offered the usual 5 Stratocaster positions, but also 4 “new” switching options that had never before been available on a Fender Stratocaster:

- Neck & middle pickups in series – humbucking

- Middle & bridge pickups in series – humbucking

- Neck & bridge pickups in parallel

- Neck & bridge pickups in parallel with middle pickup in series

In addition, this model featured a hotter lead pickup, the X-1, with much higher output than the standard Stratocaster pickup (6.0-8.5 ohms) – resulting in a beautiful, powerful tone with superb assertiveness.

A sound sample of the model can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

As a special visual extra, Fender opted for 22-karat electroplated brass hardware, including newly designed tuners, controls, and a bridge with a solid vibrato block – also known as the “Brassmaster Series.” According to Fender, the hardware was coated with a 100-micron layer of gold (as used in fine jewelry), which, with the rising price of gold in the early 1980s, ultimately led to the company losing money on every instrument sold, resulting in production being discontinued.

This STRAT is extremely playable with its medium “C” maple neck and low string action.

All in all, an incredibly sounding, super comfortable to play, and still affordable vintage Strat!

Technical specifications:

• Origin: Fullerton, CA, USA
• Year of manufacture: 1980
• Body: Solid alder
• Neck: Maple with walnut skunk stripe, bolt-on
• Neck profile: Medium “C”
• Fingerboard: Maple with black dot inlays
• Fingerboard radius: 9.5"
• Frets: 21
• Nut: 42mm
• Headstock: Small Pre-CBS style matching headstock
• Pickups: 3x Fender USA X-1 singlecoil
• Electronics: 5-way switch; 1x volume & 1x tone control, 1x multi-rotary switch (S1)
• Tuners: Fender '80s Deluxe Tuner
• Bridge: Fender 6-point vintage bridge with solid steel block and six string saddles
• Hardware: Gold-plated with 22k real gold
• Pickguard: White, 3-ply
• Finish: Olympic White, high gloss
• Scale length: 648mm
• Weight: 4.73kg
• Serial no.: G027961
• Includes original Fender vintage hardshell case, tremolo arm, strap

Fender Strat models, especially in Olympic White, are now extremely rare.

This Fender Stratocaster is in very good condition, completely original and technically flawless. Visually, there is only occasional, age-related superficial wear, which blends in well with the vintage patina of the instrument (see photos). The frets are in excellent condition.

The instrument has been professionally set up with 10-46 Elixir Optiweb strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL for €49.99 within Germany or €79.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping is possible—individual shipping costs upon request.

All pictures shown are of the actual instrument for sale.