Up for sale, a 1981 Fender International Color Series Stratocaster in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, finished in Maui Blue and complete with the original hardshell case and hangtag. The International Color Series was short-lived, offering a bevy of unique custom color finishes paired with distinctive white/black plastics.

Weighing an impressive 10lbs 9oz with an ash body and one-piece maple neck with a U-shaped profile carve, this International Series Strat dishes out plenty of natural sustain and potent cut. Pickups include standard gray bobbins in the neck/middle positions and Fender’s prized and more hotly wound X-1 bridge pickup. All three pickups feature flush-mount alnico pole pieces, delivering bold and shimmering quintessential Strat tonalities, and the smooth breadth of the gray bobbins complement the qualities of the neck and middle positions while the X-1 brings more heat and spank. This International Color Series Stratocaster has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Shape: Deep U, measuring .905” 1st fret, .950” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Rosewood, 7 ¼” radius, dot inlay
• Frets: Slender, moderate wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-8
• Scale Length: 25 ½”
• Nut: 1 5/8”
• Tuners: F-stamped (Schaller-made)
• Serialization: S9-prefix (peghead face)
• Factory Markings: Builders’ marks in neck pocket

Body Specs:

• Wood: Ash
• Pickups: Gray bobbin single coil x2 (N/M, 1980 date stamps on bobbins), X-1 single coil (B)
• Controls: Volume, Tone x2, Five-way pickup selector
• Harness: Untouched solder, CTS pots date to the 29th week of 1980
• Hardware: Synchronized Tremolo with block saddles, jack cup
• Plastics: Three-ply white pickguard, black pickup covers/knobs

The gloss custom color Maui Blue finish exhibits some greening in the clear coat along the lower bout edge and where the forearm crosses the top, with cosmetic wear limited to a bit of buckle scuffing on the back, a couple small dings at the lower bout perimeter, and a few additional finish scratches consistent with minimal, careful use. The gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean, exhibiting some cosmetic mottling in the gloss.

The original molded hardshell case is included, along with the hangtag/manual.