Memphis Stratocaster MIJ Electric Guitar c.1980 | Fresh Setup | Original Pickups | Candy Apple Red

For sale is a vintage Memphis Stratocaster-style electric guitar built in Japan around 1980.

This guitar began as a neglected project and has been carefully brought back to playing condition while preserving its vintage character. It now plays remarkably well and is ready for its next owner.

The guitar retains its original Japanese single-coil pickups, which produce the bright, articulate tones these early Japanese Strat copies are known for. The original electronics were replaced with a new Musiclily Pro prewired harness, resulting in quiet operation and reliable performance.

Features

● Made in Japan, circa 1980

● Original Memphis headstock logo

● Metallic Candy Apple Red finish

● Rosewood fingerboard

● Original Japanese single-coil pickups

● New Musiclily Pro wiring harness

● 5-way pickup selector

● Vintage-style tremolo bridge

● Fresh strings

● Full setup completed

Recent Work

● New wiring harness installed

● Electronics tested and functioning properly

● Frets cleaned and polished

● Fingerboard cleaned and conditioned

● Action adjusted

● Neck relief adjusted

● Pickup heights adjusted

● Intonation set

Condition

This is a vintage instrument and shows honest wear from decades of use.

● Small chips and dings throughout

● Finish wear around headstock edges

● Light hardware oxidation

● Cosmetic imperfections shown in photos

The wear is largely cosmetic and does not affect playability.

Playability

This guitar genuinely exceeded expectations during restoration. The neck feels comfortable, tuning stability is good, and the guitar plays cleanly across the fretboard. It compares favorably to many modern beginner and intermediate Strat-style instruments while offering the character and feel of a vintage Japanese guitar.

Why This One?

Many Memphis guitars survive in rough condition with questionable electronics. This example has already received the work most buyers end up doing themselves. The original pickups were retained because they sounded excellent, while the electronics were upgraded for reliability.

If you’re looking for an affordable vintage Japanese Strat with great looks, vintage vibe, and strong playability, this is an excellent candidate.

Weight: Approximately 9 lbs 12 oz

Ships professionally packed and fully insured.

Please review all photos carefully and feel free to ask questions.