1988 Fender USA Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster – first-year Sonic Blue / aged Seafoam, SE serial, DiMarzio tuners, case + DiMarzio strap

For sale: a very desirable early Fender USA Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster, likely from 1988, serial number SE 804399.

This appears to be the collector-preferred first-year / very early first-series version: Sonic Blue finish aged toward seafoam green, small Stratocaster headstock, scalloped maple neck, Yngwie Malmsteen signature decal, brass nut, two-point American Standard-style tremolo, DiMarzio HS-3 stacked humbucking pickups in the neck and bridge positions with a Fender middle single coil, and the early DiMarzio tuners associated with the earliest 1988 production examples. Current/later Yngwie Signature Stratocasters use different specifications, including Seymour Duncan YJM Fury pickups on current Fender production, which makes this early DiMarzio-equipped version especially interesting for collectors and Yngwie/Fender enthusiasts.

The finish is Sonic Blue, naturally aged toward a beautiful seafoam/mint green shade. It looks fantastic in person: very much an 80s Fender USA signature instrument, but still a highly playable and inspiring Stratocaster. This is not just any later Yngwie Strat, but the early and sought-after version with the right visual and hardware details.

Specifications

• Model: Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster
• Made in: USA
• Estimated year: 1988
• Serial number: SE 804399
• Finish: Sonic Blue, aged toward seafoam/mint green
• Body: alder
• Neck: maple
• Fingerboard: scalloped maple
• Scale length: 25.5” / 648 mm
• Fingerboard radius: 9.5”
• Frets: 21
• Nut: brass
• Headstock: small Stratocaster headstock, Fender spaghetti logo, Yngwie Malmsteen signature decal
• Orientation: right-handed

Electronics and hardware

• Pickup configuration: SSS
• Original first-series specification: DiMarzio HS-3-style stacked single coils in the neck and bridge positions, Fender American Standard single coil in the middle position
• Controls: Volume + two Tone/TBX-style controls
• 5-way pickup selector
• Two-point American Standard-style tremolo
• Tremolo arm included
• Chrome hardware
• DiMarzio tuners, a desirable feature found on very early 1988 examples
• 3-ply white pickguard
• Rear tremolo cover fitted

Condition
This is a used and played vintage / collector-grade instrument. It shows normal signs of age and use, including lacquer checking on the headstock, light patina on the hardware, and normal wear on the plastics and body. The overall appearance is very clean and attractive for its age, with a glossy body finish and a highly distinctive scalloped maple neck.

To the best of my knowledge, I have no indication of modifications. Based on the visible features and specifications, the guitar appears consistent with an original early Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster. However, I have not opened the guitar or had a separate expert originality inspection carried out, so it is sold based on the photos and the information available to me.

Included

• Tweed-style hard case with red/orange plush interior
• DiMarzio leopard-pattern ClipLock / Yngwie-style strap
• Tremolo arm

Price
€3,490 + shipping, offers considered

Pickup and shipping
Pickup preferred from Vantaa / Helsinki area, Finland. Shipping within Finland or the EU is possible by separate agreement at the buyer’s cost and risk, with proper packaging, tracking and insurance.

Estimated shipping:

• Finland: €80–120
• EU mainland: typically €180–260 depending on destination

Final shipping price will be confirmed after the buyer’s postal code and agreed packing method. Due to the value and collector nature of the instrument, I strongly prefer local pickup or handover.

The guitar can be inspected and tested before purchase.