Fender Strat Special 1996 Black

Super cool and very uncommon HSS Stratocaster with factory coil splitting in the bucker.  Black on black beauty with a very dark rosewood board.  These were only made 3 years by Fender and sports an American looking headstock with vintage tuners, but you get the MIM price.

If you're looking for a mean looking axe but want to stay traditional with a touch of vintage, this is a great option.  Setup with 10s, neck relief just under 0.010" with low action.  5/54" at the low E and 4/64 at the high e. 

This is in incredible shape for its age.  It was definitely a players guitar, but the previous owner took tremendous care for it as the paint is very shiny with only minimal blems.  Most of the wear is frankly on the pickguard.  Only a couple of dings on the edges and superficial rash on the back barely breaking the poly.  Most of it is on the backplate.  Odd scratches on the fretboard - maybe from a capo.  High e string tuner is slightly bent, but functions just fine.  The hardware including pickup poles have some oxidation on it, particularly the bridge and saddles.  Other chrome parts do have a nice patina going on...good or bad, depending on how you look at it.  There is a 1/2" crack in the poly right at the neck joint which is very common on Fenders.  Solid fit, no movement whatsoever.  Frets are 90-95%.  No trem arm.

Guitar does not have a case or gig bag so it will be carefully wrapped in soft sheets of styrofoam paper and double-boxed.

Below are the specs directly from Fender, based upon the serial number given.

Model Name: Strat® Special

Model Number: 013-5600-506

Series: Special/Deluxe Series

Body: Poplar with an Ash Veneer Top (Polyester Finish)

Neck: Maple

Fingerboard: Rosewood 9.5” 241/mm Radius

Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo

Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)

Nut: 1.6875” (43 mm)

Hardware: Chrome

Machine Heads: Vintage Style

Bridge: Vintage Style Tremolo

Pickguard: 3-Ply Black

Pickups: 2 Special Design Strat Single Coils (Neck & Mid), 1 Special Design Humbucking Pickup (Bridge)

Pickup Switching: 5 Position Blade, 2 Position Mini Toggle Humbucking Coil Tap Switch

Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone

INTRODUCED: 1994

DISCONTINUED: 1/1997