To clear up the issue of body woods on Fender Japan Strats, there are various models that have the good quality tonewoods.
Fender Japan made Export Models and Top of the Line Models that they make specifically for the Japanese Market.
The premium models are way better than Made in Mexico and Korea / China models.
In the neck pocket the stamp will indicate the model and it's list price in yen.
ST62 - 75TX = 62 reissue Strat model , list price 75,000Yen with Fender USA Custom Shop Texas Special Pickups
The easy way to tell is take the neck off and look at the neck pocket stamp. If it's got and EX stamp then the guitar is the export model.
The premium models especially the Malsteem and Blackmore Signature models are very very good quality guitars - on a par with USA.
I have a ST62 - 75TX 3 colour sunburst Strat with Pau Faro fingerboard, black scratchplate, white pickups covers, gold hardware and vintage steel block tremelo.
The is neck is made from flamed maple and surpasses USA Custom Shop!
I imported it as a broken guitar from Japan as two pickups were dead. Tim at BNK rewound them to his Irish Tour Spec.
The guitar now drips SRV in looks and tone.
No wonder Fender HQ want to keep these guitars in Japan only, as they cost less than the MIM's !!!
GET ONE and Change the pickups to BNPickup's = Tonal Heaven
