Marking the very last brief production run for Fender's historic Fullerton factory, '80s Fender quality guru Dan Smith's uniquely contoured, notably rare Lake Placid Blue 1983 2-knob iteration of the Standard Stratocaster pared-down the instrument's controls to a controversial (but undeniably intuitive) 5-way pickup selector and volume/tone knobs, with a 1/4" jack occupying the pickguard hole normally reserved for a second tone control.
Originally devised as an innovative cost-saving measure in the Fender tradition, Smith's 2-knob Standard Stratocaster features a single body rout in the front of the instrument, housing three balanced and saturated flush-pole single coil pickups and all electronics in the pickguard, with springs for the redesigned Freeflyte tremolo system anchored to the front of the body beneath for a firm and responsive feel— eliminating a separate rear rout for the tremolo.
Famously sought-after for their short production runs and renewed attention to craft and quality, early '80s Dan Smith-era Stratocasters perfectly capture Fender re-embracing its pre-CBS focus on ingenuity and affordability, with instruments as divisive and forward-thinking as any in the company's legacy. Increasingly collectable and eminently playable, this sought-after 1983 2-Knob Standard Stratocaster still serves as an elegant end for Fender Fullerton.
Notes:
This 1983 Fender Fullerton Dan Smith-Era Standard Stratocaster (2-Knob) is in Excellent condition, part of a single owner, climate-controlled collection, with extremely light visible surface wear (pictured) consistent with 38 years of home use. Strap knobs professionally replaced with dark grey anodized knobs at some point in this instrument's life. Does not include Freeflyte tremolo arm, but does include functional, loose-fitting Fender threaded tremolo arm. Includes era-correct Fender molded case.
All instruments from Music Makers are professionally evaluated and set-up in our historic Galesburg, IL. storefront prior to shipping.
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