’86 Japanese Fender Stratocaster – Elvis Presley Custom Restyle!

Here she is – one I customized earlier!.. my pride and joy! The guitar my friends laugh at me for cherishing (Jap strats had a bad name when I bought it – now of course they are highly sought after). 101Guitar’s first ax re-style I did in 2000 in fact and my first attempt – hence the now slightly battered appearance (now rather cool:) and various studs and sequins missing.

Of course it’s very tame compared to the incredible guitars I see on the web now, but not bad for a first attempt – and I still haven’t seen one like this! I remember when I bought it – the world was saying “jap strats are crap – terribly made – cheap garbage!” I heard it everywhere – shop to shop – dealer to dealer – guitarist to guitarist. It’s amazing how much BS people parrot. It’s a great sounding guitar – just needs a re-fret!

But you know how these things are and how rumours are started. 30 years later what do we hear being belted from the rooftops? “Those Jap strats were some of the best ever made!” Now I have no idea about that – all I know is these rubbish old things are now collectable – you’ve got to laugh. I never thought mine was crap.

I did have a second one that I did not prefer as much – but that was just because this one has smoother rounder edges and looked a bit more to my liking. I liked it so much I decide to re-style it for the Elvis tribute bands I was in. This is the result!