Fender Stratocaster Elite 1983

Throughout the 1970s, Fender's reputation for building the finest electric instruments in the world was starting to wane. A series of cost-cutting measures and relatively poor quality control during the 1970s left many players jumping ship for other brands, most notably the impressive wave of quality Japanese instruments that became available throughout the decade. Meanwhile, the previously nonexistent aftermarket parts market had taken off, with companies like Seymour Duncan and EMG offering higher-quality pickups with experimental actve electronics.

By 1983, Fender had realized the threats to its longstanding popularity. The early 80s saw Fender's first vintage reissues, several reversions to "Pre-CBS"  design choices (such as the 4-bolt neck), and Fender's first "premium" offerings, such as this Elite Stratocaster.

The Elite Stratocaster was only produced in 1983 and 1984. It featured a newly designed top-mounted "Freeflyte" tremolo system, and as such did not have the typical rear spring cover that had been a staple of Stratocaster design from the beginning. On top of a new tremolo system, the Elite sports three dummy-coiled Alnico V pickups, the technical forerunners to the modern Noiseless series, which eliminate hum while [mostly] retaining the classic Strat single-coil tone. The typical 5-way switch was replaced with three individual pickup switches, allowing for two new pickup combos: Neck+Bridge, and all 3 on, which were not accessible via the standard blade switch. Lastly, the Elite introduced the TBX tone circuit and MDX active midrange boost, which would later appear in several "artist signature" models throughout the late 80s and 1990s.

This particular Elite is in very good shape. There is some very light scratching on the back, but nothing more than lacquer-deep, some expected pick scratching on the pickguard, some light checking in the body finish (due only to age), and a couple minuscule dents in the headstock and body that have not cracked the finish. There is almost zero visible fret wear, neck is straight, action is good, and electronics fully functional. It appears to be equipped with gold Schaller strap locks, and includes a Fender strap, the tremolo arm, original ABS plastic hard shell case, and truss rod adjustment wrench.