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MatthewK · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 2:05 pm Post subject: Well hello there Fresher

I'm visiting Kyoto for work and dropped in to Miki Gakki in Osaka - nothing interesting in the used section until I saw a Fresher Mercury in the rack for cheap, I figured it must be a made in China reissue since it looked brand new. But nope, to the best of my ability to figure, this is an early-mid 1970s Matsumoku Fresher made in Japan, and very nicely made too, aside from some tuning stability issues I look forward to fixing. It looks literally new out of the box apart from a few slight scratches on the back. Beautiful smoky blue finish not unlike old LPB. And they had discounted it by a third from its used price. What could I do but buy it?
Trainspotter notes - has body contours like a '69, but the body is the same thickness as a Strat etc rather than the standard Mustang bodies.

westtexasred · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:24 pm Post subject:

Wow...what a score!

jcyphe · . Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 16424

It looks close to new.
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jcyphe · . Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 16424

It looks close to new.
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paul_ · . Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 8926

Very nice.

The Fender Japan Mustang reissues essentially exist because of stuff like this.
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MatthewK · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 12:59 am Post subject:

Thanks guys - it needs a little setup work (and some 12s for my heavy hands) but for 19 000 yen it's better-than-Squier for about half the money ... and I love the colour. Japanese stores tend to undervalue the domestic stuff - Fender Mexico is often more expensive than Fender Japan models, for example.

ultratwin · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 2:55 am Post subject:

Proper slick stuff, and certainly the gooder side of vintage.

MatthewK · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 9:19 am Post subject:

One more:

Fran · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:16 am Post subject:

Looks great. Well done!
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singlepup · . Joined: 10 Dec 2010 Posts: 4033 Location: San Diego

Super nice. I would definitely rock a Fresher.

I finally made it to Japan a few weeks ago and got to check out a few shops in Ochanomizu. Unfortunately I was in no position to buy, but there were Mustangs galore. What a wonderful country for short scale enthusiasts! I will be back...

dots · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:28 pm Post subject:

late to the party, but man that's a beautiful guitar. japan has turned the mustang into a god.
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