1988 Fender Japan STB-67LEX "Hendrix Strat" – Upgraded -Includes Hardshell Case – Used Very Good
This is a genuinely unusual and historically interesting piece of Fender Japan history. The STB-67LEX was an export-only model — built exclusively for markets outside Japan — and reissued the look of the 1967 Stratocaster with the big CBS-era headstock, four-bolt neck plate, and full vintage-style appointments. What sets this particular example apart is that it was originally built as a left-handed guitar and has since been flipped and converted for right-handed playing, exactly in the spirit of how Jimi Hendrix himself famously restrung right-handed Strats to play left-handed. Reversing that conversion gives a right-handed player an instrument with the upside-down headstock and reversed control layout that defined Hendrix's iconic stage presence — a genuinely cool detail that has made these so-called "Hendrix Strats" a niche but devoted corner of the collector market. This one has been upgraded thoughtfully rather than left stock. A professionally installed bone nut improves sustain and tone transfer at the most critical contact point on the guitar, and a set of Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups — among the most respected vintage-voiced single-coils Fender makes — replace the stock Japanese pickups with a noticeably richer, more dynamic, more vintage-correct voice. The 4-bolt maple neck with big vintage-style headstock, Kluson-style tuners, vintage-stamped bridge, and white/black/white pickguard all carry the period-correct 1967 reissue details that make this model so visually distinctive.
This guitar is remarkably light in the hand and beautifully balanced — it has genuinely great vibes and plays like butter. Structurally very sound with minimal fret wear. There is a good amount of finish chipping consistent with nearly forty years of age and play, but the finish overall presents well and the guitar wears its history honestly. A genuinely fun, unique, and meaningfully upgraded piece of Fender Japan history.
- Make: Fender Japan
- Model: STB-67LEX (1967 Reissue, export model, originally left-handed)
- Year: 1988 (neck stamp dated)
- Country of origin: Japan
- Configuration: Originally left-handed, converted for right-handed playing
- Body: Alder or basswood (period-typical), sunburst finish
- Neck: Maple, 4-bolt, big vintage-style headstock
- Fingerboard: Maple
- Pickguard: White/Black/White
- Pickups: Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s single-coils (professionally installed, upgraded from stock)
- Nut: Bone (upgraded, professionally installed)
- Bridge: Vintage-style, stamped "Fender"
- Tuners: Kluson-style
- Modifications: Bone nut installed, Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups installed, converted from left-handed to right-handed configuration
- Condition: Used Very Good – minimal fret wear, structurally very sound, good amount of finish chipping consistent with age, overall finish presents well
- Includes: Hardshell case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
