2022 Fender Ken Stratocaster Experiment #1 Original White, Mint w/ Case, Japan MIJ

Up for sale, a 2022 Fender Ken Stratocaster Experiment #1 in like-new, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. This rare, unique “Made in Japan” Strat is the latest signature instrument of L’Arc-en-Ciel guitarist Ken; L’Arc-en-Ciel is one of the best-selling Japanese rock bands of all time, active since 1991. According to Ken, this “Experiment #1” Strat was designed to evoke the look of Japanese kintsugi pottery, with the gloss Original White finish accented by gold hardware and a Gold Sparkle finish at the arm contour and cavities. Other unique features include pickups mounted directly to the body, a transparent pickguard and cavity cover, Neck/Bridge Blend control, and satin-finished chunky U-shaped neck profile.

Tonewoods include an alder body, maple neck, and maple fingerboard, and this Strat weighs 8lbs 4oz. The trio of single coil pickups are mounted directly to the body for optimal resonance, with a Fat ‘50s single coil at the bridge and two V-Mod IIs in the neck and middle positions. The Fat ‘50s at the bridge is full and punchy, with Alnico V magnets and Formvar magnet wire, designed for enhanced bass response without any midrange harshness. The V-Mod IIs are a newer Fender design, yielding fantastic clarity and detail with quintessential Fender sparkle and snap. The pickups pair well at the “in-between” positions on the switch for hollow quack, and the neck and bridge pickup can be engaged together via the Blend control where the second Tone knob would ordinarily sit. This Ken Stratocaster has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: U, based on Ken’s personal Strat, measuring .895” 1st fret, 1.005” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Maple, 9 1/2“ radius
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1.650” (42mm), bone
-Tuners: Gotoh SG381 Locking
-Serialization: “Made in Japan,” JD22-prefix, Ken signature graphic

Body Specs:

-Wood: Alder
-Pickups: Fat ‘50s x1 (B), V-Mod II x2 (N, M)
-Harness: Alpha pots, Sprague Orange Drop tone cap
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Neck/Bridge Blend, Five-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Six-point Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo, jack cup (gold-plated)
-Plastics: Transparent one-ply pickguard, control cavity cover

The arm contour is a slightly shallower carve than typical, and the gold sparkle accents evoke the gold-dusted urushi look of Japanese kintsugi pottery. There’s barely a scratch on the body, and the satin finish on the neck profile is pristine.

A hardshell case is included.