Entry Gear

(Sold)FERNANDES/FR-ELT SUS(USA Model)

owner: Shin

2021.3.31: This is a rare export model, of which only a few were distributed in Japan.
I remember seeing officially at the time that the export model was a FR with a reverse head and through neck with 24 frets, which was available in different PU layouts, see-through colors, and other variations.
I don't think any FR with sustainer sold in Japan had a through-neck 24-fret model.
The inlay design is unique, but visibility is disappointing as there are no pleasant degree of markings such as tree-of-life (see below).
Other than some signs of use on the metal parts, the frets are in good condition with no noticeable shaving.
The driver is for full mode, but the mode switch is 2-way, so the base is light.
There seems to be no custom parts except one additional tremolo spring and four tremolo springs.
2021.4.9: The sustainer is not working well, so I took it to the workshop.
I brought it to the workshop because the sustainer was not working well.
The parts and the serial number of the instrument seem to be made in China.
The pots were for active use, but the tone capacitor and sustainer circuit were for passive use.
He said he had never seen a genuine combination of this driver and board, and he was not sure if the result would be as good as the one he had assembled so far.
2021.4.16: We had the circuit board custom built and rewired, and the electrical parts reassembled to match the standard for active use.
The EMG81 that was installed was incompatible with the sustainer, so I had them change it to the same PU that I have, and the effect was much better.
The gain of the sustainer is considerably increased, so I have to be very careful about muting the wound strings.
2022.3: I sold it because I never touched it at all.