WELCOME TO VINTAGE VIBES: GUITARS AND GOODS.
1983 Fernandes RST-50 '64 Revival in 3-Tone Sunburst
I am offering a 1983 Fernandes RST-50 '64 Revival finished in 3-tone sunburst. This is a highly original but clearly player-grade guitar, with extensive honest wear from years of actual playing.
The body has numerous scratches, picking marks, and other signs of use. The guitar has been played extensively, and its wear is not artificial aging. I consider these marks part of its individual history.
Manufacturing Date and Original Details
The neck date stamp is 32306, which records a manufacturing date of June 23, 1983. This date-code format is documented in major Japanese vintage-guitar reference publications.
The guitar also has an FSP stamp. The REVIVAL headstock logo has a small loss at the end, with the letters "AL" missing as shown in the photographs.
A factory-original brown shim was installed at the neck joint. The shim covered the date stamp, so I carefully lifted it to document the complete number. It appears to have originally been held with a light adhesive, but it would not remain attached after removal. I returned the original shim to the same factory location and secured it with a thin piece of double-sided tape.
Originality
The guitar remains highly original overall. All electronic components are original, including the pickups, controls, switch, jack, wiring, and solder connections.
The original saddles with REVIVAL F.S.R.G. markings remain installed. The bridge springs were not replaced.
The primary changes are the replacement of most seized bridge screws, the use of thin double-sided tape to retain the original neck shim, and the included non-original tremolo arm.
Bridge Service
The bridge was heavily oxidized, and most of its screws had become immovable. To make the bridge adjustable again while preserving its original saddle set, I replaced most of the seized screws with good screws taken from another RST of the same period.
The replacement includes the intonation screws and most of the saddle-height set screws. A few saddle-height set screws remain original. The original REVIVAL F.S.R.G. saddles and the original springs were retained.
Because the replacement set screws are in comparatively good condition, their exposed tops appear brighter against the aged saddles. I will leave them as shown unless requested otherwise. If desired, I can carefully darken only the exposed tops with gun blue before shipment.
Frets and Playability
The frets show visible wear, particularly in the lower positions. Despite this wear, I found no notable buzzing or dead notes during my setup and playing check. The guitar is comfortable to play in its present condition.
Tuners
The tuners show general play when the strings are not under tension. I determined that this movement comes from deformation of the tuner-box covers. Once the strings are tensioned, the play disappears, and the guitar can be tuned comfortably and holds pitch normally.
Repairing the covers is possible, but reshaping them may not remain permanent and can also make tuner torque excessively heavy. For those reasons, I chose to leave the tuners in their present condition.
Cosmetic Condition
Please examine all photographs carefully. This is not a collector-grade cosmetic example. It is an extensively played vintage guitar with a high degree of originality and a strong player-grade character.
Cleaning Approach
I do not aggressively clean vintage guitars. I believe accumulated marks, patina, and some age-related dirt can form part of an instrument's history. I therefore limited my work to necessary setup, minimal cleaning, and replacement of the seized bridge screws.
Pickup and Weight Measurements
| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Neck date stamp | 32306, June 23, 1983 |
| Neck pickup DCR | 6.44 kΩ at 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| Middle pickup DCR | 6.45 kΩ at 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| Bridge pickup DCR | 6.20 kΩ at 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| Weight | 3,429 g / 3.429 kg / approximately 7.56 lb |
| Electronics | All original |
| Factory marking | FSP stamp present |
The DCR measurements confirm continuity in all three original pickups.
My Playing Impression
I generally avoid making detailed claims about guitar tone because sound descriptions are highly subjective. Even so, while adjusting and playing this guitar, I personally felt that it sounded very good.
Its 3,429 g / 7.56 lb weight and overall balance felt comfortable to me. My impression was that this is a guitar to enjoy playing rather than simply preserve as a display piece.
Included Tremolo Arm
A non-original tremolo arm is included. Its tip has an aged color that matches the appearance of the guitar well, but I do not represent the arm as factory original to this instrument.
Genuine Period Fernandes ST Soft Case
I include a genuine period Fernandes ST soft case with the guitar. Fernandes catalogued the ST as its soft case for ST- and TE-style guitars.
Fernandes used Japanese-made general-purpose case bodies and fitted them with Fernandes plastic script-logo badges. Because the underlying domestic cases varied, genuine period examples can differ considerably in their interiors and construction. This example has the Fernandes script-logo badge and shows normal age-related wear. Please review the case photographs carefully.
Trade-Policy Transparency
I have placed a formal public comment on the USTR public record concerning the treatment of musical-instrument parts under HTSUS Chapter 92. Regarding the broader treatment of musical instruments classified under Chapter 92, my position is generally aligned with NAMM’s publicly stated position that trade measures should be evidence-based and product-specific.
About Me and My Store
I have more than 30 years of experience with vintage guitars and parts and have been an eBay member since 2004. I personally own, inspect, photograph, describe, pack, and ship every item I sell. I do not use drop-shipping, stock photographs, or third-party fulfillment.
Visit VINTAGE VIBES: GUITARS AND GOODS.
Shipping and Import Charges
To the USA: I ship via Japan Post or eBay SpeedPAK with full tracking. For qualifying merchandise shipments under current U.S. postal-import rules, I prepay the applicable import duty through the required DDP procedure. In other words, the applicable tariff is already covered, so you should not receive an unexpected import-duty bill at delivery. eBay may still collect state sales tax at checkout, and separate carrier or customs-processing fees may apply in some cases.
To other countries: I ship from Japan with tracking. Unless collected at checkout, import VAT, customs duties, customs-clearance charges, and compliance with local import regulations are the buyer's responsibility.
Returns
I accept returns within 30 days. The buyer is responsible for return shipping when the return is based on a change of mind or another buyer-side reason.
Soldering, disassembly, fretwork, finish work, hardware or electronic replacement, or any other modification changes the condition of this vintage guitar and may affect return eligibility or the amount refunded, within the limits of eBay rules. This does not restrict the buyer's rights if the guitar is not as described.
California Proposition 65 Warning
This product may contain lead, nickel, and other materials that can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.