Mine is a 3-tone sunburst with a body to be basswood (basswood), because the ribs are not very apparent (no alder). I bought it in Japan. It dates from the years 1993-94 (MADE IN JAPAN serial number N + 6 digits) and the varnish on the handle made a beautiful amber color that I find beautiful. The features are those of a 1962 L-Series: 2 tones 1 volume (micro + micro middle neck, not adjusting for the acute micro ...), rosewood fingerboard (rosewood), plate (pickguard) light green (mint green) as the plastics used then write logo "Spaghetti" Kluson vintage and mechanical type. I completely upgraded by replacing the electronics (CTS pots & switch, pickguard shield + a full set of Custom Shop pickups 57/62 ...) as you say that the level of slut turned into Cinderella (I say slut but I do not fear the sound "dirty" microphones home to play the Blues ...)

UTILIZATION

I will not describe here the ergonomics of the Stratocaster, which represents for me the absolute masterpiece in terms of guitar, and almost the first draft please!
Balance & sensuality ...
I shall speak however of the handle which suits me perfectly with his game in Fender Original 150s 9-42. Pulling speed is low and can play and expressive bends. For the power loss offsets my Hot Rod!
The Start is very light, 3.5 pounds or so, and can play longer without burdening the shoulder.
At her I would strongly advise to mount a set of 57/62 which is what I listened to on a more subtle Start, and we can shout too, I assure you!

SOUNDS

I returned to the Stratocaster that I love has always been different after several infidelities with Humbuckers (Jacobacci not to name them ...) because I think I find in it the sound of my favorite scratch (Hendrix, Frusciante ...)
It fits perfectly in the directory / Rock Blues I play with the precarious.
Coupled with my Fender Hot Rod 40w is nirvana: a round, warm, reverb depth, and we must listen to the whining when j'enclenche Tubescreamer MAXON!
With this set of microphones to get the roundness in the bass and treble crystalline, all of this vintage to the sauce, I really enjoy!

OVERALL OPINION

This will be a year since I played with and became my Number One.
In total it cost me about 750 € with transport from Japan, the price of French customs (82 €) that I fell on the saddle, the tweed case that goes to protect the U.S. mods: pickguard + shield + pots & knobs & switch 57/62 + PU's and the little pouch of "candy" that come with the U.S.: vintage cord + cache type "Ashtray", 5 positions switch (ras-le-bol to seek positions intermediate wedging the switch between two positions as they did back then!), cloth and cleaning product Fender Meguiar's vibrato and spring replacement ...
It is half the price of 62 U.S. ri worthy of the name (not the Hot Rod!) And the result is correct and that + offers the advantage of being slowly ...
I have owned in the past a Stratocaster U.S. 1974 which did not sound as good and not so beautiful.