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1992 Fender SRV Stratocaster with the coveted Brazilian Rosewood fretoard. Tremolo bar is included by not photographed. There are likely less than 100 examples of this model with confirmed Brazilian rosewood fretboards. I’ve owned and sold five others over the years. The vast majority of 1992s are not Brazilian Rosewood.
Most folks will obviously want to know how to confirm the wood on the fretboard. Those familiar with the wood through experience with vintage guitars will notice it right away.
The key thing to remember on SRVs is that you only have two options for fretboard material with the Artist Series model: Pau Ferro or Brazilian Rosewood. They did not use indian rosewood on any of these, so that is not part of the equation. Brazilian Rosewood is characterized by deep grooves on the surface of the wood in the grain. While Paul Ferro is very dense with porous grain in very short, staccato like patterns, Brazilian Rosewood is much less dense with deeper grooves and longer grain. Brazilian Rosewood also gets its name for its floral like smell which this one also evidences. When you put Pau Ferro side by side with Brazilian, these differences jump out at you.
Brazilian Rosewood has several “shades” depending on the part of the tree from which it comes. The darkest part is the heartwood. It can be almost ebony in color. Next there is the sapwood which is chocolate brown (like this one). Finally, there is the outer edge, which is almost a tan color.
Before the mid 1960s, instrument builders typically only used the heartwood due to its beautiful dark, color. By 1965 or so you begin seeing more of the sapwood and the outer ring of wood. If you look in my shop you will find a 1969 Martin D-34 with sides that have both chocolate brown sapwood as well as tan-white outer wood.
I can offer more side by side photos of this fretboard with other Brazilian examples if you would like more info.
This one is a lovely chocolate brown shade with some nice streaks of darker ebody throughout.
But now back to the guitar. This one is from early 1992 as is evidenced by the pot dates. The neck date is clearly stamped 1992, but the month is tough to make out as it is only a partial stamp. My guess is “Jan.”
Cosmtically it is in excellent condition. It’s not a mint guitar but was cared for. There is slight trace of fret wear on the first couple frets but nothing terrible.
It comes in the original case with some case candy.
I will ship this worldwide with all the proper customs paperwork. If there are any issues in loss or damage in shipment (very unlikely) you will be fully refunded.