Fender Japan Extra Series

 

　The 1986 Fender Japan catalog "TWANG" introduced the COLLECTORS SERIES category, featuring PLAYERS, LIMITED EDITION, and this EXTRAD. The "Extra Traditional Model," named EXTRAD, utilized rare woods surpassing even original vintage materials and was equipped with USA original pickups.

The lineup included '54, '57, and '62 model Stratocasters (ST54-140, ST57-140, ST62-140) and a '52 model Telecaster (TL52-120). These are luxurious, exceptional instruments born from a bold production system—limited and low-volume production—that transcends mere vintage replicas.

In late 1989, it was officially launched as the "EXTRAD SERIES." Promoted as "EXTRAD's foundation lies in meticulously selected wood and painstaking lacquer finishes," it adopted a semi-custom system allowing specification of body wood material and body color. The lineup featured the following four types and eight models.

 

As shown in the table, the price varies depending on the body wood selection. Other options included pickguard color and more. It's likely that various variations existed, including shop orders.

Following that, the EXTRAD, featured annually in the catalog from 1990 to 1994, disappeared from the catalog in 1995, coinciding with the release of the ST54-150AS, the 1994 Custom Edition model. Although its production run was brief, lasting only about 8 to 9 years, its high specifications and quality, surpassing even USA models, demonstrated the capabilities of domestic craftsmanship to the world.

Features

The earliest models from around 1986–87 do not have an "EXTRAD" decal on the back of the head.

Exemplars from around 1988 to 1991 feature an "EXTRAD" decal on the back of the head.

Subsequent models from around 1992 onward feature a "Custom Edition" decal.

Next, remove the neck and focus on the neck pocket. You will see stamps indicating EXTRAD model types such as STS-54, STS-57, STS-62, TLS-52, as well as stamps like Ⓢ.

Additionally, early models show traces of the thin handle used during neck pocket painting, while models from around 1989–90 onward lack paint coverage over most of the pocket area.

STS-57, "A" stamp

STS-62, A, Ⓢ stamps

TLS-52, D, Ⓢ stamp

After confirming "STS-54", the Ⓝ stamp, the custom order model number "KX-151", the color designation "T" written in marker, and the pocket label, check the neck end.

The neck end bears a penciled inscription of the manufacturing date.
Although "EXTRAD" was released in 1987, production began approximately one year prior, and the date '86 can also be confirmed.

'90 ST54 Custom Order / BLD (#J022199)

A semi-custom model featuring a blonde colorway with gold accents. The "EXTRAD" decal gleams on the back of the head, while the pocket area bears the inscription "BLD (Blonde) and YWH (Yellow/White) intermediate"!! Truly a surprising special specification only possible through custom order.
※Pickup replaced with Texas Special.

'89-'90 ST54 Light Ash / T (#J021833)

In late 1989, the EXTRAD officially became a series. This model features an ash body and has a buckle scratch on the back, but it boasts an outstanding sound! The back of the headstock bears an "EXTRAD" decal, the pocket area has the EXTRAD certification stamp "STS-54", and the custom order model number "KX-151" and color designation "T" are visible in marker.

'86-'87 ST57-140 / BLK (#E733378)

Early 1987 model, complete with original price tag!! This is a collector's item with relatively little wear and no replacement parts. As it's an earliest EXTRAD model, there is no decal on the back of the head. The pocket section clearly retains the pattern marks from the painting process.

'93-'94 ST62-120 / 3TS (#Q030142)

This is a late EXTRAD model made between 1993 and 1994, featuring an alder body with mint green parts and optional specifications. It's a luxurious instrument with a rosewood fingerboard! The back of the headstock has a "Custom Edition" decal, and the pocket is stamped with "Ⓢ" and "K-625 ORDER". It has no paint.

L80s-E90s ST62-120 / 3TS (#E972639)

A striking piece featuring a Balitra maple neck!! Well-played in, it exudes a mature, understated vibe. The bone-dry ash body delivers an outstanding clear vintage tone. Highly recommended for players. Features an "EXTRAD" decal on the headstock back.The neck has an E-serial number, and the assembly POT date is '87, but the body is likely from the late 80s to early 90s, as determined by the unpainted neck pocket. It's believed to be an individual unit shipped with an early E-serial neck and a later body combined from stock.

'88 TL52-120 / BLD (#3605)

The neck date is September 8, 1987, and the included warranty card states it was manufactured in 1988. This rare piece features the early specification without a headstock decal and has "TLA-52" stamped in the neck pocket. A collector's item showing minimal wear!!

The reason I came up with this project

As a personal aside, I'd like to share a true story that actually happened. It was about a year ago when a friend of mine visited a local music store to sell his 1987 E-serial ST62-140 (EXTRAD).

My friend brought in his rare and wonderful guitar, full of high hopes for a great appraisal. But that dream shattered instantly, plunging him into the depths of despair... Apparently, the shop clerk mistook it for a VINTAGE SERIES model—the so-called standard line—and offered an appraisal far below what he'd imagined.It seems the absence of the large decal on the headstock (as mentioned later) and the lack of a specific model name stamp in the neck pocket led to this tragedy.

That friend looked so sad,TCGAKKIThey brought in that ST62-140 EXTRAD model. At first glance, its exceptional quality—clearly befitting an extraordinary top-tier model—was palpable. However, since this model has historically had limited documentation beyond the catalog, a more meticulous appraisal process is required.TCGAKKIBy fully leveraging sales data and other resources, we maximize the true value of musical instruments!! The appraisal amount we presented swept away my friend's gloomy expression, transformed by grief, and replaced it with a deeply satisfied smile.

The joyful smile of my friend left such a deep impression on me that I resolved to collect rare models like EXTRAD, JV Serial, and LIMITED EDITION with all my might. For about a year after that...TCGAKKIBy fully leveraging our network, we succeeded in gathering valuable models not only domestically but from around the world. The result was an outcome exceeding 20 projects—a figure that even I, as the person in charge, found surprising.

Having gathered these precious instruments with such effort, I created this column out of respect for everyone involved in their development and manufacturing—and also to prevent others from experiencing the same sadness as my friend (lol)—hoping it might be of some help.Unfortunately, catalogs and the internet alone couldn't provide all the information I needed, and I felt frustrated myself. I'm a 28-year-old born in 1988, still a young and inexperienced novice, but I studied hard in front of the actual instruments and did my best to compile this. If you find any errors, have concerns, or simply have questions, I'd be grateful if you could feel free to let me know.

See the full lineup of Fender Japan products here! >>