What we have here is a Japanese ‘95 Fernandes AFR-65, a bit like rocking horse poo as they were only made for the Japanese market, and they made them for less than a year. They are mentioned in the ’95 catalogue but they don’t appear in the ’96 as Fernandes revamped their range, removing the numbering system and giving them names instead. So basically this is a proto-Revolver. It’s a much higher standard than the FRs you do find on Ebay, you can’t compare it with those.
The colour is ‘Wine Red Metallic’, and it really does have that wine feel to it unlike some others described as wine red. It can go from almost pink through to almost purple depending on how the light falls (but it’s not a flip flop), like light shining through a glass of wine.
Interestingly, I’m told this guitar was made for a trade show in ’95, although I can’t prove this it may be possible to verify through Fernandes Japan. But the all gold logo does signify ‘Custom Shop’, although what that means to Fernandes of this period is somewhat vague. It would kinda add up if it was made for a trade show, but I don’t really think it amounts to more than a sort of FSR. It was made in either the Tokai or Fujigen factory, with smart money being on Fujigen apparently.
So basically what you’re looking at is a guitar that’s an equivalent to an Ibanez Prestige, possibly even J Craft. What it is, is very difficulty to value. Based on the last Prestige I saw locally, I’d be happy with £300 delivered. If you’ve got a trade let me know, I may well be interested.
Last edited by daveyh; 6th March 2013 at 02:57 PM.