This particular example of Retro J-cool is getting harder and harder to come by these days, particularly in this good a condition & particularly in this limited colour. The "black `guard on blond" may not have been seen back in the day, but luckily someone in the Fender Japan Good Taste Dept. obliviously knew a good thing when they thunk it. Of course, this one plays like a beauty & I personally don't understand why some folks don't dig these later C.I.J. necks. I love the shape of them and the quality is as good and consistent as ever. If it wasn't, would we give a blanket 12 month in-shop Warranty on just about every used C.I.J. guitar we sell. This one, in it's orig gigbag is no exception