Fender Bullet S-3 1982 USA Sunburst

This Fender Bullet S-3 was made in the USA in 1982 and is finished in Sunburst.

The S-3 belongs to the later American-made Bullet range, with a double-cutaway body, maple neck and maple fingerboard. The model name refers to its three single-coil pickup layout, controlled by a 5-way selector, master volume and master tone. Fender’s own period manual confirms this arrangement and distinguishes the S-3 from the two-pickup S-2.

This example is completely original and remains exactly as it should be. It retains its original Fender pickups, pickguard, bridge, controls, hardware and Fender F-logo machine heads.

Fender originally positioned the Bullet as a more affordable American-made guitar, but surviving examples have developed a following of their own. At only 2.99 kg, this one is exceptionally light, comfortable to handle and has the direct, distinctive character associated with the early USA Bullet range.

The guitar remains in very good to excellent condition. There are a couple of small dings around the body horns, including one on the upper horn where the mark passes through the lacquer and reveals a small area of natural wood within the dark edge of the sunburst. There are also light surface scratches and polishing swirls expected from normal handling and use.

The rear of the neck has a small number of very minor impressions, but nothing has broken through the finish. The maple fingerboard is particularly clean and there is no significant wear to the frets.

All three pickups, the 5-way selector and both controls are working correctly.

Fender may have built the Bullet as an affordable instrument, but more than forty years later a  completely original American example with its original case is a rather different proposition. Clean examples are becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly ones that have avoided the modifications often made to guitars originally bought as working or student instruments.

The guitar weighs 2.99 kg and is supplied with its original Fender moulded hardshell case.

Please examine the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

Specification

Brand: Fender
Model: Bullet S-3
Year: 1982
Country of manufacture: USA
Colour: Sunburst
Construction: Bolt-on neck
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Frets: 21
Pickups: Three original Fender single coils
Pickup selector: 5-way blade switch
Controls: Master volume and master tone
Bridge: Original adjustable 6-saddle hardtail bridge
Tuners: Original Fender F-logo machine heads
Pickguard: Original 3-ply pickguard
Weight: 2.99 kg
Handedness: Right-handed
Originality: Completely original
Condition: Very good to excellent, with a few small dings, light scratches and minor signs of use
Included: Original Fender moulded hardshell case