The ST 72s

Important
The catalogued models are the ones made by Fender for the domestic market some of which were exported but they also made guitars solely for export and except for the 1990s Collectable series most of these weren't catalogued and specs can vary some will be the equivalent of the high end models and some the lower end ones but may not be an exact match.

Fender Japan Stratocasters ST72 range

The first 70s styled Japanese strats were the SQ series which were made alongside the JV series. These are covered by 21 Frets so once again I will start with the 1985 models. The models can be quite confusing as the designations were reused on different guitars so an ST72-70 made in 1985 is not the same guitar as an ST72-70 made in 1993. It is also less than clear what models were the continuation of previous models with just a change of designation. I will try and clear some of this up. As always all the models look similar and you can only tell them apart by the wood and the pickups or by opening them up and seeing the stamps.

Stratocaster ST72 1985 to 1989

During this period there were the following models
ST72-55 available for the whole period
ST72-65 The Ritchie Blackmore model not covered here
ST72-70 the whole period
ST72-75 1989 only plus a Blue Flower version ST72-75BFL
ST72-115 1986 and 1987 only
ST72-95DM 1989 may have been the forerunner of the Yngwie Malmsteen model
It can be seen from the scan above that whilst the plastic was mostly white it was black in some colour combinations.

Specifications

	ST72-55	ST72-70	ST72-75	ST72-115	ST-72-95DM
Body	Basswood	Sen	Basswood	Ash	Basswood
Neck	3 bolt Maple with skunk stripe	3 bolt Maple with skunk stripe	3 Bolt Maple with skunk stripe	3 bolt Maple with skunk stripe	3 bolt Maple with skunk stripe
Board	Maple 21 vintage frets 7.25" scale	Maple or Rosewood 21 vintage frets 7.25" scale	Maple 21 vintage frets 7.25" scale	Maple 21 vintage frets 7.25" scale	Maple 21 vintage frets 7.25" scale Scalloped
Headstock	70s style 2 butterfly string trees Bullet truss rod adjust CBS logo	70s style 2 butterfly string trees Bullet truss rod adjust CBS logo	70s style 2 butterfly string trees Bullet truss rod adjust CBS logo	70s style 2 butterfly string trees Bullet truss rod adjust CBS logo	70s style 2 butterfly string trees Bullet truss rod adjust CBS logo
Tuners	Gotoh Sealed	Gotoh Sealed	Gotoh Sealed	Schaller F stamped	Gotoh Sealed
Pickups	MIJ Single coils probably ceramic	USA made single coils	MIJ Single coils probably ceramic	USA made single coils	2 DiMarzio HS3s and 1 MIJ single coil probably ceramic
Colours	3 Colour Sunburst, Black, Olympic White, Vintage White or Natural	3 Colour Sunburst, Black, Olympic White, Candy Apple Red or Natural	Olympic White, Natural or Vintage White. A Blue Flower version available	Black or Natural	Vintage White
Years	85-89	85-89	1989	1986/87	1989

ST72-125PRD
This is a very expensive guitar 125,000 yen in 1987 was about £865 As well as the obvious custom paint job it was made of White Ash with the usual Maple neck, Schaller F stamped tuners and was equipped with 3 USA made Alnico vintage pickups. The block was also USA made diecast. The PRD is just the colour code. These were made for about 2 years from 1987.

Stratocaster ST72 1992 to 1997

This period saw the return of the model designations representing the price in 1000s of yen rather than 100s. The models were:
ST72-53 1992 to 1997
ST72-58 1992 to 1993 became the ST72-65 in 1993 until 1997
ST72-70 1992 and 1993
ST72-75 1992 and 1993
ST72-75SC 1992 and 1993 became the ST72-85SC in 1994 to 1997
ST72-80SC 1992 and 1993
ST72-95DSC 1992 and 1993 became the ST72-110DSC in 1993 until 1995 when it was discontinued

ST72-53
Body Basswood
Pickups 3 White covered MIJ single coils probably ceramics
Board Maple
Bridge 5SD diecast block
Colours Olympic White Black or 3 Colour Sunburst

ST72-58 and ST72-65
Body Sen
Pickups 3 White covered MIJ single coils probably ceramics
Board Maple
Bridge 5SD diecast block
Colours Natural

ST72-70
Body Basswood
Pickups 3 White covered USA single coils
Board Maple
Bridge 5SD diecast block
Colours Olympic White Black or 3 Colour Sunburst

ST72-75
Body Sen
Pickups 3 White covered MIJ single coils probably ceramics
Board Maple
Bridge 5SD diecast block

ST72-75SC and ST72-85SC
These are redesignations of the ST72-600SC with the same specs
ST72-95DSC and ST72-110DSC 1991
These are further redesignations of the 1989 ST72-95DM with identical specifications except they were available in Vintage White and Olympic white and also for a short time a Blue designated DBL.
ST72-80SC
This is a redesignation of the ST72-700SC with identical specifications except basswood only they were like the 95DSC available in Vintage White and Olympic white and also for a short time a Blue designated DBL.

Stratocaster ST72 1998 to 2009

In the 1998 catalogue there is only one model the ST72-58US or two if you count the Rosewood or Maple option as two models. They are otherwise identical.
The model was subsequently designated as ST72-66US then as ST72-US
ST72-58US/R and ST72-58US/M
Body Basswood
Pickups 3 White or Black covered vintage USA single coils
White or Black Pickguard with white or black controls dependent on body colour
Board Maple or Rosewood
Bridge 5SD diecast block
Colours Olympic White or Black in 2007 more colours added Old Candy Apple Red, 3 Colour Sunburst and Vintage White
By 2010 the model has gone

Some different coloured ST72-58US along with the headstock which is identical to all the 72s

These are the US pickups which I believe are 57/62s 1st generation
And from another a 72-66US

Stratocaster Antigua ST72
From 2002 to 2004 Fender produced an Antigua model. A finish which seems to be either loved or hated. I like it. I have some information from Fender which was given to a Strat talk member a few years ago.

Body Basswood
Pickups 3 Black covered alnico single coils
Antigua pickguard with black controls
Board Maple
Bridge 5SD diecast block
Said to be only 400 ever made

Antigua front and back looks good?

Stratocaster ST72 2010 onwards

In the 2010 catalogue the only model is the ST72 launch price 71,400 yen.
Body Basswood
Pickups 3 White or Black covered vintage Japanese single coils probably ceramic
White or Black Pickguard with white or black controls dependent on body colour
Board Maple or Rosewood
Bridge 5SD diecast block
Colours Olympic White or Black, Old Candy Apple Red, 3 Colour Sunburst and Vintage White
This model continues until at least 2013.

An American dealer had for sale a 2013 ST72, which they say is a domestic model with limited exports they suggest only 144 pieces for North America no clue about elsewhere. The one for sale is in Olympic White