"This should be the "standard"..."
Feature:
I've had regular "modern" Strat wiring done on this guitar. Nothing fancy. The usual suspects - 5 way switch (comes stock with a 3 way. F**k that lol), and the wiring features a master volume, tone control for neck pickup, and tone control for middle and bridge pickups. Thats it.
Other features include a slim neck with a really nice feel, the vintage style small frets, and the more curved fretboard of old. I rather like this feel. Bending is a little tougher than on a flatter more modern neck with jumbo frets, but it only takes a little getting used to.
I give it a 9 because there is no perfect combination of features, its all down to what you value in an instrument.
Quality:
Quality seems pretty good to me. I cant find anything wrong with it as such. Setup could probably use a little fine tuning, but apart from that... Definetly road worthy. Hey, its a Fender, it aint gonna break! The only thing out of the factory that I dont like is the polyurethane that they put under the nitrocellulose. I cant stand that thick plasticy crap! But thats a personal thing, you may have no problem with it.
In short, if you need to do gigs and can only afford one axe, get this baby. She's versatile, tough, easy to fix if problems do occur. Thats the whole point of Leo Fender's creation. They're made to be used and abused!
Value:
I'd say its well worth the money. This axe sounds great, feels great and will last years and years.
Desirability:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I think this instrument is beautiful. I lusted after a real American Strat since I was 13, and now I have it. The shape, the wood, the look, the whole thing is pure coolness. The Strat is such a great example of practicality and functionality. Noting is there by accident or for decoration (except the finish colour I suppose), it all serves a purpose, and therein lies the beauty. Its a classic!
Sound:
I have 3 Strats, a 50th anniversary American Deluxe, a "mongrel" I put together myself, and this. This Strat is hand-down the best sounding. This is the baby! There must be something in the wood. My other strats weigh about 8 lbs, this Strat weight more like 7 lbs. I've heard it said that the lighter the guitar = the lighter the sound, but I'm inclined to disagree because this baby sings. Played acoustically (unplugged) its loud, resonant, chiming, and sustains beautifully with a rich and sophisticated (for lack of a more descriptive word) tone. Good un-plugged sound is always an important good sign in an electric guitar, and this baby has that.
One thing that I'm certain contributes positively to the sound (and this is a good tip for anybody who doesnt use the whammy bar) is the fact that I have added two extra springs to the bridge block at the back of the guitar (5 springs altogether), and tightened them up so the bridge is pulled back tight, flush with the body. This means that I cant use the whammy bar to raise the pitch of notes, because its back as far as it can go, but thats fine because I dont use it anyway. The trade off is increased sustain, better tone (in my opinion), and it stays in tune a lot better, especially beneficial if you break a string!
Another factor to the sound is that I have changed the pickups to Seymour Duncan's "Antiquity" Strat pickups. These are hand-wound by Seymour himself and are probably the most accurate reproductions of pre-CBS Strat pickups you can get. I have the Antiquity "surfers" in the neck and middle positions and a "Texas Hot custom bridge" in the bridge position. These, frankly, are the best-sounding Strat pickups I've ever heard. The neck pickup is almost scarily reminiscent of you-know-who's tone (Little Wing anyone? lol). It "spanks" with a sweet, percussive, responsive tone. Just gorgeous! The bridge pickup is mean! The middle pickup is, well, a Strat middle pickup. The "quack" in both the 2 and 4 positions is just great. I love it!
I'm playing this axe through a solid-state Marshall combo while I'm waiting to get a good tube amp. Even through a solid-state amp the naturally great sound of the guitar is obvious. Through a high quality valve amplifier this baby would absolutly sing! Goes real good with a wah wah pedal too ;-)
Ease of Use:
Very playable, very simple. There's no blender pots, active electronics, built in dry-ice machines or what have you. Just straightforward stuff. Its light and easy to hold and play for hours on end, the neck is fast and its pretty easy to find a good tone. Very versatile.
Support:
I never dealt with the Fender people, so I really cant say anything about that.
Overall:
I think I'll always be satisfied with this guitar. It sounds great and feels great. You cant argue with the tone! Will I supplement it? Absolutly! As long as I can afford new guitars and equipment, I'll try new things because thats what I love to do. Will I replace it? Never! You just know when you've got a "keeper", and thats what this one is.
I chose this instrument because I wanted a pre-CBS Strat without paying a pre-CBS price, and now I know what all the fuss is about.
If it was lost or stolen. Man, that would be a drag. I guess I'd search for another '62 reissue (or maybe even a real '62 if I could afford it!) that feels and sounds close to this one.
What I like most about it is all the stuff I just said. What I like least? The polyurethane. I may even have it refinished someday, but thats a personal preference rather than any kind of technical problem.
Submitted: 8/13/2007
Style of Music: Rock, blues, something else I dont know how to describe! Whatever takes my fancy.
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"Yep....Its a keeper!"
Feature:
Features on a guitar? Not sure i want features. I just want a guitar. I'll take features on my amp if anything. Comes with a 3 and 5 way switch..Leave the 3 way on..Why buy a reproduction of the original and Mod it? makes no sense.
And it comes with an ashtray cover. Besides looking pretty cool it is really more trouble than its worth. Shine it up and store it away.
I agree 100% with another reviewer. I really dont like the Poly on the guitar. I would remove it (especially from the back of the neck) in a second if I could. But I cant and I wont.
Quality:
the quality is top of the line. The select wood grain on the body is gorgeous. The neck is straigh as an arrow. This is a quality guitar.
Value:
PLEASE..$1500 for this guitar. Its an awesome value. I would take this guitar in a minute over a Les Paul and that guitar is $1000 more!! Of course they are great guitars also, but for funk, blues and rock this one kills the Paul
Desirability:
Buy a tweed case with Poodle Red interior and you got yourself a sexy kick but axe. Especially the Sunburst...WOW
Sound:
I've beed playing 30 years. Its sad to say I was born the same year the original was made...LOL But I've always played Strats. This one is a keeper!
Outstanding resolution. The highs ring forever. Its just got that Strat sound that makes a Strat...a Strat
Ease of Use:
Bending notes is a little tough on this axe. I cant understand why anyone would buy this guitar and use anything less than 10 guage strings. This guitar is built to play Funk, Blues, Rock. If your into Heavy stuff an need lighter guage string then dont buy thig axe.
Support:
the best thing about fender supoort.. In all the years I've played fenders, I never needed them,
Overall:
Will never EVER sell this guitar. I will probably buy another guitar but thats only because I'm an addict and I gig enough to buy this stuff without using 'Family' money...LOL
Submitted: 1/5/2008
Style of Music: Funk, Blues, Rock
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