Fender Lite Ash Stratocaster Electric Guitar reviews
46 People rated this product :
8 out of 10
"Awesome!"
Feature:
Comes like a stratocaster should. If you're a purist, you'll love the guitar. That being said, I'll give it a 9, only because I upgraded to Schaller strap locks, roller string trees, locking tuners, graphtech saddles, added vibrato springs, and will upgrade the string nut to a graphite model (Earvana probably).
Quality:
Impeccable quality! Fender is the industry standard. Not a single problem that I can find, and in fact, mine was $200 off because it was a scratch/dent item, yet it took me a week to find the location of the scratch (and it didn't affect anything anyways). For $400, this guitar was almost a crime! The finish is beautiful, black body with maple neck. The neck is also very beautiful. I'm not worried about this thing breaking at all: it's my main axe. It's very road appropriate. As for the "worst aspect of quality", I can't really find one at all. I think it will last a very long time.
Value:
Excellent value for someone who wants excellent vintage-ish tone and Seymour Duncan pickups! I'd buy another one at full price without question, and recommend it without reservation!
Desirability:
This thing is ultra-sexy! Vintage tone, excellent pickups, resonant body! It's comfortable and has beautiful lines. The "Seymour Duncan" on the pickups made me want it, much less the beautiful neck wood (birdseye maple) and sexy gloss black body make it very attractive!
Sound:
This thing is #1 best Stratocaster sound I have EVER heard! The Swamp Ash body is very resonant, and the alnico ii pro staggered Seymour Duncan pickups mean you don't have to modify the guitar after you buy: it's already perfect! They deliver nice, smooth creamy single coil goodness for an excellent price! They're extremely responsive to pick attack and playing nuances without being overly hot. Didn't hardly have to do a thing to get excellent sound. I have used this guitar through a Peavey Delta Blues, a Stagemaster 1000, and a '72 Fender Twin Reverb. No hum, and excellent vintage tone. It can handle metal with the right amp (Marshall, etc), but it's not going to have a nu-metal rip-your-face-off tight bass. I also use this guitar through a Boss ME-50 and it's definitely versatile. You can't improve the sound: it's already excellent.
Ease of Use:
If you can't use a Strat, you're definitely the minority. It's very easy and straightforward to use. The volume and tone controls have been the same for decades, and they're arranged very well, so that you can even grab the volume knob with your pinky, and the vibrato arm is well positioned too. The two tone knobs and 5-way switch make it easy to play with versatility. The manual is very clear and easy to understand. As for playable, it's very playable, although the only thing I could ask for is that the back of the body where the neck bolts to the body be contoured for easier access to the higher frets, or that the guitar be set neck like a Showmaster.
Support:
Fender support is the best! I called their line to find the locking tuners part # for the Showmaster Blackout so that I could retrofit my guitar to locking tuners without having to drill holes or go with an out-of-place color, and they found what I needed. Superb! I've never needed their support for anything else, as I've had no problems at all.
Overall:
I'm 100% satisfied with this product! I came back to Fender for a Showmaster HH since I wanted "one of each" strat and LP type setup, and was again satisfied with Fender products! This thing helps me meet my musical goals (Active Christian Musician playing lead guitar at a local church), and there's almost nothing I can't play on it. If it was lost or stolen, I'd immeditely call and buy another just like it! In fact, maybe some day Fender will make me a signature model of this same guitar!
Submitted: 3/22/2007
Style of Music: everything
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"A perfect Strat"
Feature:
Comes w stock Strat features all around, except for the ash body and Duncan pickups, which make this beauty a super Strat! The set up is perfect, so easy to play. I own the natural finish w black pickguard, and of the eight guitars I own, only my Rickenbacker 360 12 string comes close in the "absolutely beautiful" looks competition. This is one beautiful guitar! And one of the best looking I have ever seen. The sexy smooth lines, the fit and finish - truly breath-taking.
Quality:
Perfect right out of the box. Fit, finish, neck, frets, intonation, elecronics...you name it. Man, this is as close to the perfect 6-string electric guitar of any make that I have ever played, and I've been around for quite a few years. Simply put, the quality is superb! If you want that Gibson sound, go for it. If you want the Strat sound, this is THE guitar to buy.
Value:
We all know that American made Strats are expensive. I would put this Korean made guitar up against any American made Strat any day, and mine would still be my preference. There is simply nothing wrong about this guitar, and everything right! And for the price, it truly is a steal. If I had played this and not known its price, I would have easily guessed twice the price that is being asked.
Desirability:
This guitar is one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen, if not perhaps the most beautiful. The lines, body shape, birdseye maple neck, maple fretboard and natural wood-grain finish and black pickguard all add up to a strikingly beautiful piece of art. And, again, the playability is sublime.
Sound:
Man oh man, this lite ash strat has tons of that unmistakeable strat sound! The birdseye maple neck and maple fretboard are not only beautiful, they play like a dream! The stock Seymour Duncan pickups lend a bite and sustain that I have heard from no other stock Strat (including American made - all lite ash Strats are made in Korea - but don't let that put you off, it's a marvelous instrument!). If you're looking for a Fender Strat, the Standard (MIM) is fine, the American made are expensive - this Korean made lite ash, with the unusual look, mid-price and stock Seymour Duncan pickups is THE way to go - absolute best look, sound and value.
Ease of Use:
As the saying goes, it plays like butter! The V-neck, for me, is easier to play than the more common C-neck guitars. (This is the only V-neck I own.) Although I have no problem playing either neck, the V-neck is my preference.
Support:
Haven't had to deal w it, so no opinion.
Overall:
No complaints. I couldn't be more pleased. Absolutely everything about this guitar is superb. I dare you to play one and not want it. Please search it out and see what I mean. I would not sell or trade this beauty for any reason (well, unless someone offered me an insane amount of money, then I might consider it).
Submitted: 9/3/2007
Style of Music: anything but rap/hip-hop
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