"Best deal for a stratocaster ever."
Feature:
For the money, are you kidding me? Seymour Duncans, synchronized bridge, and the gorgeous neck/fretboard. This guitar is such a good deal it's almost unbelievable. Everything feels solid and top notch, from the input jack to the controls, to the strap buttons.
Quality:
This guitar is perfect from the factory. I compared it back to back with American strats, and the only difference was the stamp on the headstock. If they made this guitar in america, you'd better believe they'd be charging over 2 grand for it. I've never seen birds eye maple used in a neck or a fretboard before, but its gorgeous and they certainly did it justice. I can't believe how stupid fender is not to sell this guitar for double the price, but I guess that's their loss.
Value:
Hands down the best deal you can get if you are looking for a stratocaster. Mexican strats can't even compare. American strats would be jealous. This is champagne taste for beer money.
Desirability:
One of the most beautiful strats out there, in my opinion. I want to stick it in a glass case and show off the fretboard to all the guitarists I know.
Sound:
Great tone out of the ash body, it's hefty, it's got a ton of sustain for a strat, and it's warm. When you play this guitar unplugged you can tell the difference the body makes. I've played a lot of strats over the years and this is one of the most pleasing tones I've ever come across.
Ease of Use:
The action is great on this guitar, and it's very easy to play. If I had one criticism it would be that the seymours can be a little thin on certain amps. But they ARE single coils right? Other than that, it plays like a dream.
Support:
Never had any problems.
Overall:
If someone stole this guitar from me, I would murder them. I should have bought two so I'd have one to gig with and one to keep in a air sealed chamber.
Submitted: 3/16/2009
Style of Music: classic rock, blues
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"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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