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Fender Lite Ash Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Birdseye Maple neck and fingerboard. Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro2 pickups. 2-point synchronized tremolo.
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Manufacturer's Description for Fender Lite Ash Stratocaster Electric Guitar
The Lite Ash Stratocaster guitar is something new from Fender. Ash is a desirable body wood because of its tonal qualities; and with its birdseye-maple neck and Seymour Duncan pickups, these guitars give players just what they need to get the job done.
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Model Name: Lite Ash Stratocaster
Model Number: 026-5002-(521)
Series: Special Edition Series
Colors: (506) Black (521) Natural (541) Vintage White (Polyurethane Finish)
Body: Light Weight Ash
Neck: Birdseye Maple, Modern 'C' Shape (Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Birdseye Maple, 9.5 in. Radius (241mm)
No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups: Seymour Duncan APS-1N, APS-1RWRP, APS-1B, (Neck/Middle/Bridge) (APS=Alnico Pro Staggered)
Controls: Master Volume Tone 1. (Neck Pickup) Tone 2. (Middle/Bridge Pickups)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup Position 3. Middle Pickup Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup Position 5. Neck Pickup
Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo
Machine Heads: Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Hardware: Chrome
Pickguard: 1-Ply Black
Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648 mm)
Width at Nut: 1.625in.
Unique Features: Black Plastic Parts Abalone Dot Position Inlays Oversized Strap Buttons
Strings: Fender Super Bullets® 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042)
Accessories: None
Case: None
Introduced: 1/2004
Notice: Product Prices, Features And Specifications Are Subject To Change Without Notice
Sound:
This guitar was the most pleasant surprise I have had throughout my bout with G.A.S.! The fit and finish are way beyond the price tag. I have several American Strats and this is every bit as refined - plus the soft "V" neck is a delight to play. I changed the stock SD PUs in favor of DiMarzios and that really brough this guitar to life for me - not a necessary upgrade, just personal preference.
Feature:
It is a Strat with 5-way switching etc...nothing out of the ordinary but that combination has withstood the test of time.
Ease of Use:
The ash body is very resonant!
Quality:
I can't believe the attention to detail for the $ - and I am somewhat of a guitar snob
Value:
I would recommend it without reservation!
Manufacturer Support:
Have not needed Fender Support but have dealt with them on a custom piece and their staff is top notch.
Overall:
I have no desire to part with this guitar!
Style of Music: Blues, Classic Rock
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"Awesome!"
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.
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).
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.
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!
Manufacturer 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.
The Wow Factor:
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!
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!
Style of Music: everything
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Really. It's not a problem for us. In fact, we'll thank you
for the chance to live up to our lowest price guarantee!
It's fast and easy
Just tell us where you saw the lower price - another
website, an email offer, your local store - and we'll send
you our lowest price offer in a matter of hours.
Simply click the Seen it for less? link
Next to the item you want, or give us a
call at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637).
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
