Feature:
I gave this category a nine because, well, how many features do you want on a Strat, and still be able to call it a Strat? It has the selector button which gives a wider range of pickup combos, and a tremolo bar (which is very, very sensitive, by the way). As for the switch, the changes are very subtle, and I don't use it much. The x-tra switch was not a factor for me, and I would have bought it with or without.
Quality:
This guitar is made in Mexico, which in itself is not a problem, but they do not have the quality control of the Amercan factory Strats, which are, of course, much more expensive. I sent back the first one I recieved. The gold plug-in plate was buckled upwards as a result of the holes being drilled to close together. While this is a very small cosmetic blemish, but I didn't like the way it arched away from the body. The replacement was much better. The first one I got was also a different color than described: not a sapphire blue, but a rather greenish blue. It was very pretty, and I would have kept it simply for the uniqueness factor if it hadn't have been for the other blemish.
Value:
This guitar is a pretty good value. If given the choice, knowing what I know now, I would buy this same guitar for the same price all over again. I don't regret a penny spent on it.
Desirability:
This guitar is total eye-candy. Classy, but a bit out of the ordiary, as far as Strats go. Mine is the sapphire blue finish, and one of the prettiest I've seen. The gold hardware really compliments the blue, and though the brown celluloid pickgaurd is top quality 3 ply, and classic-looking, I plan on replacing it with either a gold plated one, or maybe a black abalone or white pearl, something that will really bring out the blue.
Sound:
I love the sound of this guitar. It has very warm bass notes in just about every pickup combination. Classic Strat sound, and a pickup combination for every style. Lots of sustain, perfect intonation.
Ease of Use:
What other rating can you give a Strat? Plays like butter. I like the bullet strings that came on it, and I haven't replaced them yet. I lowered the overall action just a hair and raised the low E until the buzz dissappeared, but other than that, I haven't changed a thing, and it was more than playable right out of the shipping box.
Support:
So far as I can tell, Fender considers its customers a pesky but necessary evil. They were almost impossible to contact. Also, when I tried to find a different pickguard to put on it for purely cosmetic reasons, I found that there are no pickguards made for this guitar. Because it has the x-tra button, and therefore x-tra hole, I would have to by a standard pickuard and drill the hole myself.
The Zzounds.com staff, however, were more than helpful.
Overall:
I will never sell this guitar. It will be an heirloom of my kingdom, haha. I named it Mabel, by the way.
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