Fender Lite Ash Strat User Reviews at zZounds

"Unbelievable value" submitted May 17, 2010

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: Musician

Music Style: Blues, Classic Rock

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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!

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"Awesome!" submitted March 22, 2007

By a customer from puresimplicity.net

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: everything

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

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!

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"Best deal for a stratocaster ever." submitted March 16, 2009

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Musical Background: casual guitarist

Music Style: classic rock, blues

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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. 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. 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. 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. Manufacturer Support: Never had any problems. The Wow Factor: 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. 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.

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"A perfect Strat" submitted September 3, 2007

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: pro, studio, hobby

Music Style: anything but rap/hip-hop

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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. 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. 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. 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. Manufacturer Support: Haven't had to deal w it, so no opinion. The Wow Factor: 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. 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).

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Fender Lite Ash Strat Customer Review submitted April 9, 2009

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Sound: amzazing warm tones for a strat. probably the best sounding guitar on clean that i have seen for such a price.

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"( TH ) The Best" submitted February 19, 2006

By a customer from verizon.net

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Musical Background: " Hobbyist"

Music Style: Rock

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Sound: sounds like an american but half the price. trie it on a vox Feature: get the natural ash it sounds great and looks it to Ease of Use: so simple great for any type of player Quality: greatest strat for the price Value: its a fair price if you buy at store trie to get a lil off it The Wow Factor: the ash looks great its shiny and light Overall: this is a must buy

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"love at first feel" submitted August 25, 2005

By a customer from msn.com

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Musical Background: just a jammer

Music Style: blues and rock

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Sound: I love how bright of sound this thing can make.iplay it through my line 6. another thing is a tube screamer . it sounds amazing Feature: i think it is the same as an american becouse i compared them as far as specs go there is one big difference.... about $500.00 also i really like the medium jumbo frets it kills a mexican strat Quality: over the past 6 yaers i have owned close to 40 guitars and i would not give up this one for any thing so far ive had no problems other than changing the pickguard to a rose motto 3ply pick guard it is very tight undernieth the neck but it sure does bring color to it Value: the best price i think that fender has to offer Manufacturer Support: no The Wow Factor: even though angus played an sg it was love at first feel,but as far as looks i baught knowing that i was going to change the pick guard becouse i dont like that black one that came with it plus i am thinking of changing over hardware to gold. Overall: i hope this strat will last my life time if something happened to it i would die a miserable man

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Fender Lite Ash Stratocaster Electric Guitar

User Ratings

"Unbelievable value" submitted May 17, 2010

"Awesome!" submitted March 22, 2007

"Best deal for a stratocaster ever." submitted March 16, 2009

"A perfect Strat" submitted September 3, 2007

Fender Lite Ash Strat Customer Review submitted April 9, 2009

"( TH ) The Best" submitted February 19, 2006

"love at first feel" submitted August 25, 2005