Strat-ty Friday

I will always have this urge to hear certain guitars in action. So it's a Friday evening, it's the holiday eve, time for some Strat action. This is my Traditional 70s Japanese Strat which could be purchased for $1.3K back in the day (pre-COVID). 

This is also my opportunity to share some opinion on the Alice guitar strings (.009 set) since the guitar requires a re-string before proceedings.

Unlike the Alice of before, there are no individual paper envelopes for each string this time round, only a single plastic one & I applaud them for this move. It's the perfect time to be showing some care for the environment.

The respective gauges were neatly latched into the holes as seen above so that strings don't get entangled when uncoiled for use. 

Despite all these efforts in upgrading their product packaging / presentation, the immediate impact here is the feel. The Alice of today still feels like a sub-par budget set, these could not match Olympia considering both are in the same price bracket. I have no idea if these should be installed immediately upon purchase but more than two weeks have passed before I got things going. I might give it a benefit of the doubt & maybe try another set just to eliminate this mitigating factor. For the record, the most repulsive strings that I've come across in terms of feel is the Orphee brand. This Alice set, I must say, sits above the Orphee but still not quite appealing. It's like some chemical reactions took place in the packaging before the strings were installed & the fingers could actually feel this difference.

Friday... Stratified

It's finally Friday. The end of the wretched work week. Well at least I'm working for the next 70 days or so. Whatever happened / did not happen, the week is over. Good riddance.

The urge to Strat today is very strong so out came this one. I'm not averse to rosewood 'board Strats & this is not the only one. Time & again, I would want to play, feel & hear the Strat in action despite being a Tele guy through & through. I also own more Strats than Teles. The one you see above is the Japanese Heritage Strat, currently listing at Swee Lee for $2,149. I bought it some years ago before the price crossed the $2K mark. Everything is stock in this guitar less the pickguard. I kinda dislike white pickguards for both Strats & Teles. I would at least wanna swap the bridge pickup out as it lacks punch for heavy stuff, then again, who does heavy stuff with a bridge single coil? Anyway, it sounds acceptable after hooking up a Tube Screamer in the mix. 

Wishing everyone a good weekend ahead.

G-burst

Yes folks, another set of Seymour Duncan custom pickup set for Joe Bo, a Strat single coil trio this time. These are vintage correct units based on JB's greenburst Strat. If you are looking for a '60s-esque tone, these might appeal. On a personal note, my favourite '60s Strat tones are from Thomas Blug & those are authentic, Fender '60s tone.

Pic: Seymour Duncan

Black Friday @ Swee Lee: Fender Tom Delonge

A little late but saw these guitars on sale at Swee Lee (Black Friday deals). These are the Fender Tom Delonge signature models, both the Starcaster & Strat versions are discounted but for the Strat, it only applies to the yellow version. I have no idea why this is the case. Guitar prices these days are unfriendly. After a good 20% off, the respective guitars are now sporting the discounted prices. These new figures, whether they are friendlier post-discount is really your call. These days, people are more willing to spend this much money on year-end holidays rather than buying a new musical instrument, unlike COVID times. Guitars sporting a single pickup is a niche appeal but now that these are on discounts, it might just be a good time to buy.

Pics: Fender

70th discounts

 These two 70th Anniversary Strats are on discount at Swee Lee:

• American Pro II (20% off): This was released slightly before Summer. Reality check - Strat fans are not into fancy tops, the flame maple top depicted here is an example. Strat fans are into solid body colours, if there's any hint of favouring a fancy finish then the sunburst might be the limit. This guitar used to list for more than $3K so the price - finish combo is making this one a non-mover
• Vintera II Antigua Strat (20% off): This is another quirky finish that would be appealing to a niche sector which is not a ready pool of buyers anywhere. You either know the history behind this one & appreciate it for what it is or you look away. Another hard seller that listed for $2.4K initially, sports a fixed bridge & not an American (at this price). A very difficult proposition as well.

Pics: Fender

Timber

Fender has these models (American Performer) with body woods which are not from the usual wood selection. Seen above from L-R (above): Sassafras, Spruce & Pine. The manufacturer wants us to believe these are perfectly OK substitutes in terms of tonal preferences, whatever that means. I see it as an exercise in economy. These obviously less common wood types are arguably more economical to acquire compared to the usual, more in demand, alder. Even if prices remain the same, they will make a good cut in terms of earnings. Whatever the case might be, if these work for you, then there's nothing to denounce.

Pic: Fender

Noir Strat

I mentioned this Strat back in 2022 & it's now available at Swee Lee (List: $1,699). This is a Hybrid II Noir Strat, the colour scheme reminds me very much of that car from Knight Rider. If you know what I'm talking about, you grew up enjoying good 80s TV shows. 

Pic: Fender Japan

Jap hums

Noticed there's a good offering of humbucking Strats in the recently released Hybrid II (Japan) Fender models. The HSH Strat is seldom seen in the stores these days especially so when the Charvels took over the Super Strat territory.

This HSS is simply stunning. Covered humbucker in a Strat - not a common feat. Also that cosmic purple finish is downright attention grabbing. However, this one is an exclusive model form the Japanese flagship store but we remind ourselves of how certain exclusive Fenders would make their way here when least expected.

Pics: Fender Japan

Hard choice

This is Fender's limited run Vintera '70s hardtail Strat. I love everything about it, less the price: $1,899. They don't make too many hardtail Strats these days so this is something to be treasured. I'm still unable to reconcile certain price points with the country of manufacturer. I do not doubt the quality, it's about costs & prices. Then again, manufacturers will ride on stuff like limited run, to hike prices & we would fall for it. 

Pic: Fender

Fender 2024

Perfect timing - Fender announced its 70th Anniversary Strat this NAMM with a couple of commemorative models. This black Strat is the Mexican Player Strat version.

The obligatory American Pro II version with a flame maple top. Prices: USD999 (Mex) / USD1,999 (US).

 Pics: Fender

R & M

Early start to the guitar-ing day, just my two Strats. Both Japanese, both based on Fender's late '60s iteration (hence truss rod access at the neck heel, not headstock). Slight differences; the maple fretboard version is a hybrid model featuring a 2-point bridge + medium jumbo frets. 

Maple vs rosewood fretboard - do I hear a difference in tone? More apparent in clean mode. Once intense drive / distortion kicks in, difference is barely audible. The rosewood version has this warmer tone, like it's keeping the excessive treble in check, most apparent in the neck pickup position. The maple version, I prefer to play solos with this one. 

There's something about the Japanese pickups that convinced me to keep them in tact. They are simply wonderful clean & distorted.

Black guard (again)

Because I lack the finances to feel the elation of owning a new instrument, the next best thing (to me) is to make something look new.

So the Strat gets a new pickguard. It's a faux single ply; I coloured the edge black. Pickguard screws got the black treatment as well. There. The most exciting thing that happened to me this week. Whatever.

3-string

This is the real kiddy standard. It's a 3-string Fender Strat done in collaboration with Loog. Meant for kids but no harm buying one for days when you are so bored, you are watching your fingernails grow.

Tele version also available. (List: USD199)

Pic: Loog

Tom D: The return

Fender announced the return of the ever popular Tom Delonge Strat (USD1,299) in a limited edition run. Fixed bridge, single humbucking - my kind of guitar. Despite being a Seymour Duncan fan, I dislike the Invader. Also, it's a signature model which I am not into.

Pic: Fender

Review quickie: Fender (Japan) Late '60s Stratocaster

Once again, this is the Japanese interpretation of a late '60s Stratocaster & not an official re-issue. If it is, then the body wood should not be basswood. However, the spirit of this era is kept true at the headstock; bigger, post-'65 outline & truss rod adjustment at the neck heel.

Likes

• weight
• overall construction, fit & finish
• neck profile
• price

Dislikes

• stiff pickup selector
• vintage frets

This is a good guitar in terms of build; almost flawless, less the little bit of untidy nut slots (wound strings) which can be easily trimmed with a pen knife. Everything feels solid & well put together, a good testament to the Japanese craftsmanship. Out of the box, even the rosewood fretboard looked well-conditioned. To me, the biggest draw here is the neck profile. It's not the typical Fender C but a flat-ish U with substantial edge spaces. If you've played an ESP, that's how this feels but a beefier version of things so that it won't exclusively appeal to the shredders. If there's any put off here, then it would be the vintage frets. OK so this guitar is an attempt to re-live the spirit of the times & these frets are thoughtful inclusions but they won't appeal to heavy handed players especially those who bend notes like there's no tomorrow. I'm not that kind of a player (in fact, I hardly bend) but I'm put off by these frets for that effect on feel. 

Tone-wise, these pickups are labelled as 'Vintage style' by the manufacturer & they sound darn warm & sweet in clean mode. Bonus - these sound impressive with loads of distortion as well; proof that you don't need high output pickups to sound menacing; it's about having the suitable pickup type to do the job regardless of the details. Last but not least, this instrument lists on the favourable side of $1K since it's from the Traditional Series, a line up that do not feature extravagant, price-bumping details, which might account for why the 5-way selector feels a little stiff.

Final rating: 89%

Fender (Japan): Traditional Late '60s Stratocaster (bag included)

List: $1,299

Availability: Swee Lee

Junior appearances

Fender Japan Junior models are now available at Swee Lee. Here are the breakdown of prices:

• Stratocaster: $1,499
• Telecaster: $1,499
• Jazzmaster: $1,549
• Jazz bass: $1,549

I'm doing a re-think in the mean time with regards to the purchase of any one of these models. A shorter-scaled Jazzmaster? But the Jaguar is already a shorter-scaled offset model with no compromise in body size. Shorter-scaled Jazz bass? Same thing - the Mustang bass is already a shorter-scaled offset bass. Shorter-scaled Strat / Tele? You won't get the exact snap of the standard 25.5" versions. Hmm...

Pic: Gearnews

Ken's Strat

Still in Fender Japan territory, this here is the Ken Strat. Ken, in the Japanese music domain, is the guitarist of L'Arc-en-Ciel. The unique thing about this guitar is that it features a trio of direct mount single coils, so that makes the pickguard a little unnecessary. Also, the elbow relief there is painted gold, same goes for the whammy bridge & control cavities. I like the fact that it sports the 70s headstock, that simply complements the overall design.

Pic: Fender Japan.

StraTele

The people at Fender Japan are really splicing things up to offer variety & unique appeal. This latest incarnation is the Hybrid II Stratocaster HSS with a reversed Telecaster headstock.  

It's certainly not a first as Ian Moore's Strat features a Tele neck / headstock albeit not being reversed. It's downright quirky but totally functional. Limited edition, Japan online exclusive, folks. Not something you can get off the shelf easily.

Pics: Fender Japan / Reverb

Sakuraburst

Nothing exactly refreshing, just another Fender Strat. However, this one's a Japanese online exclusive & that colour screams. It's called the Sakuraburst, aptly named after that soothing pastel effect. The only thing I dislike about it is that the burst effect's jump in gradation is abrupt. If you look closely, there seems to be a template / cover that was sitting on the body while it was being finished.

Pic: Fender Japan

Tilt

Indoor Sunday. Nothing to buy because there's no money to buy it with. Managed to re-string this guitar.

Before that happened, managed to give it a shim. Used a leftover DiMarzio inlay card. This was chosen for its thickness; nothing too extreme. If you read around, luthiers recommend a cigarette box but I find it a little too excessive. This card is thinner. You only need to shim the neck pocket if the action past the 12th fret is a little too high after you finished setting the string action up. Modern Fenders will have a neck tilt adjustment feature at the neck pocket area so shimming is unnecessary.

Before fixing the neck back into the pocket, I always powder the sides so that there's less resistance, forcing the neck into the pocket might cause the thin parts of the pocket wall to crack.