Featured review by:
sm1th, on april 25, 2005 5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Features: // 10
Sound: I play the classic rock genre, and I mix in alternative/newer stuff that suits my fancy. The guitar goes right along with it, I can belt out some Zepplin and then Switch it to my favorite pickup setting, the mid/neck position and play some funky music. I use a Roland Cube 30, and I usually use just reverb, sometimes chorus. It sounds fine, other than it needs a sheilding job. I get very bright sounds with it, and being as versatile as it is, I can rock it in metal, which I don't do often, but it goes with me from one tune to another. Lots of variety in this thing. I really like all the sounds I get from it, even with the stock pickups. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: This was goddawful out of the "box," it was previously rented, and basically messed up. The nut has a chip in it, and was loose, and the strings and inotnation were all wrong. The pickups were far too high. The nut is cut too low. Theres also a chip in the finish, but thats why I got a deal on it. I just love the feel of the neck though. Absolutely incredible. Thats why I bought it, that and the sounds. // 6
Reliability & Durability: // 10
Impression: It fits all genres I play, perfect match to me. I couldn't be happier, after playing almost 1 and a half years, it's what I need, and what I'm going to use for a long, long time. I wish I had checked out the who nut escapade, and got that fixed, but I'll spend the extra dough, throw in a graphite nut and it'll be right as rain. I would definately buy this again, or maybe get a cheap American Strat instead, if I have the extra money. I love the neck, the biggest pull factor in the whole equation. That was good enough for me, and the sound is good, so thats just cream. I hate that nut! I compared it with my old one, an Ibanez AX120, this whoops it up and down the court. Thats all. I hope you liked my review, and I hope it helped you. // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on february 09, 2006 4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 656.97
Purchased from: Unisound
Features: // 10
Sound: I mostly play rock/blues/punk. At the moment I use it with a Fender Princeton 112+ amplifier and it sounds pretty good however I want to get a good valve amp and really hear it sing. The guitar is quite noisy when a single pickup is selected rather than two at a time, but this is largely to do with the amp and the fact that they're not humbuckers. It has great tone ranging from very nice bassy sounds to great top end treble screams. The harmonics on this guitar are amazingly easy to create and it sounds absoloutely superb, it more than makes up for any amount of noise it creates. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up very nicely when I recieved it however after some weather changes the truss rod did move out slightly and my guitar teacher had to correct that but otherwise its almost 100% reliable. I have personally changed the pickup height to suit my playing style but the standard height was very good. The guitar has no flaws, the only things that have ever gone wrong are the truss rod moving out (due to weather changes) and the thread on the tremelo arm is possibly out by several microns in places which causes the tremelo to suffer very slightly but as long as you dont remove it every day it is fine. All the controls do exactly what they're supposed to do. // 10
Reliability & Durability: The guitar has been played live about 5 times and nothing has gone wrong. The hardware is fine the only thing I am worried about is the tremelo arm but I dont remove it so it is fine, I don't know anyone else that has had this problem so I'm assuming its pretty close to a one off. I had the strap buttons replaced with schaller strap-locks because the Fender strap I purchased seperately was utter crap, they do occasionally come loose if I shake the guitar around excessively but never loose enough to warrant worry and its very easily fixed with nothing more than a phillips head screwdriver. The tremelo (disregarding tread issues) is fantastic the guitar has never gone out of tune just because I've used to tremelo (like many other tremelo fitted guitars I have played do so) even though the nut doesn't lock! The tuners hold fine the controls are great this guitar has been accidentally dropped several times but playing wise remains fine. The finish has got a few chips where afformentioned drops have very slightly damaged it but they are hardly noticeable and the body hasnt actually lost any paint due to rubbing or anything else. I've had this guitar for a year and I'm confident enough to say this guitar will last. // 10
Impression: I play Rock/Blues/Punk and occasionally some various finger picking styles and this guitar suits all of them perfectly. my guitar teacher has played jazz and country on it and it sounds great, such a versatile guitar I have never come across, I have been playing for two years, my first guitar was a Squier Stratocaster and it sounded awful and played terribly, I now have a Jackson JSX-600 which needs some work to the frets and tremelo if I am to continue playing it, I have a Gibson/Epiphone Flying Vee and my Fender, the Fender is easily the most versatile of the guitars (those are just my electrics) and if it were stolen I'd find the guitar who stole it and smash his face in with my MD-2 and insert the pointed end of my Jackson where it hurts. I love the way this guitar plays SO much and it just gives great natural and pinched harmonics, the string tension is good and it plays well in Eb too, this guitar is the nicest guitar I have ever played and until I have one designed for myself this will probably remain my favourite, ontop of all of that the Maple neck is SO smooth its a joy to play 10/10 all the way. // 10
Reviewed by:
Nirvana-Man, on december 19, 2006 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 500
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: My Strat was made in 2005, in Mexico. It has 21 frets, with Standard dot inlays. The neck is beatiful rosewood, and the body is sunburst. The pickups are great, 2 singles, and 1 humbucker with a 4 way selector. It's got 2 tone knobs and a volume knob. The tuners are non-locking, so I don't go to crazy with my tremolo arm, which was included. If you use the whammy bar, you better have a lot of time to re-tune and lots of extra strings! // 9
Sound: At first I thought the Stratocaster could only play blues, like everyone else does, but I was proven wrong. I play grunge, and this thing works awesome! On the clean setting on my Roland Cube 60, if neck pickups are used if getting a deeper, warmer sound. The humbucker will get more or less the same sound, only higher. While using distortion, the humbucker is the way to go; it has virtually no noise! The neck pickups unfortunately get a lot of noise, so I suggest humbucker. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar worked like a dream, right out if the box! Everything was setup correctly, and no buzzing on the strings at all! The one bad thing though, after having the guitar for 3 months, I'm starting to get rust on the screws holding the pickguard on. Also, you should make sure no dust gets into the pickups; I'm starting to notice some. // 9
Reliability & Durability: This guitar is awesome, I never need a substitute, everything is not cheaply assembled; this thing is built to last. I had a scare when my strap came of the button, but luckily I grabbed the neck at the last second. I do highly recommend buying either a high-quality strap, or some sort of strap-lock system or something. // 8
Impression: I really enjoy this guitar, it is 10 times more versatile than I though it was going to be, and it is definately built to last. I was comparing this guitar to a Highway 1 Strat, but this thing blew it away in every category. If this guitar was stolen, I would go buy another right away! // 9
Reviewed by:
essary1, on october 15, 2007 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 350
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: It is a pretty recent model, I only bought it about a year ago. My guitar comes with two tone knobs, alternating the pitch in either the bass or the middle, then a volume knob is of course attached. It also came with a whammy bar and insert. The pegs are all on the same side and are very easy for tuning. Unfortunately when replacing strings, the back needs to come off sometimes making it very annoying. There is also an alternating Switch, allowing for easy transition between a bass sound and a more treble sound. // 7
Sound: The sound is the very common Fender sound, with the bell tone quality. It doesn't naturally have any real grind or hard sound attached to it, but it is fantastic for any classical rock or blues riffs. When distortion is added to the mix, the beauty of the guitar is openly exemplified, performing a pitch perfect sound of blues that every young guitarist looks for. All together a very expandable yet reliable sound. // 7
Action, Fit & Finish: It has all stuck together very well. It is completed with a rosewood finish for the wood, it is a two piece by the way. The body is painted a darkish red and is shaped perfectly for any leisure guitarist. I haven't really had any problems with the cut or the shape, and no real damage has occurred to the frame since I have purchased it. // 7
Reliability & Durability: The durability is fantastic. There is not one scratch on the entire guitar and all together it is just a marvelous build. However there is one problem I am currently experiencing. This problem occurs where the string have to run through at the bottom of the guitar. Although they haven't been too much of an irritation, they do conflict with some styles of music I have attempted to play (classical especially), however besides that one minor flaw it has a very attractive life expectancy (I expect it to last all my life). // 7
Impression: A very nice beginner guitar. Never on any guitar, besides the Gibson, have I heard a better blue bell tone. Although the single coil pickups are a little too dry for some styles of harder rock, it overall is just a really well developed guitar. Although it does have some minor flaws, I recommend it to anybody looking for a first or second guitar, when they are strapped for cash. // 7
Reviewed by:
antipop333, on may 15, 2006 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: The Music Den
Features: // 10
Sound: For those Who believe the proverb, "beauty is only skin-deep", go in a dark closet, with a paper bag on your head, and cut yourself. This beast is sexy on the outside and even more hardcore on the inside. As I enjoy any style of rock music, I play any stlye of rock music. No matter what I attempt, if I can play it, this guitar can play it. I have it plugged into a Peavey Transtube Rage 158 through a DigiTech RP50 effects pedal (only to enhance the sound, not cover it up). The actual sound of the guitar on a clean tone is bright, on a single pickup, with the tone knob on a 10, to a rich sound with multiple pickups on. This guitar can really bring out a vast range of tones from blues to metal. This is acheived though the 5 different possible pickup configurations, and the 2 tone knobs (making a total of about 500 different tones, if you think about it, although not anything major. The pickuos never fail, and the guitar outputs everything I put in. Too bad it doesn't have an autopilot mode, because its sedative tone tells me to play for hours, and I listen and obey. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: After picking up at the store where I custom ordered it, I arrived at home and opened the box. My baby couldn't have been more protected (unless put in a metal Crate) as the box was filled with supports, packing peanuts, cellophane wrap, and strong double-walled corugated cardboard, and all of this was put inside of another box (which had an ispection stamp on it). The guitar was perfect out of the factory. The pickups were in well and their was no static sound, and the body/neck were properly aligned. On the whole guitar, there were (and still are no flaws what so ever. The only thing is, there is a minute (1/16 inch) piece of wood mising under the neck (when I took it off once), and there is the guitar's finish over it so it must have came that way. The finsh is very lasting, hasn't faded at all, or worn. The body itself is very strong, because I smacked it on a chair by accident once on the side, and the only proof of that is a small 1/8 inch diamter x 1mm deep dent, which I think is still the paint, not the wood of the guitar. The only things I have ever done to it are: periodically replace strings, and add a spring to the internal backing of the bridge to help generate a slightly deeper tone. Amen. // 10
Reliability & Durability: Every true guitarist's dream, playing in front of a crowd that for the duration of your performance are your minions and will do whatever you say. However, playing live is a major difference than playing at home or in the recording studio. Many people buy a guitar for its looks, not its sound, reliability, and duribility, which are the keys for a live jam. If you believe that live playing is smashing your guitar and then kicking the corpse around the stage, then don't bother continuing to read this review. But if you are like me and focus on delivering to the crowd the music they came to see, then I don't see why not to throw a few jumps, spins, or seizers into your execution. This guitar can defidently handle that. And the pickups will never fail, so you don't need to worry about the guitar's guts having a coma while you're on stage, or ever. The hardware is very firm, and well-built, so when you need to detune, or dive-bomb the bridge, or even put your cable into the guitars 'sweet spot'; P, with thelights off, or flickering or something, you can accidently bump into something and it should remain in place (really depends on what you just crashed into). And some guitars, the guitar is a work of God, but the strap buttons are crap and fall off randomly and your axe falls on your foot, or worse, the floor. I would nerver expect that out of a Strat, the buttons are so strong that I would bet that you could hang the guitar on the ceiling, or the like, and hang onto a strap that is supported by the strap buttons just as if one of the world's strongest men (refer to that tv show plz), were hoisting you up. Overall, I would always use it at a gig witout a backup, even if I did have another guitar of its quality or better (which I most likely could not find). And if I was a hippie and did outdoor gigs, even for non-stop weekends, for years in the sun, the finish would last for life. The blue agave finish on my beast has experienced the scorching sun many-a-time, and Still Remains as gorgeus as when I first removed it from its coffin (Who would think of puting this guitar in a box for 3 weeks). // 10
Impression: Above all, the requirement for me to keep a guitar forever and play it daily for hours, is for me to love it. The Fender Stratocaster delivers everything I could possibly want from it. It never is below top notch, and I am already thinking about buying another Strat, in Sage Green, and I've only been playing for 4 1/2 years. I love my choice (which was my fist guitar, along with my two acoustics). Peace out, posers. // 10
Reviewed by:
barbasol, on january 10, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 410
Purchased from: local shop
Features: // 7
Sound: I play a wide variety of music and the Strat, even for a mexican, deals with everything well. I can go from playing blues scales on the neck pickup through the clean channel to some heavily distorted punk or metal on the bridge pickup without problem. I play through a Marshall valvestate with 2 12" celestions in it. There is some noise when you take your hands off the strings or tremolo, mostly on the distorted tube channels. As with all fenders, there is that tone and brightness that you can only get from a Fender. this guitar plays everything. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was decently set-up out of the factory, but recieved some work from a luthier before it came to be what it is now. The pickups were adjusted so that they were all flat, but I took care of that one. Everything else was fine and to this day I've yet to find a defect. // 5
Reliability & Durability: It has and will withstand Live shows. Most of the hardware is great except for 2 screws on the pickgaurd that began to rust slightly. The strap buttons are great and I have yet to find a need to purchase strap locks. It is very a very dependable guitar. The finish is great with only a few small nicks on the fron that are hardly noticeable. It hasn't worn at all after playing for at least an hour a day every day for two years. // 8
Impression: I usually play classic rock, punk, and blues and it works perfect. I've been playing for about three years now. I have the Marshall, as mentioned before, along with a Fender mini deluxe amp, which is quite fun. the only other thing I use regularly is a Standard die cast cry baby. I never felt a need to ask anything else. I would probably buy something else, only due to the fact the I prefer a Gibson or american Strat. I love almost everything about it, except for the rosewood fretboard, I wish I would have gotten the solid maple neck instead, even though the rosewood looks better. I would have to say that I like the five way Switch and the fact that there are different sounds from each pickup. I was choosing between this and a Gibson SG Special, and chose this only because it had a better value for the money. as of now, I'm looking for a Gibson es 345 for the best price I can get. // 9
Reviewed by:
SugarRush66, on july 18, 2006 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 583.77
Purchased from: Soundcontrol - Edinburgh
Features: I don't know about most of the features nut here are some. 21 fret maple neck, very easy to play. Classic Strat body, reasonably light. 5-way selector switch, two tone controls and one volume control. The tuner is a bit dodgy but only because it's factory standard, it's good enough for most people but pros would probably buy a better make. Three standard single-coil pickups. // 9
Sound: Using it withá either a 15W Crate practise amp or a Fender 30W amp for band practise, a Boss DS-1 Distortion, a Boss CS-3 Compressor, a Boss ME-50 multi-effects, D'addario strings and Dunlop 1mm Tortex picks. Good for almost any musical style, bar really heavy metal - one of the most versitile makes of guitar around. Significantly noisy when you have only one pickup selected and you have distortion, very quick to give feedback. But that's an issue with most single-coils, if it bothers you get a humbucker! Just turn down the guitar's volume and the noisy goes away. Found it was too sharp on my practise amp but sound really warm and rounded on a better quality, bigger amp. I almost exclusively use the bridge pickup which sounds very clear and warm on a good amp. The other pickups all sound good and when mixing two together (selector Switch 2 or 4) the sounds are great // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: Most of it was well set-up but the bridge became a problem, after a while. It started to move away from the body of the guitar even though I barely tuned it or used the whammy bar. But I took it back and, using the one free service you get within the one-year warrenty, I got it sorted. Plays like a dream now. Power, and bar-chords are so easy now, takes almost no effort. Bends are quite good but that's not the type of music I play. I keep it very simple. Pickup selector is smooth and I can't hear any noise when switching between pickups, even though I barely do that. It was probably just the individual guitar that was the problem and not the make. Also, mine was an ex-display model so it hadn't been properly set-up for a while. // 8
Reliability & Durability: The hardware all seems good and solid. For me, an amateur guitarist, or for anyone bar the pros and the very fussy, the hardware should last them as long as the guitar does. Only thing I would change would be the tuners but that's a minor thing. Strap never falls off, ever. I have no choice regarding a backup, as this is my only guitar. But if I had more I would use them to give different sounds, not as backup because this seems totally solid. The finish on mine is still perfect after a year, apart from a tiny scratch where I hit it against the side of my car and then my amp. // 10
Impression: Wonderful. I would recommend checking that the bridge is staying in position but, apart from that, it is great for nearly everyone. It is s touch trebly but that can easily be solved by turning the tone down. A great buy for any price less than £350. // 9
Reviewed by:
flyingv_m3, on june 23, 2006 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: Not exactly sure what year, I'm guessing early to mid '90s. Mexican made Fender Stratocaster. Standard 21 jumbo frets. rosewood fretboard, I'm pretty sure. I'm guessing alder wood for the body and maple for the neck. Black with a whie pickguard. Fender tremelo. The 2 tones and 1 vol. 5-way selector. 3 single coils. Fender non locking tuners. Regular Stratocaster body. // 8
Sound: I play a lot of different styles, blues, classic rock, rock, hard rock, a little metal, thats about it. It plays blues and some classic rock very well, but the pick ups are just really weak and hum a little at high volume. suits my style ok. I use mostly a Marshall MG100DFX with a Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal and a Dunlop Original Crybaby wah wah pedal. It sounds really good, like a Hendrix sound if you put the wah wah after distortion. It's noisy at high volume like I said. It has a twangy type of sound but really nice when its clean. Sort of a deep, bright, hollowish sound. I get some pretty good sounds out of it but it doesn't sound as good as American made Strats. // 7
Action, Fit & Finish: The action was a little high at first with guage 9's, but I slapped on some guage 10 strings and it was better. overall it was pretty good, the tremelo was kinda tilted up, so you couldn't really do big dives or anything, but it was good. Pickups were fine, just not very high output or anything, mediocre. No apparent flaws, everything was good. The metal on the exposed pickups kind of like come off a little after a while, but nothing serious. The input jack was a little loose, but I tightened it. everything else was in good condition. // 8
Reliability & Durability: Yea, it could most likely withstand live playing. Not that I would actually use it to play live since it sounds crappy, but yea it could last. The hardware is all fine, except the pick ups are way too weak. I would change those and that's about it. The strap buttons work fine, they feel solid unless your flinging the guitar around. I would not gig this without a backup but it is definetley dependable. The finish seems pretty good, I like it. It has shown no signs of wear and I have had it for about 2 and a half years. // 9
Impression: Again, I play mostly classic rock, hard rock, some metal and blues. This guitar is not really for heavy stuff at all but blues and classic rock it matches up well. I have been playing for about a little less than 2 years. I also have a Fender Frontman Reverb amp (30watt). And I have a black 1992 Gibson LP Standard with a Duncan JB humbucker in the bridge. And 2 Peavey Wolfgang copies in EVH red, black, and white colors. And an Ibanez GAX70. If my Strat was stolen I would definitely try and get it back. I would probly buy an american one instead though. or one with H/S/S pickup configuration. I hate the pickups with a passion but everything else is cool with me. I got this guitar as a gift so I didn't compare it to anything else, but I wish it had a better tremelo, humbucker, and or one of those polished maple necks b/c they're so smooth. // 8
Reviewed by:
jhardcore, on january 22, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: McCann's Music
Features: I got a Fender Mexican Fat Strat H/S/S. The neck has medium 21 frets, and feels very nice to play. The Guitar itself is made out of alder. It has a usual Strat style bridge where the strings go through the body. The tremolo system is very nice. Obviously not the greatest compared to other guitars out there, but it sure does the job. The tuners are very nice as well. They are not at all loose, and keep the guitar in tune very well. I rarely have to tune this guitar. It has 2 tone knobs, a volume knob and a 5-way pickup selector switch as you would expect.The guitar came with a free gig bag, as well as a whammy bar, user's manual, a sticker and some other bits and pieces. Overall I am very pleased with it's features. // 9
Sound: I usually play punk and rock music, and occasionally other things such as country. I play it from a Fender 25W Frontman amp. Playing with distortion is probably this guitar's biggest weakness. It does not have the greatest pickups for loud, attacking distortion. Even though I would considered it good, it is definitely not mind blowing. The humbucker is probably better than a single coil I suppose. On the other hand, without distortion it does sound mind blowing. Just a strum of some simple open chords such as D, C, G, Em and others is all it takes for an absolutely beautiful sound. This sounds best on the neck pickup. I love it how versatile this guitar is. Be it punk, rock, blues or country, the Strat can play it! // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up extremely well in the factory. I cannot find any flaws in the action, pickups, or anything else. The selector switch is good, and so are the tuning pegs. There is not a whole lot I can say here. It was pretty much spot on. I could not ask for any more! // 9
Reliability & Durability: This guitar certainly seems as though it will last Live playing. As I look over it, one thing that I notice is how solid it is. The pickguard screwed down solidly, the strap buttons are nice and firm, the pickup selector Switch is not loose. Everything on it seems like it is made to last and perform to a very high Standard. A lot of people say that Mexican Strats are poorly built compared to USA ones. This could not be further from the truth. I definitely believe I could depend on this guitar. If I had a gig I would take backup just in case, but I would be 99.9% sure I would not need it. // 10
Impression: As mentioned earlier, I usually play punk and rock music, and this suits those styles very well. It could probably improve with some new pickups, but I am certainly not worried. The guitar I had before this was a Squier. This absolutely blitzes it in any way possible. It sounds, looks, feels and generally performs better. Should this guitar be stolen, I would hunt down the person Who stole it and give them a beating they would never forger. If I could not recover it, I would beat up the thief, steal their wallet, and use their money to by this guitar again. I truly love everything about this guitar. The way it feels to play as absolutely amazing. So if you are wondering, "Should I get a Fender Mexican Strat as apposed to an American one", the answer is "Yes, you most certainly should". I intend buying a USA Strat when I get the money, but for now, this absolutely beautiful guitar is the only one I need! // 9
Reviewed by:
SummertimeBlues, on october 26, 2006 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 411.75
Purchased from: Guitar Junction
Features: // 8
Sound: This really is an amazingly versatile guitar, I play quite a few styles and it handles them all really well. Using my AVT-50 combo I can get nice clean, crisp sounds but if I need to I can also crank it up for great heavier rock, although it can sound a little thin due to the single coils. For blues sounds I use a Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal, which is satisfactory but again could benefit from higher output pickups just to get more of a 'crunch'. Anything that needs to beefy, I use a Zoom G2.1u with the 'extreme distortion' setting. I was actually really surprised at this as I expected there to be loads of hum but luckily there wasn't as much as you might expect. Bridge pickup is too bright for my liking but you can minimise this with by the turning the bass up a bit. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: I can't comment on the factory set-up because this is second hand (as all great guitars should be). However, the action was set up in store and is nice and low. Playability at the first few frets is really good due to a nice low nut, which really makes it easier to play the lower chords. P/ups were also adjusted in store, but I've raised them a bit to get a bit more volume of them. Like I said before, I've replaced the bridge with a Wilkinson Vintage tremelo, but the original was good enough, and was well routed and everyting. The only 'flaw' as such was that the frets were a little low and are too quiet when you play above the 12th fret. // 8
Reliability & Durability: I've not gigged it live yet but it's withstood a few falls from its' stand without a mark on it. It is an extremely solid guitar without being heavy or too bulky too throw around. The original bridge did start to oxidise a bit but nothing too bad, it wouldn't have affected the playability or tuning or anything. Strat buttons are medium sized and hold the strap on pretty well, but I've got strap locks just in case anyway. I would definitely use it at a gig without a backup if I had to seeing as it's so versatile but that's the best idea in the world as you'll look a right idiot if anything does go wrong and you're left with no guitar! // 9
Impression: I play some blues, punk, a bit of heavy rock and the occasional metal song. It matches most of them well, but I wouldn't really play metal on it all the time because of the single coils being too weak for it to work 'properly'. I've been playing about 2 and a half years, also have an Aria Strat copy as a backup and have also had a Les Paul and an SG in the past. This trumps the Aria in every aspect but just can't beat the humbuckers in the other 2 for heavy rock. If it were stolen I'd get another Fender but maybe get the Highway One Strat just to make the jump to American made guitars. I particularly like the clean sounds cos they're so crisp without having too much treble. I almost bought an Epiphone Les Paul Standard instead of this, but cos my musical style changes from day to day I felt this was better value for money as it can do a wider range of sounds. // 8
Reviewed by:
SlowerHand, on october 12, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 705.6
Features: This guitar was made in Mexico, in 2006. It has 21 frets, I don't know if they have a name but they are pretty thin, set in a Rosewood fretboard. The body has a sunburst finish. I don't think the guitar came with accessories, as all the accessories I got with it are non-Fender brands. // 10
Sound: I play every style of music that can be played on an electric guitar. I play funk, jazz, rock, metal, death metal, and everything inbetween. I am in a metal band. I play this guitar with a Marshall AVT-20. It can have a thick, dark and heavy sound, but of course the bright and sharp sound that many people love this guitar for. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar was perfectly set-up from the start. There was one flow in the body before the finish was put on. I know this only because I was told after the shop had inspected it. No one has ever noticed it though. The shop had a quick look at it and finetuned whatever was not perfect, so I do not know how exactly it came from the factory. // 9
Reliability & Durability: I am not exactly easy on my guitar, but it survives the daily torture I make it go through. I don't see why it would not last the test of time (and my aggressive bashing on the guitar). This guitar could (theoretically) handle four guitarists using this guitar simultaneously. // 10
Impression: I play really every kind of music that can be played on an electric guitar(from funk to jazz, from rock to deathmetal), and this guitar has so many voice it can handle anything. I have been playing on this guitar with a Marshall AVT-20 for about half a year and it does everything I could ever want it to do. The only thing that might be it's one imperfection is the slight noise you get when you use the pickup-switch. This is the only guitar I would ever need for anything. I bought it after comparing it to 'that other guitar', the Les Paul. A great guitar, but it simply does not fulfil my versatile needs. // 9
Reviewed by:
jeffo46, on may 20, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Daddy's Junky Music
Features: This is a 2nd review for this great guitar.Mine is a 2006 Sunburst Standard with a rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, Alder body, 5 way Switch and all the new upgrades that Fender had put on these models 2 years ago.Mine came with a heavy duty deluxe gig bag, which I've since sold so I could get a hardshell case for. // 10
Sound: This is the Standard by which all other electric guitars are judged by as far as I'm concerned.I know use this through a 1997 USA made, Crate GX-65 combo which seems to compliment this guitar quite well.If you have the 5 way Switch in settings besides 2 & 4, then you will get some pup hum, which is quite the norm for single coils.Other than that, the tone on this guitar is simply the best for it's price range.The Stratocaster is like a woman, set it up right and it'll treat you good, abuse it, and you'll have hell to pay! // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: This where I have to give a lower grade only because mine was on display for over a few months and because of that, people would come in and try it out, therefore messing with the settings.When I bought this, I immediately did a intonation check, lowered the action, adjusted the truss rod, put on a white pearloid pickguard, and changed the bridge saddles to graphite ones which keep it in tune a lot better and also add more tone to it. // 8
Reliability & Durability: I have owned this guitar for a year and a half now, and have used it at well over 50 shows and it is a true workhorse.This is a well amde, solidly built instrument which will last you a lifetime providing that you take care of it.I do not need a backup when I'm out on stage with this, although I am considering getting another one, preferably with the Artic White finish and a Maple fretboard.This is the best guitar around for it's price and with all the upgrades that Fender added, jumbo frets, shielded compartment, thicker trem block, it's easy to see why this is a top seller. // 10
Impression: I have been playing for over 35 years and my rig consists of this guitar, Crate GX-65 combo, and a Danelectro Fab Chorus and Flange pedal.That's all I need to do some damage with.If this was stolen or damamged I would definately get another one to replace it.I couldn't see myself playing anything else but a Fender Strat.They're the innovators and not the immitators of rock n' roll! // 10
Reviewed by:
Bilbo Tbaggins, on june 30, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 600
Features: This is a great starting guitar if you can afford it to start, luckily I got mine through connections, the 600 is a guess to what you should spend. I won't go wasting time describing specific features, because if you know all about features and what brands are good and what you prefer, then I recommend you save a little and wait to pick out a more improved one. Anyway, mine is in a very cool red, with the Strat shape, very easy to hold sitting and it isn't very heavy standing. I have 21 frets, which is a bit of a dissapointment, because it limits me from certain solos and such, but really it doesn't make a huge difference. The neck is nice and thin, making it easy to move around the guitar. Some spots are a little tough to reach, but for the most part you can do a lot with this guitar. The pickups deliver a wide range of sounds, though a humbucker would be nice. If you can get this guitar for around 300 or so, don't! Copies are made, so try your best to make sure you get either a Mexican or American Strat, don't fall for a cheap Chinese or Korean made version. // 9
Sound: It sort of fits my style, which is a heavier rock. When I feel like it, it has a nice clean or bluesy sound, which is good, but it can't really deliver any metal or real hard rock. It has a good RHCP sound, and you can pump out of Zep or Jimi just fine on it, but If you are looking for something that can really deliver for a similar price, look into the F 400FM from ESP. I use it with the Spyder Valve 112, and they fit well, the amp delivers a lot of different sounds and the versatility of the pickups compliment it well. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: I got this guitar and it was extremely sturdy. It doesn't handle big changes in humidity too well, but neither do most guitars. The action is nice and low, just the way it should be. I get a little buzz against the frets hitting open notes too hard, but that's not a big problem. I never had any issue with the way the pickups were adjusted. The bridge had to be taken to the shop to be readjusted to '8s or '10s, but 9's work well for practice, and '8s just don't have enough tone. Not really that many flaws, but one big thing is that from about frets 12 to 19 on most strings I can't bend up or down too far (no shit I can't bend down on high E, and I can't hit it too hard either or it slips of the fretboard). It might be a manufacturing issue, but I some sound in a medium sized bend, and I cannot make big bends. // 9
Reliability & Durability: This has to be one of the best guitars for reliability and durability. I trust it very very much. I've never played it Live, but I'm sure it would do fine. Everything seems sturdy and well put together. The strap buttons are fine, though I mainly play sitting. I can depend on it and it has a nice finish that should last a good long time. I don't have much to say here besides that this is the category that this guitar excels at most. // 10
Impression: Once again, it sort of matches my style, but is still a great guitar for building up skills. If you can make sure you are getting the real thing and save up the money, go for it. I really don't have any questions with it, besides maybe why the bridge can be constructed to only fit '9s and why they can't fit a single humbucker in. My favorite feature would just have to be it's general playability, but I really don't like how I lose sound on my higher frets. This was the first real electric guitar I got, and voerally, it is a good buy for some young guitarist to build skills upon. // 9
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on january 10, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 309
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: I own a Mexian Strat. I bought it a Guitar center in August of '99. it's has a 21 fret maple neck. When I bought it it had non passive single coils and basically everything stock from the factory. Since then I have changed the pickups to an active EMG Humbucker at the bridge and noiseless Fender single coils at the mid and neck. I have switched the bridge saddles and to graphite and installed locking tuner. The electronics are set up to switch from the active humbucker the passive single coils in a flick of a Switch. It was a separate volume for the the single coils and the humbucker and also separate tones. // 9
Sound: When I bought it it wasn't very fulfilling. After the modifications it has turned into a crazy hybrid type just like my style. I love all styles of music from metal, grunge, classic rock, alternative, blues, jazz, classical to traditional mexican music and spanish language rock. This guitar has guided me to very interesting sounds from a not so bad lead metal tone to fatter jazz tones. // 9
Action, Fit & Finish: The factory set-up and hardware and electronics were not satisfying enough so I spent about 300 dollars upgrading. Too much noise when I first got it. and I don't mind noise but it was that unwanted noise, not the noise that I know I made. The pickups were very weak too. // 9
Reliability & Durability: Man this puppy is a monster. I have dropped it so many times, taken in from freezing cold to warm and humid. Have unknowingly streched out the neck in my early days of ownership and man everything has happened to this thing and it's still standing strong. Quite a few bumps on the neck and a few chips for character. // 10
Impression: I've been playing for about ten years. I didn't know what I was buying when I first got it but it had turned out to be my baby. I haven't been able to afford any other electric guitars and would love to own a les paul but who wouldn't. meanwhile this thing is one of my favorite things I own. It has character, wierdness and a dash of quality. If they stole this I would very sad and upset. // 10
Reviewed by:
SoccerRM1, on november 21, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 350
Purchased from: George's music
Features: This Mexican Strat has 21 medium jumbo frets, a rosewood fretboard and has an alder body. The body type is a Stratocaster and has a Standard Strat bridge. The pickups on this baby are 3 passive single coil pickups. It has a 5-way pickup selector, volume knob, and 2 tone knobs. 6 non-locking tuners and came with a gig bag. // 7
Sound: This Standard Strat MIM sounds very good for my music style, which is blues and rock. I use it with a Boss ME-50 multieffect which it sounds very good with. There is a good amount of hum on these pickups in the first third and fifth selector positions. This guitar can produce very clean, sometimes twangy tones and also very bluesy SRV'ish tones in the neck pickup. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: The action on this guitar is very nice. Low to the frets, but no buzzing that I have encountered. The pickups are geared well for this instrument and sound great right out of the box. I have found no flaws as of yet on this guitar and sounds as good as the day I got it. // 10
Reliability & Durability: This guitar is very reliable, but with any wammying, it can go out of tune rather quickly. The hardware is very durable on this instrument and will last. The strap buttons are very sturdy and there are no second thoughts when it's not on my lap. I would play with this in a gig without a backup for sure. The finish is great. I have not had any significant chips/scrapes of the paint and I intend to keep it that way. // 10
Impression: Overall, this guitar matches my bluesy tone very well. I have been playing for about 2 years and also own a Boss ME-50 and Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 40w Tube amp (1X12). If this were stolen, I would probably buy an american or american deluxe Strat for the better pickups and overall quality. I love this guitar for its bluesy feel, but sometimes get annoyed at how twangy the bridge pickup sounds. // 9
Reviewed by:
Fender_Metal, on may 23, 2006 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 260
Purchased from: Mudic Go Round
Features: This is a Fender Stratocaster made in Mexico which I bought used about a year ago. It has 22 frets on a rosewood board. The board sits on a maple neck with a matching headstock. The neck is slightly curved on mine and the truss rod is a great hassle to deal with. Buying one of these new may solve that problem, because I didn't do anything to it, however I bought in used. The Strat body has a regular finish on it. There are three stock single coil pickups with a 5 way selector switch. It has two tone knobs (which only alter one pickup each) and a volume. Standard wiring, nothing special. Standard Fender tuners which can come out of tune frequently, but you get what you pay for I guess. // 7
Sound: While made in mexico, it is still a Strat. It sounds great out of any amp. I personally use a line six spider II 30 watt amp which I play through my other guitarist's PA system. When I use effects, I use a DigiTech RP-400 pedal. There is a delay from guitar to pedal to amp, but that's not the guitar's fault. I have Ernie Ball Slinky strings and they are very versatile. The only problem I face is the extreme noise heard when using any one pickup at a time. I have to play with two to even be able to think while not playing. // 7
Action, Fit & Finish: As I have already said, the guitar's neck is slightly curved. When played aggressively, the strings make that vibration type sound on the base of the neck which is very annoying and greatly reduces the ability to sustain a note. The frets are not that solid either. Simply pushing the sring to the fretboard too hard can 'cause the entire chord to sound out of tune. The freboard is very comfortable and decently fast though. Everything else seems to be fine. // 7
Reliability & Durability: The only place I would dare take this guitar is the studio. It is a spectacular studio guitar, however during heavy play (like any movement or pulling the guitar for visual effect) will cause the guitar to bend the note. I would bring this as a backup. I would avoid using this as a main guitar if I could hep it. You could survive playing this, but I much prefer a Gibson or ESP or even an American Strat. // 5
Impression: I play a lot of metal and them, along with punk. I never play country and never will. This is a good guitar for capturing a heavy sound but bee ready to turn the trebble up on your equipment. The noise on the single coil treble pickup is almost unbearable and I was forced to reset all of my amp settings once I permanently switched to the 2nd Switch position. It's been a nice guitar, and it was a giant leap up from my Silvertone guitar which I previously owned. I would feel like an idiot if I continued to play this while there were gibsons out there. // 8
Reviewed by:
jeffo46, on october 24, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Daddy's Junky Music
Features: Mine is a 2006 MIM sunburst, 60th anniversary Strat. It has 22 frets, alder body, sunburst finish, jumbo frets, and a thicker trem block for more sustain. It has the Standard 5-way switch and 3 single coils, and it did come with a gig bag, which I've since discarded for a hardshell case. // 10
Sound: I play this through a 1997 Peavey Studio Pro 112, straight, with no effects at all. The only thing I use are the distortion and reverb from my amp. That's all I need. I always keep my settings on 10. This guitar can be used for any kind of music, whether you play blues, country, or metal, this is the originator, not the duplicator. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: Here's where I had a few slight problems. The intonation wasn't set that well, and the strings were really high off the fretboard, along with a little fret buzz. The pups were adjsuted just fine. The only things I did to this axe, was, change the pickguard to a White Pearloid one, and change the bridge saddles for some graph techs. I also did a spot on intonation and height and truss rod adjustment. Now the action is nice and low with no buzz, and it stays in perfect tune. // 8
Reliability & Durability: I bought this guitar in March 2007, and have since used this at many iggs with no problems what'soever. I can definately depend on it. This is my number one, and it ain't going anywhere. I can definately rely on it. It is very durable. The strap buttons hold very well, and the finish is very nice to look at. All in all, a very reliable and durable instrument. // 10
Impression: This is a Fender, so you know it's gotta be good. I've been plaqying for 35 years, and I do intend to get another one of these down the line. I would definately replace it if anything ever happened to it. This is the best guitar that I have ever had. I would put this up against a American made one any day of the week. // 10
Reviewed by:
BagelBruin, on april 23, 2007 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Reliable Pawn Shop
Features: I've had this guitar for about four months. The serial number claims that it is a 2001 model. It's also left-handed, and it came with a hard case. It has a beautiful "Midnight Blue" (I think that's what they call it) glossy finish. The neck is maple and has a nice rosewood fretboard and 21 medium-jumbo frets. At first look, this guitar is what Canadians call, "a beauty!" It came Standard with Fender Schaller non-locking tuners and a Vintage style bridge. It has three single-coil pickups and a 5-way selector, along with 1 volume and 2 tone controls, giving it a huge variety of sound. // 8
Sound: I play any kind of rock: soft rock, hard rock, rock rock, rock n' roll, but none of that grunge, metal, or emo stuff. I must say, the 5-way Switch offers a nice selection of sound for what I play, as well as other genres such as blues or jazz. The neck pickup alone gives you a nice, warm, and clean sound, as does the neck-middle pickup combination, too. Heading further down, a more bright sound is produced. The bridge-middle combination is very fun to play on. It produces a "Surf Music" sound as I like to call it. The bridge pickup alone has a bright, open, almost crunchy sound to it. Seventy-five percent of the time I am using the bridge pickup w/ overdrive on. I use a Squier Champ 15 amplifier with the mid and high on 5 or 6, the bass on 1 or 2, and the reverb on 4. The gain is anywhere from zero, which gives it slight fuzz, all the way to 7 for some good ole' rock. I have to say, the guitar has only a little background noise when on the bridge pickup, but none at all on all the others. Very nice sound (if you already didn't get that). // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: As far as quality goes, this is a good guitar. In fact, that's really all that differs between this guitar and the USA Stratocaster. However, this is still a solid guitar. When I received this, it was obviously taken well care of by it's previous owner. All electric hardware was intact and working. I have not had to replace, repair, etc. anything on this except the strings, but, heck, they're strings. The neck is still nice and straight. The tension-adjustable tuners offer the firmness for the player's needs. I have never had any tuning problems; I usually tune my guitar frequently, not because the tuners are bad, only because I feel light tuning it every day. // 8
Reliability & Durability: This guitar is as solid as a rock, maybe even more solid. The finish has no blemishes. I usually polish my guitar about once a week. My guitar strap has never fallen off when I don's want is to. As far as gigs go, this is a very dependable guitar. It has always made up to my expectations. I like to play real hard on guitar, and all I can say it that it's held up so far! I really do think that this is a very reliable guitar. // 10
Impression: Overall, I highly recommend this guitar to any beginner, or perhaps anyone Who wants a Strat by not an empty bank account. It is very adaptable to any style of play. I love this guitar! If it were to be replaced, I would get another one of these or a MIJ (made in Japan) Strat. Even with Standard hardware, this has just about everything I need: variety, quality, sound, stability and looks. I do however recommend upgrading to some newer saddles to improve tuning stability even more. This is truly a great deal and an even better guitar! Not only that, but it has a great resale. Hey, at the price I got mine, I may even make money. Three cheers for the Mexican Stratocaster! // 8
Reviewed by:
jimm, on may 04, 2006 0 of 4 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Musician's Friend
Features: This guitar is seriously lacking in the hardware department. The tremolo bar (Vintage-style tremolo) will not stay put (it rolls out of my reach as soon as I let go of it), the pickguard has started to bulge in the center, and the Fender tuners (non-locking) do a bad job of holding it in tune. The neck has 21 medium frets, and after upgrading to a warmoth guitar with compund radus fretboard, this neck seems very substandard for lead playing. It has a solid midnight blue satin finish, which is actually purple. My dads $150 Oscar Schmidt OE-30 has better hardware than this. // 4
Sound: This pickups do not sound good at all if you try to play any form of rock on it, and with speed-metal palm muting, it all kind of becomes indistinct and fuzzy. I used it with into a Dunlop Crybaby, Boss CH-1 Chorus, Danelectro Flanger, and a DigiTech RP80, into a Roland Cube 15 amp (very good buy, btw), so I dont thinnk in was my equipments fault. The sound is not in any way full or rich, kind of thin. It doesnt really make all that much noise, but it does make a bit on high-gain settings. The bridge pickup is overly trebley and thin, while the other two single coils are way too bassy even with tone at 10, everything gets lost in just a little distortion. I would not really recommend this guitar to anyone but beginners, unless you plan on swapping the pickups as soon as you get it. // 5
Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar had fairly high action at the factory. The routing seems to be fine. There are just some odd, seemingly purposeless circular indents under the pickguard. The nut seems to be cut a little low on my guitar, causing some minor buzz. Other than that, it seems ok. // 7
Reliability & Durability: This guitar seems pretty relaible. Scratches and dents do not really show up in the satin finish, and I have hit it quite hard against metal mic stands, snare stands, the computer table I'm at, etc. I do not really trust the bridge to keep it in tune with whammy antics. I would and have gigged it without a backup. // 8
Impression: I play hard rock and metal (slayer, earlier Metallica, Megadeth, Avenged Sevenfold, that kind of stuff), and the pickups really are not suited to high gain settings. I wish I had just not went "Fender, must be a good guitar" when I was buying it. If it was stolen, I would go buy an ESP LTD. they have many awesome guitars for around $200. I really only compared it with squiers, and it sounded good against those. I wish it had a stop bridge, as the tremolo just completely whacks it out of tune. // 5
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on july 22, 2005 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 300
Purchased from: Guitar Center
Features: I got this new, so I guess it's a 2004 model Mex. Strat. I got this in Jan. 2005 on clearance at Guitar Center. It has 21 rounded frets and it has an ash body, so it is kinda heavy. Passive pickups, standard factory tuners, string thru body design. Model number MZ3236825. Strats kick it! // 10
Sound: This guitar has the most excellent, warm sound I have ever been able to get from a Fender Strat. The pickups are kind of noisy if you aren't holding them, but that is only if you use high, high gain distortion (I am talkin' freakin' death metal distortion). I use this guitar with an Ibanez 50-watt practice amp and a Boss SD-1 Overdrive pedal. It sounds great. I play mainly anywhere from Neil Young to Van Halen, so it a has decent whammy system. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar came ready to play except for that annoying plastic over the pickguard. My guitar has no flaws that I have discovered in a half a year and countless times playing it. // 10
Reliability & Durability: This guitar would survive a freakin tank shell! It is solid ash! I did change the strap buttons, but that was because I play with it standing up all the time, and I needed something more reliable than the factory set (Same with all other guitars for me). // 10
Impression: I have been playing for 4 years, and this is one of the best guitars (next to a Gibson Les Paul overprice) and I can see myself playing this 20 years down the line. I play folk-rock, classic rock and New Wave Of British heavy metal. // 10
Reviewed by:
kmc123, on august 01, 2005 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 390
Purchased from: North Jersey Guitar
Features: I don't know what year it was made, but this guitar has some good qualities. 21 frets, thin neck for good playin, and a solid top. It's got a nice sunburst finish to it with fender-style tremelo. The Strat contains 3 single-coil pickups for that good old Fender Vintage sound in which I especially like in a guitar. It included a case too when I bought it so at least that was good. // 10
Sound: I'm more of an all around person when it comes to playin music but I mostly play blues and jazz. The Fender Strat's sound provides great tone for whatever type of music style you play, and the 5 way pickup switching for the single coils help you get that type of modern or Vintage sound you want. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: I bought this used but the guy who had it first only played it 2 or 3 times so basically it was brand new. No flaws when I first bought and played it and it didn't have any problems to begin with. // 10
Reliability & Durability: I use this guitar when I play with my band and to practice with. It's really durable for a Fender and the hardware would last a long time. The salesperson said that it should last almost forever which is good, but in a gig I wouldn't depend on it fully. I would bring a backup incase it has some trouble. The finish on it is good enough, but it might wear off in somewhat a while when I play a lot with it, but its fair and should make due. // 8
Impression: I have been playin guitar for 3 years and I could be any happier with this Fender Strat. The most important things that I like about this guitar was the price, the thin neck for easy playin across the fretboard, and the nice sound it gives when I play it with my Genz-Benz amp. If I ever had it stolen or lost it, I would definetly buy another one of these babies. I'm satisfied with the way it is and it beat out all of the other guitars that I compared it with. // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on june 09, 2005 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: PMT
Features: I bought this Strat (Mexican) in Feb '05 it was new so I guess it's a 2005 model. It has 21 medium frets rosewood fingerboard alder body and finished in artic white. The bridge is a standard srat bridge is guess, strings are thru body, 5-way selector Switch and 3 standard single coil pickups. // 8
Sound: This guitar suits my style perfectly, I play classic rock blues and a little country, I am using a Vox Valvetronix amp and have to say that it sounds superb through it! The guitar has a bright sound and all the typical Fender sounds you'd expect. But it's also very versatile using slight distortion from the amp and it's possible to get warmer tones. In fact the sounds are endless! // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up quite well from the factory the action was a slightly higher than my own personal taste so I adjusted the bridge so it lies flat to the body and now the action is perfect for me, But hey, it's all about personal taste, the pickups are good but if I were to play at very high volumes in large arena's then I would change them. But they're ok really. All the other hardware is fine. // 8
Reliability & Durability: Iv'e only played live once since buying this guitar and it stood up superbly no feedback or unnecseary noise, And I think with proper care this guitar would last me a long time, I would certainly use it at a gig without backup, Very reliable, the finish seems very durable. // 8
Impression: It suits my style of music at the moment which I blues, rock, and a little country music which I've been playing for about 26 years, I've had Gibson Les Pauls and a 335 Dot which were supberb guitars. But I fancied something a little different and if you do go for a Strat (even a mexican one). I played an American Strat at the time of buying this one and would say that I couldn't find much difference not £300 worth anyway, I love the sound (sounds)! And love the effects you can get even behind the nut! // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on may 31, 2005 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 500
Purchased from: Sam Ash
Features: My Strat is a 2004, Mexican made (save $$). The neck is maple, modern C, full size, 22 frets in rosewood, the body is alder, in black w/white pick guard and polyester coated, the tuners are Fender/Ping standard cast/sealed, the bridge is standard floating with whammy, there are three pickups two single coils and one humbucker at the bridge position, it has one master volume and two tone controls. // 8
Sound: I play mostly classic rock, but have a lot of country beginings as well as a lot of acoustical time and this guitar handles all these perfectly, I currently play through a Marshall MG100DFX with no devices and this baby rocks. There is some slight buzz with hands off the strings, but only with amp in channel 2 and the overdrine on in the humbucker position. This guitar does it all from clean flat top to full on metal. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: I was disappointed with the factory setup, the top string buzzed, the intonation was a mess and the floating bridge was sloppy. The standard pickups were ok but this wasn't my first rodeo so I replaced them with 2 Seymour Duncan SSl5's and a Seymour Distortion humbucker, I also had the bridge redone w/ more springs had it planted nearly flat to stop the tuning from wandering, I replaced the Fender strings with D'Addario 9's, (I like to bend), with only the string height left I had the tech bring them all the way down to buzz and then up one notch, now the action is amazing. // 8
Reliability & Durability: I bought a basic Fender, bolted on the right stuff and now this is one fine guitar, without spending thousands, this guitar could, if I played live, with no problems. I might upgrade the tuners and bridge and lock them down and both positions, besides that, I'll probably will this off when I die. Everything about a Fender is quality and you can feel it when you hold one. // 10
Impression: I play classic rock, country and a little classical, and this gutiar can pull it all off, I was considering a Les Paul but unlike this setup with the humbucker on the bridge I can sound like a Paul but the Les cound'nt sound like my Strat. If someone stole this guitar I would find them, beat them with it, then just keep on playing music with it. // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on august 16, 2004 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 350
Purchased from: Peachtree Music
Features: I bought a 2004 Sunburst Mexistrat. It has 21 frets 5 way selector with a mable neck and 3 single coil pick ups. It has all standard features. // 6
Sound: I didn't like the standard strings so I put some DR "blues" on, they really enhanced the sound. I play thru a Crate Blue Vodoo 120H tube head with a 2-12 cabinet and a crybaby wah.I have to play with the toggle Switch to get all the ear piercing high end out. It has a great blues sound and when I Switch to distortion it has the same sound as Hendrix or any other band of that era. I play a wide variety of music and it maches all of them. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar action needs to be a little lower and the pick-ups are a little low for my taste. I would have it set up to your own taste as soon as you bought it. That way it will play like you want it to and not the way Fender says it should. It also need more springs on the tremelo to hold it in place. // 6
Reliability & Durability: I can't see this guitar giving you too much trouble playing it every night if you are on the road. I would always keep a spare no matter what guitar I was playing. // 8
Impression: I play Southern Rock, Kiss, Metallica, Hendrix, Eagles, Bob Seager and just a wide variety of other music and it hangs right with all of it. I have 5 other guitars a 69 Gibson ES 340TD, a 02 Peavey accoustic, a 87 Jackson RR Flying V, a 04 Jackson Dinky, a 81 Kramer but the first guitar I pick up is my Fender. I love the feel and sound I get out of it with my tube amp. I wish it was set up better from the factory like my Jackson Dinky was. I compared it to the American Strat before I bought it and there was not a big differance except the price as far as the playability was concerned. // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on september 08, 2004 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased from: Knight Music Malta
Features: Well basically this is a Fender Mexico Strat. Mine was made on the 25th August 2002 (the manufacturing date is printed on the back of the pickguard). It's got 21 normal frets and a maple fingerboard. Unlike the "normal" Mexico Strats mine has an ash body with flamed maple top (beautiful guitar). It came with a patented Fender floating bridge and stock tuners. The pickups were a bit bad ok they were very bad. But I never even took it home with the stock pickups. I had them replaced with dimarzio fast track 2 before I took it home. Not anything special with regards to features but a beautiful body none the less. // 6
Sound: I'll put this straight dont expect a good distortion sound out of any Fender standard pickup. However the stock pickups are a charm when used with a clean chanel. Right now I'm using Dimarzio rail pickups (no hum). I run the Fender directly into my Laney Tube Fusion Effects 300. However when effect are needed I also put in my DigiTech RP200A into the rig. Sometimes I use the pedal only and connect it directly into a mixer or something of the sort. Obviosly I have a setting that replicates my amp's sound to perfection.
TIP: When using an effects pedal always make sure you have a noise suppressor activated. It not only eliminates hum but it also eliminated any other shitty noises produces by unwanted vibration of stings. If used with a decent effects pedal, I'd say that the stock sound of this guitar is fairly decent and good enough to please even the most pikky of audiences. Believe me I actually record songs with stock mexico strats and if run through a noise gate and a decent effects unit the sound is as good as any PRS. Hence a good verdict with regards to sound. A flashy 4. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: The factroy set up doesn't count. I mean come on. It was made in Mexico. I don't think any Mexican employee can even play the guitar let alone set it up. However the action was perfect from the shop (I'm certain they set them up). With regards to the finish it was a beauty totally flawles. Even after almost a year f ownership it still is as good as new and believe me, I shred hard on this guitar. Very hard. With regards to the pickups selector Switch those are only noisy if these conditoins are satisfied:
1) You have a crappy set of pickups
2) You aren't holding the strings and therefore cause sring vibrations
3) You're using high gain distortion
4) You dont have a noise suppressor.
Therefore, I'll give it a five. Only crappy guitarists need super quality guitars to overcome simple problems. // 10
Reliability & Durability: All guitars will withstand live playing. It's bashing the instrument up against the wall that this guitar will not withstand. The hardware does seem like it will fail quickly however it does oxidise quickly (that's my fault for living in malta). The original strap butons were a bit crappy so I replaced them with the dunlop strap locks (the best). I gigged many times with this guitar it never failed to please me and the crowd. Also if a locking tremalo system is installed the guitar will never go out of tune its quite decent as it is however. But locking tuners and a roller nut are a must for heavy trem users. // 10
Impression: I've been playing for over eight years now going into my ninth. I think that makes me a fairly over the average guitarist who know's what he's talking about. I don't own a lot of gear for the simple reason that I dont use it. Basically I own 2 electric guitars: an ESP LTD M-50 fitted with awesome Emg Hz4 pickups and this Fender which is now fitted with dimarzio rail pickups, a locking tremalo system, TBX and an active misboost ciruit. I also own a Laney TFX 300 amp (a beauty) and a DigiTech RP200A effects pedal (rarely used). However now I'm thinking about getting the boss V-Wah which is an amazing pedal.
If this guitar was lost or stolen, I wouldn't bother hunting the son of a bitch down myself. I'd probably call in scotland yard and the military to look for him and decapitate his face. No seriously I would be very sad indeed because I would have lost a treasure. But I wouldn't buy the same guitar next time. Just because guitars like mine are rare in malta and I dont like waiting however I'd buy a guitar with the same specs and probably different color. I compared this guitars to heaps of others including the american strats, Standard Strat basically all the exisiting strats in the world. I chose this one for its beautiful finish. I knew that no matter what Strat I got I would have had the pickups changed therefore I went for beauty.
I know it sounds stupid but it really disappionted me that my guitar didn't come with a nice neckplate with the Fender logo and all. I mean even crappy squires have them why not a Fender? O well I guess this ends my review. And for all those people that say that Fender Mexico Strat are badly made guitars. I'd advise them to stuff their snobbery up their ass and try one out. As long as the wood is of good quiality you've always got a good quility guitar body with not so good electronics and those can be replaced easily. // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on august 19, 2005 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 750
Purchased from: Musikverkstan
Features: This is a "Classic '60s" model Mexican Strat. Black w/white pickguard, lacquered neck, rosewood fretboard, "Original Contour Body" on the headstock. Stock single-coil pickups, 5-way selector, Fender 250s strings. I took home a Mexican Standard Strat as well, to compare with. (The "Classic '60s" model was around (the equivalent of) 750 USD, whereas the Standard Strat cost 600 bucks - Sweden is notoriously pricey). The Standard Strat has a flatter fretboard, and the neck's got a rougher finish - not quite the smooth feel of the Classic '60s Strat. // 10
Sound: I bought this Strat mainly for bluesy rock leads (think Waters/Gilmour), and it just sounds distinctly like a Strat. I wouldn't buy this guitar for playing death metal - remember, no humbuckers here - but presumably you buy a Strat because you like the classic Strat sound(s), and this guitar sounds awesome. The Standard Strat was a bit louder, but didn't have that distinct Strat sound that I was looking for. I haven't heard any Strats produce a Fender sound this distinct outside of American Strats that cost thousands of dollars. I say, if you're gonna buy a Mexican Strat, spend a few bob more and get this model. It's well worth it. (This one was on sale, so I dunno how much it usually costs, but I presume the Swedish "on-sale" price is more than the regular US price). The Mexican Standard is a guitar - the Mexican Classic '60s Strat is a Strat. The tone is quite versatile, too - the 5-way Switch and the volume and tone knobs can coax quite a few sounds out of this one. Oh, and the clean sounds (no distortion) are amazing. I play this through an old trusty Fender Princeton Chorus combo (a two-speaker combo amp). // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: Action, fit & finish: all very nice. A slight, slight dent/scratch on one fret, but you get five of those within a year of gigging. This guitar looks and feels great. // 10
Reliability & Durability: Reliability & durability - well, I expect it to last, given that it wasn't exactly cheap. I put my old Jap Strat through hell for years, and it was sturdy and could take (and took) quite a few beatings, so I expect the same of this one. I trust Fender to make reliable stuff. // 10
Impression: This guitar just sounds and looks great. I'm head over heels in love with it already. It's a Strat with a capital S. Again, keep in mind that this is a rock/blues guitar and it's not really suited for playing metal rhythm guitar. But I wouldn't put a humbucker in this baby - this is a tone you just don't f--k with. // 10
Reviewed by:
Pennyroyal Tea, on september 28, 2005 1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 686.7
Purchased from: Key Music, Brussels
Features: Well, I bought this in July 2005 while on holiday in Belgium, so I'd presume it's a 2005 model (unless it'd been kept there for ages). And more importantly, its a lefty, the only decent lefty I found in all brussels. Made in Mexico of course. Rosewood fingerboard with 21 Vintage style frets. Maple neck with a C-shape and an alder body with a beautiful finish, that's supposedly brown sunburst but looks much more like a three tone compared to other brown sunbursts I've looked at. White pickguard. It's got a Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo, one volume and two tone controls, and a 5-way pickup selector. Strings are still the factory super bullets (.009 to .042) which I plan to change to 0.010 guage as soon as my playing picks up a little more. Pickup configuration is S-S-S. 3 Standard single-coil Strat pickups with ceramic magnets and the hardware's all chrome. All I got was a pretty beefed up gig bag with it and a bunch of picks. // 8
Sound: Since I can barely be considered a beginner (yes I'm that crappy) for now I'm trying out a large variety of styles. I'm planning to hit something of a mixture between blues, grunge and psychedelic later on, so the Strat will be pretty good for later too with a few modifications. So far I'm using a Laney HCM30, a monster of an amp for its size. I can practically get anything with it except for that echoing Gilmour sound or really heavy distortion. Noise is pretty bright, especially when using the bridge pickup which'll practically give you something of a shrill sound. So for now I'm using the woman tone mostly, neck pickup, with tone settings maxed out. Like any other guitar, when using proper equipment the sound can kickass, so the fact that the guitar quality may not be as good as its biger American Strat brother, its still pretty good, and damned cheaper! So I'll give it an 8. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: Well I'm not a guitar expert, not yet at least, but I've had it checked over by mor
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