JPsuff
Blackstar Artist
I am now officially a Stratocaster owner!
(golf applause...)
Though I’ve never been a Strat fan, I’ve always admired the look of a Strat.
But the very rounded fretboard radii of most models along with that damned middle pickup have always kept me from getting all amped up about them but that doesn’t mean that I’ve never wanted to own one.
It just needed to be the right one and I think I’ve found it!
It’s a 2017 Deluxe Stratocaster (formerly the Deluxe Players Strat) and from what I understand the model was revamped and re-released in its present form in 2016.
I happened upon this guitar by accident while cruising the ‘net for Fender amps and I had the word “deluxe” in the search and “Deluxe Stratocaster” popped up and I thought I’d take a peek and the first thing that caught my eye was the color -- that beautiful transparent sapphire blue!
The second thing that got me was the ‘70’s headstock. I know a lot of folks don’t care for the big headstock but of all the Strats ever made I’ve always liked those big headstocks because even though they’re not “vintage”, I think they fit the guitar better.
So I went on reading expecting the usual blah, blah, blah but this was different. First there was the little micro switch between the tone knobs that allows the bridge pup to be engaged in the 4 + 5 position which allows for some extra voicing. Then there’s the very light mint green pickguard which is a nice touch instead of the usual white or black. There’s also nickel hardware with locking tuners, ash body, maple neck (with a contoured heel), 6105 frets, noiseless pickups, a two-point trem, aged plastics and finally -- the thing that sold me on everything – the 12-inch fretboard radius!!!
Every Strat I’ve seen either has the 71/2” or the 91/2” or a compound radius and, until now, I’d never seen a Fender with a 12” radius and that was the final ingredient in finding “My Strat” and I immediately went to Sweetwater and ordered it!
The only mod I made was to change the strings from the original 9’s to a set of 11’s and to have the trem set up accordingly. I just got the email from Taylor at Sweetwater that my order has shipped so now it’s up to UPS.
Can’t wait!!!
Here are some pics of the actual item from Sweetwater:
(golf applause...)
Though I’ve never been a Strat fan, I’ve always admired the look of a Strat.
But the very rounded fretboard radii of most models along with that damned middle pickup have always kept me from getting all amped up about them but that doesn’t mean that I’ve never wanted to own one.
It just needed to be the right one and I think I’ve found it!
It’s a 2017 Deluxe Stratocaster (formerly the Deluxe Players Strat) and from what I understand the model was revamped and re-released in its present form in 2016.
I happened upon this guitar by accident while cruising the ‘net for Fender amps and I had the word “deluxe” in the search and “Deluxe Stratocaster” popped up and I thought I’d take a peek and the first thing that caught my eye was the color -- that beautiful transparent sapphire blue!
The second thing that got me was the ‘70’s headstock. I know a lot of folks don’t care for the big headstock but of all the Strats ever made I’ve always liked those big headstocks because even though they’re not “vintage”, I think they fit the guitar better.
So I went on reading expecting the usual blah, blah, blah but this was different. First there was the little micro switch between the tone knobs that allows the bridge pup to be engaged in the 4 + 5 position which allows for some extra voicing. Then there’s the very light mint green pickguard which is a nice touch instead of the usual white or black. There’s also nickel hardware with locking tuners, ash body, maple neck (with a contoured heel), 6105 frets, noiseless pickups, a two-point trem, aged plastics and finally -- the thing that sold me on everything – the 12-inch fretboard radius!!!
Every Strat I’ve seen either has the 71/2” or the 91/2” or a compound radius and, until now, I’d never seen a Fender with a 12” radius and that was the final ingredient in finding “My Strat” and I immediately went to Sweetwater and ordered it!
The only mod I made was to change the strings from the original 9’s to a set of 11’s and to have the trem set up accordingly. I just got the email from Taylor at Sweetwater that my order has shipped so now it’s up to UPS.
Can’t wait!!!
Here are some pics of the actual item from Sweetwater:
