New 'Hank Strat'

[RUSSET]

I notice Guitar Guitar has commissioned some Fender Japan FSR (Fender Special Run) Strats, especially for their stores. They are two ‘50s Strats. One is an F.Red with Gold hardware (Hank) & the the other an All Black one (Gilmour). They will be £699 each & are available to order in advance. They have the modern Two-point Trem. I have the two-point Trem bridge on my ‘Player Strat’, & it is very efficient & smooth. Yes, I know people might say, 'Oh not another one', but the specs on this are very good : Satin back to neck, 22 Frets, 9.5" radius, Bridge Tone control, C S Fat 50s pickups, synthetic bone nut .

Tony.

[anniv 63]

I guess they probably have commisioned a run of about 50 or so.
Certainly looks usual high quality spec and finish of Japanese product.
Might they not have supplied a basic hard case at no extra cost?
Ah well book now to avoid disappointment!!!

Mike

[RUSSET]

Yes, I see what you're saying, but you rarely get even a gig-bag with Jap guitars, let alone a hard case. You have to read the small print. I bought a Jap '60s version with the Rosewood board a couple of years back, & , nice as the guitar is, there was nothing extra at all. Even the Mex guitars seem to be drifting that way now, certainly in the 'less than £500' ranges.

Tony.

[dave robinson]

It's made in Mexico, look at the back of the headstock.

[RUSSET]

Oh yeah, silly me. It still doesn't mention a bag. I would hope for that price you would get at least a gig bag for a Mex Strat.
Looking closer it has a 3-ply scratchplate too, which isn't exactly the '50s style; but it has Fat '50s pickups. Bit of a mongrel really, but it still looks nice. Perhaps they have a load of those pickups left over since they stopped putting them in the USA Standard Strats. So, it's not really a 'Hank' Strat. It is just a selling opportunity to us Brits.

Tony.

[dave robinson]

Well I won't be buying one.

[bor64]

I'm with Dave!

BTW swambo too!

Cheers Rob

[dave robinson]

They brought out a similar guitar last year and included a tweed case for just over £700. It was described as a FSR and I ordered one from Gear4Music, tried it and immediately returned it as I wasn't impressed. I know others who followed suit.

[bor64]

A Squier Classiv Vibe '50 2019 in Fiesta Red is now 339 GBP....

So no excuse for not having a red strat


Cheers Rob