Even More Stratocasters!!!
2000 Midnight Wine Standard Stratocaster
This one is another "N.O.S." condition, unplayed original I recently added to my collection. It dates to 2000, and is completely original right down to the factory installed Fender Bullet strings! What most attracted me to this one, (besides its time capsule condition!) is the gorgeous grain patterns of the Indian Rosewood fretboard. While I usually prefer dark boards, this one is an exception...and the colors and variations of it really make it stand out. another thing I liked about this is that it's a virtual twin to the 1991 American Standard I purchased new almost 25 years ago. I still own that one too... and have always had a fondness for this color. I haven't played this one much, and to be honest a new set of strings would help it out a ton, but in a world of modified, upgraded, and banged up MIM strats... I kind of like the idea of this one being completely untouched since new. While they surely made thousands of Standard Stratocasters in 2000, I have to wonder how many survive in 2015 in totally original condition? I know at least one still does!
2004 Agave Blue Standard Stratocaster
This one has several things going for it... First, it's an absolutely fantastic color that is only available in the Mexican Standard Strat lineup. It's similar to Ice Blue Metallic, but just as a sparkle to it that's hard to capture in photographs. Also hard to capture is the gorgeous flamed maple neck and headstock present on this one. I found it in pristine original condition, and got a nice tweed case thrown in the deal! The rosewood fretboard has some nice grain and color to it, with all add up to make one really nice looking MIM Stratocaster. It plays really well too, with 3 standard single coil pickups and vintage style 6 screw bridge. It's also one of the last years the Standard Stratocaster was fitted with vintage sized frets, giving it a vintage vibe and helping this one stand out from later models with more robust fretwire. I'm really happy to have this example in my collection!
1987 E4 American Standard Torino Red/Maple
This one is another early example of an American Standard Strat. Finished in Torino Red, I've found this to be one of the more difficult colors to find from the early versions. I am fortunate to have both this and a rosewood fretboard example in this color. Some interesting details about this early 1987 American Standard includes a high gloss maple fretboard, while the face of the headstock and entire back of the neck are a satin finish. I've only found this on the earliest E4's, as later ones (Such as the vintage white one on the previous page) has a full satin maple neck, including the fretted area. This one has the "Fullerton Curves" and the bridge posts threaded directly into the wood, rather than into brass inserts as was the practice later adopted. It's in near mint condition and is 100% original with the exception of the strap buttons, which will soon be corrected! Also noteworthy is the beautiful flamed maple in the neck. This is very rare in an American Standard, and is really a beautiful piece of wood! Notice the original owners manual with "J.C." hand written on the back. These were the initials of John Cruz, currently one of the Fender Custom Shop's lead Master Builders. John was an inspector of quality control at the time this Strat was built. In general I find the fit/finish/and overall quality of these early American Standards to be some of the highest in Fender's history.
2003 Fender USA Highway One Stratocaster
This is an early/original version of the Fender Hwy1 Strat. It features the smaller 50's style headstock with spaghetti logo and smaller frets than the giant ones used on the 2006-up version. I greatly prefer this original rendition to the newer ones, as do many Fender fans. I believe these early Hwy1's are destined to become collectible and are already much sought after compared to their newer counterparts. If you ever did a head to head comparison of them you would immediately see why. The necks on these are so nice, with a chunkier profile than most of the American Series guitars of the same era. These early ones have a feel to them that is much more vintage "strat-like" for lack of a better term, and the overall balance of this one ranks up there with some of the best Stratocasters I've ever played. I love the finish on this one... it's a semi-gloss lacquer that is ultra thin, and while originally dull (Fender calls it satin) it's been buffed to a high luster and looks as good as any Custom Shop finish. Just a great strat and my favorite feeling maple neck. I looked a long time to find an early version in this condition.
2011 American Standard Strat-Charcoal Frost
Not much to say about this one other than the fact that Fender is currently building some of the best strats they have in years... and that's saying something ebcause in my opinion they have ALWAYS been good! This one caught my eyes because it reminds me of my Pewter early production 1986 American Standard, and has a similar feel to it, even though it's over 20 years newer. The color is actually more vibrant, and the finish has more depth to it that the finishes of the late 80's guitars. I'm a sucker for a nice dark rosewood fretboard, and this one has it. a great looking, feeling, and playing strat.
2006 Shoreline Gold American Series Strat
I've always wanted a Shoreline Gold Strat, so when
I found this one I knew I had to own it. I have quite a few American Series
strats of this era, and to be honest I never even knew they offered the USA
Standards in this color. I can't seem to find a Fender color list for 2006, and
am wondering if this was a standard color option or possibly an FSR? In any
case, I doubt there are too many out there in this condition. It's 100% perfect,
and looks to have never been played. The frets are like new, and the maple neck
hasn't even started to age or darken. Really looks like it was made yesterday,
not 8 years ago. I dig how the 06's have the little anniversary medallion on the
back of the headstock, very subtle.
The guitar plays great, and as I always find in Strats of this 2000-06 era, these pickups sound super. It weighs a little under 8 lbs, and the neck feels really nice. Tremolo arm has never been installed and it's still got the little spring rattling around underneath the chrome sticker covering the bridge.
I generally am more drawn towards rosewood fretboards, but this one feels really really good. All the tags, manuals, strap, etc. are still there just like day one also.
The guitar plays great, and as I always find in Strats of this 2000-06 era, these pickups sound super. It weighs a little under 8 lbs, and the neck feels really nice. Tremolo arm has never been installed and it's still got the little spring rattling around underneath the chrome sticker covering the bridge.
I generally am more drawn towards rosewood fretboards, but this one feels really really good. All the tags, manuals, strap, etc. are still there just like day one also.