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I've been out in guitar shops around Manchester every weekend since the last weekend of October. I've been searching, for the one. I've been searching, for a strat with mojo.

I'd been playing a s/h maple boarded USA std against a Jap std rosewood board strat for about two hours, after trying about four other strats (one of which was a s/h 50th anniversary strat, the rest were other USA stds and variations of eg h/s/s). Well, both were close, but no cigar.

I came close to buying the Jap one though, it sounded right, but there was just one thing bugging me. It choked a little when I went into my more bend-happy lead playing style, a problem I first thought was due to a low-ish action but then realised it was down to the more vintage fretboard radius..

Gah..

So I was about to give up, when my dad insisted there must be more USA standards that I hadn't tried. Meh, might as well look, I thought.

There was a Fender case on the sofa ( - ace shop to deal with, they even have a sofa in the guitar room for weary parents who've given up on their sons ever buying anything ) which we opened up to find a USA Standard, Olympic White Strat, with a rosewood board. Visually perfect for me. I pulled it out of the case and plugged straight in and played a few licks with different pup selections... within seconds I knew I'd found the strat for me I played it unplugged for a bit to check how resonant it was, inspected it for flaws... nope, all was fine. It was literally just out of their warehouse at the back of the shop, and was about to go on a shelf I think. Absolutely brand spanking new. Well, I wasn't leaving it behind!!!
More pics can be found here

And, for all those that know me this may come as a shock.

The trem is set floating.

The trem is staying floating.

As we say in Manchester - quot;I'm well chuffed, mequot; \m/

NICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i like that color on a strat .

Nice. That's a great color. Congrats.

Hehehe(evil laugh) hehehehe
Now Nuni...when will you block it??
Congrats that is one good looking strat!

Nice axe! Don't poke your eye out!


Originally Posted by JammerMattNice axe! Don't poke your eye out!

with what? its got no pointy ends

Damn, I've already been owned by a friend.I don't look like a criminal! :E lol..

Congrats, I've always liked that color on a Strat.

A classic looker. Congrats, it's always great when you find the 1!

congratulations man... you gonna change the pickups to some nice seymour and duncans?

Actually, it sounds just right for me already! The only upgrade I can forsee is locking tuners. I'm very pleased with it as it is

congrats, young gun - sweet looking axe ... enjoy and play in good health

cheers
t4d

Pretty Strat! Congrats...I like the white on white look!

That Delta tone control is VERY powerful...but subtle...utilize it! I had two AM stds with it...very cool feature, and I think the stock pups sound pretty good...not vintage..but warm and musical!

A little quot;nutsaucequot; (NOT manchowder, the graphite stuff ) on the nut and saddles did wonders for keeping the bar in tune on mine (as well as the malmsteen) .

Loose the string guides at the headstock, and get some staggered tuneposts, use good strings and keep the nut wellcut, thus you will prolly end up with a nice keep in tune strat

oh yeah I put nutsauce in the string keepers too (quite a feat )

great strat! I love White American Standards!!!!

Alder/rosewood is my favorite for strats. That's a great classic! I've always loved Fender mint green pickguards on white/rosewood. The pickups are good enough, but a Twangbanger/2 Surfers will push it over the edge.
If you eventually get Duncans, keep in mind that they seem to be opposite Fender pickups, so you've got to replace all 3, not just the bridge, or you'll end up with a nasally bridge/middle position. That's if you even feel the need to change them.

That's great! Enjoy.

say, could it be that ur mate or you be a newcastle fan?

nice strat. if only jap strats or mex strats comes with 22 frets. =P

Well, it's nice to see you not wearing a white T shirt!!!

Er, nice guitar too!