Check out the newest news, views, lessons and more for Fender lovers -- FenderRocks.com

Schwebel · January 20th, 2009, 02:57 PM

I just learned today that there are Korean Strats. I found one today I really like. It has a birdseye maple neck w/ rosewood fretboard, sunburst, Koa body and real Seymor Duncan pickups. I was all set to buy a Highway one, but this caught my eye and is cheaper than a highway one. Also has more features and a much better finish.

Anyone own one? Or know how they really compare? They seem like a step up from the Mexicans, and quality seems on par with japanese, if not american ones (lower priced americans). I was ready to buy it today, but wanted to get some input. This one is going for $599 brand new.

blue metalflake · January 20th, 2009, 03:08 PM

I tried both a Korean Tele & Strat in a shop a while back. Both looke really good, but the Tele especially was poor to play.

Probably very variable quality, but if you're happy with everything on this one, then give it a go.

rangercaster · January 20th, 2009, 04:49 PM

the Cort and Samick factories turn out some high quality products. I believe Fender used both. I have a Fender Celtic Custom Esquire Korean made ... nice axe !!!

Phat-o-Caster · January 20th, 2009, 09:01 PM

The lite ash telecaster's are MIK. I played two of at different places when I was shoppin' for a tele and they were both nice but not $629 nice-they look great but didn't play a well as the lower priced CV tele's.

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...elecaster/10/1

fendertx · January 20th, 2009, 09:13 PM

I have a 93 Squire from Korea, it's a real player

rangercaster · January 20th, 2009, 09:38 PM

Fenders are made in the US, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, India,and China ... did I miss any ???

Jordanm57 · January 20th, 2009, 10:04 PM

I've played a few korean teles and all of the ones i played sounded/felt pretty good. I would say that they're probably on par with the mexicans but there definitely no american. It all depends on what your looking for. If you are planning on modding your guitar (new pickups, bridge, tuners, etc.) definitely go with the korean. On the other hand if you want to keep it stock i would spend the extra bucks and buy an american. Thats just me though; it all depends on what feels best to you and what your goals are in purchasing your next guitar. Hope this helps!!

DimesProdigy · January 22nd, 2009, 06:12 PM

I have a 91 korean strat. It is a very good guitar. nice fender stamped gotoh tuners, nice neck, good body, decent stock electronics. stays in tune wonderfully, even with tremolo bar usage.

HOBBSTER01 · January 22nd, 2009, 10:24 PM

I have owned a couple Lite Ash Telecasters and they,if set up properly play as well as any higher end Fender product on the market.

January 20th, 2009, 02:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schwebel TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 34	Korean Strats? I just learned today that there are Korean Strats. I found one today I really like. It has a birdseye maple neck w/ rosewood fretboard, sunburst, Koa body and real Seymor Duncan pickups. I was all set to buy a Highway one, but this caught my eye and is cheaper than a highway one. Also has more features and a much better finish. Anyone own one? Or know how they really compare? They seem like a step up from the Mexicans, and quality seems on par with japanese, if not american ones (lower priced americans). I was ready to buy it today, but wanted to get some input. This one is going for $599 brand new.

January 20th, 2009, 04:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
rangercaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2008 Location: portland, or Age: 55 Posts: 4,053	the Cort and Samick factories turn out some high quality products. I believe Fender used both. I have a Fender Celtic Custom Esquire Korean made ... nice axe !!! __________________ "Unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum"

January 20th, 2009, 09:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phat-o-Caster Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colorado Age: 52 Posts: 473	The lite ash telecaster's are MIK. I played two of at different places when I was shoppin' for a tele and they were both nice but not $629 nice-they look great but didn't play a well as the lower priced CV tele's. http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...elecaster/10/1 Attached Thumbnails

January 20th, 2009, 09:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
rangercaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2008 Location: portland, or Age: 55 Posts: 4,053	Fenders are made in the US, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, India,and China ... did I miss any ??? __________________ "Unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum"

January 20th, 2009, 10:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jordanm57 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United States Posts: 92	I've played a few korean teles and all of the ones i played sounded/felt pretty good. I would say that they're probably on par with the mexicans but there definitely no american. It all depends on what your looking for. If you are planning on modding your guitar (new pickups, bridge, tuners, etc.) definitely go with the korean. On the other hand if you want to keep it stock i would spend the extra bucks and buy an american. Thats just me though; it all depends on what feels best to you and what your goals are in purchasing your next guitar. Hope this helps!! __________________ "Real guitars are for old people." -Eric Cartmen

Sponsored Ads	#
Forum Sponsor Sponsored posting Join Date: March, 2003 Location: Forum HQ Posts: N/A	Sponsored by...

January 20th, 2009, 03:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue metalflake Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ireland Age: 59 Posts: 10,447 10 Photos	I tried both a Korean Tele & Strat in a shop a while back. Both looke really good, but the Tele especially was poor to play. Probably very variable quality, but if you're happy with everything on this one, then give it a go.

January 20th, 2009, 09:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
fendertx Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston Age: 39 Posts: 185 5 Photos	I have a 93 Squire from Korea, it's a real player

January 22nd, 2009, 06:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
DimesProdigy NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vacaville, Nor-Cal Age: 25 Posts: 2	I have a 91 korean strat. It is a very good guitar. nice fender stamped gotoh tuners, nice neck, good body, decent stock electronics. stays in tune wonderfully, even with tremolo bar usage.

January 22nd, 2009, 10:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
HOBBSTER01 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ringgold, Ga. Age: 51 Posts: 3,881 4 Photos	I have owned a couple Lite Ash Telecasters and they,if set up properly play as well as any higher end Fender product on the market. __________________ The Hobbster "If you know "how" to play, a Peavey Bandit is all you need."

Check out the newest news, views, lessons and more for Fender lovers -- FenderRocks.com

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.