New Strat Models Spotted

[swingin guitarman]

I was at my local Fender dealer this afternoon and checked out a pair of new strat models. The new Paisely Strat was "Crafted in Japan." It surprised me. I though all the Japanese Fenders had been discontinued. The guitar played and sounded on a par with other Japanese reissue Fenders. Price was $649.

I saw, but did not play, one of the new Satin Standard Strats. Nope, definitely did not do it for me. I don't like the look of feel of the satin finish. I don't care if it is thinner than typical poly finishes. I'll take the standard glossy poly finish anyday. These guitars are MIM. Price was $349.

I also checked out some nice Squier hollow bodies, a 335 and L5 copy. Very nice workmanship and playability for less than $600.

[Kevin]

The problem with the Paisley and Flower Power strats, IMHO, is that they have the small headstock on them, rather than the large headstock.....

In most cases, I prefer the small headstock, but c'mon, something that outrageous deserves the big headstock.....

Oddly, they are shown on the website as having the large headstock. The Musicians Friend catalog shows one with a small and one with a large headstock... Maybe Fender Japan just uses whatever they have at the moment?

[Tremolux]

Kev,

The floral and paisley strats I saw at Sam Ash in Chicago have the large headstocks, although the Sam Ash catalog shows pics of the paisley with a large headwtock and the floral with neck/headstock that looks like a '57 reissue.

Anthony

[Kevin]

The ones I have seen in the local shop here both have small headstocks and spaghetti logos.....

Maybe there was something to my joke about Fender Japan using whatever was lying around.....

[skyhawk]

Man, I'd love to have a 335. Did you have a chance to play the Squier copy? Exactly how good was the fit and finish + playability? Details?