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stratomaster · October 25th, 2007, 11:19 AM

My friend has a MIJ photo flame strat. Its got a real good ding in the front. Its got a v 50's type neck vintage frets (which I'm not crazy about).

I looked these up and can't really find much other than it says they are kind of shrink wrapped with the photofame. Made int the 80's to early 90's as a cheap photofame to compete with the PRS etc.

Does anyone own one? He wants to sell it and I may buy it. We don't really know what a fair price would be? I'm not sure I want it other than its MIJ which I don't own one and would like a MIJ to add to my collection.

Just wondering if anyone can give me their opinions on them if you got one or saw one, or know anything about them. Thanks

Axis29 · October 25th, 2007, 12:40 PM

Take a look on Ebay, I'm sure there's one or two up there now.

I owned one for along time, but sold it to a good friend who loves it more than I did. I loved the color when I first bought it, but never bonded with it. Might have been my playing at the time, but I just never got to be close friends... we were always just acquaintances.

My current crappy strat and I are like long lost buddies... go figure.

It's a good quality guitar and the Floyd Rose is very functional. The finish was nice, and it looked really sharp.

My only real complaint about it was the locking nut was a pain if you had to tweak the tuning a little, say with new strings or something. But that only got in the way every few months or so, unless i let it sit for any length of time and I had to re-tune everything...

If you like it and it plays well, take a look on Ebay and see what they're going for. Like I said, I'm sure a few will sell this week.

stratomaster · October 25th, 2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axis29

Take a look on Ebay, I'm sure there's one or two up there now.

I owned one for along time, but sold it to a good friend who loves it more than I did. I loved the color when I first bought it, but never bonded with it. Might have been my playing at the time, but I just never got to be close friends... we were always just acquaintances.

My current crappy strat and I are like long lost buddies... go figure.

It's a good quality guitar and the Floyd Rose is very functional. The finish was nice, and it looked really sharp.

My only real complaint about it was the locking nut was a pain if you had to tweak the tuning a little, say with new strings or something. But that only got in the way every few months or so, unless i let it sit for any length of time and I had to re-tune everything...

If you like it and it plays well, take a look on Ebay and see what they're going for. Like I said, I'm sure a few will sell this week.

This one doesn't have a Floyd Rose. Its got a 50's reissue type neck, V with vintage frets and standard trem. I haven't seen any on ebay , I've been looking for a week or so. I found one article about them on the net. To be honest it didn't really sound all that great. It may have something to do with the photofame shrinkwrap that I read they use. But it looks really cool and Maybe a pickup swap would help.
Thanks for the input and anyone else that might have one let me know what you think.

BritishBluesBoy · October 25th, 2007, 02:24 PM

If you are after a reasonably priced, but really playable vintage style Strat I'd suggest looking at the MIM Classic series... Personally I'd prefer one of those to a Fotoflame one...

Just my 2 cents...

Cheers!

Axis29 · October 25th, 2007, 05:47 PM

Dude, there're a couple, ya just gotta search under weird terms, 'cause nobody remembers how to spell photo-flame! LOL

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-FENDER-STRA...QQcmdZViewItem

This one's really pretty: http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-STRAT-STR...QQcmdZViewItem

Another red one: http://cgi.ebay.com/1990s-JAPANESE-F...QQcmdZViewItem

It seems there's also a newer Indonesian squier version, that I seriously doubt is comparable.

endzone · October 25th, 2007, 10:14 PM

http://www.xhefriguitars.com/page7.html

This website has a ton of info on the Fotoflames.

I have the Fotoflame Tele. Killer guitar. Build quality is 2nd to none. Made in mid 90's. They're every bit as good or better than any MIM Classic or American Std. IMO. The only consistent bad mark is in the MIJ electronics. Change that out and you've got one great guitar.

sneakyjapan · October 25th, 2007, 10:18 PM

careful with those...I`ve seen cracks like this one on more than a single guitar, and on the bodies as well. You can see it just above the Hamburglar in this pic...as much as I love all my MIJs, I just can`t dig the Fotoflames.

endzone · October 25th, 2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakyjapan

careful with those...I`ve seen cracks like this one on more than a single guitar, and on the bodies as well. You can see it just above the Hamburglar in this pic...as much as I love all my MIJs, I just can`t dig the Fotoflames.

Is that in the film or the wood? I've never had any problem with mine, but I do baby it. There's hardly a ding on it and I bought it new in '96.

Ed P · October 25th, 2007, 10:53 PM

To me, photoflames have always felt like they're encased in plastic, with narry a piece of wood to be felt. I didn't like that feel, so I've always avoided them.

mwaym · October 25th, 2007, 11:55 PM

I have a blue foto-flame strat from 94-95'..... it's sweeeeet !!!! I sold it once, but bought it back. I love the big, chunky neck !!!! No Floyd on mine either, just a bunch of vintage vibe !!!!!

I've got pics....but can't post here !!

stratomaster · October 27th, 2007, 09:58 AM

Hey guys thanks for all the info. I couldn't find much. Its such an oddball guitar I think I gotta have it lol. The powers of gas.

stratomaster · October 27th, 2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakyjapan

careful with those...I`ve seen cracks like this one on more than a single guitar, and on the bodies as well. You can see it just above the Hamburglar in this pic...as much as I love all my MIJs, I just can`t dig the Fotoflames.

Theres no cracks on this one, just a ding in front unfortuantely where my friend dropped a golfball on it. I forgot to look for the Hamburglar.

stratomaster · October 27th, 2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axis29

Dude, there're a couple, ya just gotta search under weird terms, 'cause nobody remembers how to spell photo-flame! LOL

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-FENDER-STRA...QQcmdZViewItem

This one's really pretty: http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-STRAT-STR...QQcmdZViewItem

Another red one: http://cgi.ebay.com/1990s-JAPANESE-F...QQcmdZViewItem

It seems there's also a newer Indonesian squier version, that I seriously doubt is comparable.

I like the price the first one went for. What a difference in prices between them. Thanks for finding that auction I have something to go off of now.

sneakyjapan · October 27th, 2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endzone

Is that in the film or the wood? I've never had any problem with mine, but I do baby it. There's hardly a ding on it and I bought it new in '96.

cracks I`ve seen were in the foto part, not the wood.

Axis29 · October 28th, 2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratomaster

I like the price the first one went for. What a difference in prices between them. Thanks for finding that auction I have something to go off of now.

The price on that first one was just a body though.... no neck... According to my wife, that's kinda like me! LOL

stratomaster · October 28th, 2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axis29

The price on that first one was just a body though.... no neck... According to my wife, that's kinda like me! LOL

I have no idea how I missed that it didn't have a neck. LOL on the wife thing. My wife just says I have no spine lol

October 25th, 2007, 11:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
stratomaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PA Age: 46 Posts: 231	Japanese Photo flame strat? My friend has a MIJ photo flame strat. Its got a real good ding in the front. Its got a v 50's type neck vintage frets (which I'm not crazy about). I looked these up and can't really find much other than it says they are kind of shrink wrapped with the photofame. Made int the 80's to early 90's as a cheap photofame to compete with the PRS etc. Does anyone own one? He wants to sell it and I may buy it. We don't really know what a fair price would be? I'm not sure I want it other than its MIJ which I don't own one and would like a MIJ to add to my collection. Just wondering if anyone can give me their opinions on them if you got one or saw one, or know anything about them. Thanks

October 25th, 2007, 12:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 41 Posts: 1,479 1 Photos	Take a look on Ebay, I'm sure there's one or two up there now. I owned one for along time, but sold it to a good friend who loves it more than I did. I loved the color when I first bought it, but never bonded with it. Might have been my playing at the time, but I just never got to be close friends... we were always just acquaintances. My current crappy strat and I are like long lost buddies... go figure. It's a good quality guitar and the Floyd Rose is very functional. The finish was nice, and it looked really sharp. My only real complaint about it was the locking nut was a pain if you had to tweak the tuning a little, say with new strings or something. But that only got in the way every few months or so, unless i let it sit for any length of time and I had to re-tune everything... If you like it and it plays well, take a look on Ebay and see what they're going for. Like I said, I'm sure a few will sell this week. __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764

October 25th, 2007, 02:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
BritishBluesBoy Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 6,508 62 Photos	If you are after a reasonably priced, but really playable vintage style Strat I'd suggest looking at the MIM Classic series... Personally I'd prefer one of those to a Fotoflame one... Just my 2 cents... Cheers! __________________ BBB.

October 25th, 2007, 05:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 41 Posts: 1,479 1 Photos	Dude, there're a couple, ya just gotta search under weird terms, 'cause nobody remembers how to spell photo-flame! LOL http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-FENDER-STRA...QQcmdZViewItem This one's really pretty: http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-STRAT-STR...QQcmdZViewItem Another red one: http://cgi.ebay.com/1990s-JAPANESE-F...QQcmdZViewItem It seems there's also a newer Indonesian squier version, that I seriously doubt is comparable. __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764

October 25th, 2007, 10:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
endzone Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisiana Age: 53 Posts: 1,874 42 Photos	http://www.xhefriguitars.com/page7.html This website has a ton of info on the Fotoflames. I have the Fotoflame Tele. Killer guitar. Build quality is 2nd to none. Made in mid 90's. They're every bit as good or better than any MIM Classic or American Std. IMO. The only consistent bad mark is in the MIJ electronics. Change that out and you've got one great guitar. __________________ *I'm Makin Progress*

October 25th, 2007, 10:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,995 3 Photos	careful with those...I`ve seen cracks like this one on more than a single guitar, and on the bodies as well. You can see it just above the Hamburglar in this pic...as much as I love all my MIJs, I just can`t dig the Fotoflames. __________________ quasi mojo

October 25th, 2007, 10:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ed P Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern California Age: 52 Posts: 757 6 Photos	To me, photoflames have always felt like they're encased in plastic, with narry a piece of wood to be felt. I didn't like that feel, so I've always avoided them. __________________ Ed

October 25th, 2007, 11:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
mwaym Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: anderson, indiana Age: 45 Posts: 260	foto-flame I have a blue foto-flame strat from 94-95'..... it's sweeeeet !!!! I sold it once, but bought it back. I love the big, chunky neck !!!! No Floyd on mine either, just a bunch of vintage vibe !!!!! I've got pics....but can't post here !!

October 27th, 2007, 09:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
stratomaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PA Age: 46 Posts: 231	Hey guys thanks for all the info. I couldn't find much. Its such an oddball guitar I think I gotta have it lol. The powers of gas.

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