I would like to see Fender introduce a model with neck body connection like the one on this guitar. The neck is longer and bolts 'into' the body rather than on big flange sticking out of the body. The PRS CE and old EG models are similarly connected. It improves upper register playability.

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

Why? I think Leo got it right the first time...that type offers no real improvement that I am aware of.

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

I agree that Leo Fender was a genius when it came to industrial design. The Strat is a prime example. But not even the Strat is perfect.

You really don't see how getting rid of that huge flange sticking out of the body would improve upper register playability?

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

I wouldn't expect Fender to change a current model this radically. I also know that historically Fender hasn't been to successful venturing outside their traditional designs.

Wonder if the Custom Shop would be interested? (not that I have the money for a CS)

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

Don't mess with the Strat please! Other makers can if they feel like it but, Fender please don't mess with something that has been working so great for so long!

I don't see the "Flange" you refer to as huge...and I have never had any problems with getting to the upper registers...and come to think of it, neither does Clapton, Beck, or Duane, etc.,...hmmm me thinks we might be on to something...

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Beck obviously agrees with the OP, if you look at the heel of his signature Strats.

It's the one thing I hate about Strats, to be honest - yeah, I can get up there, but it's SO much easier on most other guitars with much smoother neck joints. Coming back to any of my Strats after playing (for example) my old Ibanez Saber is a massive culture shock, feels like someone has parked a small truck at that end of the neck, haha.

But that is part of a Strat, and does seem to lend a certain tone to the upper registers due to your hand being forced into certain positions up there, so I wouldn't change it. Would be nice to have a contoured joint like the Beck signature available on more models though, just for choice.

I find upper fret accessibility on Strats and Teles to be less than encouraging. The Les Paul I find to be a complete no-no above the 15th fret.

Just because something is old and nearly right doesn't mean it can't be improved. By the "Don't mess with the Strat" mentality we'd all be stuck with pretty antiquated guitars. The American Standard and Deluxe wouldn't exist in that world. Nor the 1959+, CBS guitars, Highway1 and American Special guitars.
We'd be stuck with black (rare), white, two tone sunburst bodies. One piece maple neck/fingerboards. 21 frets. Three weak noisy pickups with no tone control for the bridge pickup. A 3 way switch and the synchronized trem system.

All in all, it wouldn't affect me too badly, I quite like that spec list.
However I'm glad that improvements and changes have been made. It offers the best of both worlds.

Dear Fender.
Please feel free to change the Strat if you wish. Just make sure the changes are good, like most of the others. Or I'm gonna come looking for you.

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No no and no

it looks like crap for a start

get a contoured heel like a jeff beck strat (i think) dont change nothin

i like the feel anyway

It isn't broke and therefore, doesn't need fixing.

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You dig?

I was thinking a new model rather than a change to an existing model. Parts inter-changeability is a major plus for the strat. Most of the past changes done to the strat didn't greatly affect inter-changeability. An alteration of the neck joint should NOT be done do the strat.

What I have in mind should be a feature on a new model. Fender has done things in the past that departed from their traditional designs; For example, the set neck Showmaster.

I'll see if I can photoshop something to show what I have in mind.

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

I refuse to deregulate or privatize the Strat! If you want a pointy head stock go for it! Don't sit and try to convince me to turn my Harley into a rice burner! Why don't we take the Cadillac and, make it into a Mini Cooper? It is not an attitude; it is a tradition. I would never attempt to turn my Les Paul into a Tele either! You can modify on your own but, I don't feel that it should be pushed on players. If Fender went with your idea how many do you think would jump on it? Maybe this is a better question: What demographic target are you attempting to tap into?

Maybe a reissue of the Music Master, but with the neck idea, a single lace sensor, locking tuners, and a whole new spread of colors. Still be a lower priced model. I think $800 or less would be killer.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Both Fender and Gibson are trapped by their own heritage. They can't go forward and there is only so much life in going back.
They can't release anything new without it facing hostility by the "vintage faithful" crowd. The snare of being stuck in the past has given rise to a multitude of new manufacturers of amps and guitars that are not beholden to history. It doesn't have to have a pointy headstock as Paul Reed Smith, Patrick Eggle, Peavey, Parker and a million other guitar builders have proved. They've all carved out successful careers with innovative design.
Then move onto amp makers and the boundaries they've pushed just because they can and people will buy it.

It's not a good thing for them or us.

And yes give me a Mini over a Cadillac any day.

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No no and no

Dude new is good! Just don't go messin' with time proven! I dig my new Blackstar HT-1 but holy heck, I'm not going to scale down my Vibro Champ and, throw a gain knob on it! I even dig the new VC xd! I think they sound great even without the rec tube! I dig the Mini Cooper also but damn if they're not over charging for them! By the way Peavey was around when I was a kid and, I'm 56 they're not a new company. Look, man Fender already has messed enough with the Strat. Hum buckers! I wish they would put out more hard tail Strats. I bet there are one or two young and old cats like myself out there that would like to see this.