I have a Lite-Ash strat. In the product list at fender.com it is placed under the "special edition" topic. What makes my strat so spesial?

More likely because of the body wood. Fender produces a lot more solid body guitars using Alder, and less with other woods, like Light Ash.

Matt

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Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

I have that guitar. It is one of the greatest guitars I own.

I think the idea of the "Special Editions" is in regard to the timbers in particular. Things like koa, lite ash and the birdseye maple necks are not necessarily always going to be a available to guitar builders in regular quantities, so they call them Special Editions so we understand they are not going to stay in the catalog forever.

The Seymour Duncan designed pickups take them slightly out of the mainstream, too.

I think those Lite Ash Strats and Teles in particular are knock-down bargains at their very reasonable prices...

Cheers - C

They are "special" because Fender says they are!

With most of the "Special Editions"
It's a different wood, or a different finish, or a different pickup/control configuration than "normal". Sometimes it's a combination of several of these conditions. The Special Editions are made in a limited run.

It's done simply to increase sales. There are always guys who will buy a "special edition" simply because it's different or because there are only a limited number being produced.

Are they better? Mostly no
Are they worse? Mostly no
Are they different? Yes

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Ok, so what's the difference between "Special Edition" and "Factory Special Run (FSR)?" I have one of each, with my So Cal Speed Shop Strat being a Special Edition, and I have a FSR Straight Six Stratocaster.

Matt

_________________
Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

The number of items produced is the difference.

Special Edition = few produced (but still a relatively large number)
Factory Special Run = fewer produced

_________________
"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Also, I've an idea FSRs don't appear in the catalog (I'm ready to be corrected on that, though). They seem to have more the character of people at the factory saying: "Hey, let's give this a try, shall we, guys? We'll just run off a couple of hundred to see how it turns out..."

Or special orders for shops: I think those get called FSR as well, do they?

As to the number of a Special Edition; I don't think that is necessarily few, is it? Seem to be a heck of a lot of Lite Ash Strats and Teles in the world, judging by how many come up on Ebay. Special Edition ain't the same as Limited Edition: I suspect it is just a question of how long the timber is available.

Or perhaps SE is time limited. If so - buy now!

Cheers - C

I have one and it is my favorite guitar out of all seven guitars I have.
I am going to trade in the Seamore Duncan pickups for Lace Sensors though, you might even like DiMarzios.