I picked up a strat on a trade and it is unique in that the jack is straight down rather than the ususal angle. Has anyone seen this before? Was it a transition model? I believe it was made in 1986.[/list]

Hi Jeff, and welcome to the forum!

Could you post a picture please?

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

Welcome Jeff,
What you probably have is a post CBS Strat from the early 80's some refer to as the Dan Smith Strat for the designer. Compare it with the info here and maybe that will help you determine its origin.
www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000098.html - 38k

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I'm not slow... and I'm not fast... just sort of halffast...

Welcome Jeff,
What you probably have is a post CBS Strat from the early 80's some refer to as the Dan Smith Strat for the designer. It may be a later version known as a revised Standard Strat. Compare it with the info here and maybe that will help you determine its origin.
www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/archives/000098.html - 38k

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I'm not slow... and I'm not fast... just sort of halffast...

Hi Jeff: do you mean that the jack is on the front of the pickguard, like this one?

http://www.stratcollector.com/scn/models/standard2.html

If so, then (as it says on that page) it is correctly known as the "Fender Standard Stratocaster 2nd version" from 1984. A very short-lived model due to unpopular features, including that FreeFlyte bridge.

Or do you mean that the jack is on the edge of the body, like a Tele or a Les Paul? This is often done when the top of the guitar is made from a high quality flamed maple or similar. The idea being to remove clutter from the expensive timber on the front.

I can find several example of Strat-type guitars made that way by other companies. However right at this moment I am struggling to remember a Strat model made like that by Fender. But there probably have been some.

Cheers - C

Maybe a showmaster type. they had side mounted jacks.

http://www.denmarkstreetonline.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=823&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27

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No no and no

Can you post some pictures of your guitar ? that would be awesome

I was thinking he meant that the output jack plate wasn't at the usual angle. Which made me think that someone took one of those "jack on the pickguard" strats and routed out the output jack cavity at a unique and personal angle.

I'd probably do that if I got a hold of one of them strats!

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Ah, of course, yes!

And if he remembers to make his third post to qualify for his competition entry the OP might use it let us all know for certain...

...What a lot of first time posters on the Forum at the moment!

Oh well: new blood is good blood -

Dracula