Is there a release date for this yet? Or prices for the CS and Non-CS?

John met with Mike Eldred and Mr. John Cruz today and they presented him with the offical prototype.

this picture is via John's Twitter:




the one on the right is John's, and the one on the left is the proto.

I must commend your job on it, Mike! you and Cruz really hit the nail on the head!! congrats! I am planning on placing my order the day you announce it!

I posted this also in the AME forum section.

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chanman have you noticed the pick up covers look a different coller on the prototype and the hardware looks bronze or gold on the proto not silver like on the original

Yes, I made note of that. that is from all the wear and sweat. Fender can't replicate that much. I also noted the slight wood grain difference, and the variation on the top horn scraping and flaking and the differently-aged pickup covers. all in all though, a pretty nice prototype.

btw you got them backwards, the original is in the case. should have mentioned that to clear confusion lol

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They did an amazing job on that guitar. It is hard to tell which one is the original and which is the prototype. I've always been amazed at the level of craftmanship that goes into the Custom Shop tribute strats, but it's great to see the comparison up close!!!

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2005 Fender American Stratocaster W/Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge and Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in neck.
1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Line 6 Spider II 150 watt head W/Ampeg 4x12 Cab
Laney Pro-Linebacker PL65R

When John first mentioned this guitar, he mentioned a CS version and a normal production line model.
Do you think he meant a MIM model for the cheaper alternative.
I really hope so. I really can't afford an american strat and I feel as a huge mayer fan and dedicated guitarist, I deserve to treat myself to one of these

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Turn the drums up in the umm, ear goggles

Great job on the mayer strat, Mike. Tremendous work but... isnt Mayer's just an SRV #1 replica with some slight modifications?

What I think is that fender should make a limited run woodstock or isle of wight (most preferably) strat replica.

That is, if anyone ever finds this guitar and has Fender to look onto it.

I want to see it before I die. And I have a long way to go (or do I?)

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One of God's own prototypes. Too weird to live, too rare to die.

+1. For me "The Black One" isn't really anything amazing, IMO just another relic strat, and Fender could have picked a more well-known guitar. The pickups are absolutely BOMBING, but other than that, meh. To each his/her own.

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I think it's always been a misconception that Mayer's black strat is an SRV #1 replica. The only thing it necessarily shares is the similar wear pattern on the finish. And even then they're not all that close. Mayer used to play an SRV with a tortoise shell pickguard, but the Black Strat is just a one off relic made by the custom shop; different electronics, neck profile, etc.

Now, regarding whether or not it's different enough from any other strat to warrant a series of replicas, that's up to the personal opinion.

Regarding a Woodstock strat, Fender can't make any more Hendrix strats. Late 90's lawsuit.

Speacking of the unique Strats that many would love to see released by the CS, I cannot help but to mention the Jerry Garcia '57 Natural Finish Alligator Strat. Given to him by Graham Nash in 1972 and featuring the Alembic on board Strat-o-blaster preamp. This guitar was very special to Jerry. Alligator toured with him for several years and made several more special appearences throughout the years. A few of us Stat/GD fans would love to see this guitar given some attention by the custom shop so that we can own a priceless guitar (at least in my eyes). If there is any hope for this please let me know (I know this is just a pipe dream). If not then, thats just how things go. I understand, gotta make what people will buy (or what your studies indicate they will buy). Thats fine with me. Just no more price increases please. But if thats what it takes to stay affloat, do what you must. We cannot loose Fender. Here's a link to the afformentioned Gator Strat: http://dozin.com/jers/guitars/Strat.htm

P.S. Kinda got off subject. Sorry. If this is a problem Brad you may erase my post. Again I'm very sorry if I have posted in the wrong place. Just kinda triggered some thoughts that I just put down without thingings much.

Russ

+1

Mayer can play, but that's no reason to buy a copy of his guitar.

So he's releasing 83 copies? They'll be expensive. I wouldn't pay £2-3k (or however much it is) plus for a Guitar replicated on John Mayer's, much rather get a Clapton or a Gilmour.

Dunno, Mayer just doesn't have enough under his belt for me to consider it a worthy purchase. I mean, listen to Room for squares. Doesn't scream GUITAR HERO.

IMO

If it wasn't for said lawsuit, Fender should have released a custom shop version of the Monterey Strat that isn't like £24k. That would sell like wildfire because who doesn't love that guitar.

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i still don't understand why someone would pay to have someone else ware something for them.

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"look mummy there's an airplane up in the sky"

So you wont buy the guitar becouse it has Mayers name on it?
but you would buy the Clapton or Gilmour becouse you like those players?

Don't buy the name, buy the guitar that you think is best......

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It's a mix between Jazz and Funk, it's called "Junk"

That lawsuit is only valid if it holds the hendrix name to it.

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One of God's own prototypes. Too weird to live, too rare to die.