Given that sometimes features tend to gradually trickle down the catalog I'm wondering if that pop in arm will eventually get to the MIA Standard? The screw thread is one thing that really should have been addressed decades ago, isn't it?

I like locking tuners too: but I accept that I'm required to pay more to get 'em...

Cheers - C

It should have been ammended ages ago yes. I live in fear of stripping them, consequently dont use the trem as much on screw in models as i do pop in models.
What really sets the pop in system above all else for me is the ability to tighten the movement of the arm without causing damage. That little grub screw was a cause of much pleasure round my house. I was even considering taking a soapbox to speakers corner to extoll its virtues.

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No no and no

An American Deluxe with S-1 Switching and Noiseless pups and incredible build-quality and materials is such a different instrument, so upscale, it should almost not be Strat-shaped, in this opinion.

The American Deluxe Stratocaster S-1 is in this observation, simply amazing.

I also would suggest looking over an American Deluxe. S-1 tones don't do it for me, but the other upgrades do.

And the neck is a diferent part # than that on a Standard. Mine feels as though it was carved by Angels.

This guitar is exquisite. Feels, plays and sounds like a dream.

if you think the neck on the deluxe was carved by angels i will definately try one before i make my decision.

Hi dafreeze: the code on your photos suggests that both of these are Dave Gilmour playing his #001 Strat. The bottom photo clearly is Dave - but the one above somehow looks like Clapton to my ignorant eye.

Could that be the case, and if so, is he playing the white MIM Strat with anodized pickguard that was given him as a birthday present by his family? (And which was so controversially discussed on this Forum quite recently...)

Have I the eyes of an eagle - or a worm?

Cheers - C

Eagle Eye Ceri! I have no clue about the Gilmour code on Eric Claptons pic. Stumbled across that a while ago.

Don't know the story about the guitar Clapton's playing, but would like to. Will see if I can find the thread you mention.

Ha! It is Clapton, is it? Excellent: I'll open myself a beer on the basis of that!

The story about the guitar which I'm assuming is the one he's playing in that pic comes from his autobiography: he says on a particular birthday the best present he got was a white Mexican Strat with anodized pickguard given him by his family with a loving inscription on the back.

Somebody posted a quote from the book about that with the joking question, does this mean Clapton rates MIM over MIA? And so that tiresome argument kicked off once again...

Somebody else then said that he apparently sent the guitar to the Custom Shop to have a new neck and pickups installed - we never heard what the source of that information was, though.

Cheers - C

My Lord wouldnt that be nice. Photo's of EC playing a mim. It would certainly show my comment of him not being seen driving a sierra round the keefley bypass as foolhardy.

I sincerely hope it is a MIM just to shut the whole argument up.

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No no and no

Thank's for the tidbit Ceri. I'd like to read his autobiography.

These two Gentlemen are a great part of the reason I'm NOT giving up on Strats.

Grew up on Les Pauls and developed a bad habit of resting my picking hand on the bridge. That hand still gets tripped up a bit on a Stratocasters, but I'm getting better. Prop with my little finger on occasion, and of course still bump the vol. knob sometimes, BUT....like many have chimed, this particular model is extreemely fine.

This is an interesting one. I think you can tell from people's technique whether they started out on a Strat or a Les Paul. Paul players who come to Strats often have that problem of the weight they are accustomed to placing on the bridge throwing the tuning off on the trem.

My journey was in the other direction. Started out on Strat-type guitars so from the outset got used to essentially basing my arm against the forearm contour - a kind of pivot point for the positioning of the hand. Then my hand can come down lightly on the bridge for a bit of palm muting, move back an forth for picking in different places on the strings, or lift right off for strumming.

When I go to the Les Paul I do pretty much the same thing - with the result that I generally have a red line marked into my forearm from that hard edge of the body. But the silliest bit is when you sometimes absentmindedly reach for the whammy and find yourself clutching thin air!

I think Orvilleowner called it "the invisible whammy grab", or some such...

- C

I think the 62 is the best personally. But that is just my opinion.

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-I'm always rockin no matter where i am-

The '62 is one of the best guitars I have ever played! I picked one up last year and couldn't put it down. (still haven't).

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
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