Thanks for all the compliments guys. I ended up being able to go pick the strat up from the seller in time for my Thursday, Friday, and Saturday gigs.

From the second I picked it up I knew it was going to be a tone monster. Nice and heavy, lots of sustain. Sounds much warmer than my other Voodoo strat. Can't believe the sound I got playing through my drummer's dad's original '69 Twin Reverb with my TS808. Simply perfect. There are a few nicks and dings on the body, but overall the clearcoat is in much better shape than my white Voodoo strat. The frets have way more life on them and the neck finish is aging nicely. The only problem is where it looks like the strat was rested on something hot which burned a spot of finish on the back of the neck, causing it to curl up a little bit created a little bump. I'll probably sand the little bump out and accept it as a mark of character. Anyways, the Tobacco sunburst is much brighter than I thought it would be, really really pops at you.

I need to set it up. I picked it up with a very cramped time schedule so I didn't have any time to get it worked on. I got away with some monster bends but some of the faster stuff was difficult because the action is set higher than I like it. Had to stick to the Cypress Mica strat for the majority of the sets. Once I drop the action down, I'm convinced that this will be the perfect strat for me. I actually think my other ones will feel ignored for a little while.

Pics to come tomorrow. Been a lonnnnnnnng weekend.

Alright, pic time:







Brothers from different mothers:



I think I'm in love with this thing.

Nice pictures! Congratulations!

Is the neck nitro finished?

That sounds like a chemcal reaction of the finish against the plastic parts of a guitar stand. A problem well known to many Gibson players. Guitar straps made of certain materials can mark nitro finishes too. Worth checking out - you dont want to risk more damage.

I had this problem with the neck finish on my Line 6 Variax 300 nylon acoustic. Left too long on stand and it formed a noticeably deep indentation where it rested on the stand.

Lovely guitar by the way - even though those reverse headstocks offend my eye. Love the Hendrix neck plate.. well cool..

Funny you say that, I figured this out this morning. I've known about this problem and never considered it simply because my other Voodoo strat never had it. Lapse of judgment on my part, because I also don't use a stand that causes this. Also it looked like a burn because of the shape of the wound and a spot nearby. But upon further investigation with a tech it seems to be a chemical reaction. Right in the spot where it would sit on a stand.

Luckily it hasn't affect playability in the least thus far, and if it did I would sand it off and be done with it. If anything I'm a little happy to finally have some confirmation about the nitro finish on these strats, something I've searched relentlessly. Regardless, none of my stands or straps cause this so it should be alright in the future.

1800 for that artwork.
nice

Even less! Much less actually.

Sweet! Does that flipped bridge pickup affect the tone a whole lot (in a Jimi-like way)?

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Addicted to chasing down tone info, and publishing all my findings at my blog: www.WoodyTone.com

Nice guitar, man. Real nice.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Thank You I was truly feeling my age and ignorance on that one.......................I'm like WTF is G.A.S........whew

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Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

I would say that it does. It's especially noticeable in the lows. The lows seem a lot more "bouncy" if that makes sense, similar to Hendrix's tone when he used the bridge pickup.

HOW COULD YOU RUIN THAT CM strat by ADDING A MAPLE NECK???????????????????????

*shoots head*

and you changed the knobs? COME ON, MAN! not cool.

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http://www.twitter.com/CAE_Music

HAHA different tastes, calm yourself. I think it's unique.

It's a parts guitar. I didn't buy a Cypress Mica JM strat and dismantle it. Got the body/bridge, then bought the loaded pickguard which I believe came off of a short run of white JM strats which would explain the mint green pickguard that contrasts so heavily with the knobs. The neck is the best neck I've ever played. Warmoth AAA grade birdseye maple, compound 10-16" radius neck, with JM strat profile frets. If you couldn't tell, I strongly prefer the look, feel, and sound of a maple neck over a rosewood.