Are there any (non-artist) stratocaster models, which feature the same active electronics as the clapton/buddy guy models and at the same time also have some additional features like locking tuners or a battery compartment which can be opened without requiring a screwdriver?

I was a bit disappointed by the (quite expensive) clapton stratocaster, since it does not have such features (locking tuner, easy access to battery).

Thanks

Sorry, not from Fender. There used to be an MIM model that had a 12.5 dB boost but it was discontinued several years ago; I'm not even sure what the name was any more. It still wouldn't have had locking tuners (but it might have had the sealed tuners instead of vintage tuners) and it didn't have a battery access compartment.

Also long discontinued are the Richie Sambora signature models - they also had the 25 dB boost like the Clapton/Guy. Seems like there were multiple versions of this; the second USA version might have had locking tuners (the first version had a Floyd Rose) and both USA versions might have had a battery compartment. There was also an MIM version, but I don't remember the specs. Seems like there was also an MIJ version but I don't think it had the boost.

The MIM Strat with the 12dB booster is called "Powerhouse". This model has been introduced in 1998 as a part of the Deluxe series line.



Speaking of the "Powerhouse" circuit, it's a 25dB boost which has been reduced to 12dB via two resistors. This guitar sported three "Ultra Quiet" single-coils with an internal "dummy" coil beneath the pickguard for noise reduction. Electric-wise, the Powerhouse Strat was not dissimilar to the "Elite" model of 1983.



While the Powerhouse looked like a standard Strat in appearance, the Elite used three push-push buttons for pickup selection, rubber-insert knobs, three special-design AlNiCo V single-coils with solid covers and a Freeflyte tremolo.

Wiring diagram for the Powerhouse Strat:

http://support.fender.com/diagrams/stra ... 02APg2.pdf

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Bill

[As memory serves me, the first Buddy Guy Signature Series guitar was this, in blond, with a shell guard. I searched high and low for a dealer who carried one, without success. When the company went to his version of the Clapton, this became the Powerhouse.

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Off the top of my head, both nikininja and I have PowerHouse Strats. They are a sweet guitar. A feature some don't realize is that Tone 1 is a "Master" control and works in all five pickup selection configurations. Tone 2 controls the boost only. The battery is easily accessible by a latched door over the compartment, however, that seems a little fragile to my eye. And, yes, the dummy coil really works well with the high output single-coil pups.

I'm afraid humidity has befallen mine and I'm being subjected to a little fret buzz. It's off to the shop very soon for a tweak. I'm going to run that by the Mistress of the house first... but it's going to get fixed anyway.

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Fender Players Deluxe and Power Deluxe offer some "advanced" types of electronics. Great thing about Fender Guitars is they are meant to be modified. Locking tuners, removable loaded pickguards, easy replaceble bridges....

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You're refering to the Strat Powerhouse and they still come up from time to time on the used market. The later models have a really slick battery compartment... I have one. No locking tuners... I would add the vintage locking tuners. Nice little guitar... I really like mine. I could really go for a late model Carmel Metalic/maple. I was talking to a guy who own one and he said the finish is so sweet it looks as though you could eat it!!!!!

Yea - just like the one above ^^^^^^^ - sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is one fender Strat Made in Japan based on a 54 Strat that has Gold Lace Sensors and a 25db boost. Basically similar to a Clapton Strat without the "signature" and has a hole in the back with a cover for the 9vt battery. I almost won one on ePay a few weeks ago that went for around $550. I see red one on ePay from time to time from Japan....

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The guitar you're talking about is the ST-54LS, which is sometimes known as ST-54/95LS.



This model is Fender Japan's own version of the early Clapton Strat. It usually comes with a 22-fret neck, however, some early ST-54LSes had a 21-fret neck and were not dissimilar to the first prototypes built by George Blanda in the mid-1980s. These guitars are better known as ST-54/85LS.