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Post subject: Re: Poplar used on the Strat Plus?
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 3:33 pm
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When i started this thread back a few years ago, I was exploring the history of the poplar/alder issue with fender in the early 90s. After knowing what to look for I started finding quite a number of 1990-1993 Strat Plus guitars made from it.

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Post subject: Re: Poplar used on the Strat Plus?
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:35 am
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As I see it this is a classic case of Orwellian conditioning by the manufacturer. We've come to expect that alder and ash were the preferred woods because THAT's what went into the building of the high end instruments. Ash, particularly, for those finishes where grain was enhanced. By demonstration, and absent any discussion of endangered species issues, Fender used poplar and basswood for the less costly products. By dint of this we come to think of them as lower quality source materials. All body woods are equal, except that some body woods are more equal than others. However, at the end of the day, if it sounds good, play it. That's what you purchased it for, wasn't it?

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Post subject: Re: Poplar used on the Strat Plus?
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:30 am
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ZZDoc wrote:
As I see it this is a classic case of Orwellian conditioning by the manufacturer. We've come to expect that alder and ash were the preferred woods because THAT's what went into the building of the high end instruments. Ash, particularly, for those finishes where grain was enhanced. By demonstration, and absent any discussion of endangered species issues, Fender used poplar and basswood for the less costly products. By dint of this we come to think of them as lower quality source materials. All body woods are equal, except that some body woods are more equal than others. However, at the end of the day, if it sounds good, play it. That's what you purchased it for, wasn't it?

Hey ZZ you hit the nail on the head. I have sold a lot of Plus guitars and when a person finds out it is poplar, it is a mark against the guitar. If I would not have said anything (ignorance is bliss) they would have bought it and loved it! I have owned a number of MIJ/CIJ Fenders and they were made of Basswood. Great guitars. The wood is a little softer so you can dent it a bit easier. Not sure if you watched the videos on the Fender Custom Shop link posted a few back, but pretty interesting. Density has always been part of owning an Ash bodied guitar. And if the cut comes from the butt end of a tree it can be heavy and dense, or if the cut is from higher up, it can be light and softer. At the end of the day, I just like to play.... ;-)

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Post subject: Re:
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 7:57 am
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Strataholic wrote:
I've just noticed a trend... the last two strat plus deluxe that I bought are extremely light to me... about 7.20 lbs.

I'll bet these are poplar - they resonate like crazy too.

I have a 2010 American Standard Strat 7.14 lbs. A 2011 American Standar Stratocaster that is 7.9 lbs, and a 2012 MIM Standard Strat that is 8.1 lbs All of my Strats are made of Alder.


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Post subject: Re: Poplar used on the Strat Plus?
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:37 am
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I have a 1995 Fender American Deluxe Strat Plus. It is an Alder body with an Ash veneered top and back.


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