Hi, i have been browsing the strat range on the main fender page and noticed that some models have 21 frets and some have 22.

Would i be right in saying that all of the mex strats have 21 frets? If so, i will not look any further at mex strats.

With the USA Standard, deluxe and Special having 22 frets?

Thanks

Yes; all of the Mexican Strats have 21 frets. But is that one extra fret really a deal breaker?

Who is really playing extensively in that spectrum. I rarely, if ever get past about 17 when writing.

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It's not only the MIMs. Just certain models have 21 frets, even the originals.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

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The Stratocaster designed by Clarence Leonidas Fender had 21 frets. Anything else is a blasphemous bastardization of his vision.

Arjay

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I only use higher frets to get an extra octave on blues scales. Rather than pay extra money for a 22-fret guitar, just bend up to it ona 21-fret. It'll help your ear, your, technique, and save a little $$$ (plus Leo Fender designed them that way )

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Its really not that big of deal. As of others have mentioned strats originally had 21 frets, and the 22nd fret doesn't add much, most people ( Myself included) never use it. Not all USA strats have them either, just the modern based stuff.

I tend to be more of a Rhythm player than lead...that said one more fret would not really make much of a difference to me. I tend to rarely go above the 18th fret. But, if that is what you are looking for then good luck and hopefully you will find your ideal guitar!
ABS

What he said, in its entirety. Although I have an AmSeries with 22 frets I never touch that spot. My first one had 21 frets and my next one might because MF has a short FSR sale that features 21-fret Strats with maple boards and VN pickups .

I miss having a 22nd fret. Without it, I am often playing the 22nd fret like it is there (anyone else do that?). It is my only guitar without one ... I get along, though ...

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I'd never go that high anyway. Somehow after a certain point I'd just feel like a show off

Though I tend to agree with you, and feel that a 'solid, one piece' 21fret maple neck is really the way to go, I have yet to have been given to understand, in all the discussion that's been had on the subject in the past three years, why the Clapton guitar, which started out in prototype with a 21 fret neck, ended up with 22. He does seem to do most of his soloing in the upper registers. However, as observed in another post on this thread, he certainly could bend into a note up there, and I never have seen him up on the end of the neck. I believe that neck was the start of it all with Fender where 22 fret boards are concerned.

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"Another day in paradise!"

To me, it really does not matter if my guitar has 21 or 22 frets. I have a '57 reissue with 21 frets, and all my other strats are 22 frets.

From a musical point of view, the originals had 21 frets, which has been noted, with the 21st. fret as a C#. To me, this seemingly odd choice reflects the guitar's "home key" of E, which has C# as it's sixth.

Subsequent Fenders have added the 22nd. fret, giving a top D, the minor 7th. in the key of E.

Excellent and informative bit of information:!: Now...theory and harmony set aside....the questions becomes....to what purpose the additional fret, in providing [i]'a top D, the minor 7th, in the key of E"?'[/i].
Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

Its down to your style as you can see from everyones comments now i play all sorts but my main focus of play is hair metal type things from the 80's so i use the lower register alot...Just get 22 so at least you have it

Im having my 21 fret extended to a 22 tomorrow as it happens so if you decide to go the other way and regret it, then extension is an option

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