Hmmm... lovely guitar, awesome resonance, typical AS strat, but worth 3-4 times my MIM Classic Player Strat? Not sure. Same smallish neck profile. The VG finish on neck seems much more sterile, bland, boring and anaemic, almost cheap looking. Delays when changing models compared to Variax 600 but models much nicer, esp. 12 strings. Still love it though. Prefer the neck on my MIM 50th Ann gold strat and Baja tele which is why I think the neck is small (even though I have small hands).

Now possibly looking for resonator, dobro or tricone?, and small 5w valve amp. Any suggestions?

Small 5watt valve amp, I'd go for the Cornford Harlequin as a splurge, the VHT special or Classic 6 as a save.


Give that neck on the VG some time. I too am a Baja owner with small hands. I think you may just be used to the larger neck of the Baja. I tried the VG and liked it a lot. So much so that I regret not buying one when I had the chance. Still horses for courses I suppose. You could always swap the neck for another one.

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No no and no

Gave it a good go, but the VG Strat was not a keeper. Funnily enough the variax went too as a direct swap for a Strat XII which I love.

This is a discontinued model.

Fender did also an American Deluxe version of the guitar with SCN pickups, a V-shaped 22-fret maple neck with abalone dot inlays, Schaller staggered lockers and a solid ash body; it lacked off the S1 switch.

The American Deluxe VG was a Factory Special Run commissioned by Guitar Center in 2008. It came in Sienna Sunburst and Aged Cherry Burst.



Only 600 examples were made.

My best advice - sell it as ssoon as possible.

Fender dont have parts for it if it breaks.

I only need a replacement battery holder and cant get one to save my life.

Fender customer service mdonmt reply to my mails.

So - if you need anything in the future you are buggerred!

An Aged Cherry Burst is sitting in my closet. The V-neck on this guitar is far more preferable for me than the modern C on the factory issue. I was gassed to find out that they had issued this guitar and luckier than a condemned prisoner hanging on a broken rope to find one available when they were sold off. There were 85 left in nationwide in Guitar Center's inventory and I bought it for $1100 with the SKB case. This guitar MSRP'd
for $2550, and was street at $1900. Have the original price tag in with the case candy. Batteries or no, it worth looking at. Damn gorgeous finish.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Since this post, Caleb has been unbuggered by Fender Consumer Affairs. Now if we can find a Fender parts distributor, perhaps we both can purchase some insurance for our investment.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Right on Doc.

My local Fender shop here has managed to order me two battery holders and they are on their way.

All this because there is someone at Fender who is on the ball!

Maybe y'all should get in touch with your local store now we know the way in to the "back Door"

Just out of interest, whats the response time (lag) like on the VG's modelled sounds? Is it noticeable?

My music collaborator has the Variax 700 acoustic/steel. Whilst it is an extremely innovative guitar with some highly useful sounds, the response time lag on the more processor hungry tones is noticeable when you play it. Still useable, but you really feel it when you're playing. You always feel the need to get ahead of yourself to compensate for the lag.

By contrast, my Variax 300 nylon responds instantaneously. So I was intrigued to see how the Fender performed..

As for a small 5watt valve amp, I'm really enjoying my Vox AC4TV combo. 4 watts (if you can cope with one less) with a 2 stage attenuator that cuts to 1 watt, then 1/4 watt. 10" Celestion driver on board. Sounds great and looks really really cute (my wife says). On the 1watt setting, I can run it flat out in my 1960s semi-detached house, without a lynch mob forming on my front lawn. Play it loud enough to overdrive on any of the 3 levels, then hit it with a booster or good overdrive and it sounds absolutely glorious.. Obviously the Cornford Harlequin is better built and probably better sounding, but it is 3 times the price of the Vox..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

I have a friend that works with me got the Black standard one he loves it and plays it every service at his church.

But I hear you on the discontinued cant get parts thing. I had a problem like that on my deluxe locking tremolo, so I bought up spares.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/fenderguitarandamp/

Adey: I don't notice any lag time with this guitar.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Oh right. That's good news then.

And forgot to say, gorgeous looking Strat..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Roger that. Those two finishes....Aged Cherry and Sienna....have been well in demand in the American Standard line. The wood grain really matters here.

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"Another day in paradise!"