I found where one of these just ended on eBay. $300 and no bids. I guess people just don't like the flames.

http://r.ebay.com/yEHiJE

One thing I've noticed is that all the ones I've seen photos of only have one string tree - mine has two. BTW, what email address did you use to get the info on your guitar? I've tried the one I have and the email bounces back.

I sent it to this address:
consumerrelations@fender.com

And you're right, the flames don't appeal to everyone. Shame though, as this is such a great guitar.

_________________
"I'll get up there and do my guitar solos in one of those space outfits." ~ Ace Frehley
My YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/fenderflamestrat?

Sweet looking strats you both have.

@fenderflamestrat: Do you mind posting a pic of your strat with the DR orange strings?

Finally!!
I've been looking everywhere for information on this flame Strat.

My dad bought one of these awhile back in a guitar store here in Illinois (they actually had 2 of them); I've never seen any others and it's always been kind of a mysterious guitar to us.

I had no real idea about what it was, (I was there when he bought it, but I don't remember anything the guy said) but I play it constantly; it plays and sounds awesome.

It's crazy to think there's only a small number of them and that it might possibly have Texas Specials in it.

Cool guitars!

I miss my MIM strat .. polyurethane and all.





Gear:
2010 Highway one upgrade
Black nitro with maple neck
1959 Strat Brazillian rosewoood Neck
in search of a body Muahahahaha!
1999 Fender Toronado MIM
1967 Gretsch Double Anniversary

Fender mustang 11 amp
Bugera v5
1964 Magnatone ToneMaster Amp

It's really easy to tell if you have Texas Specials. Just take the pickguard screws off and lift the guard up until you can see the bottom of the pickups. If you see a bar magnet on the bottom of the pickup, you have the stock ceramics. If you only see the 6 pole pieces flush against the bottom of the pickup, they are probably Texas Specials. Look for the blue and red dot like in the photo I posted earlier to make sure.

I love this guitar, too. I've always played Les Pauls and never could find a strat (that I could afford) that I liked. This one just feels right. Actually, the flames were a turn-off at first - my wife still hates it. I know a lot of people don't like the poly finish either, but the guitar is very resonant and woody sounding. I have a relative with a custom bike shop and I've seen some Harley tanks he's done with a very similar orange flames on black look.

These may never be real collector's prizes, but I'm going to hang on to mine anyway. It's about a fret dress away from being perfect to me.

ok, I just setup a photobucket account and let me know if this works....


I'll try and post DR pics tmrw.

_________________
"I'll get up there and do my guitar solos in one of those space outfits." ~ Ace Frehley
My YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/fenderflamestrat?

Thanks for posting the pic. What's your opinion of the tone of the neon DR strings?

Well I think they're great. My only complaint is that on the high E string the orange is a coating and is wearing off a little bit where I hit it the string with the pick and where I would make a D chord so the 2nd fret.
They sound great though! Here's a link with me playing them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBYP0y09 ... ideo_title

_________________
"I'll get up there and do my guitar solos in one of those space outfits." ~ Ace Frehley
My YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/fenderflamestrat?

Well, my dad and I checked and ours doesn't have the Texas Specials; I'm still not even sure if I believe some came with them at all.

It seems more likely to me that someone installed them afterwards on jam66's, thus explaining the "factory snafu" (for some reason, I just don't see Fender making that kind of mistake).

In any case, I told my dad I might buy a set of Texas Specials next paycheck to put in.

I just can't see the guy I got this guitar from having changed the pickups. He didn't even take the plastic off the back plate, and the pickup screws still had plastic around them. The guitar looked like it hadn't been played in 8 years when I got it, and there were no other mods done to it. I've seen other MIM strats and the wiring on them has been very sloppy, so I can believe that it was a factory job.

I've got a brass trem block coming for mine. I'm really looking forward to getting it installed to see what kind of difference it makes over the cheap pot metal import one.