Does anyone know why there are no new Hardtail strats available? I have been looking for months and all I can find are the signature series by Billy Corgan and Robert Cray. I am not a fan of Tremolo's so don't want a Strat with one on. IS there any chance of Fender making a reissue or do I have to give up on my strat hunt? Oh and I want a yellow one!

The marketing gurus decide which Strats get made and sold. Unfortunately, you're stuck with either the Cray or the Corgan. Buy one of those and have it refinned or build one yourself -- it's prolly the only way you'll get precisely what you want.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Back in 2001 or 2002 when I bought my last US Strat new, there were hardtails available in the American Series. Maybe check to find one of these for sale used. I know it will be a long process, but at least you stand a good chance of finding one in great shape since it is not too old. I don't know if the hardtail option died when the American Series went back to the American Standard, or if it was only a short-lived issue around 2001-2002. A 1979 hardtail strat recently sold at a local music store for $1100 !

I'm always talking about my hardtails, and am getting a little sick of me, myself. BUT

Stick to your guns and keep looking for a hardtail. I have two 2004 American Standards. They stay in tune thru a real beating and sound great. I wouldn't buy one of the CBS three bolt neck models; I would want a more current model with the four-bolt.

There is nothing terribly wrong with the 70's 3 bolters.........I own a 74, and it is as solid as a tank. Some have oversized neck pockets, and if someone over tightened the screws way back when, you may find that the screw holes are worn, and these things combined result in why these were once avoided like the plague. I own 4 CBS Fender's and so far I have yet to see any truth to the "myth" about quality issues. Maybe it is only a myth, maybe I got lucky, and just maybe the "bad" ones have been parted out and junked by now, lol. I think some people feel that 3 bolts instead of 4 results in less tone or sustain and stability ( and likely the real issue why people dislike these). I have not found that to be the case, mine rings like a bell!

The strat tremolo bridge was Leo's secret as adjusting the springs,blocking etc. changes the tone dramatically.Plus springs reverberate only if you have an ash bodied strat with a callaham cold rolled steel bridge or vintage strat.The new trems are non-magnetic have been for 40 years.A hardtail would sound just as good as the zinc(old bogus block)or new fender copper and lead infused Trem block(just as bad)!Get a Callaham and block it that's the best unless you're really into light and airy.