OK, so I got a package today.



I've been waiting for it for some time. But it came. Along with a hefty notice from Customs & Excise.

But still... time to open the box.



First signs are good.



Sorry red guitar. Your neck has been donated until I can find a suitable blackface American Deluxe neck with an LSR and a rosewood fretboard (hint hint to y'all out there).







It's a Japanese body. From a '68 reissue model, I believe- it has ST68 VWH in there or something. Also has routing for a Floyd Rose, but never mind! Came with a brand-spankers EMG KH20 set, loaded into a new black Warmoth pickguard. Lots of black hardware, smiles all round. Really liking it so far- it plays very well, as I should hope- and it sounds pretty good. Different, but good.

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

Hey Sam,

great body looks awesome \m/

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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Hi Sam (as we now know you). Nice looking Strat! Nice pickup set. Nice, nice neck! Tell us more about that, please?

Not seeing the Floyd route you mentioned...?

Anyhow. Congrats!

BTW: I wonder if you feel you want to remove the first picture, clearly displaying as it does your full name and postal address? Lot of eager ST68 burglars out there, not to mention identity thieves...

Mind you, nice spot on the Isle of Wight, close to the sea. Good for you. Hey, what's brown and comes out of Cowes backwards?

Cheers - C

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Didn't even notice that! I'll get it done haha!

The neck was taken from my matching numbers 2001 American Deluxe HSS Strat. I've had the guitar since I was 13/14, so it's well played in now. It's one of the nicest necks I've ever had. I've been very spoilt with it, it's ruined a lot of other guitars when they just don't play like that!

Underneath the scratchplate you can see the two post-holes for a Floyd. It's a bit weird. Either that or it's for something totally different, like a Kahler... I don't know much about these things.

The place is lovely! Sea view right out the window, makes for some lovely mornings. I can hear gulls right now, as it happens. Bliss! And I'm liking the play on words there... the answer would be yachts.

Robin- thanks! It's 'moar metulll' than I bargained for, but it's not how it looks... it's how it sounds and plays.

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

The Isle of Wight ferry - was the way I always heard it. But maybe they've painted it since I last saw it...

BTW: intrigued about these pillar holes you mention. Be interested to see that, next time you have the 'guard off...?

Now. Rock that little minx. If you can hear seagulls you just don't have the volume knob set how it should be!

Cheers - C

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nice guitar... can't wait to see how ol red turns out the white one is amazing

Dude, that's one badass guitar! Hope she sounds as good as she looks!

PieceCasters are a ferry load of fun! Looks great!

What are those bridge saddles Vlad?
Look a bit Fishman to me.

Nice body.

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Ralf- ol' Red is getting hisself a gorgeous neck when I have the fundage.

Rapaul- cheers man! It sounds interesting. I'm not used to EMGs, but they sound very clear. Also very compressed, but I like that.

Bluemercedes- yeah! I've had great fun swapping necks (with varied results). They're amazingly interchangeable.

Niki- they're roller saddles. Odd concept but seem to work so far... I'm looking more at GraphTechs though. Always been a huge fan of the assumed invincibility they give you.

Another new guitar winging its way to me soon... updates and photos will be in order.

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

Don't you just love those custpoms peeps

Somebody has to pay for the War.

I work over in Southampton!

I have no good things to say about Graphtech saddles. But they may work well for what you want them for.
I've six of the Ferraglides sat around here somewhere. They have the offset intonation screw for Deluxe trem's. They may need springs.
Let me know if you want them dug out.

I'm wholly in favour of roller saddles though. I've had guitars with them on in the past and thought them to offer (atleast to my mind) a improvement. Without damaging the appearance or altering the sound of the guitar too much.

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No no and no

Definitely interested in the Ferraglides! Need another set as I have another Deluxe incoming. Let me know how much you want for them!

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

lol sorry for naming your guitar

dude you get a lot of gear going on... i'm a college student i only have two strats, my nylon string, my practice amp and my ME-70 sorry to ask but how do you manage?

That's his name anyway!

I just finished university, throughout my time I got lots of student loans and spent them on a lot of things. Currently I have 3.5 electrics (white one here, gold Lone Star, ol' Red's loaded body, PRS Singlecut Trem), 1 acoustic and 1 classical. Oh, and one amp.

I've also had a job since I was 13... so 9 years later, I'm doing OK going to be selling a couple of guitars soon though!

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."