Hello!

I'm hoping someone can help me get a bit more information on a guitar I have

I bought it in a shop call Ichibashi in Tokyo when I went there a few years ago. The serial number is E925003, and according to serial number guides I've found means it was made in '84-'87.

It's got a HB at the bridge and two SCs, a licensed floyd rose, one volume and one tone control which are both gold domes rather than the normal plastic fender ones. All gold hardware. Black 3-ply scratchplate. The weird thing is it has a spalted maple top with a red sunburst finish - I've looked everywhere and I can't find another strat like it.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Anyone seen one like it before? I'm trying to establish whether it's particularly unique - I picked it up for just £300 with a flight case, wouldn't part with it but I'd love to know!

Any help would be most appreciated! I'd add a picture but I can't find an option to do it!

Actually it's not spalted, it's bird's eye maple. Sorry!

Do you have some pics to post?

HRR Strats came with a 22-fret neck, DiMarzio PAF Pro bridge humbucking pickup, master volume and TBX tone controls for the middle and bridge pickups. They also feature a contoured neck heel.

Here's an example (note: guitar is not mine):



This HRR50s is similar to the guitar you're talking about, but has the classic 3-knob arrangement, regular Stratocaster knobs and white parchment parts.

These guitars were the precursors to the USA Floyd Rose Classics and served as a template for the early 1990s USA Richie Sambora signature Strats with the graduated mother-of-pearl star inlays and active mid-boost circuit.

Your guitar is not an HRR but a Contemporary Strat. Some later Contemporary Stratocasters were shipped with a Schaller Floyd Rose-licensed bridge.

thanks for the reply

Here are some pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65619148@N02/5975851432/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65619148@N02/5975851446/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65619148@N02/5975851460/

Does that help? I might post this again since I've got pictures now

I see... I've heard various comments about your axe. But I'm unable to provide further details related to this Japanese-made Fender guitar.

John C has recently posted a detailed information concerning this particular guitar a couple of years ago. He got a reputation documenting many of the Fender guitars and basses made during that era, I suggest you to sent him a private message.

Hey there Stevethebed,

I've been a big fan of the HRR strat for some years now. I currently own three. I have a pic of them somewhere on this forum. In my quest to find more HRR strats, I've come across the model you have on Ebay several times. It seems to be a bit rare. In fact, yours is the first one I've seen in that finish. They are more common in the same finish but, in a blueish color. I beleive the model name is "ST" and then followed by some numbers.

The times I've seen them on Ebay, the seller location is always Japan. My best guess is that it was a MIJ model that was only offered for sale in Japan.

Steve, you have a legit MIJ strat there- however, it is not a HRR strat. I dont know what it is called as I know it is known by a model number. My suggestion would be to check out Ishibashi music store U-Box used inventory website and you will find some there. I guess your model was the 'deluxe' version of the HRR, with other options being lace sensors, real maple top laminate instead of "Foto Flame" (foto flame- which is an HRR feature, is an image of a figured maple top over a basswood or alder body) and also black/white/black guard and "transition" logo. Other features were a figured maple neck- although these are rarely seen.

Hope this helps,
B

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Thanks for the replies everyone.

Looks like my strat is what I thought it was - a non-valuable rarity

One day I'll find another like it... and they'll do battle