Same here. I going to try and build a hardtail since Fender doesn't really offer one anymore.

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Guitars: 2001 PRS McCarty, 1976 Hagstrom Jimmy Oval, 2010 Taylor Koa T5 Custom, 2009 Taylor 416 LTD, 2009 Gretsch Brian Setzer 6120, 2010 Taylor SBX-T, 2009 Daneletectro Baritone, 2005 Fender Kingman

http://www.facebook.com/blackandbluemusicnw

I would definitely buy one! Especially in a HH configuration.

I know this thread is a year old, but I just wanted to throw my $.02 into the pot. I'm new here. I'm a record producer who has been fortunate to work with many noted artists on many hits. I've been looking to purchase an American Standard Hardtail Stratocaster for a while. I recently even wrote to Fender Customer Relations to let them know. They replied and said they would pass my request to their marketing department. I hope Fender responds by bringing back the hardtail version.

From my experience handling a couple of hardtail Stratocasters owned by friends who are noted musicians, the guitars have incredible sustain and excellent intonation. I have two regular Stratocasters, one from 1978 and another from 1987. Both are great instruments, but IMHO the hardtail Stratocaster is better, and perhaps one of the best kept secrets. Maybe that's why you rarely see one on the re-sale market.

However, I was lucky enough to find a pre-owned 2005 American Standard Hardtail Stratocaster in excellent condition recently. They are rare and can be pricey. Mine is in Sunburst and has a maple fretboard. Would I buy a new one if Fender offered it? Absolutely yes! I want one with a rosewood fretboard, as I prefer that to maple. In case Fender doesn't offer it again, I will continue to look for one with a rosewood fretboard. This means that the one I purchased recently will continue to escalate in value... which is good for us hardtail owners.

Fender... are you listening?

My Frankencaster is a hardwood hardtail with through string body and it's a lot of fun to play plus I've noticed the big improvement in sustain. If they do make one I think there will be a small market at first. People need to play them before passing judgement and unless one horses around on the trem often, I don't think they will miss it at all!

Saw this on Gumtree today, for any UK-type hardtail people -

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/fende ... /112918625

Quite tempted by it myself, as it would make a perfect pair with my Plus which has the same finish and neck, but it's that time of year when I shouldn't really be buying more guitars than I have to.

I just bought a Robert Cray Strat.
Extremely happy with it. It' good out of the box.
Will be even more happy with it when it gets back to me from my favorite local luthier next week.

You will really dig that axe when it comes home!

I would and did just purchase a Robert Cray. With Fender producing a dizzying array of Strats, I really think that thinning the herd a bit and making a Standard hardtail makes sense.

Have you told EC this?

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

I would definitely buy one, especially a reissue of the black Strats of the late '70s with the black pickguard and maple neck. Great guitars.

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Fender American Series Stratocaster
Marshall JTM612
Marshall JTMC12
Gibson Vintage Reissue strings
DiMarzio pickups
Souldier guitar strap
Spectraflex cables

Yes, it would save me having to block the trem on my Strats.

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OK, I'll hum a little bit, got it now?

Anyone who blocks their trem may want to check one out, they are pretty cool!

Check one what????