Yeah, It's kind of lame that you can get any color you want if you get a custom shop. I'd love too, really, but approaching 4 grand vs. 1000 is a long way to go for a paint color.

It obviously isn't affecting Fender's bottom line any I guess, but I know people who agree with me, and end up buying a used one after months of searching. That certainly isn't helping Fender out any.

I was emailing with a sales guy at nStuff Music and he said the Candy Cola color has been discontinued and that further changes will be made in the American Standard line.
I guess we'll all have to wait and see what comes next.
Before I go, have you checked out the Sonic Blue color on the Strat Blacktop HH?

Maybe this is just one of the other reasons 1987-1990 Strats are starting to pull more money on the markets. Looks at all those cool vintage colors! Bahama Green, Surf Green, Fiesta Red, Graffiti Yellow, Caribbean Mist, Vintage White, Arctic White, CAR, CAB, CAG, and a host of other colors. As pointed out, back in the 1980s-1990s you could order a Strat in about 12 to 15 different colors. I like Pewter and Inca Silver but they are bland compared to something akin to a 57 Chevy or old Cadillac!

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

I have looked at the Blacktop HH strat, the sonic blue seems rather pale on those. But they would make for a nice Project Strat, I have played one, and I enjoyed it stock as well.

Interesting that the only non-white/black/grey color they currently offer is no longer. I can only hope they plan to intro something cooler.

This is exactly it, it's really no wonder those are becoming so sought after. Gee, I wonder why, lol.

One can only hope that someone in Fender is peeking in on this thread and getting a clue. Hmmm. black, grey, and white. sounds pretty generic to me. hopefully they aren't thinking that will attract people away from other brands. I have loved Fender Strats since I started playing. My first product was a Squire (like a lot of folks) Then worked my way up. But, if your standing in a music store with the cash and your looking at $799 for a MIA Strat It's awful easy for the eyes to divert to a more colorful brand with a ton of options in that price range or less.

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TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ

Have you checked out the sapphire blue on the Deluxe Players Strat? Saw one with a RW board, and it definitely stood out.

It's very true. I was at the local guitar store last night doing some amp shopping. As usual, I walked over to the wall of guitars and looked around.

I actually noticed that, really, most electric guitars of all makes were kind of in the same boat. It was bizarre, Ibanez, Gibson, Fender, all the major players up on the wall, and it was a sea of muted dark colors, browns, black, grey, and the occasional white one here and there. There were a few red ones around but nothing worth noting.

But Gibson people love their Gold-Tops and Sunbursts. A lot.
Ibanez folks enjoy the black metal guitars, and gray sparkle, and the occasional white JEM, (or other crazily appointed JEM)

Fender could have had a huge stand out presence with some classic color variety. The only guitars you would've seen on that wall would've been the gorgeous Fenders looking all awesome. It's an opportunity I guess is what I'm saying.

Again, just from my point of view.

Yeah, it's alright. Don't like the gold hardware, or the tortoiseshell guard on that blue though. But then I just kind of like the classic strat look.

Easy answer. Fender, like any smart company, conducts market research and has determined that these are the colors that sell the best. Production is streamlined toward efficiently manufacturing high numbers of products that appeal to a broad base.
Graffiti yellow? Yeah, it looks cool, but how many would they sell? Probably not enough to justify more than an occasional factory special run of a few hundred.
Sometimes Musician's Friend or Sweetwater will have some exclusive deals for Fenders in unusual colors. Otherwise, you might just have to pony up the extra cash and go custom, if you have your heart set on breaking outside the usual color scheme.

one the note of CS being a bit pricey for just a choice of different colors...

keep in mind that you also get that guitar built how you want it with the best wood (since the custom shop gets first pick - then it's the US production floor and Mexico typically gets the left overs). Besides the wood there is also your choice of pickups and electronics as well as other hardware. The color is just the icing on the cake.

completely agree with the OP

utterly terrible choice within the US models - far greater choice of inspiring colours available in squier and MIM models - which blows the commercial arguments out of the water - which then leaves you with the CS route - which is cool - but, and i freely admit I will be in a small minority, I have been completely put off buying a CS strat by the arrogance in every post I see in that part of the forum. They obviously don't need the work so feel it is ok to be utterly dismissive.

As my mum used to say, good manners cost nothing, but I have never seen a response to a questioning post by ME that was not terse or arrogant in tone to people who have dropped a significant amount of money on a guitar that they want to be special to them

fair enough I could be being over sensitive, but I for one am inclined to take my money elsewhere

d

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2011 Fender Classic 50's Esquire
2013 Gibson Les Paul Traditional ProII 50's Inverness Green
2014 Fender Reclaimed Eastern Pine Stratocaster
1983 Flambeau LFW-3
2005 Norman B18

Here is one on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-USA-Stra ... 19ce9382d8

Your not being sensitive. Times are though right now. gas alone can break a persons budget. Fender may be a big name but bigger companies have had major financial issues because they forgot the most important thing. Their Customers.
Sadly even local guitar techs act like they're rock stars lately so I can imagine the egos on the CS guys at Fender are pretty big. I'm sure if a few got laid of due to low CS sales they might think twice before brushing off a customer.

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TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ

I have to agree that times are tough right now and Fender is painting guitars to what appeals to the masses. You can alwys buy a black or white one and have it professionally re-painted any color you like.

Personally I like the 3 tone burst, black, candy apple red, and artic white colors. I would like to see Sherwood green added, I have always love that color.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head