It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:39 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Who decides What?
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:32 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:26 am
Posts: 34
I have wondered for some time just exactly how my Strat came to be equipped as it is. I bought it brand new back in January of 1988 it was listed as a 1997 model. It was also listed as made in America.

I found out here that my guitar was not made in America but Japan. This due to the serial number beginning in "E" and followed by 6 digits. But it does not say any place where it was built.

But my question is, who decides on what equipment goes on each Stratocaster? I mean you would think that for the most part, standard Fender Stratocaster's will be built and who knows about color choices?

Is there a special line in the factory were custom models are built? And if so, who decides on what goes where? Could it be just random?

I have never been able to exactly nail down if my guitar is listed by name as a special model, or if its not special at all but just equipped differently. I suppose honestly I would like to think I have something special with a special name attached like "HM" or "Contemporary" or "Once played by Joe Satriani" :lol:

Fact is, I would love to think I had some rare or different Strat but I don't care so much as I do for the guitar in general. To me, its just beautiful. Feels like a million dollars in my hands, and indeed I would hand Joe my Strat to shred hard in concert with out worry, or thinking he thinks the Strat sucks, "though he might"

The no big deal stuff that's different on my guitar are these items. My pick guard is a 11 hole vintage one with the screw out of place between the first and second pups. Why?

I have the Kahler Spyder tremolo and lock on the neck. The saddles say "Floyd Rose" on them. What's up with that? Once again, I'm very curious as to the "why" part of things, but am damn glad it's set up as it is.

So do the guitars come down the assembly line and workers put on what ever they want on any guitar they want, or do you think set up choices are made in advance and different models from standard, are put together on a separate line?

Lots of questions? My apologies in advance. Oh ya, here is a pic of my guitar.



Image

Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:51 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14050
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
" I bought it brand new back in January of 1988 it was listed as a 1997 " :lol:


Back to the futur :lol:


E8 + 5 digit = ( E + 6 digit ) = 1988 USA made

E+6 digit = Japan made

IMO your guitar model with this tremolo is made in japan


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:02 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:45 pm
Posts: 2770
Location: Kansas
No, this was a specific model that was briefly made; it had a number of variations, most of which were clearly marked "Made in Japan" during it's production run from say 1986 (maybe 1985) through 1988. Fender has numerous variations of the Stratocaster, this was just one of them. It wasn't made at a factory that Fender owns; it was built for them by a Japanese factory under contract - most likely FujiGen, which also made Grecos, Ibanez, Roland's synth controller guitars, Heartfields (a Fender sub-brand) and a few others. All the features of your guitar (with the exception of that pickguard) were probably specified in the contract with Fender. The pickguard could be a "they just slapped it on" to keep the line moving while they were out of the other style screw pattern pickguards.

Regarding the Kahler Spyder also saying "Floyd Rose" - Mr. Rose himself held the patents for parts of the design - specifically the design of the parts that clamp the string at the nut (which is why Kahler's original designs had a clamp behind the nut, not at the nut itself) and for the clamping mechanism on the bridge. Any similar design legally had to pay a royalty to Mr. Rose and put on their product "Licensed under Floyd Rose Designs" or words to that effect. Mr. Rose's patents expired around the year 2000; companies no longer have to use that verbiage or pay a royalty to use that design.

By the way - that pearl pickguard does look really nice on your Strat.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:09 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
The Japanese Strats often have a mixture of period-parts, such as an early '60s style PG (the one screw out of place as you put it), with a more modern features on the rest of the guitar. They got the twelfth fret dot spacing correct for a vintage period, but the dots are too small for any Fender period. I think that you'll find the appointments are consistent within a particular model, within a particular time period.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:13 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:26 am
Posts: 34
Well that's good enough for me. I think it would be pretty cool to be able to say I have "this" or "that" special edition or what ever. But it would not be any better, and it sure would not play any better than the sum of it's parts.
I appreciate the response, and it made sense. I just know my play is improving, I have blister on the side of my first finger on my left hand from slides and new bar chords, I love it!

I only have had the finger tip blisters in the past, I must be doing something right! :lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 2:01 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:56 pm
Posts: 31
Sorry, but just because you own a Japanese Strat with a Floyd, you're readily making up scenarios like you lending your guitar to Satch, or just bragging about it in front of minions.

Let me ask you, how special are your playing skills compared to the guitar? No guitar needs practice, but the player does.

Anyone who swaps pickups in their std Strats makes them somewhat special.

I never wished for a guitar to be something I make up in my head, I only want one thing - keep getting better at playing it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 2:20 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
To quote Bad Company; "It's all part, of my rock-n-roll fantasy".

We all have fantasies of being a rock-star, or playing with rock-stars. I often fantasize about someone famous using one of my guitars. What's the harm? Joe Satriani is one of my all-time favorites, and it would be so cool if he played one of my guitars. :D

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:58 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:26 am
Posts: 34
getriba wrote:
Sorry, but just because you own a Japanese Strat with a Floyd, you're readily making up scenarios like you lending your guitar to Satch, or just bragging about it in front of minions.

Let me ask you, how special are your playing skills compared to the guitar? No guitar needs practice, but the player does.

Anyone who swaps pickups in their std Strats makes them somewhat special.

I never wished for a guitar to be something I make up in my head, I only want one thing - keep getting better at playing it.


Your kidding right? This is your response? Man it sucks to be you!! I would bet one of your "minions" that my playing skills have surpassed yours years ago, I have been playing since I was 12 and I'm 59 today.

As far as my handing my guitar to Joe, I don't think I was out of line, he is my main reason for taking up his style of music and moving on to new things. Sorry if that offends you.

And if pride in my Strat is another bother to you, tough $@!&! Get over it or not, either way like I said.."SUCKS TO BE YOU"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:51 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:41 pm
Posts: 105
getriba,

Really? That was harsh. ...and not appreciated by those that were reading this topic.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:26 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:15 pm
Posts: 334
Location: LA South Bay
Geckochameleon wrote:
getriba,

Really? That was harsh. ...and not appreciated by those that were reading this topic.

+100
I have enjoyed and benefited from the posts on this forum by the many knowledgeable members who contribute to it's value, by providing information and sharing in a positive way. Yet, there seems to be a penchant for some to post with other motives which are contrary to that, thereby diminishing the forums value.....some after thoughts.....




_________________
It's a good day, I woke up, again...

Am Std 60th Ann Comm
Am Special
USA Prof HSS
2001 MIM Std
Epiphone Std Plustop PRO
Tele AmOrig 50's
Tele Elite
Takamine Acoustic/Electric EG-531S
Blueridge Acoustic/Electric BR-J33CEO


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 3:58 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
Playing and following Fender since 1958 it's probably reasonable to say that the company's think tank has followed the trend in musical styles and invention over the years, meeting the specific needs of individual artists, [Eric Clapton and Eric Johnson come to mind..], and endeavoring to come up with ideas that they feel might contribute to same, or improve the instrument by. The Masterbuilders in the Custom Shop are often given free rein to let their imagination fly and some of this filters down into the production guitars. So we now see guitars with humbuckers where single coils were the rule, and hybrid ideas as demonstrated by the Pawn Shop line. New woods and finishes have been introduced, and there's a completely new technique for laying in the fingerboard which is being used for higher end instruments.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 7:51 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:26 am
Posts: 34
ZZDoc wrote:
Playing and following Fender since 1958 it's probably reasonable to say that the company's think tank has followed the trend in musical styles and invention over the years, meeting the specific needs of individual artists, [Eric Clapton and Eric Johnson come to mind..], and endeavoring to come up with ideas that they feel might contribute to same, or improve the instrument by. The Masterbuilders in the Custom Shop are often given free rein to let their imagination fly and some of this filters down into the production guitars. So we now see guitars with humbuckers where single coils were the rule, and hybrid ideas as demonstrated by the Pawn Shop line. New woods and finishes have been introduced, and there's a completely new technique for laying in the fingerboard which is being used for higher end instruments.


Thanks for restoring my faith in the web site! At my age, "59" I was born in "54", I have great respect for someone who has so much experience. Naturally, your words carry the meaning of a man who has a great understanding of Fender everything!

I have been chastised for being proud of my Strat. I don't know how else to feel about it, I love it! I have the feeling you get it.

I bet you CAN PLAY! 8) 8) 8)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Who decides What?
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 8:58 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
[quote="warlock54] Thanks for restoring my faith in the web site! At my age, "59" I was born in "54", I have great respect for someone who has so much experience. Naturally, your words carry the meaning of a man who has a great understanding of Fender everything! I have been chastised for being proud of my Strat. I don't know how else to feel about it, I love it! I have the feeling you get it. I bet you CAN PLAY! 8) 8) 8)[/quote]

Thanks for the cudos. I've been known to have played a note or two, here and there. As far as the website is concerned, and particularly the Stratocaster Forum, the depth and breadth of the skills, experience, and knowledge base of the membership is vast and legion. We all share your fierce attachment to that creation of Leo, George and Freddy and each of us has his particular affection for an individual design concept and can be, [as in the case of Xhefri for example http://www.xhefriguitars.com] a down right expert and specialist.
From such individuals, and the membership in general, we all benefit. I've often observed, over the past 6 six years of our existence, that the written word, in the absence of tone of voice, facial expression and body language, can often be misinterpreted.
We are generally a cordial group, quite generous of our time, and willingness to help each other, in some cases, to actually reach out and lend a hand in time of need...quite serious need in fact. So try to walk between the raindrops if if appears to drizzle around here once in awhile. If you think thinks got a bit warm around here...well....we've had some real serious debates in the past, and generally fought on the high ground. We like to keep it that way.

Doc :wink:

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: