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Post subject: Fender HM Strat
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:06 am
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Fender forgot the best guitar they have made :cry:
Is there anyone who's playing a Fender HM Strat?
I have this guitar almost for 20 years and customized this a little.
And now !! It's the best guitar on the world !! :P

Grtz, Dave


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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:31 am
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Location: Savannah
I got one from a pawn shop but haven't played it much.


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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:46 am
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I own a 1989-90 Fender HM Strat. I bought it used 2 yrs. ago for $212. It is a great guitar. It has an EMG 81 humbucker and 2 EMG-SA single coils, with a preamp boost switch. When i bought it, I couldn't beleive the music store only wanted $200 for it. I think that it is one of the best Strats I've ever played. I love the neck, 24 frets, sculpted heel, flat radius fretboard. I would love to see those features on newer Strats. The only thing I don't care for too much is the hot pink color. Oh well, can't have everything.
I look at it like a hot rod Strat from the factory. I guess it didn't sell well compared to Charvel/Jackson and Ibanez guitars of the time. Too bad too cuz it is one of my favorites. If I ever come accross another one for sale, I will probably buy it.
One thing I don't know for sure is if it is Japanese or USA made. It says Fender USA on the neck plate, and Fender is pretty good about marking their guitars with country of origin. Why would they put USA on a Japanese axe?? I have a 1988 Stratocaster 72're-issue and it says Japan on it twice(neck and 3 bolt neckplate). I know some HM Strats were made in both locations, but I am not sure where mine is made. I am pretty sure it is USA.

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Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:36 am
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I Recently bought one for $40 from a friend. it's a piece, but its my winter project. I don't know where to get wiring diagrams and other info. if you could email me info at clayw09@yahoo.com that would be great.


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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:50 pm
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I just got an '88 USA HM on Labor Day weekend for $350. It was sitting, alone and forgotten like something from The Island of Misfit Toys on one of the top rungs in the used section at GC.

It was kinda beat up, but the frets, fingerboard and Kahler are all in excellent condition.

After I had been playing it for about 20 minutes, I realized I was falling in love with the way it played and that stock DiMarzio pickup. I bought it and really enjoy the Medium Jumbo frets on the flat neck - much better than the Super Mutant Huge Jumbo frets everybody else is putting on their guitars these days.


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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:35 pm
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I found out that my HM strat is an '88. Oh, and in response to Paisley, check the serial number sticker on the neck. It should be just above where the neck is fastened to the body. mine is E848378. the E means that mine was made in Japan, though it does say Fender USA on the neck plate. If you remove the neck (which I wouldn't suggest except out of neccessity) you should see a stamped part number, probably ST-556HMM. It is a great guitar, and I can't believe, especially with those pickups, that they let urs go for $200. I'd pay it, knowing what I know now. It must have something to do with the marketibility of the color. Hot pink would not b my first choice. Honestly, I think Fender should reintroduce the HM strats, but with good color schemes. I have never though HMs were good looking guitars. The black hardware looks crappy and shows nicks and scratches really bad, and after 20+ years of wear, mine looks like total crap. Stick chrome or nickel-plated hardware on it with (maybe) a "Bowling Ball Strat" paint job on it to give it an 80's retro feel, and it would be a good looking guitar that would probably sell easily. S1 switching and Noiseless pickups would be a nice touch... P.S. I'm pretty sure most of the HM strats still in existence are pretty beat up. The 80's were generally not good to guitars.


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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:45 pm
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Good news... I finally finished rewiring my HM Strat. My neck pu still doesnt work, so I have a kill switch when the 5-way is in the neck position. The coil cut works okay, nothing extraordinary, and the blend between the midde single coil and bridge humbucker is a bright, almost tele-like sound. it's pretty sweet. now that i can play the guitar, I have fallen in love with the neck. It's so low-profile compared to that of a gibson or even my Ibanez.


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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:39 pm
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If anybody would like more information on these great guitars, please visit:

http://www.HeavyMetalStrat.com


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Post subject: HM Strat
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:22 pm
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I have one all black with a black body, black pick guard and rosewood neck. It has the side plug. The Stratocarter lettering is the smaller, but says it was a Japan made. This is a really fun guitar. I did some trading years ago and have not regretted it one bit. I have had this guitar 20 years. It stays in tune and the action it great. It is one of a few guitars I have so it doesnt get used a lot.


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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:58 am
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I used to have an HM Strat. It was dark red with a black splatter paint job. Tele pickguard, Kahler built but Floyd Rose design trem w/locking nut. On the head stock it only said Strat on it I loved it. Unfortunately my ex-girlfriend trashed it. But I agree it was one of the best Strats that Fender has ever built. Better than the HSS models!


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Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:26 am
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I have one. It's hot pink, with just the word Strat on the headstock. I bought it from a pawn shop for $300 a couple years ago. It seems too meathead for me, I only hold on to it because it is so unique, doesn't suit my musical tastes at all.


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Post subject: Viva the HM!
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:24 am
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Nothing plays like an HM. The fret board just leaps out and the tone is beautiful. I rarely let anyone even touch my baby... but those few that do... they come away hooked. I've played several... and the Pink one has the best feel. (At least for me.) The Sea foam green one is blistering fast.. but the feel on my girl is the best. I'll die playing this guitar. I may play others but I keep coming back to her. Blues, Jazz, classical... and of course Metal. (Which it was intended for.)


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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:56 am
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Location: Minnesota, USA
I have a soft spot for HM Strats since it was my first "real" guitar. I got it for my birthday in 1989. It was used when I got it and refinished in pink and yellow (uggh the 80's). I stripped and re-refinished it in 1997. My HM has been beat to death and still keeps ticking. Only thing I need to replace is the mini-toggle switch for the coil split. Glad to see other HM fans here.
Image[/img]

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:55 pm
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Location: Hometown of THE GODZ and Rosie
It's definitely cool to see some appreciaton and respect for the HMs. Unfortunately, back in the day (early 80's), we had to make our own. :(

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:26 pm
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Mine has the black marble finish. I got it in 89 (I think). I have been unable to part with it. I still love it after all of these years. The only trouble I have had (like many others who have these guitars) has been with the bridge. The soft metal in some parts of it have stripped and I cannot adjust my intonation any more. I am thinking of taking it to have the old screws removed and replaced with newer ones. But like I said, that is the only trouble I have had, and I wouldn't part with it easily. I have some sweet guitars, but always end up going back to this Strat.


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