Fender HM strat

StreetLethalX · #1 11-03-2002, 08:49 PM

Hey guys. Im new here. Nice to see a forum full of *intelligent* people for once.

Well about a month ago, I bought a 1987 Fender HM strat. (Just like Greg Howe!) Wow. I love this bad boy. It's a hot rodded strat, and boy is it hot. The neck is like a Fender Wizard, just not as thin. Its metalic red with a maple fretboard. Extremely versitle (though I put a Tone Zone in the bridge and a YJM in the neck.) I just wanted to know what you guys thought of it. Thanks

Jay Satriani · #2 11-03-2002, 09:09 PM

Hi, sounds like a very nice guitar indeed.... There is something magical about strats

StreetLethalX · #3 11-03-2002, 09:32 PM

yeah, the Khaler spyder's nice too!

darren wilson · #4 11-04-2002, 01:16 AM

Nice catch! I always thought the HM Strats were pretty hot looking guitars, without being too flashy. They reminded me in some ways of the old San Dimas Charvel models. When i was a teenager, i was totally into Warren DiMartini and George Lynch, so i thought the black HM Strats with the maple boards looked awesome. (still do, in fact... i'm in a bit of a black guitar phase lately)

But when i tried one, i found the neck to be too thin and flat at the back... it felt almost square, which didn't work for me, being primarily a rhythm guitarist. I prefer a thicker and more rounded neck profile. Otherwise, the neck had a great oiled finish.

Didn't they also come with TBX circuits?

StreetLethalX · #5 11-04-2002, 12:03 PM

I don't know what TBX means, but it has coil tapping, if thats what you mean. And I know what you mean about the neck, but I'm a lead so I like it a lot.

darren wilson · #6 11-04-2002, 12:57 PM

I believe "TBX" stands for "Treble and Bass eXpansion", and all HM Strats had at least one of them. If you have two "tone" controls, you have two of them. The TBX circuit is a passive treble and bass control circuit that uses a stacked pot with a centre detent. In the "5" position, the circuit does nothing. Turn the knob one way, and treble frequencies are enhanced. Turn it the other way, and bass frequencies are enhanced. Very versatile.

darren wilson · #7 11-04-2002, 12:58 PM

(Oh, and welcome to Jemsite, by the way!)

vaijem777 · #8 11-04-2002, 03:06 PM

I had an HM Strat as well, but unfortunately, mine was a nasty Pepto Bismol pink.

Even that didn't hold it back from being a sweet axe though. Great pickups, great trem, great neck...I almost miss it! (If only it were a different color!)

Cool guitars!

spacenuke · #9 11-05-2002, 10:39 PM

I saw a green HM Strat in the local guitar store (in Singapore) in 1989, thought it looked awesome, but couldn't afford it since i was a poor teenager. On hindsight, i kinda wish I bought that instead of my RG550 after I saved up enough money. RG550's are a dime a dozen now, but the HM Strats are so rare.

StreetLethalX · #10 11-05-2002, 10:46 PM

yeah, and not too bad a deal for only $400 in pretty perfect condition. (I even got a YJM and Tone Zone put in for free! Along with a complete setup by the stores best Tech (he loved it!!!!) and new frets for FREE!!

spacenuke · #11 11-05-2002, 11:50 PM

post some pictures!

StreetLethalX · #12 11-06-2002, 06:48 PM

I can't post any pics of mine (need....a......scanner...........ughhh) but mne looks like this with a mettalic red paint job

spacenuke · #13 11-06-2002, 09:57 PM

red with a maple fretboard? very nice. *green with envy*

Pablo · #14 11-09-2002, 11:10 AM

Mines the bubblegum pink one.

Nice strat tone in a colour that offends all the strat purists

Neck is very wide, ultra flat radius and thin.

The stock pups are two fender singles and a dimrzio but don't know what type.

Treat your trem with care as it's VERY difficult nigh on impossible to get parts for.

Cool guitars

spacenuke · #15 11-09-2002, 04:04 PM

Is the neck anything like a Wizard neck?