Fender Showmasters

[ChopTart]

I've been contemplating a strat as a next guitar to work towards, but some monkeying around on the fender site lead me to this baby:

http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0263170530

I figure since it seems to have more of the features I would like than any one strat (some strats have one or two of the things i'm looking for, such as 24 frets, 2 pt trem, graphite nut, seymour duncan pups, but no one i could find would encompass all of them), it might be a good idea to spring for this showmaster instead.

I wonder though, what is the difference between this and a strat? Besides the flame top, I don't see too much of a difference. If it looks like a strat and quacks like a strat, is it?

[Earthrug]

To me that guitar is a "superstrat". It's a variation on the original strat theme. It has non-trad body wood, frets, pickups, trem system, tunners. But is it a strat? hmmm....has the same shape as one but they call it a Showmaster. Kinda like how they call that other Telecaster an Esquire? It is a great looking guitar at any rate.

If it were me and I wanted a Fender guitar with "traditional" strat tones I would check out models like the 57 or 62 re-issue. If "trad-tones" are not your thing and you just want a Fender guitar then go for the one you feel meets your needs. The ultimate scenario I guess would be if you could do a side by side "demo" of that Showmaster and a 57 re-issue.

[ChopTart]

Thanks, I am considering it, but I do want to A/B it against a "regular" strat. It seems funny how they make different series names for things that look quite similar - what ARE those esquire things?

[King Knall]

Originally Posted by ChopTart

Thanks, I am considering it, but I do want to A/B it against a "regular" strat. It seems funny how they make different series names for things that look quite similar - what ARE those esquire things?

I believe that the Esquire has only one pickup, as opposed to the two pickup configuration of the Tele.

[ChopTart]

I just found that the Showmaster's list price is 900, and street price is around 650, but it really seems like a quality instrument...any ideas where fender might be cutting corners?

[ScottB]

If I had the funds for a really nice Strat, I'd be looking hard at the Jeff Beck signature model. Am Std 2 point trem, LSR roller nut, Sperzel locking tuners, Fender Hot Noiseless pickups. In the USA they're in the $1200K - $1300 range.

I recently installed a set of the Hot Noiseless in my MIJ Squier project and they are the STUFF!!! They sound nearly identical to the hot Tex Mex pickups in my Jimmie Vaughan Strat, sans the 60Hz hum. With the volume rolled back, you can still get the clear, bell like tones of a '60s Fender.

~Scott

[Earthrug]

ScreamJem7, That Jeff Beck sig' is a sweet guitar isnt it? I would love to get one. Ya, MIJ guitars are great guitars as well. I have an 80's mij squier Large headstock model thats a keeper for sure. Throw some of your FAV pick-ups in them and your ready to Rock N' Roll !

ChopTart, I dont know if you could call it a "corner cutter" but that version of the showmaster you are interested in is made in Korea. Country of origin seems to have an effect on price these days. You could always go for the U.S.A. Standard Showmaster. Musicians friend sells them for a cool $1,739.99.

[ChopTart]

Whats the deal with MIJ fender stuff? I haven't seen any MIJ gear, but maybe I'm just not looking in the right place

As a side note, the neck of the showmaster is also neck-thru

Also, how does one find out where some of their gear is made? Where does fender say its models are produced?

[ChopTart]

Originally Posted by Earthrug

Musicans Friend sells the U.S.A. Standard for a cool $1,739.99.

Damn

[shredfreak]

Try American HH or HSS Stratocasters. Personaly I don't like them. They just don't have that something. They are great guitars and many people like them but they feel kinda boring to me.

But Mark Knopfler Stratocaster is just fantastic guitar! One of the best guitars I have ever played! It has '57 Strat ash body and '62 Strat neck. It has also Texas Special pickups but I don't really like them. Otherwise Knopfler Strat is just amazing instrument and I have also played Jeff Beck Strat and as guys here said it is really really good guitar too!

[zeppelin4ever]

I played the one with 2 humbuckers and it sounded great. This is way better than an avereage strat.