Malmsteen strats

adriandavidb · #1 03-04-2009, 06:55 AM

I've read with interest some stuff about 'Malmsteen' (and 'Blackmore' also) Fender strats on here. I'm keen to try-out a scalloped fretboard!

I'm not sure, but I get the impression that both USA and Japanese versions are available: if that's the case does anyone know if both types are avaible in the UK? Also the differences in spec and price? The Fender website does not shed much info on this!

Hi to everyone on here by the way! I'm based just south of London.

DanEwins · #2 03-04-2009, 09:14 AM

Whereabouts?

adriandavidb · #3 03-04-2009, 09:52 AM

Sutton, Surrey

DanEwins · #4 03-04-2009, 09:56 AM

woah, we're pretty close. im in streatham

adriandavidb · #5 03-04-2009, 10:07 AM

greetings!

adriandavidb · #6 03-07-2009, 02:28 PM

Bump!

Brosa · #7 03-07-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote from Fender forum after 10 seconds search from Google.....

SMARK: I've worked on lots of these guitars, both the 141YJM and the more expensive 185YJM models as well as the Fender USA models.

The 141YJM has the same basic neck as a '68 re-issue NOT a '72, typically they are made from well figured maple and the scalloping is easily of the same quality, if not better than many of the USA offerings.
The nut width is 40-41mm, the typical Fender Japan '72 re-issue nut with is 42-43mm.
The 141YJM is in no way a "fit to budget" offering at all and I can tell you this from having had many of the guitars in my hands to inspect, setup and play.
The pickup options for the model are HS3 YJM pickups neck and bridge and a USA Vintage middle for the 141YJM and I think HS3 YJM Neck, Bridge and an HS3 middle for the 185YJM, which also has a different neck securing system.
I have several customers who have both the Japan and USA versions of the YJM stratocaster and after setup they have all told me they prefer the Fender Japan model, finding it more playable, better sounding and better made.
Working on the guitars I'd have to agree. The Fender Japan offerings are not to be sneezed at and certianly aren't in any way inferior to the USA models. It seems a lot of people comment on these guitars, but haven't actually seen one in the flesh, which is always an interesting one !!

adriandavidb · #8 03-14-2009, 11:37 AM

Hi Brosa

What you say is interesting: I've seen photos of USA malmsteen strats on this site, and there often seems to be slight gap between the end of the neck, and the curved 'seat' in the body. I have a mid 80s Fender Japan strat, and you couldn't get so much as a hair into the join! As it happens this guitar I own is spoilt very slightly by the fact that, even with the truss rod slackened right off untill it's lose, I can't get enough neck relief which I believe should be 0.3 mm, at the eighth fret, when 1st fret 'capod' and string held against top fret. Consequently I can't get the action anywhere near 4/64 down to 5/64s, that it should be, at the 17th fret. So it's a bit of a dog with a high action! Lovely sustain though!!

What do 141YJM and 185YJM refer too? Presumably these are Japan guitars? I was not aware they made more than one type of 'Malmsteen' strat? Also what is the price differentail between the Japan models and the USA ones? I have not found any Japan versions in the UK, only USA ones; do you know I could get to see one?

I've also read somewhere that Japan Fenders reached their zenith in the mid 90s, with quality suffering slighty after they started producing them elsewhere in the east (Korea etc), are the ones you saw recent or 90s models?