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How about this for an interesting thought - As most of you know, Leo Fender was an engineer and not a guitar player - As such, the desire to improve various performance issues of the Strat, ensured a constant stream of tweaks and updates from 1954 through to 1965, when he eventually sold the Fender business - So now let's assume the Strat currently does not exist in any shape or form and today is the product launch of a new revolutionary guitar, to be known as the Fender Stratocaster - So taking into account Leo's engineering prowess, how music and playing styles have changed over the last 50/60 years, along with various updates and improvements that are now common within the guitar industry, then on that basis, the spec and features of a Strat would be more in line with the new 2012 Strat Pro, than the original 1954 model - After all, who wants to remove the neck to gain access to the truss rod - A 2 point fulcrum tremelo improves tuning stability and possesses a smooth, responsive and positive feel about it - Effortless string bending and a slick playing action is far more easy to achieve with 22 jumbo frets on a 9.5" fingerborad radius, compared to 21 vintage frets on a 7.25" fingerboard radius - And don't forget the sculptured heel for a more comfortable and easy access to the top end of the neck - A 5 way switch delivers more tonal options than the 3 way version - A tone pot on the bridge pick-up is so logical

The Guitars4You overview on the new 2012 Strat Pro :- Whilst most Custom Shop Fender Guitars are replicas of a model from a specific year ie 1960, the Strat Pro boasts features that can be found on the personal instruments of many famous Fender artists, yet at the same time it retains the mojo, vibe, myth and magical qualities that can be found on certain old vintage instruments - A vintage based Strat tends to be very popular within the traditional blues fraternity where the stiff feel and playability contributes towards the overall tone - From a performance point of view, the Strat Pro will certainly appeal to the guitar player who requires an instrument that is slick and easy to handle and as such will not impair their playing technique - You only have to look at the current breed of modern builders, Tom Anderson, Tyler and Suhr, to see their influences on the 'super/modern Strat' market place and this is very firmly where Fender have taken us with the Strat Pro - It is your long lost vintage Strat that has been rediscovered and brought back to life for the 21st century

Before we get to the full spec details of the 2012 Strat Pro, click here and check out the video clip on the Fender Custom Shop web site (click on the box '2012 Closet Classic Strat Pro)

Spec for 2012 Closet Classic Strat Pro
nitro closet, lightly aged' black finish
Light weight and very resonant swamp ash body (whole guitar weighs 7lbs and 8oz)
Early 60's neck profile
1/4 sawn maple neck with thin nitro finish
Rosewood fingerboard
22 Dunlop 6100 frets
9.5" fingerboard radius
Deluxe 2 point modern fulcrum trem as used by Jeff Beck with milled steel trem block and polished solid stainless steel bridge saddles
Fender/Gotoh vintage style tuners
Hand wound Abby Ybarra red hot single coil pick-ups
5 way selector switch
Master Volume + tone neck + tone middle/bridge
Greasebucket tone circuit
Set-up with 10's
Includes white/blonde tolex Custom Shop case, certificate and goodies bag

Finish + playability - The thin black nitro closet finish on the Strat Pro, gives the guitar a lightly aged vibe that ensures it has some 'played in' character to it, but does not look 'abused' - Hence lightly faded and worn with lacquer checking, but no nasty dings, dints and worn patches - It looks old and played, yet very well cared for - The neck instantly feels comfortable from day one - It has the vibe and feel of an early 60's Strat with the popular C profile, whilst the thin nitro satin finish on the 1/4 sawn maple neck/fingerboard feels played in, without the dirty worn areas as per a relic Strat - It is the type of neck that allows you to dig in and attack those big blues bends, yet if you like to live in the fast lane and show of all your party tricks and guitar gymnastics that you have worked hard on to perfect, then you'll love the fluidity that this Strat possesses - Plus note the contoured neck heel so allow a more comfortable and easy access to the top end of the neck/fingerboard

Greasebucket tone circuit - please note this is not some fancy active circuit that will have some impact on the guitars tonal quality - It is a simple modification on the wiring loom that allows you to 'roll off' the highs on the tone pot, yet still allows the guitar to retain its clarity, hence it won't go all muddy on you

Tonal issues - The video clip should give you a good insight into the tonal qualities of this Strat - Plenty of snap with a good attack, plus very responsive to how you play it (stroke the strings and it purrs, dig in a bit and get more bite) - Many players tend to leave the controls on '10' on their existing guitars, as that is the only useful setting - Not so on this guitar - Set up your amp with a nice sensible level of overdrive, then 'roll off' the volume pot on the guitar until you reach that magical sweet spot where by the tone cleans up for those chilled out jazz/blues passages yet still retains the guitars full tonal character - A big plus in that you can now trim the top end off the bridge pick-up as well, if required - Sometimes on overdriven amp settings it can bite a touch to much (fine if you like that), but now you can still get the bite, without the shrill so it feels more controlled without breaking up - This guitar is all about tone and emotion with incredible dynamics - Selecting a nice resonant block of swamp ash for the body and quarter sawn maple for the neck, certainly assists in bringing out the best of the tone, so much so that even played acoustically, you can hear this puppy ring

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Every guitar in stock at Guitars4You has been personally selected, inspected and approved by me, with particular attention paid to the set-up and playing performance - Every sale, phone call, mail order transaction or e-mail is handled my me - Mark Hopkin, the owner, Managing Director, cleaner and coffee maker (Jo, my wife helps with the coffee) - A 35 year journey has fuelled my knowledge, experience, love, devotion and passion for exceptionally fine guitars - This reflects in every aspect of our business

I have no desire to run an Amazon style 'click to buy' guitar shop, that lacks any soul or passion, or indeed to fill a showroom with a selection of dirty, shop soiled or dusty guitars that are in need of a set-up