Hot? Or Not? (Caution: Contains Guitar Porn)

While waiting for my flight home this morning, I found myself in the boarding area browsing the Reverb app, which has a feature called "handpicked" that is something like spinning a carnival wheel. Kind of a "surprise me," if you will.

Before I go any further, I wish to remind gentle readers that I have just contracted to buy a new home. This is definitely going to have an impact on my guitar purchasing for the foreseeable future, so these are just for drool purposes. Is my taste way off, or are these some really cool guitars? All originate from Fender's Custom Shop...

First, a brand-new 2017 Fender Custom Shop Artisan Claro Walnut Stratocaster. Specs and more pictures here.

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...gqzchsloux.jpg

Next up is a 2008 Custom Shop Eric Clapton 10th Anniversary Limited Crossroads Antigua Stratocaster. I had to post two pictures so the full affect could be shown.

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...eszcpgfffo.jpghttps://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...vcxowa5myp.jpg

Those who are familiar with my tastes know that I'm not a fan of rosewood necks/fingerboards. However, this next one is not rosedwood, it's a Tamo Ash Stratocaster, African Blackwood Fingerboard, Chocolate Fade Finish.

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...foribnoe3i.jpg

There's something about wood treatments that I just love. Here's a new 2016 Spalted Maple Artisan Stratocaster with a one-piece medium-roast AAA birdseye maple neck.

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...3hcvk0nxpl.jpg

I don't usually object to tortoise-shell pickguards, but I think the choice detracts rather than adds to a fine looking piece of wood. This is a 2013 Quilt Maple Top Artisan Stratocaster, Maple Fingerboard, Tigereye

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...x3upjteu6j.jpg

Well, that's it. Was it good for you, too?

I liked the Tamo ash body one, with the African Blackwood fingerboard. I do like rosewood fingerboards, the darker the better. Up until now, the only other dark wood for fingerboards that I liked was ebony. Now I have a new one. Thanks for posting.

congrats on the house. will it have the requisite space for your guitar stuff? I'm getting the idea that was the intention of the search? I'm not totally up on the lingo of real estate. Contracted just means that you've placed an offer and then what?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan

I liked the Tamo ash body one, with the African Blackwood fingerboard. I do like rosewood fingerboards, the darker the better. Up until now, the only other dark wood for fingerboards that I liked was ebony. Now I have a new one. Thanks for posting.

congrats on the house. will it have the requisite space for your guitar stuff? I'm getting the idea that was the intention of the search? I'm not totally up on the lingo of real estate. Contracted just means that you've placed an offer and then what?

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Contracted means the offer was accepted, and the house is under contract. It still has to pass the home inspection (this Thursday) and appraisal, but after that, it's just a lot of paper to sign and dollars to move. But you busted me! Having space for my guitars is probably the single factor driving this decision. That, plus a space to set up a photo studio (because that's another of my passions). :emb

As to the guitars, the first one floats my boat, the Artisan Claro Walnut. But unless it's still around in a year's time, it's only for the dreaming...

Claro!

Claro!

Claro!

Perfecto!

I like the spalted maple, I think those are absolutely gorgeous! IDK if you're aware of this, but Bird's Eye and Spalted maple come from diseased trees. I think it's freaking hilarious that we pay MORE money for that.

that Tamo Ash guitar is the business.

speaking of woods that look like Rosewood but aren't, John Suhr (former Fender CS builder) puts Pao Ferro on his "Modern", and these are some sexy future strats:

http://www.projectmusic.net/ekmps/sh...2]-18795-p.jpg

i finally saw my first Suhr in the flesh the other day at the store where I played that bass and the Hiwatt half stack. It was a tele style single cut with two hums and 3 knobs IIRC. no idea which model, I'm not up to speed on them. it was being traded in while I was there, don't know what the guy was doing he had about 5 guitars and was busy the entire hour or so that I was there with the owner.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan

i finally saw my first Suhr in the flesh the other day at the store where I played that bass and the Hiwatt half stack. It was a tele style single cut with two hums and 3 knobs IIRC. no idea which model, I'm not up to speed on them. it was being traded in while I was there, don't know what the guy was doing he had about 5 guitars and was busy the entire hour or so that I was there with the owner.

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They are wonderful guitars. After playing one that was a bit too far off spec for me, I put in an order for one of the more strat-like models. My neck and body are probably getting painted this week.

The Tamoash looks good, would rather have a vintage Antigua if I had to have one in that color ,I have always heard the walnut Strats are heavy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan

I liked the Tamo ash body one, with the African Blackwood fingerboard. I do like rosewood fingerboards, the darker the better. Up until now, the only other dark wood for fingerboards that I liked was ebony. Now I have a new one. Thanks for posting.

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Since you've indicated your passion for dark necks, I found a Claro Walnut Strat with a birds-eye maple neck with African Blackwood fingerboard.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/S64AAO...9l/s-l1600.jpg

Speaking of hot (or not) Stratocasters, how about this Figured Rosewood Stratocaster?

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/j9YAAO...51/s-l1600.jpg

While I'm on the subject, ever seen a "bowling ball" Strat? Features an alder body and a flame-roasted maple neck:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oE8AAO...h9/s-l1600.jpg

Simply elegant is how I would describe this Special 50's Roasted Stratocaster Closet Classic:
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/N4cAAO...o7/s-l1600.jpg

My intent in this thread has been to present out-of-the-ordinary Stratocasters. Obviously, I've focused on the ones that appeal to ME (no relics included), which means the wood-grain look. There is one in my future! (My current four Strats include a purple aluminum body, Aztec Gold with gold pg, Olympic White with maple neck (my Eric Clapton model) and Midnight Wine Burst (my Robin Trower model). But the only natural wood look guitar I own is the Diamond Anniversary (60th) Telecaster. Go figure.

I wish people wouldn't photograph dark bodied guitars against a black background. I could barely see see the bowling ball body. No, never seen that. I have seen splatter, swirled and spun paint jobs, though. Visually catching but not necessarily in my wheelhouse.

Here's another one. At first, I thought, "who would be seen playing a guitar that looks like this. But then, oh, wait..."

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...ze4rizhstz.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldStrummer

Here's another one. At first, I thought, "who would be seen playing a guitar that looks like this. But then, oh, wait..."

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His wife probably designed it for him...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ch willie

His wife probably designed it for him...

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It appears the back story is that artist John "Crash" Matos and Eric Clapton collaborated on three customized guitars. Matos is a "graffiti artist" who transitioned into a gallery artist. Clapton met him while doing a project in New York and the idea of "Crash" guitars came into being. "Crash 3" is the third and most notable, and Clapton gigged with them, and then auctioned them off to support his Antigua rehab center. Some info can be found here: http://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-news/303-eric-claptons-fender-stratocaster-crash-3-interview-artist-john-crash-matos

I actually like that one. I saw him play it in Koln / Cologne around 2000, believe it was the Reptile tour.

Antigua's are for people who can't find a Splattercaster.

Because... some people will buy anything with a Fender logo on it.

I think that's the fundamental difference between a Fender and Gibson buyer. Gibson buyers will summarily reject anything that doesn't look like a vintage Standard whereas the Fender buyer will sell blood to get the latest incarnation of the same guitar. :spin:

Chuck

I like them all, except maybe the Antigua - not a fan of that shade of green.
It's funny, though - I don't know that I like the big figured tops on a Fender Strat (says the guy with a couple AAA Les Pauls and a Schecter with flame top and birds-eye neck) For some reason, they look too much for me - maybe I see the Straet as more of a utilitarian, working man's guitar, versus the LP with is more... upscale isn't the word I'm looking for, but similar.

So, here's one that makes me go, "Aw, heck no!" in so many different ways. For starters, the modifier of this guitar had the nerve to call it "Jimi" (even putting the name on the headstock), despite it having absolutely nothing in common with any Strat pictured in countless photos and videos of its namesake. Reportedly, it's a 2002 Custom Shop that has "cosmetic" surgery applied. I'll just leave it at that.

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...cvum1epxnm.jpg
https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...p9rxnvgzfh.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrgtr42

I like them all, except maybe the Antigua - not a fan of that shade of green.
It's funny, though - I don't know that I like the big figured tops on a Fender Strat (says the guy with a couple AAA Les Pauls and a Schecter with flame top and birds-eye neck) For some reason, they look too much for me - maybe I see the Straet as more of a utilitarian, working man's guitar, versus the LP with is more... upscale isn't the word I'm looking for, but similar.

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I get that that is the perception today but when Strats first came out working men couldn't really afford Gibson or Martin and most couldn't afford Fender either as a guitar from one of them was usually about a full months' paycheck at the median wage.

Today an equivalent guitar, not at inflation adjusted dollars but as a percent of the median income, would be more than 4500 dollars, or the price of a Gibson R8.

Well, hello... As I was surfing the guitar sites (a dangerous practice sometimes, as my wallet will attest), I came across this lovely. No specs on it, other than it's a 1974 Custom Shop, and it's in the U.K. not available for export (just thought I'd throw that in, just in case someone got any ideas). VERY interesting neck...

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...bolafrfl4f.jpg

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...wamw3cqr5q.jpg

A few days ago, while watching some sort of promotional video, I glimpsed very briefly a double-neck guitar that looked like the top half was a Strat and the lower half a Tele. It's hard finding something like that, but here's one that says it's a half-n-half:

https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/im...nk0fdhqvex.jpg

From the listing: "This Fender Doublecaster was made in the custom shop in 2002. It was custom ordered and the original order form is in the case. Stratocaster, telecaster, gold sparkle, '57 specs, gold anodized guard, gold hardware, stack knob, double whammy on the strat etc.. Master built by Art Esparza."

I don't see the "double whammy," but even without, it's a pretty neat looking guitar. And for $12,500, it should be!

I'd love to have a double neck--6 and 12--Fender!

I wouldn't turn down a lefty of the one above either. Looks very cool.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldStrummer

I don't see the "double whammy," but even without, it's a pretty neat looking guitar. And for $12,500, it should be!

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Check out the "ears" & holes on the sides of the high & low E strings. That's so you can screw a trem arm on either side: On the high E side for a rightie, & on the low E for a lefty

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cogs

Check out the "ears" & holes on the sides of the high & low E strings. That's so you can screw a trem arm on either side: On the high E side for a rightie, & on the low E for a lefty

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Thank you! I saw the right-handed one but missed completely the left-handed hole. I guess I must have been blinded by the sparkle! :bonk

Yeah, definitely a lot of bling on that one
lol

is it me or is the bridge plate on the strat half slanted?

I like the idea except I would have put the tele on top, or even put an esquire on top, with the single stack knob and put the strat on the bottom so you can keep the three knobs that make it a strat. Although for cutaway reasons, I can see why they did it that way.

wonder how much it weighs?

They are all fantastic! I especially love the ones in the original post.

:laughing:

Some great guitars there,thanks for sharing!

I now have a woody! Is that wrong?

:bonk

I debated posting this one. It's the latest FSR: a Malaysian Blackwood Telecaster 90 (twp JP-90 single coil pickups). Everyone carrying them is asking $1,999.

The reason I debated posting one is because some are, IMO, butt-ugly, with a "skunk stripe" down the middle of the body, which ruins the overall look (again, IMO). The smaller the stripe, the better I think one looks.

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...htlblzltor.jpg

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...qndmtxzzjd.jpg

Beautifull strats! Tele too! Especially like the Jimi strat!

Doggone it! This thread had pretty well died, and the Kenny went along and bought a nifty Les Paul from the folks at Wildwood. I like me some Wildwood browsing, and dang if I didn't come across this beauty (well, I find it beautiful). OK, I know it isn't a Strat, but holy moly, if I were rolling in dough...

https://wildwoodguitars.com/wp-conte...500218_lg1.jpg

'Course, now that I've revived this thread, I feel compelled to add the one guitar that's next on my list. Right. Once again, not a Stratocaster...

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...hi3u9lzfma.jpg

I'm back to this thread. :smile:

When work is slow, I like nothing more than surfing the Web, looking at guitars. I also like sharing what I find, so here's today's collection.
Start with a 2017 Limited Edition American Vintage ‘59 Pine Stratocaster

https://wildwoodguitars.com/wp-conte...e03735_lg1.jpg

Might not be everybody's cup of tea. This Primavera Telecaster most definitely wouldn't appeal to the masses.

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...nfj80fpixj.jpg

I couldn't find a full-length photo of this American Select Stratocaster Rosewood Fingerboard 2012 Amber. But it looks like a beauty.

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...nzn7s01w1j.jpg

That's it for today! :smile:

it's probably just me but a bound neck on a strat just doesn't look right. I don't care if Eric Johnson likes them. It's just wrong. YMMV

George Harrison’s son Dhani plays a bound neck Strat. It looks good, but it’s not my taste. I’m with you, Dan. There’s something a bit off about it.

That pine Strat looks pretty killer

So, here's an interesting one: It's a Custom Shop Artisan Spalted Maple Stratocaster. What's interesting to me is the neck is One-Piece Medium-Roast AAA Birdseye Maple, but the fretboard is African Blackwood. Pups are Custom Shop Hand-Wound 60/63s. I wonder how it plays? At almost $4K, it should sound good...

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...6nenmyv74n.jpg

oof, I bet that thing is heavy. never met an all maple guitar that wasn't a load

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan

oof, I bet that thing is heavy. never met an all maple guitar that wasn't a load

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I didn't see the weight of the guitar on the listing, but it's not truly all-maple. According to the description, "Equal parts work of art and functional instrument, this guitar lets its exotic mix of roasted alder, spalted maple, roasted AAA birdseye maple and African blackwood do the talking, blazing forth with sonic and visual character." In other words, the body is roasted alder, covered with a spalted maple top.

It's not a Stratocaster, so technically it doesn't belong in this thread. The question then is, what is it? According to the listing, it's a Fender American Pro Offset Telecaster. This particular guitar is listed as a CME (Chicago Music Exchange) exclusive, but I've also seen a MIJ model.

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...uzs8crvoay.jpg

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...oz4y4fhjvh.jpg

Look's like a poor attempt at a gibby knock off.. :bonk

Just to show that good-looking (to me, at least) guitars don't have to co$$$$t an arm and a leg, my local guitar shop (LGS) is selling this used 2003 Fender Standard Stratocaster (alder body, Agave finish) with David Gilmour pickups, mini switch, small tremolo and black moto pickguard for $499. Strangely attractive, and certainly eye-catching!

https://media.rainpos.com/8173/dsc_2757.jpg

Speaking of "hot guitars," that same LGS is also selling this Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor 11 for $499. The "snob thread" cured me of passing over "lesser" brand names (that, plus my acquisition of a Jack Casady Signature bass by Epiphone). I have two hollowbody electrics, including a 1957 Gibson ES-225, and Joe Pass astounded me with his playing, so this just leaped out at me. Great attention to detail!

https://media.rainpos.com/8173/dsc_2...1231085625.jpg

I love the Agave color! But I’d probably put a mint guard on it. And I’m no snob, 2 of my favorite basses are my Squier P and J. Granted, they’re modified, but they’re still Squiers.

Fender has done it again. Sort of.

Well, for me they have. I think.

Why am I feeling so conflicted about the looks of this guitar? At first glance I think it's absolutely gorgeous. But then it starts looking a bit weird. I think it's me.

https://guitar.com/wp-content/upload...0-1392x558.jpg

Description: Fender has unveiled the Quilt Maple Top Stratocaster, its latest addition to the high-end Rarities collection. Like its contemporaries, this guitar boasts exotic tonewoods, vintage-style features as well as choice pickups.For tonewoods, Fender has matched a two-piece roasted alder body to a striking quilted maple top. These are complemented by a 9.5-inch-radius rosewood fretboard and a 60s C-shaped solid rosewood neck. The former combines with narrow-tall frets to provide modern playability, while the latter’s shape should give you a vintage-like feel.

The guitar is stocked with a trio of Pure Vintage ’65 Gray-Bottom single-coils, which are touted to produce a “sweet and articulate tone”, according to Fender. The pups can be further sculpted via a standard three-knob layout and five-way pickup switch. Fender has also decorated the pickups with a single-ply gold anodised aluminium pickguard, which complements the quilt maple top’s cream aesthetic.
Rounding out this Rarities’ features are Pure Vintage hardware, including a six-saddle synchronised tremolo bridge along with Single Line ‘Fender Deluxe’ tuners.

Retails for $2,499

So, you know me (well, maybe). I like guitars that have that "natural wood" look. Here's a Custom Shop Player Strat on Reverb. $1,800 doesn't seem like much for a CS.

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...bgpw97fn8l.jpg

I have friends - a couple who play banjo and guitar semi-professionally (ie., they get paid to do so, at times). She's the guitar player, and likes Elderly Instruments as the source for her instrument needs. I saw this recently. Anyone got a Koa Strat?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...2c87_1400x.jpg

Damn, lot's of very pretty Strats!

Lately I've been thinking of adding a Telecaster to my collection. Not boasting, but I have five Strats and four Teles. One of my Strats is a G&L Tribute Legacy, so I was thinking perhaps of adding a G&L ASAT to balance things out. I came across this one, and I really like the looks of it. It's got P90 pups, which I think is a plus. It's a "C" neck with a 12" radius, which is flatter than the 9.5" necks I've been playing, but seems like it would feel like a Gibson, which isn't all bad. I don't know the weight, which might make or break the deal. I'm going to ask the seller. In any event, it looks like guitar porn to me!
https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...yld0344ays.jpg

The danger of staying home (due to COVID-19) and spending lots of time on the web. Here are some very nice (IMO) guitars I've come across. First is a FSR Limited Edition '56 Stratocaster. On Amazon, of all places. One left, at a paltry $1,769.99 (US).

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....AC_SL1500_.jpg

When I got my first apartment during college, I had my Framus 12-string, and my roommate had an Ibanez (make and model not remembered). The brand's solid body guitars don't do it for me, but it seems they have been making some pretty awesome hollow bodies. When George Benson, Pat Metheny and John Scofield all play them, they must be good. At least this one is gorgeous!

https://www.ibanez.com/common/produc...sionist_en.png

This may very well be my next guitar (but I've been eyeing the Ibanez above, too). It's a short scale PRS SE 245. It's the short scale solid body that appeals to me.

https://www.prsguitars.com/images/el...aight1_new.png

When you spend a lot of time on the computer, you tend to surf the 'Net a lot. And once in a while you come across a strange...

Made of all copper (with a Richlite neck), here's a Tone.A.Cane:

https://i.postimg.cc/HsCbpCKy/Tone-ACane.jpg

I'd be afraid some tweaker would steal it and melt it down and sell the metal :wah:

And look what USD$7,100 will get you (via Reverb):

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...nzadzubamx.jpg

You know, it wouldn't look half bad if you took off the "Supreme" label!

I know this thread is in the Stratocasters section, and I debated starting a new one in the "Other Guitars" section, but heck, not all the guitars here are Strats, so why not just keep to the "Hot or Not" subject?

I had to go look at curly maple wood, which started me looking at guitars made with curly maple, and I came across Canadian luthier Alexander Jones Guitars. Whoo-ee. If I weren't already on board with Stephen Holst (and NO regrets there!), I could get into some serious negotiations about this archtop. He calls it an "Ethos Mun Archtop" (Ethos is the archtop style and Mun ebony is the wood, with mahogany neck and back. Only 6 pounds!). Yeah, it's a big image, but the better to see the details, eh?

https://alexanderjamesguitars.com/im...7c94f271ef.jpg

Natural wood-looking guitars, especially Strats and Teles, always leave me weak in the knees. This American Professional Stratocaster in natural ash just checks all the right boxes for me.

https://media.rainpos.com/8173/dsc_0...0819151538.jpg