Fender Tom Delonge Stratocaster

I played this guitar in Sam Ash on Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, sometime last year. I think it was selling for $500.

In a word, nothing.

I don't like Blink-182's music to begin with, but that didn't necessarily have to mean the guitar was no good. Unfortunately, I think both Fender and Tom DeLonge had pulled a fast one on Blink-182 and punk fans with this one. In buying this guitar, you will basically be getting a Squier Bullet, a single-humbucker guitar devoid of tonal variety (no trem, no neck pickup, no tone controls)...costing four times as much as it should. The pickup on this is supposed to be customized (Seymour Duncan Invader, I believe), but you can buy this pickup for $80, so how in the world could this guitar cost $500?

The bluesier lead styles and chiming rhythms I usually play were entirely impossible to get out of this guitar, so I tried to play out of character to see how this thing fares as a punk rhythm instrument. It sounded okay, but still doesn't hold a candle to the power of the sound from my GIbson Flying V '67.


I honestly do not feel any difference between the neck and body of this guitar than that of my old Squier Stratocaster. Where exactly is the $500 going?

Perhaps there's a reason why this guitar was discontinued so quickly. Now DeLonge has somehow conned Gibson into giving him a signature model -- based on an ES-335, of all things. I haven't played this model yet, but just for being one of the ugliest guitars I've ever seen, you won't catch me within earshot of one. As for this signature Strat, once again I ask -- a hunk of wood, a single humbucker, one volume control. Sounds like you're paying $200 for the workmanship and actual materials, and $300 for the name. Truly one of the biggest ripoffs in signature instruments.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this unit because I am a major blink 182 fan and I love the thought of getting guitars for a great price. From what I read the Tom Delonge strat was just like the Fender but cheaper. In other words the only difference was money. it was about $216 with tax and everything at Guitar Center.

What I like about this unit is the simplicity. Only one knob and that is for volume. It is really great if you're looking into a real punk kind of guitar or a a really messy guitar in terms of sound. The Duncan Designed Invaders are really good as well because in my taste they are very messy and go well with distortion.

There are a few that I don't like about this guitar, even if I'm a blink fan. I play other music besides punk like alternative or even blues to plain out clean solos in which this guitar doesn't really meet the requirements. Once out of the punk/distortion level or in other words, "Clean" sound, this guitar is not meant for that. It might have been if there wer tonal knobs added on but that's not likely. Another thing that I don't like is that it is not out anymore. The day I bought this Tom Delonge announced that he had a Gibson...and well in my shoes Gibson is definitely out of your range.

Volume Knob falls off fast...very...plus the plastic gets annoying...take it off. The finish is sensitive too. I have a black one and I see the finish just tear off like mad.

This guitar I would give a four as you can see because I play mostly distorted songs...and rarely have clean channels. Other than that if you play blink or green day, this is your axe.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I really really wanted to buy this strat just becasue its different to any strat i already have! i got it from my local music shop just before it went out of production and i paid $600 for it.

i love the pickup. seymour duncan make amazing pickups and the invader is awesome for punk, rock, and metal! its a really simple straight foward design and you can just plug it in and play so its great for anyone who cant be fucked with pickup changeing. what really annoys me about fender is all there guitars have tremolos! unless its a locking tremolo theres no use in having it! this is a great guitar cause its a hardtail so you dont have to worry about the it going out of tune! also it has these really cool vintage looking tuners which are amazing casuse the guitar always stays in tune!

I love this guitar but becasue i play in a metal band i really need a 24 fret guitar for my solos! unless you just wanna play powerchord punk make sure you have some other guitars to suit your style first! i always play this live though even if its only for one song, i just love the look and feel and sound that pickup is amazing!

constructed so well! like all fenders it is practically invincible! its very solid! fender have always had a reputation for high quility craftsman ship!

this is an amazing guitar that i love to play! when my band goes to gig this is one of the first guitars that gos with me! they dont make these guitars anymore but if you can get your hands on one it wont let you down!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this gutar from my local Guitar Center. This is not a cheap guitar, it was either this or a car, but because I wanted it so much i bought it anyway. It cost me $2,800.

There is a lot to like about this guitar. The pickup is a Gibson Dirty Fingers, which sounds great. If you are interested in playing any kind of rock it is a great choice. The finish is brown with 3 cream colored stripes down the middle of the body. It looks great! One control(Volume)is simple and to the point.

The price is the biggest obstacle. At almost 3,000, this is a major purchase. The one single humbucking pickup also does not allow for much versatiliy.

If you have ever owned a Gibson you know that these are one of the best guitars that you can buy. Nothing is different with the Delonge. This craftsmanship of this guitar is second to none.

Blink 182 fans with a fat wallet will love this guitar. If you are interested in playing punk, alternative, or just like to rock out, the Gibson Tom Delonge is for you.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com