Fender Hot Rodded American Fat Strat Texas Special

Purchased from: Mass. Street Music, Lawrence KS

Price Paid: $950 U.S.

I needed a stage guitar that was versatile and fulfilled all of my musical tastes. My favorite music is the cleaner, more difficult rock (Think Red Hot Chili Peppers). So I needed a guitar with awesome clean, clear sounds, which demanded single-coil pups. I also play Foo-Fighters stuff, which demanded a guitar with good separation when driven, with plenty of sustain. I also play a LOT of classic rock, from Hendrix to Pink Floyd, up to Gun's and Roses. For this I'd need a humbucker. So here was the delimma I was facing, I needed killer clean tone, and a guitar that could really shred classic rock. The clean tone came first, so I turned to Fender. I knew I had to have a humbucker in the bridge, so the only real option was a Fat Strat. But at the time I was gigging with a band that played a lot of grunge music (Green Day, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins) and the such. It's hard to pull off authentic Nirvana with a humbucker, so I knew I'd have to find a Fat Strat with slightly hotter single-coils. Naturally, my requirements lead me to the Fat Strat Texas Special.


What impresses me most about this guitar is the combination of two things: The tonal range, and the integrity of the tone throughout every single configuration. Whether you want to get bell-like and silky-smooth, a fuzzed-up grunge sound, or vintage Clapton or Beatles sound, this guitar can do it, with the most immaculate tone you've ever seen. Most guitars can fatten or thin out their sound just fine, smooth it out or make it harsh, but few can keep the tonal superiority in every setting like this axe can. As a stand-alone guitar, it is the absolute best you can buy, at any price.

This guitar is also very well constructed. No gaps anywhere, and perfect playability. It has fast action and it's easy to really let loose. Top marks to Fender.

The only thing I can find to complain about would be the bone nut/ tremelo bridge combination, which makes tuning the thing a slight struggle, especially when the strings are new or very old. When the strings are in their "prime", however, tuning is no problem and during a performance, you can go for 45 minutes or more without worring about your tuning. I may make this sound a little worse than most people would think it to be, but that's just because I play a lot of clean, harmonic stuff, and I really notice if a string is even ever-so-slightly out of perfect tuning.

Like I said, this is a very well built guitar. It is an American series guitar, and it is much better than any of the Mexicans I have owned. The quality is about as good as it gets for guitars that aren't custom-ordered, and I should know.

For the money, I really don't think you could find a guitar with better tone and versatility. If your musical style is divers, and you need a lone guitar to carry you through an entire show, or if you could only have one guitar in your entire arsenal, this is really your only option. I would recommend it any serious musician. (This excludes death-metal retards and Metallica cover-bands, as well as Euro-pop)

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

I acquired my strat at Paradise Guitars in Beloit, WI for $700 w/ case used, but in perfect condition. Right away, its stunning looks and sound picked me up off the ground. The only adjustment that was made was to a tone knob that the previous owner had bumped.

I love it to death. It delivers everything I want from the hot SRV single coils, to the Seymore Duncan humbucker that will compete with a Paul anyday. Fender has served me well!

I truly do not have any complaints about it. The new Texas Special Fat Strats have only 1 string tree, and have a two spotted humbucker, whereas mine fits in a single-coil slot. Now, Fender gives a cheaper hardshell case, which disappoints me. Too bad you won't have the nice one I have. Why would Fender change such a beautiful thing?

No problems to date; precise tuning.

Whoa! If you can find a deal on one of these babies, jump on it. Unfortunately, although you're paying for everything that you get, it does get a little pricey. If this hits you hard, don't go near the custom-shop.

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

I bought this guitar new at Guitar Center for $950. They wanted more but you know you can always haggle em' down. Just threaten to take a ride down to Sam Ash and they'll hack down the price for you. I bought this guitar because I needed something better than what I had.

This guitar is the most versitile guitar I've ever played. It can go from mellow blues to raging metal and everything in between. It comes in a lot of colors but mine is black with a maple neck. The overall tone and tone control is amazing. I also like it because right from the shop the action is great, and it stays in tune. I play classic rock tribute songs and metal songs of my own. Thats why this guitar is great. You can go from Hendrix to AC/DC to todays metal easily.

It came with .090 guage strings. Other than that its perfect-no problems that cannot be fixed.

Three words: American Fender Stratocaster. This little honey aint no sissy Les Paul. The quality is top notch. You can throw this baby round' and she'll still make beutiful music. Of course I wouldnt swing mine around, but if you want to, gopher it. You cant buy a better Fender unless you get a custom one.

Before you buy that PRS give this guitar a try. I'm saying its better than a PRS but its less than half the price and only slightly unsuperior. I'm not kidding the great sound of this guitar is definetely comparable to that of THE top notch guitars. And to tell you the truth its better than any Les Paul in my opinion.

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

Musician's Friend $1049.00
It's a strat...that is why.

Years of playing my Fender Custom Strat have been wonderful but I was ready for a change. I ordered an American Fat Strat Texas Special after some serious consideration and I kicked myself for not getting one sooner. This is the absolute best guitar I have ever played, much less owned. To call it a "guitar" does not give it justice, it is an "instrument". By far the best neck I have seen, solid with the ability to have the lowest action I have played without any string buzz coming through the amp. The body is wonderfully balanced with a solid feel to it, evident in the tone you get without even plugging in! I have played guitars costing four times as much and I wouldn't consider playing anything else ever again. The pickup configuration is absolute perfection. The humbucker is just as strong as any PRS or Les Paul with the tonality and sweetness of the classic strat sound on the top two pickups. This guitar is the best of all worlds. By the way, the case is awesome also.

I wish it came with a Fishman powerbridge.. but, then again, I've never been easy to please.

Superb construction, top quality. Nothing else to say.

Go play one at your local store. You will put it on your list of essential gear.

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