Fender Chris Rea Stratocaster

Chris Rea was never a really popular strat player for whatever reason, and as a result, I've only seen one of these enter the shop. I think it was one that somebody imported from Europe, to be honest. I'm not entirely sure. The guitar was made in Mexico vs the standard American made sig models you normally see. It features a poplar body, a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, 21 frets, dot inlays, vintage tremolo, three single coils, one volume, two tones and a five way switch.

UTILIZATION

The guitar reminded me of an old school Fender, and I guess that's the entire vibe they were going for. Chris' original guitar was based off of a 60s strat, I believe. The overall weight of this, however, was big. It seemed to be heavier than most Strats, and I question how good the poplar was that they chose for this guitar. The frets needed some attention, and it was the standard Mexico fretwork that I tend to see on guitars. It's half way decent, but it really needs a good fret level and recrowning. The neck joint was tight, so no issues there. I'd replace the nut with something a bit better than the synthetic crap that the MIM guitars tend to come equipped with, but all in all, it was decent.

SOUNDS

The guitar had some Hot Rails in all three positions. I believe Chris uses these on his guitars, but I'm not entirely sure. I know he uses some sort of Rails pickups that are beat up quite a bit. The Hot Rails in the bridge was super fat sounding. I really enjoy this pickup in strats where you want that humbucker sound but don't want to swap pickguards or route the bridge pickup route out. It's not the most dynamic pickup in the world, but it goes high gain well. The Hot Rails middle was totally useless as it was just too hot to do anything worthwhile when it came to the in between positions. The Neck one was real cool as I could get super fat lead tones, and the guitar was bright enough to where the fatness wasn't overly muddy.

OVERALL OPINION

The guitar is cool, but you can get a lot of better strats out there. These are hard to find, especially in the states. Like I said, I believe it was imported and was never for sale here in the US, but I could be totally wrong. If you like the color, I guess it's worth looking into. One thing's for sure, you don't see many poplar strats out there today.

Made in Mexico

The guitar is customized with a vibrato Wikinson, a Seymour Duncan bridge pickup which is like a single coil but it is a humbucker (sorry I have not the reference)

UTILIZATION

Already the first time I played it, I likey but since the transition from the luthier, this is great art!

Lol the sound barrier!

SOUNDS

I can play all styles!

I play with a peavey classic 30 or connected through an Avalon U5 in studio man

OVERALL OPINION

I have one thing to say: Go for it!!

It's actually a classic 60's Manufacturing Mexico.
Produces only about 500 Distribus the European market.
What is the diffrence of a 60's (apart from Rea Obviously signature on the handle) are the large size frets, the cops Alder (only for classic sunburst 60's) and especially super finish color: pink shell.
Mcaniques, vintage vibrato and much Obviously Alnico V.
I put 9 because of the stem of vibrato, which quickly took the game in the thread (apparently known problem of this kind of vibrato). Is corrected by wrapping tflon of the thread (thank you to AFiens for the tip)

UTILIZATION

Channel C as the 60's.
Alder body, therefore it is not specially lgre (even heavy plutt)
His strat typ, team ropes with fender 150 in 11-52 (that big plutt) is allowing it to sound as well, but it is not for playing the blues but plutt of Hank Marvin (like 50's).
Unfortunately, the Fender strings do not sound a long time and I team in Elixir 9-46, because I prfre mtalliques crystalline and sounds.

SOUNDS

The sound dpend many strings with which the team.
But we remain in the clean, dry and snapping when we go there fairly dry with mdiator (or fingers as Knopfler).
To give warmth to the sound (because I have no guitar amp, I go directly into a console) I Inserted in a multi-purpose Sansamp GT-2 and AC does it well.

OVERALL OPINION

Bought new, the price is of course more than lev classic 60's but it is reasonable (820 euros) in view of the remarks made above.
I put 9 because it's still even a bit expensive, but I like this color so ,.... and well sr.

-Mexican Manufacturing.
-21 Boxes, shrink vintage (late, polishing freight leaves something to be desired.
6-vintage bridge saddles
-Control: master volume + 2 tone tonalités.Micro easel out of control.
Alnico-V (same classic series and a highway.).
Channel with raduis 7.25.Donc of the radius of curvature which promotes vintage game Agreement (comfort.), For solo play setting is a good plan if you want to pull the strings beyond the 15th time case.une set, paniprobléme.

UTILIZATION

-As I said, the default pricipale mex classic series (what in fact ...), Chris Rea is the polishing of freight on their ends, which for me was not complete until bout.Un good luthier can return it if you like.
But that does not play on the intonation.
it's just the feeling on the inside of the top joint, which is unpleasant.
I saw that Fender had put the package on this type of finish on these américan deluxe.Mais series and this is not the same price.
-The handle itself is very pleasant, with access to acute type strato ... provided brief comfort.

SOUNDS

Ideal for blues-rock and country.
The alnico pickups (which are the midrange fender custom shop before the microphones), stand very well: the twang in acute severe ... the velvety out of phase
very acceptbales.
What is with these microphones is that the character respescte vintage: not too hot Texas so special, not too cold or so noiseless sensor ...
-Sounds closer to Jimmie Vaughan as his brother stevie.plus close to Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton or John Frusciante and Hendrix than SRV.
The sound is higher than with méduim texas.
Sounds very close to 57/62 fender.cristallins beautiful and big crunches sensuels.Pour it's without interest.

View test youtube: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=8oe4Ox_JO5k

OVERALL OPINION

-I recommend the series classic series while fans not fortunate vintage. We are very willing to mind vintage roots sound.
-Ideal for anyone who connects to tube amp with only a tube screamer in the middle to play the blues in the soul passanr country. the optimum price-quality ratio on the Fender when you search on "vintage".
Special feature: the fiesta red "faded" in pink salmon is to die ... We begin to dream of having a hand between strat L 63 ... The fiesta red pickguard mint green and yellow buttons in Table rajoutent his touch ultra "cool old Gratt."