Fender Vintage Hot Rod '62 Strat

THIS IS therefore a repeat 62, it has many properties in common with the Vintage 62 "classic".

Guitar USA.
21 frets.
Channel Profile "C"
Alder body (ie light).
Maple neck, rosewood fingerboard.
American vintage single coil pickups.
Vintage synchronized tremolo
Mechanical Fender Gotoh Vintage
Its own characteristics:

Radius 9.5 (thinnest)
Medium Jumbo frets
Thin layer of lacquer nitro (Thin-skin)
5-way switch mounted original
Reversed phase micro on the environment (less hum)

UTILIZATION

So, to use, it is a gem.
It features the same 62 but with a handle more modern, more comfortable.
Indeed, the radius (curvature) of the handle was flattened for easy bends and the game in general. Medium-jumbo frets also contribute to improve comfort.

Access to acute is very easy despite the 21 frets (why not 22 as well as to Mr. Fender?)

The ergonomics of the natural strata is a super handy tool in any position.
It is also very light.

So for her ... It is "The" Start sound. Vintage microphones gives us a grain of hell, great feature. Really that is expected. The owners of a 62 RI will not contradict me.

SOUNDS

I play rock, blues, funk, reggae, jazz, fusion, etc ... Well, I think the stratum has proven this point of view. It provides with its versatility and character to do just about anything.
One has only to see the list of users Start to realize that this is an extremely versatile guitar, although we can not get a saturated sound ultra compressed type humbucker. However, when hear the distorted sounds produced by John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) with this kind of microphones, one realizes that it can really send heavy.

This model with its precise Vintage pickups sound returns with a grain typed "sixties" very roots with lots of character.

Only the postion mileu seems still difficult to use (for now).
The tone controls are very effective, however, to sculpt the sound of each of the microphones.

I play a Peavey "Delta Blues" tube and with little effect. It sounds good ..

My positions are the most commonly used two materials (handle), both hot and very "grainy". We can both play for "Lead" and have a good presence in the second position and then switch to "fit" into the mix while having a very defined, very clear.
Only the postion mileu seems still difficult to use (for now).
The tone controls are very effective, however, to sculpt the sound of each of the microphones.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week but I had the opportunity to try many times it and other normal 62.
I have been playing 19 years guitar and I think I found "my" guitar after long played Les Paul.
This despite all its qualities is more difficult to handle technically and in terms of his (its too round in the clear).
Mixing Vintage (microphones, look, mechanical) and Modern (comfort handle, switch 5 pos) made the top of the guitar cete Stratocasters standard with some models "signature".
I think it's really an ideal compromise that will be emulated.

I hit 1500 Euros in stores (small discount because of a small poc behind the head).

Also finishing unusual (Sherwood green metallic) attracted more than other finishes "Olympic White" and "Sunburst" too classical model.

Obviously, there are even better in the Custom Shop but the price difference I do not always justified.

Well, as I said, it's the guitar that I had had a quite a few percussive touches everything.

No regrets.