1982 Fender *Strat* Arctic White # G027244
เป็นรุ่นที่ผมตามหามานาน 20 ปีเต็มๆ กว่าจะเจอสภาพที่ถูกใจเช่นนี้ เสียงของรุ่นนี้ก็คงต้องสรุปว่า Yes Indeed
One of Povation's favourite guitars
THIS WAS FENDER'S FIRST USE OF IT'S TRADE MARK NAME "STRAT" ON A GUITAR. SMALLER 60's MATCHING HEADSTOCK, RE-DESIGNED EXTRA MASSIVE (SUSTAIN) BRIDGE AND VIBRATO BLOCK, TUNERS, AND VOLUME/TONE KNOBS ACTUALLY PLATED WITH A 22 K GOLD ELECTROPLATED BRASS.
The "STRAT" was a customized and souped-up variation of the Stratocaster introduced by Fender at the 1980 NAMM Show. Designed by Gregg Wilson, then chief of guitar R&D at Fender WITH THE HELP OF DAN ARMSTRONG SERVING AS A CONSULTANT, the STRAT tried to blend classic features with modern electronics to rejuvenate the Stratocaster brand. With the STRAT model, Fender gave a nod to the past by reinstating the smaller 1954-1965 pre-CBS headstock design and, like the 1979 25th Anniversary models, the STRAT was fitted with the popular pre-CBS style truss-rod adjustment and four-bolt neck plate, replacing the CBS Bullet truss rod adjustment and three-bolt neck plate. The "STRAT" was Fender's top-of-the-line guitar in the years it was produced. Fender offered the STRAT as a super- premium product with upgraded and unique electronics, special colors and finishes, gold-plated hardware, and optional neck profiles.
In addition to offering a matching headstock (the headstock painted to match the guitar's body color), the STRAT incorporated several noteworthy features:
* a hotter lead pickup (branded the X-1) with a much stronger output than the standard Stratocaster pickup (various X-1 pickups tested were between 6.0 and 8.5 ohms).
*a new wiring circuitry delivering 9 different basic tones:
a twin mode rotary selector switch replaced the bottom tone control which when used with the five-way pickup selector switch allowed not only for your standard 5 Stratocaster positions(tones) but also 4 "new" tones never before or since available on a Fender Stratocaster :
neck and middle pickups in series - humbucking
middle and bridge pickups in series - humbucking
neck and bridge pickups in parallel
neck and bridge pickups in parallel, with the middle pickup in series
Thus, the STRAT delivered nine (5+ 4) different basic pickup tones by combining the 5-position switch with the twin rotary selector tone knob. This unique wiring design delivers many tones not usually associated with a Fender Stratocaster and makes the STRAT one of, if not the most, versatile of any Stratocaster ever produced.
*22 carat gold electroplated brass hardware including a re-designed extra massive(sustain) bridge and vibrato block, tuners, and volume/tone knobs that were officially dubbed the "Brassmaster Series". According to Fender, the hardware was actually plated with a 100 micron gold coat (the same as fine jewelry) and for that reason the company lost money on every unit sold.
The STRAT was made at a very unique time in Fender history when extra attention was given to detail and materials and the resulting quality of the STRAT is second to none
1982 Fender "The Strat" Stratocaster
Incredible versatility and tone , tone, tone ! 22k Gold plated hardware including tuners. The neck radius is a vintage 7.25 and the profile is very similiar to the unique 1958 Stratocaster neck profile.
The late 1981 and 1982 versions of this model are of much higher quality and craftsmanship than the mass produced 1980 Version. They are also much lighter weight and this one weighs in at a very average 8.4 pounds.
1980 had the highest production totals for this model, and its easily distinguishable by an E0 serial number, chrome tuners, plastic switch tip, and usually paint problems / issues, and most weigh well over 10 pounds !!.
The very limited production 1981 and 82 models can be identified by a G0 serial number, gold tuners, gold switch tip, and are far more rare and desirable; as production was cut down dramatically and quality greatly increased during this transition phase. These are the last and most expensive Stratocasters ever produced @ the Fullerton, California plant before closing and the very first Stratocaster variant.
1982 - 1957 and 1962 Reissues are selling @ $4-6000.00 and these STRAT models are far more rare and superior guitars, made in the same original Fender FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA factory by the same employees. This guitar is featured and more specifications can be found in this online article : http://www.stratcollector.com/newsdesk/a...00273.html Additional information can also be found in the "STRATOCASTER CHRONICLES" book by Tom Wheeler where Tom states, "The STRAT was a milestone: For the first time- but hardly the last- Fenders new line now included more than one regular production Stratocaster guitar. The STRAT was Fender's way of asking, why hot-rod your guitar when the factory can do it for you? It had an extra hot X-1 pickup in the bridge position and an intricate circuit offering nine(9) tone settings instead of the stock five(5) (one of the tone knobs was now a rotory mode selector; the new options included pickup combinations in both series and parallel). The new models advertising slogan- "looks like yesterday, sounds like tomorrow" -captured Fender's evolving strategy of blending vintage pride and cutting edge R&D".
This model is an important piece of Fender history and this particular STRAT is a rare custom color one-owner example that plays and sounds incredible.....