I basicly purchased this guitar because I was in the market for a strat and I got a great deal on this one. I really wanted the HSS option for some heaver tones. When I recieved it I have to say that I wasn't that impressed with the Tex-Mex humbucker. So I replaced it with a DiMarzio super distortion humbucker. Wow, what a difference that made. Now I can get a nice classic rock/classic metal sound I was looking for. By keeping the Tex-Mex single coils in the neck and middle position I can still get that nice strat tone. If you can get this guitar for a good deal, than go for it. I have the black on black and it just looks cool. It looks like David Gilmore's strat. The classic tuners stay in tune for me, and the oversized 70's headstock looks cool as well.

this was my brother's first guitar, but he soon quit playing and gave it to me. all i can say is that this is an amazing guitar! the pick-ups are very divers from smooth lows to growling highs. the neck is also very smooth and quick macking shredding a breeze. no matter what style you play this guitar is worth checking out

First off. The color combinations are now correct the person in a previous review (about 4 review down) must have the 2007 version where the pickguard/pickup combinations are slightly different. But there is still a slight difference. The fender logo colors on the headstock are reversed. It's written in gold outlined in black rather than vice versa like in the photos provided. But anyways about the guitar. Positives: very smooth neck, artic white and black plastic parts make a great look, good paint job, good overall feel, had to tighten trem of course. . Negatives: Tex Mex pickups are terrible, vintage tuners/machineheads work but are lame. I replaced the bridge with a fender atomic humbucker that are in the highway one hss strats. Highly recommend doing that. Overall: decent mex strat.

I bought the Olympic white with black plastic, rosewood fretboard back in 2002, used. Serial says its a 1998. It has a Floyd Rose tremolo and locked nut. I don't know if this is an aftermarket installation but it was well done. I have 4 strats and this one has a very unique tone all its own. Very very fat and full, especially when played through Marshall or other high gain tube amp. It weighs as much as my Les Paul Classic, a ton. It's similar to Dave Murray's guitars except he uses 3 hot rails. It has fret buzz in the higher registers, the neck needs work but to make a long story short, This is my favorite strat over the US models I own. It sounds very HOT! I didn't change the pups, but noiseless neck and middle could help. Buy It! It's cheap enough to mod if you prefer.

I just got this baby today and haven't been able to put it down!!!! This guitar's feel is just absolutely awesome!!!! It's as if it's a puzzle piece that fits perfectly into ones hands. The tone is quite the Fender tone which is unarguably awesome!!!Besides that it is MIM, with the Tex-Mex pick ups, it actually sounds a bit nicer than the US of A strats. The price is priced to sell, and at this price, it's definitely worth every hard earn cent!!!