Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? Amazing quility. Near perfect fit and finish. Reliability How has it stood up over time? Only had it for a week so only time will tell. General Your general opinion of this product. Over all, outstanding!! Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? My MIM HHS strat was heavier than this guitar, so This is a plus when playing, it won,t hurt your sholders. The action was excellent from the start. Awesome playability for sure. I have a few guitars like Gibson Les Paul and Martin, my MIM Strat and this is by faris the easiest to play right out the box. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Nice rich sound when you start using the S1 switch. Some people do not like the noiseless P.U's but I tell you, they do not take away from the tone at all. Regular Mode is also sweet. I play ou of a Fender Blues deluxe and it's a perfect match for this guitar. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Amazing quality. I was a bit worried that i wouldnt like the color nor the finish but wow, right out the box, amazing finish and paint. Action How was the action out of the box? one word: Awesome. Not too hight or too low, no buzzing throughout the frets from top to bottom. I got the Amber one BTW, very nice.

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? Perfect in every way! Reliability How has it stood up over time? General Your general opinion of this product. Great Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? Plays really fast Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Excellent Action How was the action out of the box? Needed NO adjustment!

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? I am very picky. Compulsive about my guitars. Fender made me happy with the quality. It would be a challenge to find a guitar of higher overall quality. Reliability How has it stood up over time? No problems Been playing it for over a year several hours a week with no failures or shortcomings of any kind General Your general opinion of this product. Love it. Really happy with the finish and the sound. I got the White with the maple fretboard. The neck is outstanding with the Compound Radius Fingerboard and the locking tuners save so much time when re-stringing. I may buy another I like this so well. It is the KING of Strats. If you try it you will really want to buy it Fender did an outstanding job with the design of this guitar. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? It is fast for me Love the neck shape Controls are right there and actually do what they are supposed to do. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? There are so many switching/pickup option on this guitar I have to say that you can achieve almost anything you are looking for especially with the humbucker (HSS). With the 10 switching positions and tone controls the sound is virtually infinite Finish How did the stain or paint job look? The finish was perfect. No only a finish that is technically very well don't but their choice of colors/pick-guards/design is remarkable I got it right when they first came out with these. I have the white with the tortoise shell pick-guard and it is beautiful. I was not sure I wanted white and the pictures do not do it justice. Action How was the action out of the box? The action was high for me so I did have it professionally setup. The luthier was impressed with the way it was setup out of the box but. I like a low action....at least for now

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? Well made. Fret work second to none. Required just slight adjustment on one string to get perfect intonation anywhere on the fretboard out of the box. Shipping can do that. Took 5 seconds to rectify. Gorgeous finish, pearl white w/rosewood. Abalone position markers just like on my tele. Reliability How has it stood up over time? Have never broken any guitar in over 30 years of playing, I'm sure it will be fine. General Your general opinion of this product. I own Gibsons, epi's, PRS, Breedlove, Martin and Taylor guitars as well as a Deluxe Player''s Strat (MIM) and I own the Amercian Deluxe Tele and the Am Deluxe Strat w/SSH pups. I do not buy junk and I am very picky when I buy. In my opinion, the stuff with Fender on the headstock is by far the best made, best sounding and best looking guitars out there, dollar for dollar. You get more from Fender for $800, $1,500, $1,700 than any other guitar maker out there today. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? This is what it all comes down to. For me, it's not so much where the guitar was made although, for the most part, the guitars made in the states are superior in quality of build than those from anywhere else. I mentioned I own an Epi les Paul and a Gibson Les Paul. For the money Epi blows away the Gibson but when it comes to value, if I were to sell either today, I wouldn't get much for the Epi. When I buy, the guitar has to have the right feel for my hands, I know immediately. It should also be balanced tonally in addition to producing quality sound and tone. Everything after that, finish, color, hardware, is just iceing on the proverbial cake. Nice to have but not what I am buying the instrument for. It has to play and sound great. This guitar does! Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? As stated previously, great clean or distorted, with/without pedals. The humbucker is hot, great rock tones, really pushes a tube amp well for natural overdriven sounds! The noiseless single coils produce the famous Fender chime and the neck position is possibly the best sounding pup I have ever used for playing the blues. The center pup sounds great for rhythm especially with my pedals. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Beautiful, flawless! Action How was the action out of the box? Superb.

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? A+++++++++++ Reliability How has it stood up over time? Haven't had it long, but seems rock solid. General Your general opinion of this product. If I had one of these twenty years ago, I wouldn't have the other twenty guitars I've bought. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? I like 10-46's, it comes with 9-42's, but still felt great. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Again, any tone you can imagine. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Three-tone sunburst, maple fretboard. Absolutely georgous.

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? The quality of this instrument is definately exceeded my expectations, beautiful finish and well put together. Reliability How has it stood up over time? I've only had this instrument a couple of weeks but I think we'll be together for a very long time. Definately built to last. General Your general opinion of this product. This is a sweet baby. The most comfortable playing guitar right out of the box. The tone is rich and beautiful. The upgrades are tastefully done. Thank you Fender! Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? What can I say, it's an american strat. It feels comfortable, plays comfortable and definately meant for business on stage. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Tone is incredible, just the way I like it. You can mellow it out or crank it up to scream. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? The finish on this baby is absolutely gorgeous, I enjoy looking at it as much as I do playing it. The finish is definately eye candy. Action How was the action out of the box? The action out of the box made me feel like it was set up just for me. I didn't need any adjustments.

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? This guitar is very well made. The only flaw I could see was on the side of the fretboard near the body, there are some small gouges. I'm not sure if that's natural from the wood or from something else. Other than that, everything else seems to be solid! Reliability How has it stood up over time? I've had the guitar for only two weeks to I'm not quite sure. I blew a string last weekend playing at church but it may be because I play fairly aggressively. General Your general opinion of this product. This guitar is amazing! I've had this guitar for 2 weeks now and LOVE it. I've always been a Les Paul guy but this guitar sounds and plays beautifully! Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? This guitar is very comfortable to play. It felt a bit different from my Les Paul but I got used to it very quickly. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? The pickups aren't as bright as most Fenders. That's fine with me because I don't play country music and wasn't looking for the "ultra twangy" sound. I would have gotten the Standard if I wanted that sound. I love the tone of this guitar. I haven't messed around much with the S-1 switch. But, I do love the push button feature for soloing! The sustain really increases with this button pressed. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? The finish on the guitar is beautiful. I got the Olympic Pearl and love it! Action How was the action out of the box? The action is excellent! Low and fast...just how I like it!

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? Absolutely! Why wouldn't it be? IT'S A FENDER! Reliability How has it stood up over time? It's still too new for that to be answered but I have no doubt this guitar will stand the test of time just like the rest of their products. General Your general opinion of this product. The appearance alone is enough to get your heart racing and make your fingers quiver for a ride! I bought the sunset metallic with the maple neck and I couldn't be happier. From one end to the other, this guitar is the real deal! I would refer this guitar from beginners to the top of the pickers. Any real guitar player would know from the first few moments of playing that this baby is a gem. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? It feels just like it should in your hands...an extension of your body and soul. It coaxes melodic ideas from deep within you. It's really difficult to put it down once you pick it up. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? I am still running through all the tonal possibilities with this bad boy. I would have to describe its tone as a monster with grace. It's on the money. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Again, the sunset metallic is flawless. I can't tell you how it looks in words. You have to see it to believe it. For me, one of the prettiest guitars I've ever owned if not so. Action How was the action out of the box? The action was on the money. From the get go, it plays like spreading butter on a hot biscuit! In fact, I would call it's action "creamy".

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? This is a professional quality instrument. Reliability How has it stood up over time? Owned only a month, but is better built than my Tele which has withstood 13 years of continuous use. General Your general opinion of this product. Everything I expected - crafted with attention to detail, multiple usable tones, and a quality feel worthy of the name and price. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? Subjectively, it weighs more than my Tele, and other two Strats, possibly by a couple pounds, but is not cumbersome. Neck is fast and smooth. Compound radius fretboard is different, and takes getting used to, but I own a Jackson already, so I was accustomed to its general shape although I still prefer standard radius fretboards. My only complaint so far is the volume knob lacks resistance owing to the fact that the S1 switch is built into it, so its easy to accidentally turn the volume down, and it seems that merely strumming with vigor will work the knob in one direction or the other. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? Neck p/up is warm and fat, middle is bright and clear. Both single coils are actually stacked humbuckers so they don't sound authentically vintage, but they come pretty close and are nearly noiseless, so weigh the pro's and con's before buying. Humbucker is hot in a hard-rock way - thick and harmonically rich, with a slight mid-focus that works very well with distortion. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Finish is excellent. No blemishes, all screws were in straight, frets looked amazing. Action How was the action out of the box? Action was excellent. I switched the string gauge to .10's, which required me to adjust the intonation, but it was eminently playable right out of the box.

Quality Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable? It is well made. I own other 3 high-end strats but to me this is the best design yet. Reliability How has it stood up over time? Just got it, but it feels well built. General Your general opinion of this product. Beautiful Design, well thought. N3 pick ups sound better than Samarium, compound neck radius for better bends past the 12th fret, aggressive humbucker if needed, stable tremolo. Playability and Feel How does it feel, Heavy, Fast, Chunky? How was the neck? Are the controls easy to get to while playing? I like the 'C' neck. Is my favorite. I own a 'Clapton' strat but its V neck hurts my thumb when I do long stretches for sweeping arpeggios. Tone Bright and snappy? Dark and smooth? Were the pickups hot, mellow, thick, thin? With 2 single coils and 1 humbucker, S1 switch, and 'fast lane' switch, this guitar covers a broad spectrum's bandwith when it comes to versatility. Finish How did the stain or paint job look? Mine is a 3-tone sunburst and is astonishing. Action How was the action out of the box? Good action. I lowered the 6th string for extra twang, but is just my personal taste.