The Fender Mexican Sunburst Standard Stratocaster 2015
The 2015 model Stratocaster made by Fender in Mexico is an updated version of their standard model guitar.
New features for 2015 include a gloss topped fretboard and headstock face which looks better than the previous model, medium jumbo frets and a parchment pick guard.
The woods chosen on the particular example I own are nicely grained.
So, a basic overview of the instrument that surely needs little introduction. This incarnation of the 1954 model is very little changed in some respects,
Body contouring is not quite to the level of the 1954, but is quite deeply cut and comfortable.
The neck is a slim C shape which is very much like the 1958 pattern neck, it is actually nicer than the 2013 model neck on a Candy Apple one I previously owned. The frets are medium jumbo and comfortable to play, being very well finished with no nasty exposed edges. The Maple used on the neck has a nice grain and is superbly finished.
The headstock logo is the 70's type as found on the small headstock 'Smith' type of Stratocaster of around 1980, when Fender changed from the CBS era large headstock design.
Machine heads are sealed 18:1 Schaller type which are smooth in action and maintain tuning well.
The guitar sounds great plugged in, it is resonant and this helps the sound, although not marketed as a 'vintage' sound in the same way a 50's or 60's reissue guitar would be, nonetheless, I have played it against some Buddy Holly CD's, instrumental music and modern music and it performs well on all counts.
The Tremolo block is a steel block as on the recent upgrade and is good, although the threaded length could be longer.
Build quality is certainly excellent, the finish is superb and the sound is great so it really satisfies, it is better than a 2013 Standard I owned for sure.
New features for 2015 include a gloss topped fretboard and headstock face which looks better than the previous model, medium jumbo frets and a parchment pick guard.
The woods chosen on the particular example I own are nicely grained.
So, a basic overview of the instrument that surely needs little introduction. This incarnation of the 1954 model is very little changed in some respects,
Body contouring is not quite to the level of the 1954, but is quite deeply cut and comfortable.
The neck is a slim C shape which is very much like the 1958 pattern neck, it is actually nicer than the 2013 model neck on a Candy Apple one I previously owned. The frets are medium jumbo and comfortable to play, being very well finished with no nasty exposed edges. The Maple used on the neck has a nice grain and is superbly finished.
The headstock logo is the 70's type as found on the small headstock 'Smith' type of Stratocaster of around 1980, when Fender changed from the CBS era large headstock design.
Machine heads are sealed 18:1 Schaller type which are smooth in action and maintain tuning well.
The guitar sounds great plugged in, it is resonant and this helps the sound, although not marketed as a 'vintage' sound in the same way a 50's or 60's reissue guitar would be, nonetheless, I have played it against some Buddy Holly CD's, instrumental music and modern music and it performs well on all counts.
The Tremolo block is a steel block as on the recent upgrade and is good, although the threaded length could be longer.
Build quality is certainly excellent, the finish is superb and the sound is great so it really satisfies, it is better than a 2013 Standard I owned for sure.
Although there has been a price increase on the guitars, I like them very much, I think they are definitely improved over the earlier specification. In fact they are like the USA ones in the mid range used to be, perhaps they are going for that market, but coming in at under half the ticket price of a USA Standard guitar.
I would definitely recommend buying one of these guitars because set up properly they are a dream to play.
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