Fender USA AVRI 57 reissue Stratocaster in Fiesta Red 2008
USA 57 reissue Fender Stratocaster 2008 in Fiesta Red with tweed case
Recently I purchased a Fender Japan 57 reissue in Fiesta red as it was a rare Japan only guitar and a good one for the collection, which I have reviewed in an earlier page.
Last year I bought a 6120 Brian Setzer Hot Rod in black but having only played it about once, I thought it time to move on. Seeing this USA 57 reissue for sale, I did a swap.
The 57 reissue package of guitar and accessories is a nice touch
So, what difference is there in the 57 reissue of 2000 and on to the originals from 1983 - 98? Well, a couple of upgrades as such, the headstock has a more narrow profile shape than the original 57 reissues made up until 1998, the 12th fret neck dots are full width as per the pre-CBS 50's guitars and the neck profile has been changed to a shallow V over the C of the 83-98 guitars.
The lower side of the headstock under the logo is more true to the pre-CBS shape now
The 57 reissue Stratocasters were 'revamped' in the late 1990s when Mike Lewis took over Fender marketing and product development. (He has done a similar role with Gretsch guitars recently, which are now made under the Fender company umbrella)
The original 57 reissues were great guitars and I owned five of them, they had a shallow C shape neck which was easy to play, but there were slight details that were not 'bang on' with the original pre-CBS guitars, the 12th fret neck dot spacings were the obvious feature.
My view is that they were made with the closer spacing to deter the guitars as being passed off as 'original' pre-CBS guitars. The headstock shape has been slimmed to more of a 50's original shape.
The 'Tweed' case is loaded with extras and a spare trem arm from the previous owner
The 57 reissue series when upgraded in 1999 for 2000, weren't available in Fiesta red, I wrote to Fender and said that with 2000 being the 40th anniversary of the Shadows' 'Apache' record that created the massive interest in Fiesta Red Stratocasters, the colour should be there, they took notice as the colour mysteriously appeared back in the range on offer, the Candy Apple red was the only red colour previously offered after the 2000 upgrade, now the Fiesta was back!
Plush velvet type finish on the case which is also used on the Custom Shop guitars
I noticed in 2000, when the upgrades had been done that the specification mentioned the neck as being a 'shallow v' shape, which put me off buying one as I had bought Fender Japan 96 Stratocasters which had v necks and I found they didn't really suit me.
I also wasn't in a position to buy one of the new 57's at the time they were re-launched with the new features. I wish I had tried one, I would have bought one and found the money somewhere!
Back view of the classic headstock with Fender version Kluson machines
The price of the 'new' 57's had increased, I purchased new old stock 57's in the late 90's for around £800 GBP, the 2000 ones I recall were around £1149 GBP, I think I saw some for £1249 GBP.
The classic 50's Stratocaster in Fiesta Red
The 57 reissue AVRI is no longer available in that line, the mantle has passed it on to the Fender Custom shop level, where they also make a '56' Stratocaster which has a V profile neck, I did have a Custom shop 59 with Maple neck, which is perhaps the only stock C shape option custom shop guitar in a specific model range, I think that was a limited run guitar though.
The Shadows in 1960 with Hank Marvin and his Fiesta red guitar
Many of the players will buy the 57 reissue in Fiesta Red due to the Hank Marvin and The Shadows connection, the guitars are certainly good for playing that style of music and I found that the neck on the new 57 reissue was easy to play as easy as my 50's Mexican reissue guitar. It feels more of a C shape than a V, even a 'soft' one.
The Shadows first album cover from 1961 featuring the Fiesta Red Stratocaster
Playability of the guitar is very good, although I did do a set up and put D'addario 10's on it as I do on most of my guitars. The pickups sound really good and the neck is easy to play, it just feels a quality guitar and it is made in the USA for those that want that ticket.
The Mexican 50's guitars are cut in the USA and finished and assembled in Mexico, so they are almost a USA guitar.
The 57 is supplied in a 'Tweed' case which is covered in a yellow fabric with brown pinstripe weave, a staple of the original 54-59 guitars and some Fender amplifier coverings.
The case is high quality and in the original style, although Fender do have a 'centre pocket' tweed case they retail now as an alternative product.
The 57 case has the orange Poodle Plush material and fits the guitar well. It really tops the guitar off.
Sadly the 57 reissue is no longer available in the reissue line, having been subsumed into the Custom Shop product range. So you'll have to hit the second hand adverts to find one made prior to that change, but they are still out there in good condition in used condition.
In the round, I like the guitar, it is a bit of an upgrade over the 1983-98 Mk1 reissues and I would happily own either version, but the 2000 on guitars have the correct visual 'neck dot' placing right, that it seems a shame not to indulge in one!
For some, the 57 in fiesta red isn't your colour, I love it, so I'd say on sound, playability, build and heritage it is a nice guitar to own.
As a fan of the 57 reissue, it has been a guitar I have wanted to own and have owned since picking up the Fender catalogue in 1983 and seeing them in it. So the marketing does work, but the guitars really sell themselves.
As a fan of the 57 reissue, it has been a guitar I have wanted to own and have owned since picking up the Fender catalogue in 1983 and seeing them in it. So the marketing does work, but the guitars really sell themselves.
