Product: Electra Avenger
Price Paid: US $460
Submitted
05/11/2001
at
09:11pm
by
Mike
Email: collins_ml<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:
10
This is a Japanese made strat copy, imported by St Louis Music during the 70's. Even came with the "ashtray" bridge cover! Maple neck, natural ash body, vintage tremolo, three single coils with three way switch. I bought this guitar new in 1981. I selected it over a brand new 1979 25th Anniversary Stratocaster because it was actually a better made guitar. The finish was perfect, hardware fit exactly, and the neck joint was so tight that you couldn't even put a piece of paper between the neck and the guitar body. Regualr inexpensive Japanese made tuners. I've played this guitar around the world (in the US military) for the past 20 years and it's never failed me. I recently changed out the pickups and installed Texas Specials. What a great sound difference it made!
Sound
:
8
WIth the original pickups, it was kinda thin, but very stratty... Never was able to get the "quack" sound, though... Typical single coil hum... Definite sound change when changing pickup position. Great for blues/rock. I played a lot of church music and had to watch it so I wouldn't be too piercing with my tone
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
Excellent action, intonation, etc... Ash body pieces weren't bookmatched, but still looks awesome. Usually turns heads whenever people see it. Has the cool "Electra" symbol that looks like a peace sign done in abalone on the headstock. Only real problem I ever had ws the guitar cord jack used to come loose until I added an extra nut...
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Solid as the strats it copied. I've literally dropped it, bumped it, banged it, etc. and it's endured with nary a complaint or dysfunction. I'd take it anywhere, anytime, without a backup (I couldn't afford one for years anyway). Now I own an American Deluxe Strat and a Yamaha SG 3000S, so I gave this to my 12 year old son. He's learning to play on it now.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Limited lifetime warranty came with it. I guess that should say they were pretty confident in it's quality. Never deeded it, though. I think the company went out of business, though.
Overall Rating
:
10
Playing over 25 years. If I ever saw one in a pawn shop, I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat. Also have a '79 Deluxe Reverb, American Deluxe strat, Yamaha SG 3000S, Ibanez Musicmaster bass, and a 1980 Alvarez acoustic.
