Fender '68 Reissue Stratocaster

This Review is about my new baby, a Fender Stratocaster '68 Reissue Crafted in Japan (CIJ).
I've got it about 1 month ago from Fender Japan at the beautiful price of 670 Euros, shipping and handling included.
That's a beautiful Large Headstock Strat with 4-bolt neck plate and maple cap fingerboard.Alder body. Bridge is the classic vintage style type with unidiretional Fender Fender script on its saddles! It's perfect for that era Strat. American C.S. Strats aren't so precise! About controls, 1 volume and 2 tone (Neck and middle pickups only), just like the original vintage Strats. But, if you want, with a simple wire bridge can obtain tone modulation on bridge pickup, too.

About sound, i just can say it's beautiful and beautiful. I play blues, rock/blues and rock and love Hendrix,SRV,Robin Trower,Blackmore sound,ecc. My setup is: Vox Wah (original 1967), Fulldrive 2, Boss Ds-1 Keeley SEM Mod., E.Harmonix Small Stone Vibe Mod., E.Harmonix Holy Grail, Line 6 Echo Park --> Marshall 2554 Jubilee or Ceriatone Plexi 18W with 2x12 Greenback cabinet.
This Strat has the TONE and sound amazing! Sweet and balanced clean sound, and rich and harmonic overdriven sound, with a lot of sustain! I'm using stock Texas Special pickups, but i think with more appropriate pickups this baby could let you enter in heaven! Trust me!
Infact, even with Texas Special i give it a 10!

When guitar arrived had .09 strings and was completely detuned. I changed to .010 string, so re-doing bridge and truss rod setup.
About finish, that is so thin that seems to be nitro, but i don't think. In vintage white is divine!
This Strat has a wonderful neck, very very fast to play, the most comfortable i've never played with! As Radius is 7.25 with vintage frets i was afraid about its comfort before buying Strat, but, as it is very well done, now i dream on it!
The only thing i don't like is dots position on neck profile.
On the original Strats they were positioned more close to the maple fingerboard edge, on mine are positioned completely on neck profile. But this thing isn't important, so i don't care!
But i give a 8.

Guitar reliability is good, with this baby i feel like i have a Custom Shop Strat in my hands, a serious instrument.
Woods are beautiful, very sounding even when unplugged.
Tremolo block is steel and not a metallic league, like mexican ones!
This gives the guitar more and more sustain.
I want with me this baby for ever!

Fender Japan doesn't officially export its products, but i don't care! For any type of travel damages they change it for a new one. What do you want more?
My Strato is ok. So I don't need more warranty on it.
I thank Japan men that have created this Strat, they created the sound!

I'm a 15 years sounding Experience man. I've owned and played a lot of Instrument and Strats. I honestly say to you '68 Reissue Strat CIJ is a great guitar even compared with 2 American Reissue Strats, 1 C.S. '62 Strat, 1 C.S.'60 Relic Strat and abundantly wins with Mexican Classic 70s and lots of American Standards. If you want a '68 you only can buy a CIJ or a Custom Shop. Quality/money speaking, i prefer a CIJ. Great Vintage Vibe!!!

Vintage style Fender guitar with additional features such as a large, late-60's headstock. This one cost ??590 and was crafted in Japan in 2006. The neck is the slimmest Fender neck ive ever played on and it also has a nice flame off it. It also has the Fender "F" tuners which adds even more character to the whole thing. 21 vintage styled frets with Texas Special pickups.

I play blues, rock, jazz, fusion, progressive rock and psychedelic rock and some other stuff too. This guitar suits my style down to the ground as it gives that SRV sound when played through a good valve amp. The guitar is not really that noisy and would be nothin to fuss over. The sound is bright as expected from a strat however the texas special pickups give a slightly darker one than other fender pickups. This guitar can scream, groan and do basically anythin else you want it to. In my opinion, it is a versitile guitar as you can play many styles. It wouldnt really be suited for metal but it could take a fair hack at it. I am thinking of changing the pickups at some stage but think ill hang onto the stock ones for the mean time.

The whole set up of the guitar was next to perfect when i got mine. The finish is pristine and i actually thought it was nitrocellulous (like used on the vintage reissue USA models) but apparently its not. The thing i like most is the colour and the neck. The neck is a flammed maple one and is very slim and smooth. The vintage white colour automatically jumps out at you and reminds you of Hendrix's guitar that he purchased in '69 and used at woodstock. The guitar was set up perfectly when it arrived and was flawless as far as i could see. The only thing i would complain about would be that the guitar tends to go out of tune everytime you use the whammy bar. However, if you install your strings well, use heavier strings and break them in then this should reduce the problem.

The guitar is solid, strong and built to last. I also play a gibson sg special with two EMG pickups in it. I wouldnt use it too much at a gig because sometimes the pickups screw up in some odd way. I always use my strat without a backup and ntohing has gone wrong since i got it.

Ive been playing for about 4 years now and own a gibson SG along with my strat. I also own a Musicman RP210 and am thinking of purchasing a new valve amp. This guitar will sound immense through any quality valve amp. If the guitar doesnt sound good then id blame your amp. If this guitar was stolen i would save up and buy an original strat from the 60's. However if that failed, which it most likely would, then id definately purchase another one without a doubt. I think the thing i love most about the guitar is the signaqture "Hendrix" look and the sound along with the thin neck and colour. I chose this guitar over others because everything about it was vintage. The whole look of the guitar is incrediable and the guitar itself has lots of character.

Vintage style Fender guitar with additional features such as a large, late-60's headstock. This one cost ??590 and was crafted in Japan in 2006. The neck is the slimmest Fender neck ive ever played on and it also has a nice flame off it. It also has the Fender "F" tuners which adds even more character to the whole thing. 21 vintage styled frets with Texas Special pickups.

I play blues, rock, jazz, fusion, progressive rock and psychedelic rock and some other stuff too. This guitar suits my style down to the ground as it gives that SRV sound when played through a good valve amp. The guitar is not really that noisy and would be nothin to fuss over. The sound is bright as expected from a strat however the texas special pickups give a slightly darker one than other fender pickups. This guitar can scream, groan and do basically anythin else you want it to. In my opinion, it is a versitile guitar as you can play many styles. It wouldnt really be suited for metal but it could take a fair hack at it. I am thinking of changing the pickups at some stage but think ill hang onto the stock ones for the mean time.

The whole set up of the guitar was next to perfect when i got mine. The finish is pristine and i actually thought it was nitrocellulous (like used on the vintage reissue USA models) but apparently its not. The thing i like most is the colour and the neck. The neck is a flammed maple one and is very slim and smooth. The vintage white colour automatically jumps out at you and reminds you of Hendrix's guitar that he purchased in '69 and used at woodstock. The guitar was set up perfectly when it arrived and was flawless as far as i could see. The only thing i would complain about would be that the guitar tends to go out of tune everytime you use the whammy bar. However, if you install your strings well, use heavier strings and break them in then this should reduce the problem.

The guitar is solid, strong and built to last. I also play a gibson sg special with two EMG pickups in it. I wouldnt use it too much at a gig because sometimes the pickups screw up in some odd way. I always use my strat without a backup and ntohing has gone wrong since i got it.

Ive been playing for about 4 years now and own a gibson SG along with my strat. I also own a Musicman RP210 and am thinking of purchasing a new valve amp. This guitar will sound immense through any quality valve amp. If the guitar doesnt sound good then id blame your amp. If this guitar was stolen i would save up and buy an original strat from the 60's. However if that failed, which it most likely would, then id definately purchase another one without a doubt. I think the thing i love most about the guitar is the signaqture "Hendrix" look and the sound along with the thin neck and colour. I chose this guitar over others because everything about it was vintage. The whole look of the guitar is incrediable and the guitar itself has lots of character.

olympic white 68 reissue stratocaster crafted in japan. standard strat features. came with a pretty poxy gig bag, but hey, i didnt buy it for the free bag. mapel neck . awsome. texas special pick ups.

i play psychedelic stoner sleaze rock and it can do it all. not real happy with the texaz specs tho, they are to hot and bottom out a lot when i kick the fuzz on, so i'm gonna change em to the 69 strat pickups from fender. therye meant to be a lot cleaner sounding pick up.

had to tweak it a little but it is a spectacualr construted instrument.
i have an american vintage series 70's strat and it is easily on par, if not maybe a better built guitar, but not by much, the 70's is still an awsome guitar and is my main axe still.

built like a tank mate!

BLEH.

9.5. ITSA all good except for the pick ups. and the neck is very thin, wihich isnt bad but i'm 6ft 3in so i have reasonably large hands so i like a bit of chunk in a ne4ck. the neck on the 70's strat is a lot more to my suiting. it s a big fatty!but the guiatr plays awsomley and seems sound and solid.

Lefty 2004/2005 vintage white 68 reissue strat, gorgeous maple neck and big headstock.
Made in Japan.
Its a beauty.
you know the rest.

I don't play with effects, just a bit of gain sometimes through a Marshall JCM 500.
A really versatile range of tones, though its not made for completely mad metal distortion, but can handle anything.
I play it mostly clean and loud, just jamming and bluesy, funky, punky noodling at the moment. I've played a lot of guitars, and for the money this has a beautiful tone, stands up to a #1000 worth of American deluxe easily.
I played it in the shop, it sounded like Little Wing, I had to have it.

Plays great, the neck isn't for Vai types, but you get the real feel of the guitar instead, its got a hell of a lot of character.
The setup is good for this price range, almost flawless but for a tiny bit of fret buzz on bottom E. Not a problem.

No problems yet. This guitar is solid as a rock and built to last like a strat should.
I'd depend on it, but i like to live dangerously.

N/A
hopefully i'll never find out.

I've been playing for about 8 years, had a mexican tele lefty and switched a burns steer round to lefty not long ago. Beats playing the tele so much its untrue.
I'd have another, maybe in natural.
A decent price for a top notch, professional versatile strat, and it looks perfect.
Jimi's strat. enough said.

68' Lefty Reissue, 7.5 neck radius, Vintage white, made in 2005. I am a righty and this guitar is my "Jimi" project guitar. I had a supposed luthier (who by the way sucked) do the job of cutting a new nut, fliping the strap holder, fixing the saddles and set-up... I learned my lesson, I could have done a much better job. Since this was special project because (and B-present from my wife) I love Hendrix and haven't seen any guitar's recently that captures his Woodstock guitar. After the reaming by the luthier, I reset and re-cut the nut myself and all is good now.

Trying to keep the guitar as Hendrix would have played it I did not flip the pick-ups. The stock picks are a perfect fit for Jimi's tone. I have various tube amps and with the Digi-tech Hendrix pedal, many nights I am floating with tone. Even without any pedals, this axe has nice bite and mondo sustain. I find the stock pickups sweet.

Well, this were it took me about a week to get used to, with such a thin neck and radius. The neck at the nut a little over 40mm, very thin and tapers out towards the bridge. But once I got used to this neck, it is the fastest neck I have ever played on. I play this every day at least one hour, I've owned it since August 05. The finish on the body is Vintage White, which also has grown on me since I thought it was a pee yellow, it actually does have that vintage appeal. I only with it came in Olymipic White (Jimi's Woodstock color.)

I actually have been beating, nicking and I am very rough on this guitar. For me it adds character. Very solid feel to it.

Called about specific questions and had them answered within minutes.

I've been playing since the 70's off and on and seriously for the last 3 years, 2 to 4 hours a night. I at first though I made a big mistake trying to take on this project of a flipped strat. But now that I have everything where I want it to be, the pay-off is big in sound and just Jimi-trippin.

My 68' strat looks identical to the strat that jimi used at woodstock. The neck has a unbelivable finish. I'm never gonna sell this baby.

This is exactly what i wanted in a guitar. if your looking for the vintage jimi hendrix sound BUY THIS GUITAR!!

I bought myine on ebay new. it came in perfect condition the action was set about right. Myine came with texas specials which give out the stevie ray vaughn kind of sound. i love this guitar

Just yesterday i was putting it on the stand and the stand broke and the guitar fell and hit the wall hard. It took out a piece of drywall and when i took out the drywall from the guitar there wasnt even a scratch so i believe that this guitar will live with me for a long time.

i havent delt with them and i doubt i will because this is such a great guitar

I play through a marshall 2x50. my setup as follows: a vox wah wah, a dallas arbiter fuzz face, and a uni-vibe this guitar helps me create that vintage sound. if someone stole this guitar i would set a reward for 1000 dollars and then if i found the theif would beat the crap out of him.

Like a '68 Strat. All you really need. Mine is a well used '80s model from Japan (E-serial number). Scratched, dinged, one tuner about ripped off--but plays very well & I like these played in guitars. Just purchased from the original owner.

I had a '73 Strat once, all original, played it for years, was my only electric at that time. Was heavy, but sounded good. Never liked the natural finish, sold it off. This guitar sounds at least as good as that one. The maple neck w. original pickups is a nice sound, good contrast to my RW board '62 RI. It records very, very cleanly, I think it's maybe better for that than the others Strats I've got. It is also very quite--a real surprise. The original owner gigged a lot, may have shielded it well, haven't looked.

Not applicable. Original owner set it up very well to just plain play. Newer mid-size frets, nice.

Looks like it's already been through the ringer. Finish is, however, still intact except for neck blems from playing/banging. Very durable, like any decent strat is.

Been playing for 30 years. Mostly a flattop guy, but I like electrics so am playing around with them again. I have a '62 MIJ with Rio Grande Tallboys, and a '85 Squire with Lace Holy Grails. Those are both great guitars and great players. This guitar looks far older than them cuz it's been played, but plays out real nicely and is a bit lighter than either of 'em. Nice guitar. I won't be changing anything on it, it's good to have a "stock" Strat sound around. These MIJ strats--the good ones--are exceptional guitars for the $.

mine is a 1989/90 japan 68 reissue lefty sunburst strat with maple neck, large headstock etc...the look and feel is very authentic to the original. Superbly made and very easy to play.Standard strat features...wat more do you want.

My music influence is Jimi...and can get a similar tone although it can be noisy and trebley but thats part of its charm.

The action was ok from new (bought in 1991)although the tuning was a bit dodgy..after a trip to the doctor it was fine. all finish details were flawless.

I've had this guitar for 13 years and has never let me down..I've done a few gigs and alot of recording.However a have broken the tremelo arm and just cannot get a new one.

customer support was not great at all. after trying to get a new one I was told by fender's distributers that i should have bought an american standard! and not this one as they can't get the parts...especially left hand ones..

Overall this is the best guitar I could have got for the money, and more...it's great to play (even tho the tremelo is now useless, well made, sound great even when play it thru a crap amp! i'll never part with it cos its great.If anyone knows where i can find a new trem arm (lefty) please let me know ..........cheers

It`s a 89` Japanese made model. Brown sunburst.
Beautiful one piece maple neck with large headstock.
Startocaster classic features...we all know them.

I play rock n`roll. It suits perfect into my style since Stratocasters are the ultimate rock n`roll guitars, period.
People who changes the pickups on this guitar are the kind of people who don`t know anything about guitars... They do not desrve such an instrument. It`s all about impedance, 50`s & 60`s guitars were built that way. If you rerplace the pickups, you kill the guitar tone and concept. GROW UP! This is not a metal guitar! This is not a high output guitar..! If that`s what you want....go get an Ibanez and load it with EMG`s and be a Metallica head, I`ll feel sorry for you.

The sound is beautiful and with a good tube amp, it can take you back into a 60`s acid trip a la Woodstock era. Little bit noisy and that`s the trick...noise is part of the Fender tone, learn to live with it and yoll`be just fine, just rockin`.

I love everything on this guitar...from the paint scratches and beautiful noise to the awesome tone and versatility. I`ll give it a 9 since guitar tone isn`t perfect.

Perfect set up. At least mine is so well crafted. The action was just fine altough I set it my way. There`s no design or construction flaw on this guitar, go get one for you right away.

This guitar has suffered the must pasionate rock n`roll battles. It`s been dragged, pushed, kicked and slammed as a rock guitar should and it`s still the same. Since we`re both lefthanders, this is the only guitar I have....and I can tell you that I play with it without backup wiht my eyes closed.

I haven`t needed it yet. I hope and I know I won`t.

I`ve been playing for 10 years. My other gear consists of a 64` Fender Tremolux Head with a 65`Fender Bassman 2x12 cabinet.
There`s no effects chain, just the one and only modified TS-9/TS808 tubescreamer rockin` real hard between the guitar and the amp.
No one will try to steal this guitar because she sleeps with me and everytime we go out, I take care of both of us with my lightsaber and great force powers. My favorite feature is the neck it gives you such a great feel! A fender guitar can only be compared to non-fender guitars and I don`t now even one single fender guitar that gets close to this one. YES I`m so happy an pruod to have it and play like I play it.
Stop being a metalhead and be a grown man. Get a Strat. Ibanez and other pointy guitar brands are for teenagers