Fender '72 Reissue Stratocaster

Mine is a Japanese made '72 reissue Strat with a REAL swamp ash body, natural finish with white on white pick guard, knobs,pickups etc. Maple neck and fingerboard with o course the large headstock indigenous of the 70's model Strats. I also own a 62 reissue Tele, and I have to say that except for the electronics the Japanese reissue Fenders are as good if not better than the American made ones at a fraction of the cost. I upgraded both my Strat and my Tele with vintage reissue wiring, and electronics, and added Fender custom shop texas Specials to both guitars. The Strat plays like butter and sounds as good if not better than any USA made on I have ever owned. Really a superb instrument, and the same goes for my 62 reissue CIJ Tele.

The sound is remarkable, of course I have upgraded the electronics to vintage reissue stuff and added Texas specials. The swamp ash body resonates superbly.

Great action, I love the nitro-cellulose finish. The japanese really know how to re-create those great Fenders from the past, and I mean exactly to specs.

Yes, yes & yes!

No opinion

Overall i would have to say that i would recommend this guitar to any musician out there, great playability, rugged construction, Perfect reissue design right down to the last detail, I do recommend changing out the lectronics and pickups, once you do that you'll have a guitar as good or better than any American made version on the market!

My 72 reissue Strat is an Oly white w/ rosewood neck, and weighs 7 lbs even. It was "crafted in Japan" for that market and was not a model imported to the US. It's body is alder and it has the bullet truss rod, micro-tilt 3 bolt neck, and schaller tuners with the "f" on them. This guitar was bought from a friend who used all the tremolo and bridge parts as well as the pickups and electronics to restore a real 71 Strat that had been modded, then stripped. He refinned it and with these parts has a nice Hendrix era player for cheap. I bought the 72 reissue for 150.00 and then bought the parts to build it out off of ebay. It had been refretted with jumbo fretwire already. I spent 150 on a set of EMG SA p/ups and pots w/ a 5 way, 90 for a complete wilkinson stainless bridge/tremblock/ claw vibrato setup including graphite saddles, 10 for a jack and jackplate, and 15 for a a used hipshot trem setter. I snatched a great SKB freedom case for another 45, and completed it. I also swapped the plastic nut for a graphite one, as well as a set of staggered locking sperzel tuners. I sold the "f" tuners for 45 bucks on ebay so only had to spring another 35 for these parts. So, I've got 495 in it. Not bad for a tricked out high quality Strat that can handle all anyone could dish out! Most other players think its either a tricked out 72 or a Custom Shop axe! I'm rating a "10" after all the stuff had been done to it- I actually played a bone stock sunburst one just like mine, and it was great, but was in a different league altogether. I'd give that one a "7"

I use this guitar as my main guitar for songs that require lots of gain, tonal flexability, and whammy bar stuff (about 4 songs in a 22 song set) It is tuned a half step down from standard. I use it into an old ProCo Rat, a solid state echoplex, a crybaby wah, mxr phase 90, electric mistress, and a Hush II. Amps are 2 blacface Fender Bandmasters that have been modded for 70 watts each into 2 early 70's Ampeg 412 cabs loaded with EV SRO 150 12" speakers. This is a very loud rig with excellent headroom, killer tone, and endless flexability that has been in service for 15 years now without any problems. The EMGs are noiseless. It can get just about any standard Strat sound and more than a few Gison Humbucker-like sounds. For Strat sounds I rely on a stock Japanese 60's reissue I've had for almost 20 years. This one is for heavy music-sounds like Blackmore on Steroids. This guitar also excells at Pink Floyd sounds. It really sounds too sterile for rhythm and blues or classic rock/ blues sounds. This guitar is like a super high performance version of a Strat. I find it to be even better than a Clapton Strat I had a while back. There is nothing I dislike about it at all.

Well, it was a project, and I did the setup when I assembled it. As far as the quality of the fit and finish, what is there from the factory in Japan was FIRST RATE! I own vintage and newer American Fenders, as well as Japanese ones and a couple MIM ones, and the jap ones are as fine as my 60's Fenders and superior to the newer ones. I'll rate them high for not only high quality on this one, but also for consistency on the Jap guitars I own.

I can and does withstand gigging. Hardware that remains is fine, but all that remains of it is the backplate and neck screws. Finish is holding up fine, although it has yellowed a bit. The back of the neck finish is mostly gone from playing. Strap buttons have been replaced w/ schaller strap locks. I do depend on it live and in rehearsals and recording. I usually take thios guitar when working on another musician's recordings, as I can always get the tone that will suit the track. I never play w/out backup,anything can happen. This guitar, as well as my other Fenders are all very tough and can take more abuse than other guitars I've had.

Never dealt with them

I've been playing a long time-I played in alternative rock bands before "alternative rock" became mainstream years ago. I own a lot of gear, but use this, the 60's reissue Strat, A MIM 72 Tele Custom reissue, and a 04 Les Paul Jr onstage. I practice and demo my ideas using a Digitech GNX4 and my PC. In addition to my stage rig above, I have a Marshall 4010 JCM800 combo, and a Vox pathfinder. Other guitars are: 1968 Yamaha FG 180 acoustic(has a sunrise soundhole p/up),65 Jazzmaster w/ 63 neck, 1982 VOO reissue 57 Strat (heavily modded),stock 68 Tele, 1962 Gretsch Jet firebird,1988 Ric 330-12 string, 77 les paul deluxe (refin,refret), 70s refin Guild SG style, 73 Hagstrom Swede, Tokai Love Rock goldtop with p90s, 77 Greco hollow Les Paul std copy, and I just bought a Burny Firebird copy. I also have a MIM 60's Jazz bass reissue. If stolen or lost, I'd probably just buy another cheap project Strat and put the same exact parts on it. I love its light weight and cool look, but it's sound and playability really put it over the top. I love the silky smooth vibrato and rock solid tuning, as well as the active EMGs. I wish it had a little bigger neck profile. I use this guitar for the heaviest and most technically challenging parts of my set. The EMGs are a tad sterile compared to passive single coils, but they trade that off for super flexability and output. This particular Strat is the one most my buddies try to get me to sell them. I have turned down 750 bucks for it.

This is a 1986? '72 Reissue stratocaster. It is Vintage White (more of a cream) made in Japan. It has a three staggered pole pickups with five way selector, volume controle and two tones. Don't know the brand of the pickups, but are "stock" vintage style. Rosewood fretboard, tremolo. I bought it with a hard shell case.

I play mostly rock and blues with some jazz. In the past I have used it with a Randall Commander II and now I have a Laney amp. In both cases the guitar sound good through the amps, although through the Randall, the bright sound was too bright. Through the Laney it sounds great. It isn't great for jazz, to trebley--but that's what I'd expect with the pickups and the flat top. It has the that standard "strat" sound which I like, but probably doesn't make it a great guitar for real hard rock or metal.

I liked the set up. It has pretty quick action and I love Fender fret boards. The frets are higher, but after you get used to it, I like the crisp sound. I bought it new and in good condition--great out of the box.

I gigged with this guitar alot and it always performed. It has its share of dings in it, but keeps on ticking. Only thing I have ever had to replace was the input jack--shorted out--its a cheap fix and not surprising given how much I have used it. I have had some oxidation on the chrome parts, but again not surprising with a 20 year old guitar, but with standard maintainence and cleaning, the guitar will last you.

I have never dealt with fender.

I have played guitar for a little over twenty years. This was the second guitar I bought, and I still love it. If I lost it, well, I would definitely buy another strat--if I could find another one of these I would buy it. If not, probably buy an American. I wouldn't shy away from the MIJ strats. They are good quality--I think much better than the MIM ones and good values compared to the USA strats.

big headstock finished in satin as the well as back of neck, vintage white, rosewood fretboard, basswood body, black pickup/tone/volume knobs, thin gigbag, cable, gotoh tuners, pearloid dot fret makers, CIJ. nice made instrument

play rock. the stock pickups are not that good....but I replaced them with Bill Lawrence L280 in all 3 positions and big difference !!! I use it with a Vox amp and play alot chords..I liked everything about this guitar but those pu..

everything on guitar was fine, the quality of Japan fender is top notch..when I replaced pickups I looked at the pots/switch, not the best quality but does the job...the '72 reissues were not the top of the line models, so...can't complain too much

guitar is built well, if you handle in with care, it should last a good long time

n/a

Fender Japan are high quality guitar makers...really well make, better than MIM for sure, against a US model, well..comes very close.

Mine is a Japanese Made Fender Stratocaster 2003.... ST72-58US to be exact ... It's a 72 reissue strat and the colour is Olympic White. The fingerboard is of Rosewood and the neck is maple. The body is Alder which has an amazing tonal response. It has a standard pickup configuration with volume and two tone controls. The pickups are US Vintage but I have no idea what is the make, the poles are staggered and a bit of wax on the tip. The pickup cover including the selector knobs are black in a white pickguard. The finish is glossy and perfectly well painted. Tuners are Gotoh which works amazingly well. It has a nice neck which is very smooth but slinky after long use. The guitar came with a simple gig bag, cord and a whammy bar.

Well, I play punk stuff and usual standards. It carries it self well especially with those bright tones. I can imagine now the sound if I changed the strings to a .10 gauge. The strings when I bought it used .9 gauges. Maybe it would sound much better with a higher gauge and those guys from fender recommends those bullet end strings. The sound is rich and warm ... Im using a marshall micro amp and it sounds bright and chunky when I turn it to OD. Well im not sure of its capabilities never tried it though in a large stack but im confident it would do well. What I hate about this guitar is the bridge ... I hate those tremolo stuff I just want it locked ... maybe add two springs to lower it down so I can get more bright sounds. There is so many things to be done on this guitar to make it sound much better but as it is ... its perfect!

It was well made and the craftmanship is sleek and perfect! The guitar is in the $400 range and its a midrange guitar yet its sound and craftmanship goes like those of the real thing US made I should say. The guitar came to me perfectly new and perfectly set-up'd!

Ive not used it in a live setting just for personal playing. I just bought it recently and It lives to my expectation. Maybe time can tell ... but im not gonna go with it for now!

Im a big Strat fan ... this 70s guitar is cool and I kinda love it. I dont care much about what they say regarding these reissue especially with this 70's axe and the dreaded 3 bolt neck. It looks cool and it responds well for me. I plan to change the bridge pickups soon ... a hot rails would do ... As for other guitars of these class I can say it sounds better ... even more that those American made. Theres no difference with it ... Its all the same ... the vibe about this is the one who crafted it .... when they put their heart into making thse fine guitar I know they sound well! I love Japanese made guitars ... a friend of mine has a Hondo SG which sounds really good. Maybe in my next purchase i'll buy a Telecaster ... Japanese made ... I can't get enough of it! When I wake up each morning I see to it that I play the hell out of it! Thank God for Japanese made Fender Strats!!!!

I think that everyone is wrong on the date of reissue. It is a 1973 Stratocaster, manufactured in 1988 - 15 year reissue (that's when I bought it brand spanking new). Made in Japan, jumbo headstock and a 3 bolt neck (rosewood top), 5 way switch, 3 single coils pups (exposed poles), white volume/tone control knobs - anything other than the above description it is def. not a 1973 reissue! I have the Vintage white (actually like a beautful eggnog cream)-I don't believe the reissue it came other than white and vintage white (red possibly?). Rosewood top and the medium neck is really comfortable, probably the most comfortable neck I ever played on. Fender tuners-could be better on keeping in tune esp. if you use the tremolo bar (They are not Gotohs-one guy above stated!!!!) With the 5 position switch, you can get a ton of sounds/tones. One of the nicest Fender strats I ever played on-hence once I played it, I quickly bought it.

Great blues, jazz and rock (or abilly)-not a heavy metal rock guitar though. Used through a Fender tube amp - a match made in Fendern? A little noisy on #2 and #4 settings. Has all the sounds from a Tele bright sound to a nice rounded Strat sound (almost fat like). Again not for a heavy rock sound - but you get the classic vintage Fender looks and sounds.

Excellent setup straight from the shop. Don't be afraid of Japanese guitars! I've owned and still have a few throughout the years (no complaints-all very nice) but this one kicks *ss in just about all aspects. One of the best built (vintage) guitars from Japan. I don't know what these go for now used, but probably you can't buy one with this quality (forget those mexican and korean made Fenders - they really suck!). I can't give it a ten because of the vintage tuners and bridge (I like locking tuners and a better trem bridge) but I didn't want to change the vintage look anywhere for this guitar. If you find one that's reasonably price say $400-700 - buy it!!

I played it live only a couple times (blues clubs)- but I basically didn't want it to get nicked/scratched bad (something always seems to happen at a live gig every once in awhile-oh you mean that was my guitar that dropped off the stage?). It has a great finish and has lasted - still no oxidation and discoloration. Hardware is vintage Fender-including a great 3 bolt neck!

I heard good things from other people in their calls to Fender-but never had to deal with them directly.

30+ years. See my other reviews - 25/50 Anniv. Gibson, Fender USA Bullett (sold), Gibson 1957 Reissue (korina) Flying V (oh why did I let this one go?!?),Yamaha 480S acoustic and a couple of other electrics. I'd try to find one again if it were stolen, but it would be very hard to find one-I never seen one in a music store past 1990. It is a testament that people are holding on to these guitars. Love the feel and sound-but you could upgrade on the tuners and bridge (EMG pups for harder rock?!). Blows away most Fender strats even newer USA - unless it is a true vintage model.
If you happen to find one in good condition, don't even think about it - buy it quick!!!!!!

1985, Japan. 21 frets, 3-piece ash body, skunkstripe maple neck, rosewood board. White (yellowing nicely) body, 3ply white/black/white scratchplate, trem. Fender Japan stamped on tuners. I bought the guitar in '88, to replace a similar model which was stolen. The rosewood board has been scalloped, Pups replaced with Reflex Red active models, string trees & nut removed & fitted with graphite replacements. Giving it a 10 rating here as, after customising, this guitar is, for me, perfect.

The full range of Fender sounds are available, with a little judicious use of the active tone controls. Clean sounds are clear & bell-like. When overdriven, this baby sings, it gives growls & squeals just when you want them. At "Spinal Tap" settings, it really comes into its own, this guitar likes to rock! the combination of a good body, good Pups, & the extra vibrato that the neck encourages, makes wonderful sounds, chords & riffs have balls & bite, lead sounds fluid & clear. It can be noisy on high gain settings, but, it's a single coil Strat, what d'ya expect?

As I purchased the guitar used, & immediately put it in for customising, by the time I played it, it was set-up perfectly. apart from gluing the neck in place, no other work was required.

I've been using this as my main guitar since I bought it, & apart from a loose join on the jack socket, I've had no trouble whatsoever. The guitar has been dropped, had a beer shower, & generally been used & abused, but, it still plays & sounds superb.

No need to ever contact Fender.

This guitar has been my main guitar since 1988, I have no need or desire to replace it. You know when you get the right guitar!

This is a beatyfull CIJ 72 Reissue (ST72-58US) from Ishibashi, Tokyo Japan. 21 vintage (small) frets. True vintage 70's style and vibe! Big headstock with the black Fender Stratocaster logo in big letters.
Two stringtrees and "bullet". "Gotoh" tuners which works very well. (The Fender Japan web-site says that they are "Rotomatic", but this one came with "Gotoh" tuners!) Marple neck with awesome fretwork. Fender Japan call this a "U-shape", but i think it reminds me of a "C-shape" on other Strats i've had. Big chunky and very playable neck. It also has a "skunkstribe".
US pups 57/62. Light and resonant body of Basswood. Beatyfull finsh: "Old Candy Apple Red". This color seems to be a little darker than the ordinary CAR. Three bolt neck with "F" stamped neck-plate. Seems very very solid.
It came with a very thin gigbag. It came to my 4 days after it was sent from Japan (i live in Denmark)! And it came very safely packed.

Im an "old" geezer and couch-player. I've played in a bluesband for 12 years, but no more bandplying for me! I play mainly blues, blues-rock & rock'n'roll. This guitar is perfect for that! The vintage US 57/62 pups is exellent. They got that chrispy, mellow, "quacky" strat sound. Its got a rich full sound in all five positions.
Im using a small Roland Cube 15 (good little amp) and i've tried it uot with a Peavey Classic 50.....WOW!!
Its a little bit noisy in the inbetween position (2 & 4) but it not too much and its acceptable.
I've never owned a strat with 57/62 pups before and i honestly couldnt understand what all the fuzz about theese pups was about! How could people claim thet they are so much better than other Strat pups. Well now i understand....theese are without comparison. Awesome!

The guitar was playable right out of the box! Low action but no rattle. Intonation was spot on! I didnt have to do anything at all!
The nut is extremly well cut.
As i've mentioned the tuners work very well and it stays in tune (i dont use the tremolo). Fretwork 100% accurate and nicely done.
The color is stunning! It looks soooo good!
This guitar came absolutely flawless and i intend to keep it that way.

I dont play gigs anymore but im sure that this axe could take it!
The finish seems very solid. Strap buttions are solid.
Its still new, so i guess time will tell. But im sure that this guitar will give me many years of playing pleasure.

Havent dealt with Fender Japan before, so i wouldnt know.

I've played about 25 years. I've owned several Strats before, including: American Standard, Standard Strats MIM, Classic 50's & 60's MIM, 60's Reissue MIJ (which i still regret selling). I have a Tex-Mex which is nice but not as nice as my 72. It dosent get much playing time now.
I have a Roland Cube 15 which is a surprisingly good little amp. Only pedal i have is a George Dennis wah-wah.
This is the best Strat i've ever played. Period. And its a keeper.
I choose it because of the 70's vibe that this guitar got. I like the big "goofy" headstock and the quallity of Japan Fenders.
I've tried too many bad MIM's. I think that the Japaneese has other standards when it comes to quality control.
Its also very affordable compared to US and MIM models.
If it ever got stolen i would definitly order a new one!

2001 CIJ with 21 frets. 5 way pickup selector, "vintage reissue" staggered pole pickups. nice playable neck with the large heastock and the bullet truss rod. Whammy bar and the two little string guides.

I wanted to change out the staggered pole pickups at first, But i've come to enjoy the cool sound of them v.s. what I've played in the past. Maybe I just got lucky, but I can crank all the knobs up and wail. She still sounds clean (with just a hair of hum) and a lot meatier than any mexican and most american strats. I like metal and blues. usually strats sound a little light on metal, but this gets nice and thick.

I haven't had to adjust a thing on this guitar. baring temperature changes, it stays in tune with itself. I usually only tune it up before i record something. I've inspected this guitar all over, I can't see how some people refuse to touch anything other than an american strat. There is some major Quality Control over in Japan and it shows. Olympic White in a beautiful flawless finish.

I've Owned this guitar for about 8 months now. Everytime I play I'm standing up and playing it hard. I play a lot, and this guitar has been half way around the world. (in a case) bumped, slamed and dropped in that time. The case is already looking 30 years old. Guitar still works as advertised. No problems with strap buttons or tremelo, and i can't see any beltbuckling, eventhough i never try to prevent it, so I'm assuming that that finish is pretty solid. but only time will tell.

N/A

It gets the 10 because it is a "Fantastic Value." In U.S. dollars it would have been $400. That's a deal, and you gotta love that headstock with the strat logo too. I've owned 11 guitars, but i'm down to 3 now. A taylor accoustic, a classical, and the strat. if this guitar was stolen or lost, I would run to the store and buy the exact same model. I played on the american models, and they just seemed overpriced. This one sounded sweet, played sweet, and cost half the price.

2000, CIJ, 21 fret standard scale. Olympic white with one piece maple neck, bullet truss rod, USA vintage pickups. Made for the Japanese domestic market. Gotoh tuners (stock) and standard strat tremolo. It's AMAZING the difference in craftmanship between this guitar and the mexican made 70's reissue. The only newer strats I've seen that compare craftsmanship-wise are the custom models (and the other japanese models of course).

The perfect companion to a VOX Valvetronix AV120T. Sounds wonderful with the JCM800 preset, amazing sustain with the Dumble preset and the Tubscreamer. Sounds a lot darker than most maple necked strats, has a ton of bass and mids, have to really crank the presence and treble to get a bright strat sound. I personally can't stand a bright guitar sound, so imo this is a desirable thing.

Needed a good set-up from my local tech, but afterwards plays like a dream. I used to loathe the slightly thicker strat necks but this guitar has made me a believer. Low action (.009's), flat tremolo. 6 from the factory - 10 after the setup (average of 8).

Japanese Fenders are usually pretty solid in my experience (better than most of the USA strats made during the 70's), but it's too soon to tell anything.

Never dealt with Fender directly, so no opinion.

Cheaper than the mexican-made ripoffs and there is NO comparison. I have been playing for over 10 years and I have never owned anything other than japanese fenders (1988 standard strat, '68 reissue strat, '62 jaguar reissue, and the new '69 competition mustang). I have played a multitude of mexican and USA Fenders and I've never been impressed. The only rival to japanese made fenders is their vintage counterparts--and considering that you can generally buy at least two to four of the reissues for one of the originals, this is quite a deal. As far as USA Fenders, there is a serious problem with quality control imo, and often times you find yourself spending over a thousand dollars on a dud. And if you're buying Mexican fenders, you're actually paying less (for just as crappy an instrument) because Mexico's environmental laws are not as strict. Fender uses cheaper, more noxious paint; you get a cheaper guitar; one day the whole world looks like Mexico City.

Japanese, 5-way selector, S/S/S with aged-white basswood body and rosewood fingerboard. Ultra thin and very comfortable C-shaped neck.
Replaced cheap jack.

Play rock, blues, country and pop, and this guitar covers all these styles 85% as well as my '72 Tele Custom. Still using an old Zoom 30-30 (Soon hope to go Vamp) with Peavey Classic 30 and silver Fender Princeton Reverb and surprize almost everyone with prodigeous tones. Pups present no significant noise problems, but positions 2 and 4 drop the volume relative to dead on 1-2-3--at times making switching a problem.

Fine finish. Action way too low for an old tele player--jack it up!
Fret edges rough up near cutaways but not bad enough to need additional work.

Seems very solid. Only reason for backup is for string breakage, but in two years none have broken on this guitar.

Never in 35 years have I needed Fender support.

Intermittent bands for more than 35 years, always bashing a sonic-blue-turned-snot-green Telecaster until I picked this baby up two years ago. Way easier to play than "Snotty" ever was. Lighter basswood body also is wonderful to strap on. Of course tele tones can't be beat to my humble ear, but the comfort and vibe and tonal variety of this Strat make it hard to put down. Somewhat dissappointed with the 2 and 4 position as I mentioned. Just doesn't have the slinky "quack" I've heard from other Strats and copy cats.

reissue of a 62 custum without the white binding.

i play rock and some blues and i love the sound out of my tele. if ya dont play country then its a little hard at first to stop the 'twangin tele' syndrome if ya use the lead pickup. It is quite noisy and easily acts like an aerial, just play loud and ya cant hear that though! the way i have my amp set up is to get a fantastic lead sound, try and play chords on the rythm pickup and it could get a little muddy..

well its quite old and has been set up many times, set up properly and its fine to play. bit hard for me to judge as im not the origonal owner,,,

its a tele. its a big block of wood. its secondary use is self defence so u can smack someone round the head with it. gig without a bacup no worries hard wears fine no signs of failing at all

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not bin playin very long tried many other guitars. love it to bits definitely go out and buy another tele, i doubt if i could find one like mine.... u can coax quite a few sounds out of the guitar, maybe with different pickups maybe humbuckers a few more might be available..

Made in Mexico, this guitar is made of two pieces of very nice looking (and HEAVY) ash, and has a natural finish. Also, thin frets, three single coils, and a u-shaped neck with large headstock. I bought an affinity series squire for a kid, and ended up keeping it because of the neck shape -- this is why I went looking for this guitar (same shape neck). Came with a gig-bag that is pretty nice. All hardware is vintage-looking and good. I give it a ten for the wood.

I played a clean "stormy monday" through a tube-amp and the ninth



Throght this guitar, clean chords sounded nicer than any guitar I own (American Hardtail, American Standard, Mex Standard). Somehow, very clear with lots of top and bottom. Pickups are noisy, though, at volumes greater than 7 no matter where the switch is set. This may be the nicest sounding guitar for clean stuff I've played. I can get a similiar sound with my hardtail, but it never gets to "crystal" like this guitar does.

After I played it awhile, I bought it -- didn't even check it for fit . The finish was obviously great and only can be described as glassy. The heavy finish on the maple neck was hard to get used to at first for certain string bends etc., but I don't seem to care. The two pieces of ash was definately well matched. Beautiful guitar--just beautiful! However, when I did start looking at it (at home, for God's sake),I noticed that the neck was very slightly angled and caused the low E to come painfully close to the edge of the fretboard at higher than the 12th fret. Really got weird about that. Almost took it back, but I started playing it again and forgot all about it. Its not a serious flaw, very slight -- and the neck pocket looks good.

This guitar weighs 1.2 million pounds. I knew ash came in different weights, but my hardtail is almost like balsa (it is also ash). I have a feeling the weight is a large part of the sound. The three-bolt neck scared me at first but it's tight. The third bolt is much larger than the two front screws, and attatches to the neck by a thin metal plate which is bolted on by two screws. I don't need to use the micro-tilt, so I don't know about the stability when tilted.

I have a good dealer--never needed Fender directly.

Its a little heavy, but sounds great and is beautiful. I played a while when I was younger, but have only recently got back into it -- and am going through GAS (guitar aquisition syndrome). I think this is my last Strat for awhile. I play through a Peavey Prowler (a new 40 watt all tube amp), and a marshall solid state. If someonw stole this guitar, my free time would be spent trying to replace it. I wish the frets weren't quite so small. If you like deep bends, this is not that guitar. If you like everything else (maybe not metal), then buy it.

This is a Japanese'72 Strat reissue, made in, I think, 1990-the serial # is L030313, on the back of the neck above the neck pocket, which I purchased in Dec. '91 or '92 and I've never figured out what the "L" means. The neck is kind of "C" shaped, but a smaller "C" than today's 70's style reissues, and a 71/4" radius. It origionally had 3 reissue single coils when new, large headstock, 3-bolt neck, "G"Gotoh tuners, vintage style bridge,maple neck, basswood body, came with a hard case (...not no more!), and it came in Natural and Vintage White, the latter of which I have. I rate the features a 10, because it has everything a Strat is suppose to have.

This was my first Strat,and though I liked the single-coil sound, I totally missed the 'bucker's lead tone. So,two weeks after I bought this guitar, I began to beat the living piss out of it. I wanted to install a Dimarzio PAF humbucker in the bridge, but it was only routed for a single- coil. So, not having one single correct tool for the job, I proceeded to operate on it with a hammer and a screwdriver and used a steak knife to cut out the pickguard for the humbucker. After several hours of abuse at my kitchen table, the guitar sounded absotutley unbelievable! It now had a few single-coil rhythm sounds and that BIG, FAT, HUMBUCKER lead tone- YEAH, BAY-BEE!!! I've played it through everything and it's own sound always comes through. As of now, I use marshalls and Peavey Classic 50's.

Back then, in '91, I didn't know as much about quality as I do now, and so, after owning approx. 20 guitars since this Strat, I've come to realize that no guitar has ever been made as quality as this Strat. I've yet to find a better sound, better feel, better fret job, better neck joint, (except of course, Gibson), better tuners, etc. The neck adjusts like I want it to, whenever it needs it, never twisted or bowed in 10 yrs. and also the nut was perfectly cut and is still fine.

O.K.; this guitar has taken me from a bedroom player, to playing gigs 3 times a week in front of 500 people per gig, regularly for the last 8 years and is the guitar that MADE me develop my own sound and style on. It's been in the cold, the heat, the dryness, the humidity, the body has been gouged with a hammer and screwdriver, the neck gloss has been sanded off almost to the bare wood on the back and the fingerboard. It's been kicked, dropped, and once, when I worked in a factory during the night shift, I brought it to work and slid it accross the concrete floor about 75 feet, (I didn't make it hit the wall- what, do you think I'm THAT stupid???), just to prove to my friend that my Strat was more beat-up than his! In the time I've had it and gigged with it, it's only broken a string once- I SAID ONCE!! Now, I dare Fender to show me another one of their guitars that are $489. WITH a hard case that can compare to this guitar!!! 'Cause I've owned alot of 'em and NOTHING can compare. (...by the way, I sound a bit egotistical, don't I?). This guitar gets a "20".

If you ever have to call customer support about a guitar you've purched, my friends, fellow hard-working consumers, consider the possibility that you own a lemon.

I'd buy 10 more of these guitars if they only made 'em like this all the time! Let me just say that I don't beat the heck out of all my guitars, just this one. I baby and spit-polish most of my guitars these days, especially if they're pretty guitars. I like Fender better than any other manufacturer though, because you get a great "Bang For The Buck" in a classic American style guitar, be it American made, Japanese, Mexican, etc.

I bought a Japanese made 1972 Strat reissue from Ishibashi Music in Japan. It has all the standard Strat features: 2 tone/1 volume pot, 5 way switch, 3 pickups, vintage style bridge and sealed tuners. Neck had a rosewood fingerboard, 21 frets, big goofy headstock, and the bullet truss rod. The body is made from basswood and the finish was immaculate. The thing about it that makes it a '72 RI is the goofy headstock. The body contours, 5 way switch, and near perfect finish in a color that wasn't offered back then make you go, "Hmmm...."

Despite not being a true RI guitar it sounded good. It was fitted with some sort of vintage reissue pickups with staggered pole pieces. The sound was thick and dark, and a shiny jangly kind of sound. Good for metal I suppose. For me it was neither here nor there. With the right player and the right set up this guitar can really blow you away.

It came in the mail perfectly intonated. Like I said earlier the finish was immaculate, both on the neck and the body. Yes, it does the 3 bolt neck attachment but it doesn't cause any problems. It held on good and tight.

I kept this guitar at home mostly so I have no idea how it would stand up to the rigors of the road. I'm sure it would do just fine but that first scratch would be a killer.

Ishibashi billed my credit card one day and a week later the guitar arrived. Fast and courteous!

It's a good first guitar but if you want a 70s axe, get a 70s axe. I know not all of them are great, but there are some really outstanding instruments if you sift through them. Maybe I was lucky. My '74 blows this RI out of the water. Be sure to check out the newly released Mexican 70s guitars. They seem to be more expensive but they could be more true to form.

Well we all know the classic strat features, but out of all the strats I have played I love this one! I'm not too sure what year it was made, but i'm guessing '96-'97. It has 3 reissue single coil style pickups. This guitar has an awsome neck, almost like a jaguar neck that just kinda fits your hand, and a jumbo head wich I love! I give features a solid 8 because we have seen them so many times before. And as you know the strat is a very plain guitar. But I do love the 3-bolt neck, that's cool!

This guitar has the most awsome sound!!! From "Bulldog" biteing grunge rock to soothing smooth tones, and blues so blue that would make S.R.V. cry to thrashing death metal that would give slayer a run for there money. I play Blues and heavy stuff, like nirvana, KoRn and others, this guitar is simply amazing in the sound department! I am playing out of a '73 Fender twin amp and a Marshall half stack. I use a boss "Metal Zone" distortion pedal. I give it an easy solid 10 for sound.

I bought the guitar used, but before I got it my guitar tech set it up for me. So when I got it, it was already great! The color of this guitar is soooo sweet! It is a blonde yellow with a white pickguard. The finish is very strong, I banged it up against an amp and it didn't even mark it.

No back up needed for this guitar but I do have my '66 mustang on hand because I play so hard I tend to break strings pretty fast. Durability is awsome, we were getting set up for a show and it was laying off to the side (on the ground/stage) and a mic stand with a mic on it got knocked over on top of it, right accross the body. I knew it was dented or broken but after I freaked out and ran to it, it was fine, not a problem, but I felt so bad because I yelled at the guy before I knew it was ok.

I have never worked with Fender on it.

I wish the strat wasen't such a plain guitar, but the diffrent color is really cool it kinda stands out from other strats. I would buy another one if it was stolen or lost. I give it an over all of a 10.