Fender American HM Strat

This is a 1989 HM Strat. Raspberry color, rosewood fingerboard, maple neck, DiMarzio 3 pickups, and a light, basswood body. The finish is glossy and thick... very tough and resistant to almost anything (including beer spills). 24 jumbo frets. H-S-S pickup configuration, 5-way selector with a coil splitter for the humbucker. Floyd-rose licensed Kahler Spyder tremolo system (can order parts for it from Kahler). The neck has a radius of 17 and the neck is VERY THIN but very strong. Can adjust the truss rod through the back.

I have played heavy metal, jazz, thrash, shred guitar, etc. for a long time. Listen and play a lot of Dream Theater, Satriani, Metallica, Vai, Van Halen, etc. I run it through a Mesa Boogie with a couple of pedals for reverb and delay... also have a noise gate (not because of this guitar). The guitar is not noisy at all... very quiet when not played. It has a very full sound. The sound is very flexable. Neck pickup gives a great clean, Fender-ish sound. The humbucker is brutal for metal and shredding... rich, full of harmonics, but still can articulate. Sustain is very long on this guitar. I'm still surprised by it compared to my Soloist. The mids are boosted and the highs are a close second. Harmonics jump out anywhere you want. Low chords sound great and sustain really pays off here. Even though this guitar was made for metal, it adapts well to many other styles of music. The sound and playability is what makes this guitar.

Bought this used, and I didn't have to adjust it much. Be sure to lower the bridge and shred away. Since the neck is so thin, it is perfect, and I mean perfect, for playing fast music while retaining articulation. They don't make necks like this anymore. The fit was flawless. And, the finish is bullet-proof.

Not sure about the reliability, but looks to be built extremely well. I have not had it more than 6 months, so I don't know much about it's longevity. Finish, as previously mentioned, is road-worthy. Hardware is of excellent quality.

Never had to contact customer support, so I can't speak to it. Had a Fender Twin once that I had to have repaired, and that experience wasn't a terrible ordeal or anything.

I have been playing for twenty one years. I have gone through tons of guitars... high and low-end. This is in my top three as far as favorites go... I will not sell this guitar. Ibanez should make necks like these... like they used to. The only thing I'm not too thrilled about it the color, but really, when it comes down to it, it's about the sound anyway. This guitar really shines through in recording... very distinct, heavy, and articulate. Buy this guitar if you're lucky enough to find one. You'll know what I mean about all of these things when you hear it and when you feel how easy it is to navigate.

9.5 out of 10, everything you need from a Superstrat.
1989 U.S. made. Contrary to the belief of some, U.S. models were made with the Kahler Spyder trem in the first instance (although these were the first U.S. made HMs and should perhaps more correctly be refered to as U.S. assembled). 12.5 inch radius maple neck with maple board and 24 frets. Sculpted neck joint allows improved access to upper registers with offset 4 bolt fixing and micro tilt adjustment. Mine is the "standard" pickup configuration with H/S/S setup (two am standard single coils and a Dimarzio Super 3) with 5 way switching and a tap switch. The body is Basswood with a very thick poly paint job in the blue/green which seemed to be quite popular at the time, I bought it secondhand and as such had no choice in the colour, but I actually like it, it looks different, not just the same as any other Superstrat.

10 out of 10, I only wish I could put 11 for its sheer versatility.
I play an increadibly diverse number of styles from gospel to 80's/90's shred, not much jazz though. I have found this guitar to be the most versitile I have ever played and suits everthing I have ever tried to play with it. Rich and bluesy through the single coils up to a harsh biting tone through the humbucker when played with scooped mids on your amp. Played clean it gives the classic strat sparkle with just a hint of extra drive with the untapped bucker when you want it. I have always found the guitar to be as quiet as a mouse when not being played, hats of to the sheilding techniques used here. Having played the rosewood fretboard version belonging to a friend I believe the maple contributes quite a lot to the bright sound when used clean, make no mistake though, when you turn everything up to 11 the electrics take over and this can blast out the down and dirty as well as any Jackson or Ibanez.
For me (and several of my other friends who have played it) this is the ultimate do it all guitar, I've never played anything else quite as versatile.

8.5 out of 10,
I bought the guitar used, so can't really comment on the factory set up. I should admit at this point that I once made a living as a guitar tech, so everything I own is subject to my own setup virtually as soon as I get it home anyway. A lot has been said about Kahler Spyder bridges, allow me to add my thoughts. If this bridge was still avaiable I would replace all my Floyd Rose units with it. What is said about the durability not being quite as good as a Floyd is a fair comment, that much said a lot of these issues can be addressed by careful use and maintenance, making sure everthing is kept clean, free and lubricated (I use a few spots of petroleum jelly). The only part I have had to replace is one bolt from the locking nut. I have seen these bridges with many replaced and mismatched parts, but mine has proven that they can last the distance, this is a working instrument and has never let me down in a live situation (unlike a couple of my floyd equiped guitars). Once set up to my liking this is the best double locking bridge I have ever played and the stability is sublime, I have hardtails that don't stay in tune like this. The finish is of a very high quality, although may not be to everyone's taste. The paint is thickly applied and durable but I stand by the criticism that it can look plasticy. The finish on the neck is fabulous and has aged nicely in the approaching 20 years since it was new and still plays as fast and clean as it always did. This guitar is one of only two that I have never felt the need to play around with/upgrade the electrics (the other is a '57 Strat, and that has more to do with originality than want), the guitar does everthing I want her to do straight out of the crate. The other hardware is of high quality, tuning pegs, switches, pots etc, a quick spray of switch cleaner at cleaning/restringing time is all that's ever been required. I also love the TBS tone controls, like a strat on steroids.

I have owned and giged this guitar for seventeen years and, as previously stated, it has never let me down. I can and have played this live without a backup very regularly. In order to get the same range I would need to take the rest of my collection with me to every gig. It is now an old guitar, but still feels as solid now as the day I first brought it home. The finish is still thick and shiny and I honestly believe it still will be in another 20 years. It has the usual buckle rash and dings, but nowhere has the finish been compromised. I have had to replace the tap switch once due to some hamfisted handling by a roadie and one of the logos is missing from the tone control (it was like that when I got it). The strap buttons have been totaly reliable and I don't use any sort of strap locks. The only time they've ever let go was during a photoshoot when the photographer was trying to get me to hang the guitar in a position it was clearly not ment to be, fortunately she had lightning reactions and caught it before it hit the floor.

Not had anything to do with Fender, although I do own a lot of their equipment. Everything I've got that's Fender has worked fine for me

Been playing for 23 years and owned this 17 of them. I play it through a Fender Deluxe 85 and a Vox AC30. Got a lot of effects, mostly Boss (Super Distortion, Delay, Pitch Shift etc), but actually don't use them much these days, getting to prefer the naked guitar sound. I've got an Ovation Tangent MOB acoustic, the '57, a Jap Tele, a 7 string Stagemaster (about the only thing the HM wont do the job of), a Jap standard Strat, a Harmony Les Paul Junior copy and a couple of basses. This is still my main guitar and I love it to bits. The price of these guitars is going up now, but they still represent first rate value if you can find one. If mine was ever lost or stolen I would track down another in a heartbeat, I would also track down whoever stole it and educate them in the error of their ways. At the time when I bought it I must have played just about everything in the genre, and was fortunate that a couple of my friends were looking at the same time so we spent many a happy hour in music retailers over the course of about a month. The main competitors at the time seemed to be Ibanez RG series and Jackson/Charvel. My freinds and I all went for different guitars and all of them great but I still believe this is the most versatile of the lot (at least two of said friends have since changed their minds and wish they too had gone for the Strat).

My old girl is an off white model, which contrasts wonderfully with the black hardware and head. I think it has a bassod body, which suprised me actually. Such a wonderful sound from a generally cheap wood. The Kahler Spyder trem unit is great, keeps in tune better than a Floyd Rose and much more wiggle in it. If you're a traditionalist it may not suit you, but I say **** tradition with this one. Greatest Strat downright :D

This guitar is easily the most versitile instrument I have every played. It does it all, punk, rock, metal and hell, even the blues. Sounds like a dream.

I bought this guitar second hand and it seemed to have had a lot of work done to it. Had a go of an unmodified model an it still felt and played great.

Seems to be gigged with since 1989 and plays great unti this day so i'm guessing it's scarily durable. The tremalo is known to be a bit iffy but they have started remaking them, so worst case you can buy a new one.

Bought it second hand, so no comment.

If I could give an 11 I would. These things are vastly underrated and should sell for at least twice the price. I would never trade mine for anything. Played conventional Strats, Les Pauls and hell, even Carlos Santana's actual Yamaha SG 1500 and prefer this outright.

Proud owner of 2 of them, a first for me. Thats how awesome these are.

Black Crackle finish. Shiny and tough. 1988-89 Japanese model - you can tell by the serial number at the bottom of the neck and using the Fender website's dating page. Plastic moulded Fender case. S-S-H, 5 way selector with coil tap on the humbucker. Thin neck with wide rosewood board, very easy to play leads on, and quite a flat radius 12.5". Excellent pickups, although getting a little microphonic with age. Locking Metal Nut and Tremolo by Kahler. Dimarzio humbucker apparently, but the single coils sound great as well. Excellent Neck pickup sound for a single.

As everyone says, a very versatile guitar. Excellent sustain on distorted settings, goes on and on, and the Kahler comes back in tune every time when you dip the whammy. At the same time a very nice clean sound for quiter moments. Doesn't have the overall output of my PRS or Custom built Tele but as a 'factory' guitar I really enjoy playing this. I can shred and power chord but switch to a sweet clean sound for playing at church all with this guitar. If I actually could only own one guitar I would seriously consider making it this one, thankfully I don't have to though ;-)

This may be a key learning for anyone out there with one of these. Take it to a Plek technician. The fretboards are 12.5" but the Kahler Tremolo's and Nut are not!!! The machine picks this up in analysis. My guy used my guitar as a test case for pushing the machines capabilities. The Plek measured the exact radius of the Bridge and the Nut, they were around 20" radius but not excatly the same!! Different by about 4 tenths of an inch and the Nut was flatter than the Bridge (bummer). This is a problem because of the way strings vibrate and couldn't be fixed. But he then got the Plek to machine the Frets to a gradated 20" radius that follows the Nut to the Bridge!! Result - a truly in tune fretboard, just like a custom made guitar. Plays beautifully with a medium low action (couldn't get it really really low because of the Nut being flatter than the Bridge). Doesn't matter, I don't have a super light touch anyway so low settings buzz with my playing. The Nut height had to be raised as well. Bends like nobodies business and the action is so light bar chords with pull offs and hammered notes are easy. Anyone with one of these who thinks it plays well now might want to search out a Plek because it can be analysed and set up even better.

Very light guitar. Not a super strong neck pocket. But if played respectfully will go on for years.
The neck plate has tarnished (common apparently) and the tremolo is rusting a little underneath but not a problem for many years yet, good to check though if you buy one.

N/A?

I searched this out because I played one and it just felt like such a good guitar. I also think the 80's were cool and this guitar typifies that period. I own an 82 first issue Jap Fender 57 Strat (that's a keeper), a PRS Hollowbody II, a Ron Kirn Tele (beautiful instrument)and a 90's Hofner Reissue Beatle Bass (just b/c I can). The HM Strat is what i pick up to play on a daily basis. I love the fretboard and neck and the way it plays so easily, and the finish is tough as nails. It's my main guitar for gigging as well especially since getting it 'fixed'. having all the features ready on hand in a package that plays true but didn't cost much is what i really like about this guitar. I love having a whammy even if I don't use it often and everyone needs a shredder in the collection....don't they?

Great features, easy to play LIVE with...

Sound great made HM but is just as good for ballads, and soft stuff.
I have used it with a Marshall JMP 100 watt (1978) full stack & WOW, jimi would have loved it, & if he were hear I'm sure it would be his favorite guitar...Sounds great with effect, or just out of my Marshall. I have also used it with a Marshall AVT 150H & it is also great....No noise, full rich sound, and made in the USA.

Action is super, low & clean,use 10's on it or higher for good sound. NO 9's, or 8's ruins the body of sound. Finish is OK, nothing to rave about.Pickups are good too, no need to replace them, good match for guitar...Neck is wide & easy to run riffs on. Like I said early, JIMI would be play a HM Strat if he was alive, I know it..

Great for LIVE or STUDIO work... Hardware would be better..
Dependable...would take it to gig without backup..

Don't know...never had to...I guess that's good

Overall a good guitAR.. I HAVE 12 GUITARS IN MY STUDIO (www.genesisrecording.com)& I use this one more than any of the others. And so does most of the artists that don't bring there guitar to my studio, or they add a guitar the last minute.
It is top of the line in book for Fender Strats... If you see one try it out you will see what I mean....
THIS GUITAR HAS BEEN UNDER RATED AND OVER LOOKED BY MOST PEOPLE... FENDER NEEDS TO PUT THESE OUT AGAIN, WITH A STRONG AD SYSTEM, PEOPLE WOULD LOVE THEM....

1990 US made, 24 frets, s/s/h, rosewood, mable and basswood

very versatile instrument, fits best blues and hard rock players. Great quality. This is my favorite guitar. I wish the huge fender logo was somewaht more discrete.

As I sais, I really beleive this is one of the best fender guitars. The
show master tries to immitate the sound but to my opinion fails. It is the best guitar if the h/s/s configuration is your style.

never had any problem

never needed. I just want to E-MAIL Fender the original manual of this guitar (they seem not to have it in their list): contemporary and hm series guitars featuring models 10-2100, 2102, 2200, 2300 and 2400. These are the US HM models.

20 years. If it was stolen or lost I would look for it again. I have chosen it because it combines it all. The classic fender sound with more options and incredible rich sound. I keep occasionaly compare it to other guitar but I could never had the rich great sound of an hm strat.

USA H/S/S Kahler Spider lockingtrem. H/S-switch

This guitar does it all !

Everything is made to last on this guitar. This is what you call roadproof.

I traded my Line6 Variax against this guitar. Best damn deal I've ever made.

Dunno

I'm seriously looking for another one. It would be a disaster if this one got nicked or broken.

USA, Black with Mapl neck. You know the rest.

sounds like Stevie, Jimi, Dimebag or anyone else you'd like to play.

I had to adjust everything myself. I bought it used btw. Once I made it my own, it played awesome. Not that it was bad in the store.

I've dropped one of my HM's no problem.

I couldn't even look up the serial number from their website. I could have just completely missed the link, but whatever.

I've beenplaying for almost two decades. I own a 100 year anniversary Gibson SG, Ovation 1869 Legend, 24 fret Charvel 12-string, and two HM strats exactly the same, Black with maple neck.
This is by far the best playing guitar I've ever held in my hands.
I hope to eventually buy all of the remaining HM's that are black with maple necks. It's 2006 and I've seen the market get really tight the last five years. If you find one, play it, love it and buy it!

Good selection of pickup settings. Locks on head awesome feature. Stays in perfect tune throughout gig.

Sound is awesome.

Plays very well, action is sweet with plenty of adjustments available. Finish is like glass, smooth and brilliant.

Very dependable, have owned it and gigged with it for 17 years. Flawless performance and sound.

Never dealt with them so I don't know.

Most awesome guitar I've ever played, will never own anything else.

I have no idea what year it is. I remember seeing them in stores in the late 80's but never had the money to buy one. I bought this thing in pieces at a garage sale for 5 bucks. Someone painted over the artic blue with black spray paint and sanded the finish off the headstock. The neck is all maple with a tone a flame all over it. I new what it was and I like fixing guitars so I spent the five bucks on it. It had fender single coils and a dimarzio super 3 humbucker. I stripped off the paint(super thick!!!!) and painted it cream with nitro and clear coated. I stripped the neck and steel wooled to butter smooth. I also added spertzle tuners because the locking nut was missing. Put it all together and this thing is magic man!!!

Super fat tone through any amp. It plays like a dream and stays in tune to no end. I love this guitar. The finger board is all worn looking but I love it. It has to be my fav.and I have been playing guitar for 30 years. I like the 80's shred so this guitar is perfect.

This thing was a basket case. Totally torn down. I love it though and I bought 3 more off ebay. You can get em for around 300 bucks and they are worth every penny.

Built like a tank. I gig with it all the time. I have warmoth stuff from when I worked there and PRS,Ibanez 770 and on and on and this is my favorite. It has never been in a case and it just holds its own.

Never had to

Awsome guitar. I have two others but this one is my favorite. It is so beat looking but sounds like butter!!!