Fender Pink Paisley Stratocaster

M.I.J.2004 Bubble gum Pink paisley strat....maple fretboard,5-way
switch,vintage tuners....excellent workmanship....this is my 6th strat(all U.S.A.except this one...and guess what?!this is the highest
quality strat I've owned/played).Wonderfully expressive tone and
volume pots,nicely aged neck(laquered)and only minor tweaking was
required(did it myself after comparing my 2 other strats).Also own
an American vintage 62 strat,an American strat Texas special,a Mex.
tele special,Gibson Les Paul std.,Taylor 410,Dobro dw-90,3 Danelectros,a Guild D-25,Italia Mondial,El Capitan bass,Ovation
Thunderbolt,Gretsch Streamliner and 3 or 4 others...and This one is
of the highest quality.I'm impressed! I bought this because I realize
they're getting pretty rare(yeah,even the re-issues)and I once had a
pink paisley telecaster(68 or 69)that I sold in 71. No worries,I also
sold a Les Paul Deluxe goldtop,a 65 strat,a Dan Armstrong plexiglass,
a 69 Tele thinline,a 73 Tele....but I AIN'T sellin' This!!!

My style is a hybrid of Buddy Miller,Mark Knopfler,Ry Cooder,Robert
Cray and other "sweet tone" cats.Although I own 7 tube amps,my
favorites are a 65 Deluxe reverb re-issue and a Gibson GA-15 RV thru
a Sunn 2-15" bottom.F/x are Ernie Ball vol.pedal,Keeley compressor
and Line 6 DL4.This guitar sounds so resonant unplugged and even more-so when hooked-up.

Only minor tweaking needed,and a change from the spiderweb 9-42 set
up to a 10-46. This is a custom shop-quality guitar at a very reasonable price.After over 40 years of buying guitars,this is the
best buy I've found.

Better than most U.S.A. Strats,wonderful detail,immaculate....
Do I need a backup? With 18 guitars,it's hard to leave the house
with only one...in fact,it's hard to leave the house!!!!
But really,it's a great Fender at half the price of my 62 re-issue.

WHO KNOWS??!!That's what guitar techs.are for....even the local guy
oughta'be able to help you out.

Been playing over 40 years...have owned over 40 guitars...down to 18
and not getting rid of any more.So far,this is my favorite elec.gtr.
so responsive...and I'll NEVER change these pickups!!!!
Kudos to "crafted in Japan"!!!

Many vintage style parts. Made in Japan. 21 frets. Beautiful shiny paisley finish back to 1970. Maple neck and basswood body. Bought it in 1989.

Absolutely cool for surf style, blues and blues rock. Find it sounds more "twanky" than other strats. I really like the sound. Full but brilliant sound while playing the neck PU. Gets more and more brighter by taking the 5 steps. It hums a little bit sometimes. But that is a typical single coil problem.

If you like to play on finished boards it is all no problem. I usually played unfinished boards so I needed I little time to become familiar with it. When it came from the factory there was a little flaw with the distance between B and high E string. But with the warranty it was no problem to fix it. Still 8.

The finish must be very durable because it still looks like the first day I get it 16 years ago. No scratches, nothing. Hard stuff. I do not gig so much (once or twice a month) but i play it often for recordings. Should last a long time.

As I said it had a little flaw on the nut. The gaps were not in a regular distance. It was no problem to get back repaired. But I did not deal with Fender. I think it had been repaired by the dealer in germany.

This axe rules. If you get one - new or used: buy it. You never know when they will reissue it next. If you stop playing guitar: keep and hang it on the wall to watch it.

Recent Japanese reissue
2 volume 1 tone
tremolo
1 piece vintage tone single piece maple neck
3 single coils
beautiful bubble gum pink paint job and silky finish
1 piece maple neck with small frets
some of the paisley is on the pick guard instead of all on the body. Pattern on pickguard is not lined up with the pattern on body. Paisley on pickguard is brighter more sparkly than paisley on body. The originals had a clear pickguard so that the paisley pattern was uniform. However in time the old pickguards would become cloudy. So this not a totally vintage look, but there will be no cloudy pickguard. The paisley plckguard approach has its own unique look which I quite like. Beautiful guitar.

Totally suits my style. Vintage surf sound, but can make it in other genres. They sound a bit thin and bright compared to the Lace Sensors in my Strat Plus but this guitar has its own unique fun sound, and its bright sound cuts through. I play in a gamut rock band (rock'n'roll, blues, R'n'B, surf, country, psych, all over the map)
I play it through a Vox Toneworks pedal board into a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb reissue. I found evey sound I needed.

Besides the usual set-up (adjust action, replace 9 with the 10's [why do guitars come standard with 9's?]) the guitar needed 2 trips to the tech for fret work. Much buzzing and sitar notes and fretting out right out of the box. Needed more fret work one week later after first fret filing.
This is the first time I've owned a 1 piece neck (or even realized that all necks weren't at least 2 pieces) and I left it out hanging on the wall to admire. Turns out the best place for this humidity sensitive beauty is in the case (or gig bag).
I'd give it a 10 for finish and a 1 on setup (action) from the factory. But the set-up was nothing money can't cure.

Have brought it to 4 hour rehearsal along with my main guitar (modified Nashville Tele) and didn't put this guitar down all night.
I often bring it as my backup guitar.
I'd use it as the only guitar at a gig but would make sure it stayed in case when it wasn't being played.
The main reason I'd hesitate to bring it to a gig is I don't want to ruin it's looks. Would be afraid of wear and damage to the gorgeous finish.

Been playing for over 40 years. Own lots of guitars including a Strat Plus.
If it were lost or stolen my heart would broken. Would buy another if I could find one. Fender has reissued these over the years but it seems like they're being made only in the Custom Shop these days. Can't afford the Custom Shop ones.
Easy and fun to play. Unique eye catching looks. Makes me smile.

This is a 2003 model year, pink paisley Fender Stratocaster. It is a limited edition instrument 'Crafted in Japan' with paisley glitter wallpaper glued to the body front and back, candy burst around the edges, and a polyurethane clear coat over the entire finish. The neck is a '50s vintage style with 4-bolts and small headstock, vintage frets and Kluson style tuners. Neck is factory finished in an amber tinted clear coat. There are three vintage style pickups with a 5-way switch. The body wood itself is basswood with is somewhat soft and prone to chipping, but a very mellow and resonant wood, tonally.

I am a trained jazz musician, but music is a performing art and so I let go of some of that to play out in the 1970's. Since then I have had the privilege of playing in a show band with horn section, a pro AC/DC cover band, a soft rock group, and various blues bands. For some number of years I have used Marshall amplifiers and my favorite setup is a matched pair of 50 watt 'short stack' Marshalls with four twelve inch Celestion 65 watt speakers. I have had, and continue to own, a number of guitars primarily Fender and Gibson, and have had a number of Stratocasters from an authentic 1954 through more modern day reissue. This is the third 2003 pink paisley Stratocaster I have owned, and this is possibly the best of all of the Strats I have come across. The sound tends to be a bit bright with Marshalls but that can be trimmed back down somewhat at the amp itself by cutting back the treble control. Particularly with the factory 5-way toggle switch, you can get a vintage '50s Strat 'quack' between pickups, a bluesy solo moan on the neck pickup, or chimey country flavored twang on the bridge pickup. Excellent tonal choices are available. What I do not like is that, like most single coil fenders, there can be some sensitivity to flourescent lighting when playing out and that makes some hum. What I like, in particular, is playing the guitar clean and getting some mellow '50s style tones.

Unbelievably well set up out of the box. My guitar tech spent all of about 5 minutes when I first got it, and gave it back because it did not need any adjustments. The frets, particularly at their edges, are nicely polished and not sharp edged like a lot of similarly priced guitars are. Some real craftsmanship and pride went into this one (and the two I owned prior). A very tight fit between the neck and heel pocket where the neck fits. Simply put, this is of the level as USA Fender Custom Shop gear, for a fraction of the price. Only negative is that when these were new in the stores, it seemed the demo models had more than their share of paint chips, which I feel is partly due to soft basswood being used for the body, and thick paint over it. But overall the paint, and craftsmanship rivals even the higher end boutique instruments.

With the exception of the fact that gigging this instrument is likely to result in chips and scratches in the finish because the body wood is soft and the paint is thick, yes this guitar is exceptionally well made and will last and last. I would definitely use this guitar at a gig without a backup as far as staying in tune, and reliability. Plus it nails all of the key Strat tones like the best of the best. The body is light, and the neck is a nice thin 'C' profile shape. Only real complaint is to get rid of the original .010 strings they are not very good quality and I personally feel D'Addario XL's add more 'life' and warmth to the tones possible. I would give it a '10' except for the fact that the finish is vulnerable to cracking and chipping based on a number of these I have seen in stores.

This is a limited edition guitar, and since 2003/2004 Fender has stopped importing them into the USA. I have had no need for repairs or warranty work other than my own preference of having a guitar checked out by a trusted luthier I know to make sure it is set up correctly. Again that was not to fix any problem, it is just because I want to be sure the neck and other key things, are adjusted properly from factory. I have, however, been in contact with Fender on two occasions to see about ordering another one for my daughter, and they were not at all helpful. Basically there is a warehouse full of these on a leftover basis, but Fender Japan and Fender USA (who brought them in to the US in the first place) are two different companies and they are not helpful doing so now. Possibly due to the fact that the USA Custom Shop is now producing paisley Strats for about eight times the price of this one.

Have been playing guitar since 1965, have some other guitars and amps. Currently looking for another one of these in NOS condition for my daughter, thankfully they are still out there. In ten years that may not be the case as not that many were supposedly made. If this one was lost or stolen I would use the Internet to locate another one and buy it. Two small issues I would like to share based on the ones I have owned and seen in the stores. First, the 'P' series paisley Strats were made in 2003 and tend to have more of the candy pink burst fogged in around the edges than the 'Q' series serial numbered ones (2004) which show more of the paisley wallpaper. Second thing to watch out for is that I have seen a few of these where the body pieces were possibly not cured properly before being finished, and there can be a slight raised line in the clear coat that is visible because of it. Like anything, follow your heart. The pink paisley is not for everyone. But overall this is an extraordinarily well crafted instrument, and mind blowing that it could be purchased for $600 range compared to other stuff that is out there in the same range. Simply an awesome value for the money.

I think this is a late 80's reissue. Made in Japan. 21 vintage frets. Typical strat controls. Mine had red, blue, and silver lace sensor single coils when I got it. Don't think they were original. Maple neck/fretboard. Stock strat bridge. Gotoh tuners. Medium to large 'c' shape neck.Large headstock w/ bullet truss and three bolt microtilt. Passive. 5-way switch.

Lace sensors are quiet. It doesn't have the output of my les paul. Play mainly blues/classic rock. It has a nice sound.

All the Japanese strats I've played from this period are fantastic. A lot are better than their American counterparts. Fit and finish are good. Action is great.

Yes to all the above.

Never dealt w/ fender. Judging by the reviews it's not a fun thing to do.

Playing 17 years. Les Pauls, strats, marshalls, fenders, teles, etc... I paid $360.00 for it used w/ 3 lace sensors already in it. I can't bitch. I've had it for at least 10 years without any problems. I bought it for the finish and the play. Great for hendrix, srv, trower, etc... Heavy metal / hard rock guitar? NO. I don't know if I'd get another pink one, but the neck and overall feel of the guitar can't be beat. I would get another one with a neck like this. I do think the body is basswood and that it robs some of the tone.

typical strat features - three single coils, five-way selector switch, only 21 frets though, one wolume and two tone controls, passive electronics, neck is one-piece maple with very sturdy feel. The finish on this guitar is to die for. People might call it "gay" or "girly", but they just don't know what they're talking about. This guitar is absolutely a chick magnet because it is so PINK. It has a mexican-style trem with the standard mexi tuners as well. This guitar did not come with a case where i got it, but maybe some of the big catalogs like musicians friend do. Nothing too fancy on the parts, but personally, it's perfect. I have a carvin with a ton of active comtrols and switches, and those are just a pain in the neck.

One word - INCREDIBLE. I have 6 guitars... this one gives the sweeeeetest tone you have ever heard. I would put this up against any american strat i've ever played. I dunno, maybe i was just blessed with this one, but it sounds better than any vintage-tone strat i've come across. The first position has a lot of top-end, but it isn't harsh in the least bit. It gives really crisp, clear tones that sound great for recording. I just got it, and I've only done a live recording so far, and you all know how it can be hard to cut through, but this thing does the job amazingly. i tend to mostly play in first, second, and fourth position, so i can't really tell you what 3rd and 5th is like. sorry. Second is very good for chordal tones and clean slide playing. VERY good. Fourth position is a dream. I am in love with this guitar's tone on this position. It sounds like butter - incredibly smooth and creamy - but with just enough of that strat "jangle" to make you fall out of your chair with delight. Think of it as when you're really tired after a long day's work, and then you just collapse onto your bed, eyes closed, smiling. You get the picture. And trust me - it's that good. You really have to hear it to believe it.

This guitar has 9's on it. I bought it from a local music store, and the tremolo wasn't floating like my american strat was from the factory. plays great though. strings are a little thin for the slide i play on it sometimes, or maybe i just have to get used to them. i didn't have to make any adjustments at all on this guitar, everything was nearly flawless. I really love the finish on this thing. the pink is just so tasty and the paisleys are just too cool. i bet jimi hendricks used to have one of these guitars. one of the original ones, i mean.

I haven't done much with it yet, it seems pretty sturdy though. I baby my guitars, so it doesn't have any scratches yet or anything. The finish is hard to tell anything about, I'll have to just wait and see. but a lot of people i've heard from have had a previous reissue model and say they last a while. I'm not too worried. the strap buttons are fine I guess, I'm not too picky about those. I would definitely play this at another live show, i love it. i always have a backup though, just in case. I can't say this would be my main axe, because all of my guitars give different sounds. But for strat- clean tones, my american goes back in the case, and this one comes out.

Never dealt with anyone from the factory. Sorry guys.

I've been playing for a little while now. I also own an American Fat Strat, a Carvin DC400TA, an Ibanez RG7420 7-string, a Martin 000C-16GTE, and a Seagull S6. For amps, i have a piece-of-crap but sounds good Peavey Envoy 110, but for shows I have kick-butt Marshall TSL100 head playing through an old Peavey 4x12 cab (with celestions) and a Carvin Vai Legacy 2x12. The setup sounds awesome. Recording i usually just use a POD, and with acousitcs go direct. if this guitar was stolen, i don't think i would ever get over it. i would have to get a counselor. i would try to my best to get a new one, but i can't say what i would do, cause it hasn't happened.

This gem of a guitar was love'nly crafted in Japan. this guitar has a beatiful Pink paisley ( wallpaper) finish with a candy pinkish burst on the outside edges! it has a one piece maple neck 7.25 radius with a amber tint and vintage like tuners. the body is basswood ( as most Japanese guitars are) the neck has the pre CBS headstock ( which is differnt from the 80's version that had the "bellbottom" CBS headstock). It has a 6 screw vintage bridge with fender stamped saddles. A 5 way pickup selector and 3 single coils ( ceramic perhaps like most CIJ guitars?) could be Alnico.....

I Love this guitar more than my Tele ( which is pink paisley too...got to have the set baby!). Its a strat which means it covers all territories musically speaking that is...I play this unplugged and it sounds great! I have an Ampeg super jet 12T (R.I) and it sounds great which surprised me because the pickups in my tele was a little weak... so i figure the same might be true of the strat but I am quite happy with the stock pickups. This guitar has the typical strat sound...again the pickups as far as ceramic or alnico i can't tell... ceramics usually squeal a bit and are typically found on Japanese guitars, but there is no squeal, So far so Good lets move on...

the guitar was set up great from the box ( although my telecaster was setup was better). I had the adjust the pickups to suit me...but i always do that with any guitar i buy. The neck feels great and has no flaws the body is flawless and the paisley design is beautiful! These guitars are custom shop quality at an affordable price it dosen't get no better than this my friend!

This guitar is Japanese and they know how to built quailty...not that the American or Mexicans don't they do great work as well. But i don't know the work ethic that the Japenese have I think translates quite well in the finish product and I have not been disapointed so far so Kudos!!! I think I can depend on this guitar quite well and far as gigging goes I won't know cause its staying in the studio!

the warranty is a year i believe and far as customer support goes I don't know......

Overall this is a great high quailty "Customshop" guitar at a very reasonable price. I have been playing for ten years and have had my share of shitty guitars and great guitars and this my friend is on of the greats and so is the telecaster in this finish. BTW I know there are a lot of mispelled words here ( but I am too lazy to correct them...so please forgive my laziness and don't hold it against me :)