SX SST 57 "FAT ASH"

SX SST 57 "FAT ASH" *stratocaster* 2009 made in China maple vintage tint neck 3 piece high gloss solid ash body two chrome covered humbuckers pearloid pickguard 3 way toggle switch 1 volume 1 tone control tune o matic bridge chrome tuners/hardware

This is the second SX strat I have bought recently. I was so impressed with the SX SST 57 vintage white model I reviewed here earlier that I had to try another. THIS GUITAR ROCKS! With the two stock humbuckers played thru my VOX PATHFINDER 15R amp and FENDER DEVILLE I could get a variety of tones . The crunch I got was absolutely great! The neck pickup could go from jazz to rock easily and had great definition. The bridge pick up was a charmer for me and put a BIG smile on my face as I leaned into some LED ZEP PAGE riffs. Flipping the 3way toggle back and forth never left me wanting for a nice tone . I noticed no extraneous noise in any setting. The stock pickups are fine for me with NO UPGRADE EXPECTED!

When taking the "FAT ASH" out of the box I was surprised that it was not exactly the same as the online photo . For starters, I had thought I was ordering a strat style guitar with humbuckers , white pickguard, vintage style tremolo , light colored maple neck , light colored ash body. What I got was a LESPAUL type FIXED hardtail bridge w tune-o-matic < NO TREMOLO ,orange tint vintage neck , darker ash body and white 2py PEARLOID PICKGUARD... OVERALL A STRIKING LOOK that said " this is a serious pro level instrument. DESPITE the difference in features I chose to hang on to this one !! The out of box set up was much better than the SX SST 57 I bought and reviewed first : all I needed to do was lower tune-o-matic and recheck intonation( which took 5mins !) The pickups were right on. The FABULOUS SX vintage neck feel smooth and comfortable with a "broken-in" feel.

All the hardware , neck and body woods, finish ,tuners ,frets , pick ups electronics looked great and felt substantial. I was not concerned about anything failing me anytime soon with normal gigging use. I would not hesitate to gig with this without a back up ( but I ALWAYS bring a back up). In fact I was sorry that last minute venue change delayed my upcoming gig to next week; I would have surely brought the SX SST "FAT ASH" and used it right away. I will have it strapped on when we play next week.

Packed inside with each SX guitar I ordered was several notices almost pleading with the customer to call/email/contact RONDO music if there's any problem with the purchase. I have bought several GIBSON FENDER guitars( IM hatin' on FENDER big time for skyrocketing the price of the standard m.i.m strats teles from $399 to $549 which brought me to SX guitars) and I just do not ever remember seeing the same from the "BIG TWO" . Altho the fuitar I recieved and the one I ordered were substantially different , I am sure RONDO music would correct the order to my satisfaction. As I was so impressed with the guitar I got, it is entirely my decision to keep the model I did recieve instead .

This guitar gets a straight up "10" from me! I have been playing for 15 yrs and know what I like and dislike in a guitar. This SX guitar is right on for me and my music . It is a great gigging ax that I am proud to own. At $137 total this thing beats the crap out of SQUIERS , EPIPHONES etc in the same price range. The level of build quality is very close to M.I.M Fender standards( which I own , love and play daily) I will be online as soon as I finish this review to order another model. THESE THINGS ROCK THAT MUCH!