As I wrote a few days back, Fender has apparently released a whole new model line for 2007––the Vintage Hot Rod Series––including the previously mentioned Vintage Hot Rod ‘52 Tele, and the two new Strats shown here: the Vintage Hot Rod ‘62 Stratocaster & the Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster.
As far as I can tell Fender has yet to release any official announcement on the new guitars (we’ll undoubtedly hear more from NAMM,) but specs are already available on their website, and the guitars are being promoted as “the best of the old and the new in one smokin’ instrument.”
The Vintage Hot Rod ‘62 Stratocaster is expected to feature a thick “C” shape maple neck with satin finish on the back, a trio of American Vintage Strat single-coils (including a reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup,) a flatter 9.5“ radius rosewood fretboard, vintage styling, and Fender’s ”thin-skin“ nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
The Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster will sport vintage styling as well as the aforementioned ”thin-skin“ nitrocellulose lacquer finish, a pair of SCN pickups (neck & middle,) DiMarzio Tone Zone pickup at the bridge, a flatter 9.5” radius maple fretboard, and a modified soft “V” shape maple neck with satin-finish on the back.
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January 11th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I like the vintage Strat types…..
January 11th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Hehe… meeee tooooo : )
January 12th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Wouldn’t I look great with a red one?
January 12th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Over the years I’ve observed a little something about Fender’s release strategy for production guitars. They’ll release a hot “new” American made model, and for the first year it’s a great, unique guitar…then for the next 3-5 years they’ll make minor modifications each year that cut their cost (new pickup systems, hardware, finishes)….then they’ll move that production to Mexico and re-badge what used to be a high end American model as a new Mexican made series (i.e. Player’s Series is basically what used to be an older American Deluxe) .
Ultimately this undermines the value of the “new” model after a few years because there is now a Mexican equivalent that is just as good for a much lower price point. I’ve seen them do this for 2 generations of instruments.
So my point is, if you want a great Fender guitar that is not going to depreciate in value, buy a custom shop or relic model…and skip their production guitars. Of course, if you plan on beating up your instruments (like I tend to do after a few years of live playing), the higher end Mexican models offer a better value (like the Mexican 50’s Strat, Player’s Strat or the Power Tele Series) that are indistinguishable from their American lineage.
January 12th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Hey Rick, I think you’re dead on with your theory. In fact, it’s the reason why I’m considering picking up the Mexican Made ’60s Strat, which can now be had for around $600… from what I’ve read it’s a great instrument––and at less than half the price of its American Made counterpart.
January 12th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Cary… I’ve played with the Mexican 50’s Strat and I think it is as nearly good as the $1700 Eric Johnson model (which has better pickups and a stopped down tail piece). When I played the 60’s Strat it felt a bit too thick for my tastes (body & neck). The necks on both the 50’s & 60’s models are heavily lacquered when compared to the modern necks (as is the Eric Johnson model). My buddies real 62 Strat has almost all of the lacquer dried off… it looks & feels like you are playing a settled piece of wood.
They say that for the first 25 years, a guitar still thinks it’s a tree.
January 17th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
So are these ‘new’ Vintage Hot Rod Stats American or Mexican made? I also agree with Rick’s original comments on the Mexican models. I have a strat and a tele made in Mexico and have been remakably pleased. Thanks
January 17th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Roger, I couldn’t find any mention of where they were made, so I left it out of the post, but based on the selling price of around $1600 I think it’s safe to assume these will be American Made––at least for the time being.
Give it a few years and we’ll probably be able to buy Mexican Made versions for a quarter of the price ; )
February 8th, 2007 at 10:24 am
If they start making the hot rod ’62s in Mexico in the next couple of years then the original American made Vintage models will be worth a lot more. They probably will use poplar in the Mexican versions andthey definitey do not have the attention to detail as the Amercian counterparts. We’ll see. Oddly enough American made guitars still have clout unlike other products we build.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Hehe… if Strats ran on fossil fuels we’d be screwed ;)
June 19th, 2008 at 5:22 am
I have acquired two new Fender Strats. They are a 1957 Custom Shop re-issue, 2-color sunburst, and a 1960 Custom Shop re-issue. Both are great instruments and have all the Fender custom shop markings on them. However . . . They appear to have Mexican serial numbers. What is the story on these?