Comments on: REVIEW: Fender Limited Edition “Thin Skin” ’62 Stratocaster

By: Kyle C

Kyle C — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:47:57 +0000

I just read on a Fender forum that Music Machine guitars is clearing out their remaining stock of thinskins around $1200 because they are discontinued. I bought a 59 Strat thinskin from them last year and I could not be more pleased. As mentioned above, it is absolutely on par with Fenders custom shop guitars.

By: Mick

Mick — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:08 +0000

Cary,

Where can I find this guitar if Music Machine Guitars are out of them? I have been looking for a strat, but so far haven’t found a neck that I absolutely like. I own a G&L Tele with a 7.5 radius which I like. However the V shape neck is sometimes challenging with my small hands.

By: VicG

VicG — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:20:58 +0000

I personally always loved the Gibson Les Paul design, but more and more I keep picking these fenders up in my local guitar store. Good to see that Fender is keeping that ’62 vintage look.

By: Mike V.

Mike V. — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:25:56 +0000

Thanks, Cary.
I would imagine that the ’62 Tele’s on that page would have the same kind of neck?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:36:39 +0000

Has fender offered thin skin models for their basses? I’d be curious to hear what this can do for a P-Bass or J-Bass…

By: Cary

Cary — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:10:45 +0000

Thanks everybody,

Mike, good question––no, the Hot Rod 62 Strat is a current production model guitar from Fender. It’s a very nice guitar, though I haven’t had a chance to spend more than a few minutes with one.

The Thin Skin ’62 Strat was a limited “Dealer Run” guitar, meaning it was built exclusively for one particular dealer, in this case Music Machine Guitars, and unfortunately they appear to now be sold out of this exact model.

They do have a number of other “Thin Skins” though…

By: Mike V.

Mike V. — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:02:37 +0000

Cary, is this the one you are talking about, I want to be clear:

http://www.zzounds.com/item–FEN100140 and:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Vintage-Hot-Rod-62-Stratocaster-?sku=512142

BTW, I am going to take the opposite side of the coin of a couple folks here and say that for a well made American born and built guitar, 1500 bucks street ain’t bad.
It’s our salaries as the middle class that are bad.. :)

By: pongo

pongo — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:22:44 +0000

Finally, they’re getting the neck radius right. Fender Japan’s been doing it the right way for years.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:21:56 +0000

I think Fender should switch over to this ‘thin-skin’ finish on all production guitars, including MIM. But then I’m sure there will be some buyers out there who don’t understand the tonal benefit, but worry about dings and scratches.
They should also “quiet the hum” right at the factory – no excuse these days, and hey, they can use that to their marketing advantage. I mean, one of the marketing “touchpoints” for the new American Standards is a redesigned case?!?!?!?
Either that, or license someone overseas to make a cheaper version of their SCN noiseless pickups, or better yet, DiMarzio’s Area pickups, so they can be put in all production guitars.

By: Stratoblogster

Stratoblogster — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:38:41 +0000

Great review!! Obviously, Fender in trying to maintain so many Strat configs across all pricing levels, isn’t going to config the perfect Strat for under $1500 or in any one model at this point. Those noises are traditional for a Strat, but quieting them is no big deal nowadays anyhow. To me, the set-up and QC is critical, from there, it’s a matter of “does the config and tone fit my taste and ears?”.

If they were still making one basic USA Strat with a choice of basic finishes, maple or rosewood FB and hardtail or trem– like the old days, they’d need to put the latest and best improvements in every Strat. But nowadays it’s more important for Fender to shotgun their diverse market.

If you want the ideal Strat, look at DeTemple, Suhr & Grosh.

By: Tom L

Tom L — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:12:30 +0000

hum + buzz = “character”

By: Cary

Cary — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:11:30 +0000

“hum and buzz like nobody’s business”

hehe… perhaps my wording was a bit too colorful ;)

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:25:03 +0000

I kinda agree with Paul.

A Strat, or just about any other solid body with a bolt on neck is a mass produced guitar that is over valued. Set and through neck guitars are over valued too but at least many of those have sculpted bodies and take some real hands on craftsmanship beyond a CNC router. Gibson Les Pauls are over priced as well, but at least there is some real craftsmanship put into building them.

As for hum and buzz, IMO that can be subjective. Many like that hum/buzz otherwise they can just buy a Strat, Tele, or Jag with Humbuckers like I did with my Jag HH Special.

By: Cary

Cary — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:43:17 +0000

A very understandable stance, Paul :) I recently purchased a Chinese made Morgan Monroe Creekside acoustic––basically a Gibson L-00 blues guitar, minus about $1700.

I absolutely love it… I also own a Korean built ESP that I adore.

The Thin Skin ’62 Strat, however, is one of the nicest playing instruments I’ve ever had the pleasure to get my hands on, so while I’d much rather that Fender updated their wiring and shielding scheme, I’m willing to put the work in to fix this one flaw.

Doesn’t mean that I should have to––but in this case the guitar is more than worth it.

By: poulw

poulw — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:32:41 +0000

I own 7 guitars and have played for over 20 years. There is absolutely no way I could ever hand over $1500 of hard earned money and be satisfied with a guitar that “hum and buzz like nobody’s business”.
I like Stats (alot) but to me this design flaw just says Fender cares more about it’s mystique than it’s guitars.

Fender must change or China will simply bury them with better made, cheaper, guitars.