Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster, Rosewood Fingerboard, 3-Color Sunburst

Got this one in Violet (really a deep blue) not purple, as a level 1 open box at a great price I should add. No imperfections to be found and as new (mint) condition. The set up was a challenge. It took a few times of removing the neck to get the relief where I like it. I think because the neck is so...substantial. Got the string action right but the nut was way too high. I almost gave up but took to it with nut files and finally got it playable. I replaced it with a tusq nut (very little sanding required) and it got even better.I fine tuned by setup skills and now have a unique (the only Fender hardtail in regular production) strat that never gets put away. Highly recommended but it may need a good setup!

I purchased mine used. Used "high end" MIM Fender guitars are often a great value. At 599.99, this is one of the best Stratocasters I've ever experienced. The guitar has an early 1960s feel. The glossy neck isn't too thick or too thin. The vintage style bridge intonates well; it also works well for palm muting. After being strung with medium gauge strings(.11 - .49) this guitar sings through my Blues Junior III. The pickups are great. I will put them against boutique vintage-style Stratocaster pups. I am a proponent of hard-tail Stratocasters. Not having a wang-bar reduces weight; it also improves sustain and tuning stability. I would like to see Fender continue this model. I would also like to see more hard-tail Strats, like the Big Apple Stratocaster from the mid ... MoreI purchased mine used. Used "high end" MIM Fender guitars are often a great value. At 599.99, this is one of the best Stratocasters I've ever experienced. The guitar has an early 1960s feel. The glossy neck isn't too thick or too thin. The vintage style bridge intonates well; it also works well for palm muting. After being strung with medium gauge strings(.11 - .49) this guitar sings through my Blues Junior III. The pickups are great. I will put them against boutique vintage-style Stratocaster pups. I am a proponent of hard-tail Stratocasters. Not having a wang-bar reduces weight; it also improves sustain and tuning stability. I would like to see Fender continue this model. I would also like to see more hard-tail Strats, like the Big Apple Stratocaster from the mid 1990s. Not everybody enjoys the vibrato arm.

Yipes, this one is scary good! If you have any Robert Cray recordings, this particular guitar really nails his sound. Although I really love all of these artists, this guitar is no Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, SRV signature guitar, and good luck with any Jimi Hendrix or Rory Gallagher imitations on this baby. Rather, this is almost like a vintage Strat, the sound is so clean and pure. In other words, it sounds better clean, with very little gain applied, so this is not for every player. Also, this is a "hard tail" guitar (no vibrato) so that may have a lot to do with this sound. Not a bad pick-up in the bunch, they are all great and add to the unique sound. Nice neck (back side), fingerboard and frets, as well. Why anyone would change-out anything on this guitar is ... MoreYipes, this one is scary good! If you have any Robert Cray recordings, this particular guitar really nails his sound. Although I really love all of these artists, this guitar is no Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, SRV signature guitar, and good luck with any Jimi Hendrix or Rory Gallagher imitations on this baby. Rather, this is almost like a vintage Strat, the sound is so clean and pure. In other words, it sounds better clean, with very little gain applied, so this is not for every player. Also, this is a "hard tail" guitar (no vibrato) so that may have a lot to do with this sound. Not a bad pick-up in the bunch, they are all great and add to the unique sound. Nice neck (back side), fingerboard and frets, as well. Why anyone would change-out anything on this guitar is beyond my understanding (and I change-out components on almost all of my guitars), it is perfect just as it is! BTW, I have the 2-tone color version, quite pretty. I'm glad to have this one in the family!