The guitars we recommend and why! (UPDATED 01/03/2003)

We are South Warwickshires largest stockist of Fender guitars and as such we always carry a comprehensive range of these fine instruments. We can offer qualified advice regarding the different models and although we do not sell on price alone, we are aware that competition is fierce! As a main dealer, we do buy at the best prices and can assure you that you will not find a better combination of first class service and price anywhere in the UK. If you buy a Strat from us your guitar will arrive with a signed certificate highlighting all of the work carried out on your guitar, offering you a perfect instrument and complete peace of mind. Here are some of my personal favourites...

Standard Stratocaster RRP £399 our price £329(including free set up and certificate ) The standard Stratocaster is in my opinion, the first REAL Strat in the Fender range that I could genuinely recommend. I have always had a problem recommending the Squier guitars (the cheaper models) as I believe that they are copies in their own right and very often other Companies offer better value copies than they do!! (OK - If the Fender name is your only criteria than buy a Squier) If you want a Fender guitar without breaking the bank - the Standard Stratocaster is definitely the place to start.

Classic Strats - Specifically '50s and '60sRRP £499 our price £439 (including free set up, certificate and deluxe Fender gig bag!) I love the Fender classic Strats. Why? They just ooze with real quality and really do feel "played in". The biggest difference you would immediately feel between the 50s and 60s Strat is the "V" profile of the 50's Strat. As its name suggests, the V is a more angular than the more rounded "C" shape. Eric Claptons signature guitar has a V neck profile. I prefer the more "C" shaped neck of the 60s strat. 50's Strats have maple fretboards and 60s Strats have rosewood (which replicates the availability during these times). In my opinion you cannot beat these guitars if you want a taste of Fender history at your fingertips. There really is nothing else that can compare which is probably why I like them so much.

USA Series Strats RRP £789 our price £669 (including free set up, certificate and fitted hardcase) Fender recently dropped the US Standard Strat for the new US/American Series Stratocaster. The US Standard had been around for 15 years so if it ain't broke why fix it? Fender wanted to make sure that their instruments did not go down the root of getting cheaper and cheaper, having to cut corners in production to offer these lower prices. Therefore they had to do the opposite in order to make their instruments worthy of the higher price tag, bringing you real players benefits for a better feeling, better sounding US Strat. These new features include:- Rounded off neck profile, offering you the feel of the US Deluxe on a guitar at a fraction of the cost. These necks have to be played to be fully appreciated Staggered machine heads and string guides for improved "downward pressure" after the nut. This improves tuning stability. The vintage designs have always been the most popular so Fender have given this new US Series some contours around the headstock and body that reflect times gone by - even the pole pieces are now slightly staggered! (Recent models have been flat) All in all, I think that they have got things bang on with this guitar which comes complete with fitted hardcase. Producing a Strat that was more expensive than its predecessor was a brave move but they are without a doubt worth every penny - well done Fender!

USA Deluxe StratocasterRRP £999 our price £809 (including free set up, certificate and hard case!) I love everything about the US Deluxe Strats. It is the ultimate in playability and I believe that the sound it generates is what the Fender sound is all about. It is so hard to explain these things on paper but here goes anyway! The old top of the range Strats used pickups called "lace sensors". Now although players like Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton used these pickups - I hated them and I think many other players did too! They used a sensor technology that cut out the hum associated with single coil pickups but at the same time - they did not sound like a strat!! The new US Deluxe uses a stacked humbucker approach wound to a single coil strength to ensure that you get hum free playing but a single coil sound. It works beautifully! The clarity of the notes these guitars produce is stunning. Combined with all of the other features of this guitar such as aged parts, the most comfortable neck you will ever play, abalone fret markers, chrome logo on the headstock, a great trem and attention to details which historically Fender were never too great at and you get a superb instrument. Try one now and you will not be disappointed - worth every penny and more. This guitar will definitely be remembered in 30 years time as a true classic.