What is a Dan Smith era Strat?
In an effort to improve Fender’s market position, Smith orchestrated a revamping of the basic production model Stratocaster and by late 1981 the new model was introduced as the Standard Stratocaster. It featured a more accurate version of the pre-CBS smaller headstock.
How much is a 1983 Fender Stratocaster worth?
A 1983 Strat is worth about $1,000-$1,200 if the condition is collector’s grade and if it comes with its nearly impossible to replace trem bar handle.
How much is a used Fender Strat worth?
Used Fender Player Strats can be found for around $500-$600.
Who is Dan Smith’s fender?
Dan Smith, a pivotal figure for 25 years at Fender, passed away on September 28th. He was 70 years old. Smith joined Fender in 1981, and played a major part in Fender’s mid-’80s return to prominence as an industry leader. Dan’s son, Jason Smith, is currently a master builder in the Fender Custom Shop.
Where is the Fender HM Strat made?
Japan
The Fender HM Strat ft. Crafted at the Fujigen factory in Japan – with a U.S. version offered around 1990 – the HM (short for Heavy Metal) Strat was a radical departure from Fender’s classic designs.
Why are some stratocasters more expensive?
The main reason why a US-made Stratocaster is pricier is because of its superior tone and quality control. Mexican Stratocasters are of great quality as well and with enough time and patience, you’ll be sure to find an excellent MIM Strat.
What does Fender HM mean?
H/S/S (Hum, Single, Single) single-coilor Singlehumbuckers in the bridge position, The Fender HM Strat was an electric guitar produced by Fender Musical Instruments from 1988 until 1992. The HM in the guitars name stands for heavy metal.
What pickups were in a Fender HM Strat?
The HM has an HSS pickup configuration, with a high-gain humbucker in the bridge and two single-coils in the middle and neck positions. The humbucker has a coil-split for tonal variation. The single coils maintain the classic Stratocaster sound, but are overwound for a louder, more in-your-face output.
What makes a Telecaster sound like a Telecaster?
Then you have the overall construction of a Telecaster with the ash or alder body and the 25.5″ bolt-on maple neck which adds to the brightness and snap. The sound of a Tele doesn’t come from just one thing. It’s the perfect storm of twanginess. The pickups and bridge pickup mounting plate as noted by others.
Why do telecasters sound so good?
The Telecaster typically has two single-coil pickups, with the bridge pickup being wider and longer than its Strat counterpart. What’s more, it is mounted on the Tele’s metal bridge plate, which can give it a more powerful tone. (Fender also makes Stratocaster and Telecaster models with humbucking pickup options.)
Why are Fender Stratocasters so popular?
The number one reason the Fender Stratocaster is so great is because it was designed with you, the player, in mind. So he enlisted the help of professional musicians that had experience with his Telecaster to define what they would like to change, add, or remove to craft the “perfect” guitar.
How many frets are in a Dan Smith Stratocaster?
The front and back of a 1982 Dan Smith Stratocaster. Note that it has 21 frets. The 1987 American Standard has 22. Photos by E. Mendoza, courtesy of Kevin Myers.
Who was the marketing director for Fender in the 1980’s?
Fender underwent a lot of changes as a company, and some of those changes can be represented by the Fender Dan Smith Stratocaster. In the early ’80s, Fender’s marketing director Dan Smith decided to upgrade the Strat with a smaller headstock and pre-CBS era neck plate.
When did the American Standard Stratocaster come out?
One of the high points of the decade for Fender was the 1987 introduction of the American Standard Stratocaster. This Stratocaster model would become the modern classic Strat and Fender’s best selling instrument to-date. The importance of the 1987 American Standard to the survival and subsequent success of Fender-FMIC cannot be overly stressed.
When did Fender Stratocaster bullet system come out?
The standard 70s three bolt, headstock truss rod bullet system continued to be made and offered by Fender as late as 1981. 1980 saw the introduction of two very important models, the “Hendrix Stratocaster” (produced only in 1980) and a model simply called the “Strat” (1980-83).