American Special Stratocaster

smooretogo Says:

Jul 2, 2011 - Very good advice...But like you suggested. The bends would be easier as the finger doesn't touch the fret board as much. I will.Can I ask you this...What(cheaper American made) strat would you suggest. I just went and downloaded the new Fender catalog. I wont be able to go much over a grand. I've handled a few.....and a strat has always fit me like a glove...mostly. Even the cheaper ones. Thanks for your reply, I like your reviews and just subbed you. Nice job with the vids.

johnhguitar Says:

Jul 3, 2011 - I think you can find the Special for under $1000 US if you look around. Are you in the USA? You could find a used Highway Strat for cheaper but I like this new Strat Special model better.

smooretogo Says:

Jul 4, 2011 - I have a local dealer I usually buy guitars/supplies from. They tell me the can get what ever is listed in the book for cheaper. They do pretty good buy me so far(last 12 years). My concern is about the std tremolo. I was gonna try to upgrade at all costs if possible. If this one will hold it's own, it will be fine with me. Main concerns, Bridge/tremolo and neck size/radius. I can get into upgrades etc. later, as long as I get the right neck and body.

johnhguitar Says:

Jul 4, 2011 - I don't want you buying one and blaming me for it. Try to play one first if you can. The tremelo is traditionalso you have to oil the nut so the strings can slip through the slots. These tremelos sound better the the dual pole type. Best wishes.

smooretogo Says:

Jul 4, 2011 - I certainly will. Thanks for your feedback.

smooretogo Says:

Jul 8, 2011 - You were 100% correct sir. I went and played a few strats at our local dealer. Firstly I was told that the American Special comes US made with Mexican Hardware. You CAN tell a difference between the Special and the Standard. Special isnt bad tho.American Standard with jumbos is what I'll be goin with. All American made and worth the extra few $.Thanks for your feed back dude. Have a good one!!!!!

Eltimbalero7499 Says:

Jul 19, 2011 - Where do you get all these guitars?!?

MrThomasv Says:

Sep 2, 2011 - real nice guitar bought it over the standard, texas specials pickups are an upgrade . ill take the pickups over the guitar case

splashfizz Says:

Oct 18, 2011 - nice review. your guitar playing sounds great. I'm considering one of these models.Thanks.

MrThomasv Says:

Oct 26, 2011 - john great review bought one , how about a lesson on the song you played for the demo sounded great

Woodpeckerszeband Says:

Nov 17, 2011 - I just bought one of those, after playing others strat in the store. This one sounds great, Big frets are really my taste, and the pickups (warm texas specials) match perfectly with the maple neck. In addition, the greasebucket tone button on bridge pickup works really well. Great guitar, all features are very smart.

lockpicker2k Says:

Dec 1, 2011 - Great video! I always enjoy watching a video that I can come away from with some knowledge teaching me something I can use. I never did like those string trees, the friction on the vintage ones really mess with your tuning. I use staggered locking tuners which eliminate the use of the trees and keep the guitar in perfect tune.

speckofdust21 Says:

Dec 6, 2011 - How John...How do you make the Roland Cube 30 sound this good? This is ridiculous... i got the same setup and it sounds nowhere near yours. Quoting Jackie Chan: "Master, will you teach me?"

johnhguitar Says:

Dec 7, 2011 - I think it's in the tones controls and experimenting till you like what you hear.Thanks for your interest.

nolinhanlon Says:

Jan 8, 2012 - I have a deluxe strat with the floating bridge, and agree it sounds a bit thin. Would it cost a lot to have a traditional bridge installed?

PopExpo Says:

Feb 2, 2012 - the 2 point bridge sounds thin cuz they put a crummy trem block in em. i put a callaham cold rolled steel vintage block with shallow string recesses improved the sound 10 fold.

HermanPermentier Says:

Feb 6, 2012 - John ; any chance you will post more SOLO video's like 'Walking blues', 'solo boogie' or 'blues guitar lesson' Their the BEST I found on youtube!! (daddystovepipe video's also outstanding!!)

TheBdriver Says:

Feb 7, 2012 - kinda makes more sense to me they would move the tone ability to the back (treble) pup.. it and the neck position are probably going to be used more  by most players .. I am musing over one Ive seen on Kijiji for a long time now. He's down to $600.. so naturally I'm going to offer $500 :) thanks for the review am trying to find out what I can about it... no pick up noise at all ?

who8allthepies Says:

Feb 11, 2012 - theres no difference between the vintage bridge ie 6 screws and the 2 point floating. and it dont make the sound thin, thats bull. its the trem block that makes the difference . get a thick rolled steel trem block . ie callham which as a shallow string recess as someone said.

Blackhawk6alpha Says:

Feb 13, 2012 - does the guitar have any tuning issues or does it stay in tune quite well an answer would be very helpful thxs (:

nolinhanlon Says:

Feb 14, 2012 - no tuning issues.

megamicron Says:

Mar 11, 2012 - Both nice pieces (music& wood)

JesusWorship7 Says:

Mar 22, 2012 - its in your finger lol!

JesusWorship7 Says:

Mar 22, 2012 - The way that he pick the strings its very important in the tone!!