If you want to see an original in action - check out Jake's Video th-cam.com/video/jyISap4HNhs/w-d-xo.html 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/item/31303299-fender-hm-strat-limited-edition-bright-white-made-in-japan-free-us-shipping-in-stock?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly 🐕 Episode Guide: 0:15 - HM Strat History 1:06 - Special Features 3:00 - HM Strat VS Stratocaster 4:15 - Original VS Reissue 8:35 - First Impressions 10:50 - Inside Look / Specs 18:15 - Tone Demo 20:27 - Final Thoughts 23:32 - Blacklight 23:53 - Gig Bag 📹 Mentioned Videos: Gibson MIII: th-cam.com/video/NUNjZCHBJL4/w-d-xo.html The Paul Reissue VS Original: th-cam.com/video/8prcr7VTsQg/w-d-xo.html Daybreak Strat: th-cam.com/video/TYfn5m5gWoU/w-d-xo.html Ultra Strat: th-cam.com/video/qFXw1Sc6Skc/w-d-xo.html Fender HM Video with Ethan Brosh: th-cam.com/video/zisYe78bajs/w-d-xo.html 90s Ultra Strat Plus: th-cam.com/video/EG7tE25ivvg/w-d-xo.html
Allan Wrench Usages; *Biggest-Truss Rod Adjustment, *Middle Size-Bridge Pegs-Nut Screws, *Smallest Size-Bridge Saddle Screws(Used to position saddle for intonation Adjustment)….Just so you know,
Austin, if you are going to continue reviewing Strats, may I suggest you try an Ed O'Brien Signature Strat. It is made in Mexico but comes with seems interesting features, such as the Sustainer pup at the neck. Ed worked closely with Fender in its design. And of course, anyone who loves Radiohead will be interested in his guitar.
As someone who's messed with Floyd Rose systems on my own guitars for a long time... One pro-tip I'll offer, is that if you want to get to your pickups, to swap or remove them, or clean under the strings and around the pickups, without having to loosen any strings, and without getting your guitar completely out of tune... You can leave the locking nut locked in placed and clamped down on the strings, and remove the back cover plate on the body, remove the 3 springs that hold tension on the tremolo. The cavity cutout is large enough for you to carefully work the FR out of it's position, and it just slides out of the top (at an angle) and you can fully access everything without unscrewing or loosening anything other than a couple back cover screws, and 3 springs. 👍🏻
Nah I caught it right away because the way he dropped it was intentional. Then the neck plate. He needs acting lessons and you people need to pay more attention.
My first decent guitar was a Japan-made HM Strat I got in 1988 or '89. Kind of a hot pink, which I was over fairly quickly, so I stupidly stripped the finish and painted it blue...instead of just painting over the existing finish. It took two large cans of Aircraft Remover (the name of that product made me wonder if it would dissolve an entire aircraft) and a lot of work to get that crazy poly paint off. But I was a dumb 13-year-old and didn't know anything yet. Learning experience, I guess. The guitar met its demise when a friend of my little brother was messing with it while I wasn't home. He dropped it or something and broke the headstock, so Trogly's Glarry trick briefly brought back some childhood trauma. Thanks for that, man.
When you pretended to drop the reissue and then showed the broken guitar. I noticed, the neck bolts were missing that black plate. I knew somthing was off. Lol
Okay...so I'm addicted to your channel now. You're the only TH-camr who keeps my interest anymore. Idk why I find this all so soothing. Thank You so much sir. You keep doin this stuff, and I'll always watch.
Not Now John! You know that that particular model never made the Final Cut. I know it was Gunner's Dream to build one like that, but when he saw Two Suns & A Sunset out on Southhampton Dock, he knew it was only The Post War Dream of one of Your Possible Pasts. It was One Of The Few remaining prototypes to survive When The Tigers Broke Free. But, through the Paranoid Eyes, they reissued it in 2020 as The Hero's Return. 😏
MudRunner2005, no I’m going to have to actually listen to The Final Cut because you went to all that trouble and these are all songs that I’m not familiar with. 😝😳 and I’m otherwise a pretty big Pink Floyd fan.
PSA: The Floyd special radius is 12" as well as its corresponding nut. It does not match the fingerboard radius which is 17''. To fix this, you'll have to buy those little metal floyd rose shims, as well as have a luthier or qualified tech to slightly shave the metal nut slots to be properly radiused. This has been confirmed by Fender consumer relations. Annoying oversight but not a big modification as far as mods go.
For that price point, I think it would be more than a minor problem. That seems like something that would be overlooked/ ignored on a cheaper guitar. I think those details matter on any guitar in the thousand dollar and up range. I think that speaks to the problems facing most of the higher end guitars though. It seems to have become more about the name than that attention to detail. Thanks for mentioning that. It's definitely something people should know.
@@12south31 that didn't occur to me. Good point. Of course, with my disposable income, at a thousand plus dollars it should play itself while making my coffee. I do love the black headstock with matching stripe. Looks great.
@@12south31 What you said doesn't even make sense, it's common to fret out with rounder fretboards, specifically the 7.25 radius that fender rarely makes, not flat fretboards. This is a case of oversight and it doesn't compensate anything. I see it all the time on cheaper guitars, usually high end brands who use floyd rose bridges already do the shimming.
I was really looking forward to these guitars! Very glad you did the review and revealed the basswood body along with the very low-end Floyd bridge. I also saw the lower grade flat-sawn maple neck (the wood grain looks nice, but this is the least structurally sound method of construction). These features scream "sub-$500" guitar despite the sale price for the "By Fender" name.
Can we take a minute to appreciate Trogly's tone demos? He actually plays chords and rhythm, has clean tones, doesn't use effects, plays the same thing in each setting, and doesn't noodle a bunch tired-ass blues licks. You know, we actually get an idea of what the guitar sounds like.
The HM Strat and it's now Reissue have always been underrated Superstrats because of "Fender" on the headstock. Truly perfect superstrats only rivaled by an old school RG550/750 Ibanez. The reissues are really nice MIJ Fender Strats and very fast in design. I prefer my Original but you can't go wrong with either. Will be collector items one day.
Hey Austin, the reason the fine tuners were so hard to turn is that the floyd was laying against the body and not floating. The finetuners put pressure on the saddles to raise or lower the pitch, being that the saddles screws were pressed against the floyd cavity, it made it harder on you to fine tune it :)
This reminds me of how dumb I felt when I figured out the reason it was impossibly difficult to adjust the action on a tune-o-matic bridge I had was because the strings, ya know, exist and have downward tension on the bridge.
Its a really cool guitar, but the price just feels a little high to me. I've yet to try one so Im probably wrong, but $1100 for that just feels like a bit much.
Well, the HM I bought in 1988 cost around $1000. In adjusted dollars, that's $2180 now. So unless the real-dollar cost of guitars has dropped by more than 50% in the interim, then it's difficult to argue the reissue is overpriced. (That having been said, I still don't want to spend $1200 on a guitar.)
Yeah, that’s not really an accurate way to argue the point. It can easily be argued that the reissue is overpriced when you compare it to similar guitars that can be bought for less with similar or better specs.
I see your point, but the dollar-to-dollar conversion where a value assessment has to start, because comparison to similar guitars that can be bought for less brings us directly back to the drop in real-dollar cost. The point at issue then becomes one of quality: are similarly priced guitars, with similar specs, of better quality and therefore of better value than the HM reissue? Maybe so, maybe not. Once we get beyond durability of hardware, we're in the realm of subjectivity re: the preferences of whoever is doing the comparison.
Problem with this guitar is the shorter scale length along with the 24 fret fingerboard. The shorter scale length just doesn't leave enough room to spread the pickups out. I think the shorter scale length is also responsible for the cramped feeling when played as the pickups, bridge and controls are all packed into a smaller area.
They didn't even bother putting the neck pup close to the fretboard. Just look at a recent ibanez Satriani and you'll se the neck hot rail has basically no gap between the fretboard and itself.
The breakwas the best part . I played it over and over and over . It reminded me of a friend who had a early 60's strat and had it reconditioned/ restored to how it looked brand new and he lent it out to another friend and at the gig it slip off the friends strap and broke similar to the one in this video .Nobody touches my guitars NEVER / EVER !
@@b_nast19 No. An RG looks like a pointier, skinnier Strat. This guitar looks like the HM Strat from the late 80s, because . . . it’s a reissue! As far as more common “super Strats” go, this HM is far more similar to a Charvel or Jackson than an RG.
I have now owned mine for over 6 months. Onto its 2nd set of strings, I absolutely love playing it. I have no regrets, yeah price is probably a bit high but that is only an issue if you are going to resell it and I am never selling mine.
I have the H/S setup with the Fender Lace single coil. I bought it new around 91 and it still looks and plays great. I should be taking possession of my new white 2020 HM on 3 April 20. I can't wait to compare them.
The only difference between the Floyd Rose Special...and the 1000 Series..or Original (1000 Series is the Original Spec's. Manufactured in Korea). ., is the baseplate is hardened Steel throughout.. and a Brass Block. And Steel Saddles....and you can Fairly Easily swap out the saddels and tone block .. that's what I do. The Special Series baseplate is spot hardened.. at the pivot edges and at the Trem arm hole area. So. Not a huge issue there. But ALL the Parts on the Special series. 1000 Series.. and Original Series(manufactured in Germany. By Shaller) are interchangeable :-)
Flyod Rose special has terrible noise through guitar, tuning instability and intonation . Also strings bury into saddles over a matter of months so using trem is a disaster. I had one changed to flyod rose original and it made a massive difference!
The lowest-priced USA Fender guitars (the American Performer series) are priced exactly the same as the Japanese-made HM Strat and Boxer series at 1199.99. Therefore, if the HM appeals to a player, they are most definitely worth it. And the HM also costs only slightly more than a Mexican Charvel or Indonesian Jackson.
I have a Korean HM from Squier with HSH configuration and Floyd Rose authorised and locking neck nut. I bought it 25 years ago and I love it and play it every weekend. That body was also used in the Squier HM initially but it evolved to a rounder one about 1989....at least for Squier, making it more 'shread'.
The value is slightly less at face value because the original HM Strat came with a nice hard shell case, where this one comes with a soft case. The original was $800, so $1,200 30 years later doesn't seem all too bad.
I can’t believe I’m seeing this. I’ve been away from music for quite a few years. In the early 2000s I bought several of these used… average price paid was probably around $300. Got a couple for as low as $200. Fucking amazing! Got into them from a student of Greg Howe’s.
My dad has one of the original HM Basses, where the first one he got had a serial number in the 20s, but it broke in shipment so they sent him another one with a serial number in the 120s. It’s a 5 String and is also made in Japan, and it aid some sort of black marble type finish
Hahaha, that was genious! My heart froze when you dropped it, and my breath was on hold when you started showing the broken back. Then I remembered the Glary episode (before you revealed it), and coudn't stop laughing! Great prank, Trogly!
The Kahler Spyder has been out of production for ages, so I cannot complain about that, however I agree they might have used TBX control and especially the Dimarzio Super 3 that was designed for this guitar.
My band's other guitarist swears by his original HM Strat. He has an ice blue one with the maple board. We're an 80s cover band, and his HM Strat pairs nicely with my '85 Explorer =D The Kahler Spyder is an awesome trem system, and the fact that the new model retails for more than a vintage one with FAR better parts feels kinda dirty.
The floyd rose special is just a floyd rose made in Korea. It is basically a metric pattern Floyd and the build quality is just as good as the US floyds.I some ways I like the special more cause it is a slightly closer string spacing. They are built in the same factory that Wilkinson bridges are built.
I woulda had this typed in 10 minutes ago - but I'm still laughing so hard from the drop gag!! I liked your playing demo, starting with the clean settings first. However, your grind playing was great too!!! Overall though, it has a rather common 80s and 90s Metal look. Aesthetically, this could be a Jackson, Ibanez, Kramer or something rather low budget, like the Glarry or maybe a Solar. The headstock here is a deal breaker for me. They could have kept a near-standard headstock while still keeping all the metal modifications.
I really like the black knobs and pickups on a white pickguard/body for the whole blackmore-esque look. It also seems that absolutely everything in California causes cancer and reproductive harm.
Reminds me of Peavey Destiny, also had the 2720. Trogly if you ever get a chance check one out. Carved maple top, neck through, stainless steel frets (I think), but virtually unknown & inexpensive. Btw really close to silver play button, keep it up!
i was looking forward to one of these in blue, but with the specs , my hype train has been derailed. Generic pickups , a floyd rose special , and alpha pots for 1200 bucks .. nah... limited run or not.
The originals were made to get Fender a piece of the "Super Strat" market. Bought mine in 1989 at the Magic Flute in San Rafael, CA, with $700 from my savings account. My dad told me he'd split the difference if I bought a Les Paul, but I wanted the pink strat since Andy Larocque had a pink B.C. Rich and I hated Gibson (still do). I tore out the two single coils and put a Lace Sensor Blue in the neck and a Silver in the mid. Left the DiMarzio Super 3. Replaced the Kahler Spyder with a Floyd Rose but kept the Kahler locking nut so I didn't have to drill the headstock for the string retainer bar. I still play it on some of the tracks on my channel (MK Sounds). Thing shreds. I can't imagine paying $1200 for a new "HM" when Sweetwater is selling Ibanez RG's for 3-and-a-half. MK
The one I play, I bought new in 1989 from The Washington Music Center in Wheaton, MD for $575. It says Made in The U.S.A. on it, although I suspect the parts were made in Japan and it was assembled here.
Thanks so much for this review. I was too poor to buy the original HM Strat back in the day, and honestly your excellent run down of all the crucial details helps me probably decide not to buy one now either ($1200 is A LOT for a guitar with a bolt-on neck, and a cheapie Floyd, and the cheapie tone knob, and the shorter scale length which will make that 23rd and 24th fret feel kind of weird...)
Helpful FYI. The fine tuners are hard to turn because the trem is resting on the adjustment pegs pressed against the body, so you're trying to make an adjustment against the full tension of the springs with no counter pull. If the strings were taught so the trem was off the body a bit, they'd turn fine.
Thanks for a nice, comprehensive feature on this reissue. However, i don't think you're being fair in assessing Fender in being too late with the original HM Strat. One should also factor in the somewhat overlooked Fender Contemporary Series, which was a few years earlier than these HM Strats, Heartfield, and whatever they put out later. In fact, some design elements (like those knobs) are hold-overs from the Contemporary series. In some ways, you can look at the HM guitars as a continuation of the Comtemporaries, although perhaps made more specifically for the Shred/Metal audience.
Having just bought one of these, or at least made the first 2 payments, is the guitar worth $1200? I can emphatically say "It depends." Can you get as much guitar for less money? Yes, maybe more. This guitar is worth $1200 if you need a bolt on neck guitar with a locking tremolo, a flat radius fretboard, 24 frets, HSS pickups, and a 25.1" scale length. Realistically it's the 25.1" scale that makes this guitar different. It might be my imagination but it seems to keep the tightness in the bass strings that I like about a standard Fender and yet the treble strings seem a little softer like a Gibson. The craftsmanship is excellent but there are many guitars that are well made. I'm sure that labor is more expensive in Japan and that accounts for a lot of the price. The Floyd is chintzy on a guitar in this price range and I'm not so sure about the pickup selector, either. I probably prefer the Super 3, mainly for authenticity, and miss the TBX. So if I spend $200-$400, depending on what I choose to upgrade, and maybe some labor I'll have the perfect guitar. I tell my self it's worth it and I guess it is for me but I really wish I could confidently tell you that it's worth it for you. I had an original and when I got that thing I wondered "why would anyone play anything else." It's a very good guitar but you are paying a premium for exclusivity. I still feel like the original HM Strat is the perfect guitar but there are plenty of less expensive guitars that are just as well built and with better components.
Had an original one in black and I miss that guitar. It was awesome. Wish I never traded that in for a Les Paul studio. When I heard they were coming back I was interested but not at that price with stripped down parts.
Well this brought back some memories. I had an original HM Strat. Hot pink. It looked way more red in color in the shop.. oh well. I disassembled it to paint it but ended up moving out before I did. I went back to get it and found the knobs and other parts in the front yard. The little brother was playing with them I guess. RIP HM Strat.
those F-stamped knobs! I want them so bad! One of my favourite basses, called the Fender Prophecy, used very similar ones, and I wanna get 3 to put on a bass build i’m planning. Need to find them somewhere
My favorite feature is they moved the volume knob to where you're not constantly hitting it, and turning it down! I have to take the knob off in order too play my regular strat!
I upgraded my FR Special just for the hell of it, serves me well in my Ibanez RG, it's a fine trem when you get rid of the zinc block and saddles, but I wouldn't want one on anything Fender priced.
I don't know about anyone else but the thing with dropping the guitar just about made my heart jump. It was well played. That larger Allen key has to be for the truss rod. I can't imagine anything else that would use an Allen key that big on a guitar. That being said, I could be wrong. That's just my guess.
13:04 that big one isn't for the trussrod? I know nothing about these guitars specific specs but that seems likely to me. Edit: 15:26 dam son. I guess that proves im an expert. All those stewmac videos paid off.
yeah it's for the trussrod, fender gives stuff like that with your guitar (I got a big one for the trussrod and a small one to adjust the bridge saddles). never got anything with my Gibson, but I did with my Mexican Fender..
I have the 1989 H.M.Strat ..in white.. with the maple fretboard . .I luv Mine. I've had it since I found it used.. in a Music Store on RT 18 in new Brunswick NJ... In 1994. And I've modified the electronics in mine. .. I made the coil tap mini switch. , Now adds the Neck and bridge Pickup Together... And I'm very Glad that Fender reissued This. I only wish mine had a Floyd Rose.... I LOVE Floyd Rose trem's. I rebuild them... (Because often I get Special series. And I upgrade to a large Brass tone Block..and Steel 1000 Series Saddles.)
For that money you could save up for an actual 80s vintage shred guitar, a crazy airbrushed jackson, holoflashed kramer, or hot rodded esp, would be way cooler.
I had an evh stripped series and I sold it when I got my hm strat because it can do wayyy more. Best guitar I've ever owned. Brass block was installed and its perfect. I can shred but flip the switch up and go bluesy. I got the all black with rosewood fret board and the stripe under the strat logo is blue metallic which looks amazing. I might get it tattooed at some point but I'm diehard fender
Damn, really??? Huh 😳 I've never played a striped series, or many guitars for that matter so I don't have the best frame of reference. I guess I've been sleeping on this one a bit
I like Vintage Gibsons and would love to know more about some of the original vintage '57, '59', '60 Les Pauls vs. the Custom Shop R7, R9, R0 vs. the newer "Historical Reissue" specs and how Gibson has changed the "R" through the years (especially more recently) to "more closely match the original vintage specs". Love Fender Friday's - but feel like I want more historical context in order to better understand where the wonderfully beautiful and special guitars you offer fit in the "historic" context as far as features and value vs. price point. Thanks for all you do. Do you have any kind of website or link that compiles all the specs and features and changes that consolidates the information you give in your videos? - I have watched all of them at least twice without skipping, but you are losing me with some of the more recent videos - but I know you have to do what you have to do to help move product and get views and inform everyone about all the newest releases and special offerings. I get it. I wish you had a separate channel just dealing with the high end Gibson vintage, reissue, and the special ones you already do - for higher end buyers - the dream guitars everyone wants and ways to get something close to authentic without mortgaging the house. You don't think videos about Gibson Dream Guitars - and ways to get one almost like the real thing would get big views?
Look into tracking down the Fender Showmaster US Highway 1. Came in HH and HHS configurations. It was basically a mid 00’s HM Strat that went completely under the radar!
I always think of the HM Strat as a guitar for fusion players as opposed to straight shredders or (hair) metal guys because I associate it so closely with Greg Howe. Would've been cool if they sourced Kahler bridges for it but they were/are a bitch to deal with and repair so I understand. For the price I would go for the Charvel Pro-Mod 2pts or Ibanez AZ even though the QC on the AZ's is horrendous. Or just get an original and refret it. The HM was Iconic and in my opinion this doesn't do it justice
Do you have to cut the ball off the string to install it on this bridge? I hope not. I'd prefer just sliding it through a tube but string holder hooks are acceptable. I also think locking nuts are a pain and would prefer some type of roller nut instead maybe combined with locking tuners.
I have an original '89 model in pink/black ( I bought it in '92 for $200 new, on a clearance sale) , played it some & then it sat unplayed for years. ( not a fan of FR terms.) Recently I got it out & cleaned it up, restrung & reset up the Kahler trem. & surprise !....it plays & sounds really good! Maybe I will keep it & see if it 's value grows as the originals are somewhat rare.
Have you ever had the Contemporary Strat Deluxe from 1985? I believe the first "super shredder" attempts from Japan. I have one with the system III but with locking nut like a quick release front wheel on a bicycle. Trem cavity UNDER the pickups, no hole routed on the back...has a weird rectagular humbucker with the 2 screws on the one side and 1 on the other and two single coils. They changed the humbucker on the following years. I've never seen anything like it. l found it at my local guitar shop. I use it as my main and have lost the original locking nut unfortunately, but it is my favorite guitar by far. Mine also has a tortoise shell pick guard which I've never seen on them, but it looks like it was made for it. It really blows my mind, would love more info on them.
Floyd fine tuner should turn easily, it's probably just this model. When a Floyd is set up right and the posts and knife edges are in good shape they are very stable, and you don't HAVE to do dive bombs and squeals, if you use a light touch and choke up on the bar, you can get as subtle as you want for surf style stuff or what ever. I would say the 2 drawbacks of a Floyd set up to float are if break a string it goes completely out of tune and you might have to adjust playing technique avoid unwanted warbles and finesse double string bends.
It looks like the Fender FSR Mahogany Blacktop Stratocaster HHH is up for grabs on Reverb now in the USA. Are you planning to take a look at it? I would love to hear your thoughts on it!
If you want to see an original in action - check out Jake's Video th-cam.com/video/jyISap4HNhs/w-d-xo.html
🔴Reverb: reverb.com/item/31303299-fender-hm-strat-limited-edition-bright-white-made-in-japan-free-us-shipping-in-stock?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly
🐕 Episode Guide:
0:15 - HM Strat History
1:06 - Special Features
3:00 - HM Strat VS Stratocaster
4:15 - Original VS Reissue
8:35 - First Impressions
10:50 - Inside Look / Specs
18:15 - Tone Demo
20:27 - Final Thoughts
23:32 - Blacklight
23:53 - Gig Bag
📹 Mentioned Videos:
Gibson MIII: th-cam.com/video/NUNjZCHBJL4/w-d-xo.html
The Paul Reissue VS Original: th-cam.com/video/8prcr7VTsQg/w-d-xo.html
Daybreak Strat: th-cam.com/video/TYfn5m5gWoU/w-d-xo.html
Ultra Strat: th-cam.com/video/qFXw1Sc6Skc/w-d-xo.html
Fender HM Video with Ethan Brosh: th-cam.com/video/zisYe78bajs/w-d-xo.html
90s Ultra Strat Plus: th-cam.com/video/EG7tE25ivvg/w-d-xo.html
The stripe on the headstock is the same colour as the body of the guitar...just saying.
Allan Wrench Usages; *Biggest-Truss Rod Adjustment, *Middle Size-Bridge Pegs-Nut Screws, *Smallest Size-Bridge Saddle Screws(Used to position saddle for intonation Adjustment)….Just so you know,
Austin, if you are going to continue reviewing Strats, may I suggest you try an Ed O'Brien Signature Strat. It is made in Mexico but comes with seems interesting features, such as the Sustainer pup at the neck. Ed worked closely with Fender in its design. And of course, anyone who loves Radiohead will be interested in his guitar.
As someone who's messed with Floyd Rose systems on my own guitars for a long time... One pro-tip I'll offer, is that if you want to get to your pickups, to swap or remove them, or clean under the strings and around the pickups, without having to loosen any strings, and without getting your guitar completely out of tune... You can leave the locking nut locked in placed and clamped down on the strings, and remove the back cover plate on the body, remove the 3 springs that hold tension on the tremolo. The cavity cutout is large enough for you to carefully work the FR out of it's position, and it just slides out of the top (at an angle) and you can fully access everything without unscrewing or loosening anything other than a couple back cover screws, and 3 springs. 👍🏻
@@TroyPosey That is an all-pro tip! You Rock!
The part with the fake break almost killed me.
I felt so sorry for him! XD
Same.. wth!
Moo
Dude same
I started having a damn panic attack
FR
ngl, that fake break stopped my heart a bit
I choked on my coffee and the cat was a lil pissy too LOL
I died a little inside for a moment.
I couldn’t stop thinking how the neck plate fell off, then... wait haha
Nah I caught it right away because the way he dropped it was intentional. Then the neck plate. He needs acting lessons and you people need to pay more attention.
I noticed the neck joint and was like wait is this really
1:29 THANK YOU for showing the visual of what the radius actually looks like and means! Never seen that in a video before and that's awesome
Warmoth did a good video on it as well if you want specific video on it
My first decent guitar was a Japan-made HM Strat I got in 1988 or '89. Kind of a hot pink, which I was over fairly quickly, so I stupidly stripped the finish and painted it blue...instead of just painting over the existing finish. It took two large cans of Aircraft Remover (the name of that product made me wonder if it would dissolve an entire aircraft) and a lot of work to get that crazy poly paint off. But I was a dumb 13-year-old and didn't know anything yet. Learning experience, I guess. The guitar met its demise when a friend of my little brother was messing with it while I wasn't home. He dropped it or something and broke the headstock, so Trogly's Glarry trick briefly brought back some childhood trauma. Thanks for that, man.
genius stunt with the glarry! i nearly had a heart attack 😂
When you pretended to drop the reissue and then showed the broken guitar. I noticed, the neck bolts were missing that black plate. I knew somthing was off. Lol
1:22 is nobody gonna talk about that transition 0.0
so good xD
I had to rewatch that about 5 times
that was smooth asf
20:10
Ladies and gentlemen, the worlds best whammy trick i have ever heard, followed by the worlds worst whammy dive ive ever hears
Okay...so I'm addicted to your channel now.
You're the only TH-camr who keeps my interest anymore.
Idk why I find this all so soothing.
Thank You so much sir.
You keep doin this stuff, and I'll always watch.
Fender: Heavy Metal
Greg Howe: *J A Z Z*
You can get a used American Elite for that money. Joke..
Maybe the Pink one has the better Floyd. Okay, bye! 🐖
What you did there...I see that.
Ha ha, read this half a dozen times before the penny dropped. I must be comfortably numb!
stratznhatz, 🤣😂😅😇😊🤗
Not Now John! You know that that particular model never made the Final Cut. I know it was Gunner's Dream to build one like that, but when he saw Two Suns & A Sunset out on Southhampton Dock, he knew it was only The Post War Dream of one of Your Possible Pasts. It was One Of The Few remaining prototypes to survive When The Tigers Broke Free. But, through the Paranoid Eyes, they reissued it in 2020 as The Hero's Return.
😏
MudRunner2005, no I’m going to have to actually listen to The Final Cut because you went to all that trouble and these are all songs that I’m not familiar with. 😝😳 and I’m otherwise a pretty big Pink Floyd fan.
The transition at 1:21 is dope. Your edit was just exactly perfect.
This baby was the best overall guitar of that era. Amazing instrument.
The strat plus released around the same time was way better than this, unless you're speaking strictly of metal oriented guitars
@@ragnakak Jem exists
PSA: The Floyd special radius is 12" as well as its corresponding nut. It does not match the fingerboard radius which is 17''. To fix this, you'll have to buy those little metal floyd rose shims, as well as have a luthier or qualified tech to slightly shave the metal nut slots to be properly radiused.
This has been confirmed by Fender consumer relations. Annoying oversight but not a big modification as far as mods go.
It seems to me pretty annoying Indeed.
For that price point, I think it would be more than a minor problem. That seems like something that would be overlooked/ ignored on a cheaper guitar. I think those details matter on any guitar in the thousand dollar and up range. I think that speaks to the problems facing most of the higher end guitars though. It seems to have become more about the name than that attention to detail. Thanks for mentioning that. It's definitely something people should know.
@@12south31 that didn't occur to me. Good point. Of course, with my disposable income, at a thousand plus dollars it should play itself while making my coffee. I do love the black headstock with matching stripe. Looks great.
That's really stupid.
@@12south31 What you said doesn't even make sense, it's common to fret out with rounder fretboards, specifically the 7.25 radius that fender rarely makes, not flat fretboards. This is a case of oversight and it doesn't compensate anything. I see it all the time on cheaper guitars, usually high end brands who use floyd rose bridges already do the shimming.
i think some neoclassical guitarists and 80s metal heads will love this thing! seriously, it's a really nice guitar
I was really looking forward to these guitars! Very glad you did the review and revealed the basswood body along with the very low-end Floyd bridge. I also saw the lower grade flat-sawn maple neck (the wood grain looks nice, but this is the least structurally sound method of construction). These features scream "sub-$500" guitar despite the sale price for the "By Fender" name.
Congrats on 100k subscribers soon!
Can we take a minute to appreciate Trogly's tone demos? He actually plays chords and rhythm, has clean tones, doesn't use effects, plays the same thing in each setting, and doesn't noodle a bunch tired-ass blues licks. You know, we actually get an idea of what the guitar sounds like.
It is totally worth it, because it will hold its value, and it probably plays amazing. Fender is actually doing very well at the moment
The HM Strat and it's now Reissue have always been underrated Superstrats because of "Fender" on the headstock. Truly perfect superstrats only rivaled by an old school RG550/750 Ibanez. The reissues are really nice MIJ Fender Strats and very fast in design. I prefer my Original but you can't go wrong with either. Will be collector items one day.
Hey Austin, the reason the fine tuners were so hard to turn is that the floyd was laying against the body and not floating. The finetuners put pressure on the saddles to raise or lower the pitch, being that the saddles screws were pressed against the floyd cavity, it made it harder on you to fine tune it :)
This reminds me of how dumb I felt when I figured out the reason it was impossibly difficult to adjust the action on a tune-o-matic bridge I had was because the strings, ya know, exist and have downward tension on the bridge.
So close to 100k! Thanks for this review. I picked up a pink one. First brand new guitar I’ve ever purchased! Keep ‘em coming.
Its a really cool guitar, but the price just feels a little high to me. I've yet to try one so Im probably wrong, but $1100 for that just feels like a bit much.
I don't think you're wrong at all. You can get similar or better specs for less, even from brands under the Fender umbrella like Jackson and Charvel.
Its $1200
Well, the HM I bought in 1988 cost around $1000. In adjusted dollars, that's $2180 now. So unless the real-dollar cost of guitars has dropped by more than 50% in the interim, then it's difficult to argue the reissue is overpriced. (That having been said, I still don't want to spend $1200 on a guitar.)
Yeah, that’s not really an accurate way to argue the point. It can easily be argued that the reissue is overpriced when you compare it to similar guitars that can be bought for less with similar or better specs.
I see your point, but the dollar-to-dollar conversion where a value assessment has to start, because comparison to similar guitars that can be bought for less brings us directly back to the drop in real-dollar cost. The point at issue then becomes one of quality: are similarly priced guitars, with similar specs, of better quality and therefore of better value than the HM reissue? Maybe so, maybe not. Once we get beyond durability of hardware, we're in the realm of subjectivity re: the preferences of whoever is doing the comparison.
My first electric was the Squire version. Wish I still had it.
Those single coils are so close together. Probably more Strat sounding if they went with a 21 or 22 fret neck
Problem with this guitar is the shorter scale length along with the 24 fret fingerboard. The shorter scale length just doesn't leave enough room to spread the pickups out. I think the shorter scale length is also responsible for the cramped feeling when played as the pickups, bridge and controls are all packed into a smaller area.
If you want a guitar that sounds like a strat, buy a strat
@@Lagmire Absolutely ! ✌️
@@hkguitar1984 Yes I agree with everything you just said. Imo this monstrosity should have stayed in the 80's . Just saying 😉
They didn't even bother putting the neck pup close to the fretboard. Just look at a recent ibanez Satriani and you'll se the neck hot rail has basically no gap between the fretboard and itself.
The breakwas the best part . I played it over and over and over . It reminded me of a friend who had a early 60's strat and had it reconditioned/ restored to how it looked brand new and he lent it out to another friend and at the gig it slip off the friends strap and broke similar to the one in this video .Nobody touches my guitars NEVER / EVER !
Never seen a Strat like this, but I am a classical guitarist so yeah ... looks a bit like a sort of an Ibanez? Enjoyed watching 🙋♂️
Yeah it does look like an RG, but I like the HSS layout while most RGs are HSH layout.
@@b_nast19 No. An RG looks like a pointier, skinnier Strat. This guitar looks like the HM Strat from the late 80s, because . . . it’s a reissue! As far as more common “super Strats” go, this HM is far more similar to a Charvel or Jackson than an RG.
I have now owned mine for over 6 months. Onto its 2nd set of strings, I absolutely love playing it. I have no regrets, yeah price is probably a bit high but that is only an issue if you are going to resell it and I am never selling mine.
I have the H/S setup with the Fender Lace single coil. I bought it new around 91 and it still looks and plays great. I should be taking possession of my new white 2020 HM on 3 April 20. I can't wait to compare them.
Dude thank you for not being annoying an cringey. Holy hell. Just facts, the broken guitar thing was funny, you had me. Great video
As someone who grew up playing live in the 80's these warm the cockles of my heart.
The tone in dynamics of your voice is just so cooll 👌🏿
I wish they would’ve used the real Floyd Rose and real Dimarzios or Seymours 😕
The only difference between the Floyd Rose Special...and the 1000 Series..or Original (1000 Series is the Original Spec's. Manufactured in Korea). ., is the baseplate is hardened Steel throughout.. and a Brass Block. And Steel Saddles....and you can Fairly Easily swap out the saddels and tone block .. that's what I do. The Special Series baseplate is spot hardened.. at the pivot edges and at the Trem arm hole area. So. Not a huge issue there. But ALL the Parts on the Special series. 1000 Series.. and Original Series(manufactured in Germany. By Shaller) are interchangeable :-)
Stick with schector bro you get all that and alot more for the same price as this pos.
Freddie Fingers or charvel
@@freddiefingers1186 I do like my Sun Valley Super Shredder.
Flyod Rose special has terrible noise through guitar, tuning instability and intonation . Also strings bury into saddles over a matter of months so using trem is a disaster. I had one changed to flyod rose original and it made a massive difference!
The lowest-priced USA Fender guitars (the American Performer series) are priced exactly the same as the Japanese-made HM Strat and Boxer series at 1199.99. Therefore, if the HM appeals to a player, they are most definitely worth it. And the HM also costs only slightly more than a Mexican Charvel or Indonesian Jackson.
There's nothing wrong with a Mexican Charvel, same as a Mexican Strat...Made in the U.S.A sure as hell does not make it superior with any instrument.
You Scared me Bro. Don't do that.
I have a Korean HM from Squier with HSH configuration and Floyd Rose authorised and locking neck nut. I bought it 25 years ago and I love it and play it every weekend. That body was also used in the Squier HM initially but it evolved to a rounder one about 1989....at least for Squier, making it more 'shread'.
We’re really close to 100k subs, congrats!
The value is slightly less at face value because the original HM Strat came with a nice hard shell case, where this one comes with a soft case. The original was $800, so $1,200 30 years later doesn't seem all too bad.
you can totally rest your hand on the floyd it just takes a slightly lighter touch.
you made me laugh my ass off! that was soooooo funny when you said "just kidding, it's my Glarry. I needed that. Love your channel by the way.
I can’t believe I’m seeing this. I’ve been away from music for quite a few years. In the early 2000s I bought several of these used… average price paid was probably around $300. Got a couple for as low as $200. Fucking amazing!
Got into them from a student of Greg Howe’s.
My dad has one of the original HM Basses, where the first one he got had a serial number in the 20s, but it broke in shipment so they sent him another one with a serial number in the 120s. It’s a 5 String and is also made in Japan, and it aid some sort of black marble type finish
Nobody cares
@@VolReed lol you mad
You should do some more hair metal guitars like; Jackson and Kramer. Or some heavier metal guitar like BC-Rich , etc.
Zizzi's Genetics spandex. Women wear leggings, men wear spandex.
Jackson is the quintessential metal guitar with or without the lipstick and aquanet
Hahaha, that was genious! My heart froze when you dropped it, and my breath was on hold when you started showing the broken back. Then I remembered the Glary episode (before you revealed it), and coudn't stop laughing! Great prank, Trogly!
The Kahler Spyder has been out of production for ages, so I cannot complain about that, however I agree they might have used TBX control and especially the Dimarzio Super 3 that was designed for this guitar.
That fake break was EPIC. Very well done! I was like "OMFG...he really broke that damn thing" lol
Love your channel, my favorite TH-cam channel these days :)
My band's other guitarist swears by his original HM Strat. He has an ice blue one with the maple board. We're an 80s cover band, and his HM Strat pairs nicely with my '85 Explorer =D
The Kahler Spyder is an awesome trem system, and the fact that the new model retails for more than a vintage one with FAR better parts feels kinda dirty.
Just played one of these today, and they are out of this world!! Will be picking one up eventually.
The floyd rose special is just a floyd rose made in Korea. It is basically a metric pattern Floyd and the build quality is just as good as the US floyds.I some ways I like the special more cause it is a slightly closer string spacing. They are built in the same factory that Wilkinson bridges are built.
I woulda had this typed in 10 minutes ago - but I'm still laughing so hard from the drop gag!! I liked your playing demo, starting with the clean settings first. However, your grind playing was great too!!! Overall though, it has a rather common 80s and 90s Metal look. Aesthetically, this could be a Jackson, Ibanez, Kramer or something rather low budget, like the Glarry or maybe a Solar. The headstock here is a deal breaker for me. They could have kept a near-standard headstock while still keeping all the metal modifications.
I really like the black knobs and pickups on a white pickguard/body for the whole blackmore-esque look. It also seems that absolutely everything in California causes cancer and reproductive harm.
Reminds me of Peavey Destiny, also had the 2720. Trogly if you ever get a chance check one out. Carved maple top, neck through, stainless steel frets (I think), but virtually unknown & inexpensive. Btw really close to silver play button, keep it up!
i was looking forward to one of these in blue, but with the specs , my hype train has been derailed. Generic pickups , a floyd rose special , and alpha pots for 1200 bucks .. nah... limited run or not.
Fuzzy Muppet it had potential
Dude, get an original for almost 1/2 price on a new one. ck out reverb.
slayer- yes it did, don’t know why guitar companies skimp on components that would make an average guitar be great.
The originals were made to get Fender a piece of the "Super Strat" market. Bought mine in 1989 at the Magic Flute in San Rafael, CA, with $700 from my savings account. My dad told me he'd split the difference if I bought a Les Paul, but I wanted the pink strat since Andy Larocque had a pink B.C. Rich and I hated Gibson (still do). I tore out the two single coils and put a Lace Sensor Blue in the neck and a Silver in the mid. Left the DiMarzio Super 3. Replaced the Kahler Spyder with a Floyd Rose but kept the Kahler locking nut so I didn't have to drill the headstock for the string retainer bar. I still play it on some of the tracks on my channel (MK Sounds). Thing shreds. I can't imagine paying $1200 for a new "HM" when Sweetwater is selling Ibanez RG's for 3-and-a-half.
MK
The one I play, I bought new in 1989 from The Washington Music Center in Wheaton, MD for $575. It says Made in The U.S.A. on it, although I suspect the parts were made in Japan and it was assembled here.
Thanks so much for this review. I was too poor to buy the original HM Strat back in the day, and honestly your excellent run down of all the crucial details helps me probably decide not to buy one now either ($1200 is A LOT for a guitar with a bolt-on neck, and a cheapie Floyd, and the cheapie tone knob, and the shorter scale length which will make that 23rd and 24th fret feel kind of weird...)
With that guitar drop, you had me in the first half, I'm not gonna lie.
It's definitely worth $1,199. Looks slick and sounds great. Greg Howe is awesome btw.
Helpful FYI. The fine tuners are hard to turn because the trem is resting on the adjustment pegs pressed against the body, so you're trying to make an adjustment against the full tension of the springs with no counter pull. If the strings were taught so the trem was off the body a bit, they'd turn fine.
HM STRAT would be a great mod project. FU-TONE titanium parts, pickups, probably get it swirl dipped, that'd be a straight up Godly axe!
3:55 I thought it was a bass for a second😂
Thanks for a nice, comprehensive feature on this reissue. However, i don't think you're being fair in assessing Fender in being too late with the original HM Strat. One should also factor in the somewhat overlooked Fender Contemporary Series, which was a few years earlier than these HM Strats, Heartfield, and whatever they put out later. In fact, some design elements (like those knobs) are hold-overs from the Contemporary series. In some ways, you can look at the HM guitars as a continuation of the Comtemporaries, although perhaps made more specifically for the Shred/Metal audience.
omg when you faked that neck break i almost shat myself lol
You got me good man hahahahaha my jaw was on the floor
Having just bought one of these, or at least made the first 2 payments, is the guitar worth $1200? I can emphatically say "It depends." Can you get as much guitar for less money? Yes, maybe more. This guitar is worth $1200 if you need a bolt on neck guitar with a locking tremolo, a flat radius fretboard, 24 frets, HSS pickups, and a 25.1" scale length. Realistically it's the 25.1" scale that makes this guitar different. It might be my imagination but it seems to keep the tightness in the bass strings that I like about a standard Fender and yet the treble strings seem a little softer like a Gibson. The craftsmanship is excellent but there are many guitars that are well made. I'm sure that labor is more expensive in Japan and that accounts for a lot of the price. The Floyd is chintzy on a guitar in this price range and I'm not so sure about the pickup selector, either. I probably prefer the Super 3, mainly for authenticity, and miss the TBX. So if I spend $200-$400, depending on what I choose to upgrade, and maybe some labor I'll have the perfect guitar.
I tell my self it's worth it and I guess it is for me but I really wish I could confidently tell you that it's worth it for you. I had an original and when I got that thing I wondered "why would anyone play anything else." It's a very good guitar but you are paying a premium for exclusivity. I still feel like the original HM Strat is the perfect guitar but there are plenty of less expensive guitars that are just as well built and with better components.
Sooo.. tempted to get one of these....but I keep reminding myself I already have a new Charvel Dk so, it's kinda the same thing lol
Too much money bro,I'd skip this one
And your charvel dk is better tbh.
Had an original one in black and I miss that guitar. It was awesome. Wish I never traded that in for a Les Paul studio. When I heard they were coming back I was interested but not at that price with stripped down parts.
Well this brought back some memories. I had an original HM Strat. Hot pink. It looked way more red in color in the shop.. oh well. I disassembled it to paint it but ended up moving out before I did. I went back to get it and found the knobs and other parts in the front yard. The little brother was playing with them I guess. RIP HM Strat.
those F-stamped knobs! I want them so bad!
One of my favourite basses, called the Fender Prophecy, used very similar ones, and I wanna get 3 to put on a bass build i’m planning. Need to find them somewhere
I bought a brand new one in 89. Took lessons for a year then gave it up. I did sell it to a friend who still has it and plays it so thats kinda cool.
My favorite feature is they moved the volume knob to where you're not constantly hitting it, and turning it down! I have to take the knob off in order too play my regular strat!
I upgraded my FR Special just for the hell of it, serves me well in my Ibanez RG, it's a fine trem when you get rid of the zinc block and saddles, but I wouldn't want one on anything Fender priced.
I don't know about anyone else but the thing with dropping the guitar just about made my heart jump. It was well played. That larger Allen key has to be for the truss rod. I can't imagine anything else that would use an Allen key that big on a guitar. That being said, I could be wrong. That's just my guess.
You son of a gun... You got me... When I saw that headstock break I was like "HOLY CRAP! HE BROKE THE HELL OUT OF IT!".
13:04 that big one isn't for the trussrod? I know nothing about these guitars specific specs but that seems likely to me.
Edit: 15:26 dam son. I guess that proves im an expert. All those stewmac videos paid off.
yeah it's for the trussrod, fender gives stuff like that with your guitar (I got a big one for the trussrod and a small one to adjust the bridge saddles). never got anything with my Gibson, but I did with my Mexican Fender..
I have the 1989 H.M.Strat ..in white.. with the maple fretboard . .I luv Mine. I've had it since I found it used.. in a Music Store on RT 18 in new Brunswick NJ... In 1994. And I've modified the electronics in mine. .. I made the coil tap mini switch. , Now adds the Neck and bridge Pickup Together...
And I'm very Glad that Fender reissued This.
I only wish mine had a Floyd Rose.... I LOVE Floyd Rose trem's. I rebuild them... (Because often I get Special series. And I upgrade to a large Brass tone Block..and Steel 1000 Series Saddles.)
For that money you could save up for an actual 80s vintage shred guitar, a crazy airbrushed jackson, holoflashed kramer, or hot rodded esp, would be way cooler.
HAAAA! That "neck break" sucked me in too....geez! Not my favorite guitar but after watching this video I kinda fell in love with it!
The big Allen key is for the truss rod. 😉
Great video, nice breakdown of the specs. Thanks a lot!
I had an evh stripped series and I sold it when I got my hm strat because it can do wayyy more. Best guitar I've ever owned. Brass block was installed and its perfect. I can shred but flip the switch up and go bluesy. I got the all black with rosewood fret board and the stripe under the strat logo is blue metallic which looks amazing. I might get it tattooed at some point but I'm diehard fender
Damn, really??? Huh 😳 I've never played a striped series, or many guitars for that matter so I don't have the best frame of reference. I guess I've been sleeping on this one a bit
I like Vintage Gibsons and would love to know more about some of the original vintage '57, '59', '60 Les Pauls vs. the Custom Shop R7, R9, R0 vs. the newer "Historical Reissue" specs and how Gibson has changed the "R" through the years (especially more recently) to "more closely match the original vintage specs". Love Fender Friday's - but feel like I want more historical context in order to better understand where the wonderfully beautiful and special guitars you offer fit in the "historic" context as far as features and value vs. price point.
Thanks for all you do. Do you have any kind of website or link that compiles all the specs and features and changes that consolidates the information you give in your videos? - I have watched all of them at least twice without skipping, but you are losing me with some of the more recent videos - but I know you have to do what you have to do to help move product and get views and inform everyone about all the newest releases and special offerings. I get it.
I wish you had a separate channel just dealing with the high end Gibson vintage, reissue, and the special ones you already do - for higher end buyers - the dream guitars everyone wants and ways to get something close to authentic without mortgaging the house. You don't think videos about Gibson Dream Guitars - and ways to get one almost like the real thing would get big views?
Kemp English
That sounds like great idea. I wish he would do something like that too.
I love how a strat looks without a pickguard
Look into tracking down the Fender Showmaster US Highway 1. Came in HH and HHS configurations. It was basically a mid 00’s HM Strat that went completely under the radar!
Thank you for your great review!
I always think of the HM Strat as a guitar for fusion players as opposed to straight shredders or (hair) metal guys because I associate it so closely with Greg Howe. Would've been cool if they sourced Kahler bridges for it but they were/are a bitch to deal with and repair so I understand. For the price I would go for the Charvel Pro-Mod 2pts or Ibanez AZ even though the QC on the AZ's is horrendous. Or just get an original and refret it. The HM was Iconic and in my opinion this doesn't do it justice
OMFG you got me so bad. I couldn't process how you dropped it and how it did so much damage, I was shocked! lol
Do you have to cut the ball off the string to install it on this bridge? I hope not. I'd prefer just sliding it through a tube but string holder hooks are acceptable. I also think locking nuts are a pain and would prefer some type of roller nut instead maybe combined with locking tuners.
I just bought an original 1989 with the HH pickup configuration for $263! Love it!
Thanks for the ridiculously in-depth review !!!
I have an original '89 model in pink/black ( I bought it in '92 for $200 new, on a clearance sale) , played it some & then it sat unplayed for years. ( not a fan of FR terms.) Recently I got it out & cleaned it up, restrung & reset up the Kahler trem. & surprise !....it plays & sounds really good! Maybe I will keep it & see if it 's value grows as the originals are somewhat rare.
Lol you had me, thought you really broke that guitar, my jaw was on the floor.
Have you ever had the Contemporary Strat Deluxe from 1985? I believe the first "super shredder" attempts from Japan. I have one with the system III but with locking nut like a quick release front wheel on a bicycle. Trem cavity UNDER the pickups, no hole routed on the back...has a weird rectagular humbucker with the 2 screws on the one side and 1 on the other and two single coils. They changed the humbucker on the following years. I've never seen anything like it. l found it at my local guitar shop. I use it as my main and have lost the original locking nut unfortunately, but it is my favorite guitar by far. Mine also has a tortoise shell pick guard which I've never seen on them, but it looks like it was made for it. It really blows my mind, would love more info on them.
Floyd fine tuner should turn easily, it's probably just this model. When a Floyd is set up right and the posts and knife edges are in good shape they are very stable, and you don't HAVE to do dive bombs and squeals, if you use a light touch and choke up on the bar, you can get as subtle as you want for surf style stuff or what ever. I would say the 2 drawbacks of a Floyd set up to float are if break a string it goes completely out of tune and you might have to adjust playing technique avoid unwanted warbles and finesse double string bends.
It looks like the Fender FSR Mahogany Blacktop Stratocaster HHH is up for grabs on Reverb now in the USA. Are you planning to take a look at it? I would love to hear your thoughts on it!
The original was my first proper guitar. Didnt get along with it back then but Im glad I never sold it. I use it quit often now.
I really enjoy your vids! Cheers!
that fakeout with the glarry was great, i'd love it if you had the time to do more silly stuff in your vids like you used to with the editing