Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Merle Haggard, Someone from Greenday, Kirk Hammit, one of the two Iron Maiden guitarist, maybe both. Steve Harris bass strat, Fast Eddie Clark should have one if he doesn’t already. Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vauhan. Thats all that come to my mind, wait, Ywingy Malsteamy. Thats my final answer Alex.
This channel has already inspired me to get a roasted maple Warmoth neck (which I love, thank you) but now I'm introduced to an inexpensive way to complete the old neck! I'm going to be in big trouble!
Ha I'm truly sorry. I know what its like to be 'hounded' here. I'm told I have 'too many' guitars, amps, speakers, (you name it). It's why I bought that Dragon 2002 :) - but seriously, my other half is really extremely forgiving. I have been married for about 51 years and I kept the same model. :) and I show her some comments I make in the videos but in reality she knows its all a facade... It's like finding 'that' guitar - the one you'll keep for life. So there she is... :) And thanks for making me smile and realize I'm not alone when I read your comments :). And thanks for watching... I hope that Warmoth neck is cool too - all mine are.
I had a luthier make me an exact copy of the Robin Tower strat. I chose slightly different pups but it's a beautiful powder Blue only thing missing is the Fender headstock logo. Plays great and looks great.
My aim in this video was to obtain and assemble the guitar from genuine Fender parts really. However I have completed a number of Warmoth guitars all highly likely as good as any other parts and the results are excellent. It IS possible to create a great guitar just as you say! and thanks for watching.
I have this same guitar 2013 version. 🎉The USA Jeff Beck Signature Strat. I have several strats , USA, Japanese, Mexican and this is the best Strat I've ever had or played. I absolutely love this guitar! It has everything that I would want if I was building a Strat from scratch. And you can't beat it at the price I paid for it. Did I say I absolutely love this guitar!!! Lol
Tony, you made a wise choice buying this loaded Jeff Beck Signature body! I bought a few bodies and necks from the Stratosphere. I've been a customer of theirs for over 20 years and have had only one purchase I was unhappy with. With the right neck or the original one, you won't be disappointed!
Oh I know I too have bought from them for some time. I never had a 'bad' part or something that was different than they said... I would never mention anyone that I don't trust, unless its in some review of something that was simply not what it should have been in one way or another. Thanks for your experience with stratosphere and great to know - and thanks for watching.
Jeff Beck is truly someone to learn from. He makes a guitar sing in a profoundly sensual voice that few others can imitate. I was lucky enough to see him here in Paris several years ago and consider that concert one of the best I have ever seen!!! Thanks for the video!!
Sad that Jeff passed on. I never saw him live, but some of the video stuff is exceptional and you can tell he developed that style I could call it the Jeff Beck style for sure. And of course an interesting guitar. Sure 'it's just a Fender' :) but it does have some interesting stuff and the necks are really as good as any I have seen from any Fender guitar. I have 2 or 3 necks and all are exceptional. Thanks for watching.
Well thanks... some don't like my presentations, but the way I look at it, is I can't be everything to everybody... it's hard enough to make the videos in the first place really, but great fun. :) Ha some of the mistakes are hilarious but I won't show them :). Thanks for those kind words because they help me to do the stuff by acknowledging that there are some very nice guys on YT. And thanks for watching.
Very nice really. A star off for the strap locks and maybe the trem block. I'd swap that out because I swapped one out on a kit job and thought it made a difference. Standard wiring i guess? No tone bleeds or stuff. Full size cts pots, nothing fancy about the cap? But all in all looks good! The bout very nice. Looking forward to seeing the neck. From one old geezer north of the border who appreciates this kinda vid very much. Thanks Tony. (My granny was a McKenzie btw 😂)
Aha a McKenzie somewhere there... BUT you do know (I'm advised) that the McKenzie family it seems is Irish! I know re my lot over where I am came from Belfast... Now I'm sure there MUST be McKenzie family up in Scotland... but who knows :) Yes the JB is reasonably standard except the pickups I believe and the hacked neck joint. The neck is also (just my opinion) very much like a 1962 neck and feels great on the newer ones (the older JB necks were very big). I have to find the neck currently, but I will and then we'll see part two :) and thanks for watching.
My mate bought a maybach a few weeks ago they are handbuilt in the czech republic by a german company. It's a lovely guitar an sg copy with p90, sounds and plays lovely He says he had to pay 20% import fee for it because we are not in the EU. Its a great guitar at about 1300 quid plus the tax.
Yes import tax is applied from most places when you import something. In fact in the UK, I have seen people like GAK (I think) and Thomann setup UK import/export to the 'same' company so they don't pay the tax, but rather transfer between offices... which I believe is one way around that. Painful however we look at it. I have heard about Maybach - someone recommended those to me. Thanks for the info and for watching too.
Nice video. I own the Jeff Beck Strat surf green but have never taken it apart. Good to see the electronics. I think Fender or someone called these pickups humbucker stacked. Two windings per pickup but stacked instead of side by side. Is that what you see? I really can't tell. Great video and will be looking for the neck video.
Yes they are stacked hum cancelling windings on there like the newest Fender pickups see this: th-cam.com/video/HLYYlAGvrTo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=T0WjhFFjy41dhQZ9&t=525 and while these are telecaster they are basically similar. I also have a noiseless pickup I 'opened up' here: th-cam.com/video/xIHHkusr9bo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bXqkt21R072ssUIK&t=155 where you can see how its all made on this video. The neck I bought yesterday... a very slight knock at top of the neck but easy fix and the only non custom shop one on there so I bought it... it looks very good. Maybe a week or so or more before that video appears. Thanks for watching.
The date on the sticker in the pickup cavity would be American format, so 9th of January when the body was signed off on after finishing whereas the neck pocket is stamped December when the body would have been assembled and routed.
I have or had many signature Strats including SRV, Bonnie Raitt, Hank Marvin, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton and a few that i have forgotten. Most were Custom Shop ones, and some were not that great, i rejected the first sample of the Bonnie Raitt one it looked like it had be thrown down the stairs, even the neck was the wrong spec! Today i stick with other brands, preferably ones made in Japan, thank god for Ibanez, Schecter and ESP.
Thanks for this important and insightful info. Personally I have had few issues with the Fender gear myself, but there you go... clearly it happens as you have seen yourself. Ha I like Ibanez Japanese too - but you know that :) Thanks for watching as always.
that lil hole by the bridge is there because that body has the cut out for the old style 6 screw style plate. i prefer those to the 2 point set up along with the bent steel saddles. unless its those brass ones i like those two. seeing those strange stacked pickups was interesting, i watched a video about mounting a dummy coil next to the 5 way switch for the bridge pickup..i think i like the stacked option better as alot less wiring has to be done. it sounds like you could use an American friend who can forward shipments for actual cost. you shouldn't be getting gouged just because you live in the uk.
Oh for sure its all aggro with shipping and tax etc. but I do have a few friends in the USA (my 'dead cats' friend is there - he knows who he is) but I would not want to impose really. Well I thought that in 2013 when I bought a new strat (Elite) at the time - same hole. I went to the guitar shop and looked at all the others - and some had the hole and some did not - irrespective 'at that time' of 6 screw or 2 fulcrum. Now that's a long time back - and some depended on the colouring of the body - most solid colours had no hole and most see through cherry (for example) did. I'll take your point on this as I never did understand it. I always mention it if its in the video just so guys do see it and ha its not just me :). The pickups are like fitted to a 2008 American Strat (I have one) however, on the JB they are would a little more for higher output than the AM strat of 2008. Thanks for the info and for watching.
Hi Tony. This is an interesting one, I bought a 2002 USA Strat deluxe, and I took the pickguard apart to change the pickups which were the noiseless ones incidentally. Stamped into the wood if the neck pickup cavity was BECK ! So I think the Beck bodies were used not just specifically for the Beck model, also the same thing went for my 1996 Strat Plus.
Ha that's very good information I think. There's no stamping on this one from what I see... and likely those pickup routes may have been the SC pickup ones? So things have probably changed. But great info... and thanks for watching.
Thanks Tony. Looks very nice. Is the hole because they use standard routing on every model but the bridges have different specs? My strat has a vintage trem mechanism and doesn't have a hole. In fact the bridge is snug with the scratchplate so you might not notice if there was a hole.
I can't be sure about that trem hole. I noticed it first in 2013 when I bought a (I think) an Elite. At the time I went in to the guitar store and checked all the strats out. At that point I noticed the 'flashy' topped guitars had the hole, and the standard paint jobs did not. But this is a standard paint job and has the hole... Like you say it probably relates to standardisation (like the pickup routes in the body) to save a bit of money in production. I think it reltes to the hole rather than the tremolo... Thanks for the info and for watching.
When I was having a quick look today on their prices, it came out saving around £300 compared to dealer price, but that was just a quick look. So it's whether you want to risk if any problems occurred, (Damage, lost etc) and the hassle of overseas return etc. Personaly, the extra expense of a music shop dealer would give me peace of mind of being able to return/chat to local dealer. However, that's just personal to me. If this company was in the UK it would be different. As for screwing off the strap locks, that would be OK if they came seperate in a bag included to put on, but to not include them is crazy. So I'm with you on the 9/10 which is being generous for the extra hassle of having to order them. Removing them may give extra protection to the body in shipping, but at least include the bloody things.😮👍
Well it does depend on exactly what you buy I guess to some extent. I have bought Malmsteen strats (body then neck), Jeff Beck necks (two or three - and just bought one that was listed today and the quality looked perfect. That will go on the JB body guys have seen in this video and we'll see that later. Yes I get it re music gear retailers etc. but I have messed about a long time and I don't think there will be issues really. Everything I have bought for years has been pretty much OK... ha except those pesky strap locks :) Oh well. Thanks for the post and for watching.
At first glance, USA prices are "cheaper" than UK prices because in the UK, prices include VAT, whereas in the US prices shown don't include sales tax, which is added at the end and varies from state to state.
Would be interested to learn the price breakdown Tony. I have a MIJ Strat and bought a Loaded HSS pickguard from Stratosphere a few years ago . Fitted perfectly and sounds great however paid for scratch plate. + shipping then got walloped for UK import Tax on my doorstep before Royal Mail would hand it over. Maybe l was an unlucky but would be very cautious about doing it again. Otherwise great video
There generally IS those taxes. However, if you buy a guitar that would cost a lot more like the JB here, and total it all up, you are still better off by a fair bit of money. The Post office (and others) like to charge for 'customs clearance' which is B****s as they get cleared through customs in any case - those boys are not good. On this body it cane I think either Fedex or UPS and both of those have their own customs clearing - much simpler and faster. If you buy something that is not that high a cost like the pick guard etc. you mentioned then it can be harder to end up with a great result. Its a good point and one I should have maybe mentioned in the video. Creating these vids I don't work from scripts - its all created in real time and sometimes its possible to forget to mention then odd thing... but I'm sure you get the idea. Thanks and thanks for watching.
Can you do a video on japan made fender stratocasters i nearly bought a brand new stratocaster this weekend then i pulled out of the deal and i got a 92 squire strat made in japan its the best guitar i own from a selection of usa and mexican i have The build quaility of japan guitars is off the chart if you ever buy a guitar from japan give it a review
You're right the earlier Jap guitars are excellent and at least in the same ball park as the USA stuff - its well known. But you know what, I don't own one :( so I cannot really do it justice - if I had one I would review it. Thanks for the post and for watching.
As far as numbers on hardware go that's a separate sheet. Watch a good American fender factor tour. For example. Body has one sheet . Neck another. Hardware. Which were the numbers you were talking about. All the sheets have in common is the serial number. Whith is on the master sheet which carries all the numbers. Called builders sheet. Then are lesser build levels. Master builds are the titest. I can't this was always the case. But i am thinking frnder did this to. Now get this. To build buyer confidence. It's a way for fender to prove any of theses high end builds. If returning to the factory are as they left it. Warranty protection for them and you. But that all goes up in smoke When talk about PRE CBS FENDER.
This is a great post Albert... appreciate the info for others. Oh yeah the old stuff is another story really. And great point about the accountability re warranty etc. something I did not really mention... thanks again and thanks for watching.
Prices are dependent on what you buy, this JB body complete was a very good price for me here. Just the neck and a pretty big saving really. May not be true for small stuff I understand but for the stuff like JB stuff seems to work for me. And those guys do have good clean (and in this case) new gear. Thanks for watching too.
Exactly... :) The Elite of 2013 (I think it was) I bought and reviewed, and in that review I mentioned it... so that was the first time I ever noticed the hole... @thetoneknob4493 also mentioned maybe a reason for it. Thanks for watching.
Tony I checked the 1st few pages of the ebay link for necks. None of the fender ones have the made in the usa or mexico stamps on them. How can a buyer be sure they are the real deal ?
I have been buying from those guys for years and ALWAYS received the exactly correct product. This one (while its here) www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364403485003?itmmeta=01HTDH22K3RN3Q2YTW2KGH845Z&hash=item54d823e94b:g:OsEAAOSwtBVk0Rlu is a custom shop Jeff Beck neck and if you check against the items for sale by Fender it is EXACTLY the same. Note also they do show you the documentation on that listing. Of course I need no convincing and its all genuine as received by me. Had there been anything dodgy I would have found that out years back (oh maybe as long ago as 6 or 7 years!). Good point, but I recommend anyone do the research and you'll likely find they are a trusted supplier. And thanks for watching.
@tonymckenziecom Tony thanks for replying. I've bought replacement necks in the past from fender and they always had made in USA on the headstock without exception. What would be the reason the ones I saw on the sellers ebay page had no country of manufacture stamps ?
If you look at those guitars online they don't even have made in the USA written on the headstocks. Stratosphere just takes the guitars apart and sells the parts.
@@heavymetal6910 I think that it does not state made in the USA on recent necks because they are now made elsewhere -- most likely Indonesia these days. I buy Warmoth necks -- hand made in Washington state, under license from Fender, and imo, better than Fender necks, and less expensive. I have four of them, all awesomely good.
I've used them in the past and it's been good. I don't like that he's gone to a bunch of auctions you have to sort through. Taking off the strap locks is pretty lame though.
Buying parts from Stratosphere and finishing it is way more expensive than buying a finished Guitar. Paying more for a partscaster is not a good idea and you kill your resale value too.
Not true on the Fender Jeff Beck - and that's a fact. From the UK even VERY conservative even if I had to buy a case I still save hundreds? Thanks for the info there, but I also think its the same and BTW it would not be a 'parts caster' as ha they are all the same parts? But I get the point and thanks for watching.
I agree with Oaklawn. I've tried it before and built an Am Pro II. It cost me just under retail price after I bought everything separately, and I didn't get the nice case they come with normally. If you buy a model where the serial number is on the neck plate, and can find a neck without a serial number it is less obvious of a partscaster, but anyone can use the Fender serial number lookup site and they'll immediately know if the body and neck don't match. Only do it if you know you're never going to resell it.
Interesting upload,but Played that import game. For the sake of saving a few hundred £ it’s better just buying an authentic and complete guitar here in the UK, you can always haggle the price. And no resale problems.
@@19501960 That is exactly my point. Thank you for affirming my position. The only thing the store The Startosphere is good for is buying a something you absolutely need not want. The owner is also an A$$HOLE to deal with. Bought a pickguard for my LP it took two weeks to get and the owner refused to give me a positive feedback on EBay unless I did my feedback first. I bought and paid the item instantly.
Ah the Jeff Beck IS a signature strat - and if you see a neck (and its NOT the custom shop version) its signed on the front of the head stock - hence 'signature'. Malmsteen is signed, in fact all those 'signature' models are but maybe these days they don't call them signature? Anyway there you go, and thanks for watching.
You missed the point... buy one From Fender at £2200... or buy the body (complete) for £750 + about £600 for the neck, 4 screws and there is the saving and exactly the same thing... brand new. That's the point... and it would still work in the USA because there you don't pay our ridiculous 20% tax and the parts are free shipping in the USA. There really is little to not like. Even adding the cost of the case STILL makes the guitar far less cost than just walking in and buying one bolted together. Thanks for the post and for watching.
Ha it might be China! or not... maybe you're the expert? If so spill the beans... but I do know when buying Alps or much unbranded stuff they are most often priced cheaper and bearing in mind (as well as good stuff from China) there is also far less than good stuff too. Ask Elon about EV's from China and he'll tell you... and about the government financing companies that allows some to sell EV's with a loss on each car they produce... it matters not which product, but it does matter whether they supply markets at a loss to cripple the western companies competition I think... a very common practice from China sadly. Just an opinion of course. Thanks for watching.
I've Not Ever see anyone critics overpriced US guitar brands except TH-cam videos who competes a..ss kissing for promoting those brands. I've been long enough around to see that US guitar brands are over priced, yet quality isn't That good as it should for price you paid. It appears that China will finally put prices where they belong.Thank you China!!🇨🇳👌👍👏
China? Ha you have not seen this video I created a while back about the Chinese parts I bought direct from China - Enjoy: th-cam.com/video/E0xwbea1ss8/w-d-xo.html (or not!) And on a different one I bought a Far East guitar from Thomann - and was checked by the maker AND Thomann! Here was what I was sold: th-cam.com/video/2gDvEqH3VD8/w-d-xo.html and its ultimate demise (I just could not let that go to some unsuspecting buyer) here: th-cam.com/video/gAiQJxiWyZM/w-d-xo.html but the worst thing is this... had they been good I WOULD HAVE SAID SO! Sadly all they did was cost me money. Caveat Emptor. But thanks for watching.
Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Merle Haggard, Someone from Greenday, Kirk Hammit, one of the two Iron Maiden guitarist, maybe both. Steve Harris bass strat, Fast Eddie Clark should have one if he doesn’t already. Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vauhan. Thats all that come to my mind, wait, Ywingy Malsteamy. Thats my final answer Alex.
Great post - and anyone who has more? Just add them here! and thanks for watching.
Dick Dale “signature.”
Fast Eddie might just struggle to buy one these days.......
This channel has already inspired me to get a roasted maple Warmoth neck (which I love, thank you) but now I'm introduced to an inexpensive way to complete the old neck! I'm going to be in big trouble!
Ha I'm truly sorry. I know what its like to be 'hounded' here. I'm told I have 'too many' guitars, amps, speakers, (you name it). It's why I bought that Dragon 2002 :) - but seriously, my other half is really extremely forgiving. I have been married for about 51 years and I kept the same model. :) and I show her some comments I make in the videos but in reality she knows its all a facade... It's like finding 'that' guitar - the one you'll keep for life. So there she is... :) And thanks for making me smile and realize I'm not alone when I read your comments :). And thanks for watching... I hope that Warmoth neck is cool too - all mine are.
I had a luthier make me an exact copy of the Robin Tower strat. I chose slightly different pups but it's a beautiful powder Blue only thing missing is the Fender headstock logo. Plays great and looks great.
My aim in this video was to obtain and assemble the guitar from genuine Fender parts really. However I have completed a number of Warmoth guitars all highly likely as good as any other parts and the results are excellent. It IS possible to create a great guitar just as you say! and thanks for watching.
I have this same guitar 2013 version. 🎉The USA Jeff Beck Signature Strat. I have several strats , USA, Japanese, Mexican and this is the best Strat I've ever had or played. I absolutely love this guitar! It has everything that I would want if I was building a Strat from scratch. And you can't beat it at the price I paid for it. Did I say I absolutely love this guitar!!! Lol
Tony, you made a wise choice buying this loaded Jeff Beck Signature body! I bought a few bodies and necks from the Stratosphere. I've been a customer of theirs for over 20 years and have had only one purchase I was unhappy with. With the right neck or the original one, you won't be disappointed!
Yes I like it too - and the Olympic white for me with the thinner neck I know to suit me better than the older big necks they had back in the day.
Oh I know I too have bought from them for some time. I never had a 'bad' part or something that was different than they said... I would never mention anyone that I don't trust, unless its in some review of something that was simply not what it should have been in one way or another. Thanks for your experience with stratosphere and great to know - and thanks for watching.
Jeff Beck is truly someone to learn from. He makes a guitar sing in a profoundly sensual voice that few others can imitate. I was lucky enough to see him here in Paris several years ago and consider that concert one of the best I have ever seen!!! Thanks for the video!!
Sad that Jeff passed on. I never saw him live, but some of the video stuff is exceptional and you can tell he developed that style I could call it the Jeff Beck style for sure. And of course an interesting guitar. Sure 'it's just a Fender' :) but it does have some interesting stuff and the necks are really as good as any I have seen from any Fender guitar. I have 2 or 3 necks and all are exceptional. Thanks for watching.
@@tonymckenzieofficial Jeff Beck Danny Boy...Excellent!!!
I always look forward to your videos and your very personable presentations.Thanks
Well thanks... some don't like my presentations, but the way I look at it, is I can't be everything to everybody... it's hard enough to make the videos in the first place really, but great fun. :) Ha some of the mistakes are hilarious but I won't show them :). Thanks for those kind words because they help me to do the stuff by acknowledging that there are some very nice guys on YT. And thanks for watching.
Thanks Tony for a really helpful and inspiring video. I'll look forward to hearing more from you about the neck.
Watching and waiting right now... thanks for watching.
Very nice really. A star off for the strap locks and maybe the trem block. I'd swap that out because I swapped one out on a kit job and thought it made a difference. Standard wiring i guess? No tone bleeds or stuff. Full size cts pots, nothing fancy about the cap? But all in all looks good! The bout very nice. Looking forward to seeing the neck. From one old geezer north of the border who appreciates this kinda vid very much. Thanks Tony. (My granny was a McKenzie btw 😂)
Aha a McKenzie somewhere there... BUT you do know (I'm advised) that the McKenzie family it seems is Irish! I know re my lot over where I am came from Belfast... Now I'm sure there MUST be McKenzie family up in Scotland... but who knows :) Yes the JB is reasonably standard except the pickups I believe and the hacked neck joint. The neck is also (just my opinion) very much like a 1962 neck and feels great on the newer ones (the older JB necks were very big). I have to find the neck currently, but I will and then we'll see part two :) and thanks for watching.
My mate bought a maybach a few weeks ago they are handbuilt in the czech republic by a german company. It's a lovely guitar an sg copy with p90, sounds and plays lovely
He says he had to pay 20% import fee for it because we are not in the EU.
Its a great guitar at about 1300 quid plus the tax.
Yes import tax is applied from most places when you import something. In fact in the UK, I have seen people like GAK (I think) and Thomann setup UK import/export to the 'same' company so they don't pay the tax, but rather transfer between offices... which I believe is one way around that. Painful however we look at it. I have heard about Maybach - someone recommended those to me. Thanks for the info and for watching too.
FYI Maybach is to Mercedes Benz as Lexus is to Toyota Infiniti to Nissan. Lincoln to Ford.
Nice video. I own the Jeff Beck Strat surf green but have never taken it apart. Good to see the electronics. I think Fender or someone called these pickups humbucker stacked. Two windings per pickup but stacked instead of side by side. Is that what you see? I really can't tell. Great video and will be looking for the neck video.
Yes they are stacked hum cancelling windings on there like the newest Fender pickups see this: th-cam.com/video/HLYYlAGvrTo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=T0WjhFFjy41dhQZ9&t=525 and while these are telecaster they are basically similar. I also have a noiseless pickup I 'opened up' here: th-cam.com/video/xIHHkusr9bo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bXqkt21R072ssUIK&t=155 where you can see how its all made on this video. The neck I bought yesterday... a very slight knock at top of the neck but easy fix and the only non custom shop one on there so I bought it... it looks very good. Maybe a week or so or more before that video appears. Thanks for watching.
The date on the sticker in the pickup cavity would be American format, so 9th of January when the body was signed off on after finishing whereas the neck pocket is stamped December when the body would have been assembled and routed.
Thanks for that info... appreciated... see our UK back to front dates :) never do fit right... and thanks for watching.
I have or had many signature Strats including SRV, Bonnie Raitt, Hank Marvin, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler,
Eric Clapton and a few that i have forgotten.
Most were Custom Shop ones, and some were not that great, i rejected the first sample of the Bonnie Raitt one
it looked like it had be thrown down the stairs, even the neck was the wrong spec!
Today i stick with other brands, preferably ones made in Japan, thank god for Ibanez, Schecter and ESP.
Thanks for this important and insightful info. Personally I have had few issues with the Fender gear myself, but there you go... clearly it happens as you have seen yourself. Ha I like Ibanez Japanese too - but you know that :) Thanks for watching as always.
that lil hole by the bridge is there because that body has the cut out for the old style 6 screw style plate. i prefer those to the 2 point set up along with the bent steel saddles. unless its those brass ones i like those two. seeing those strange stacked pickups was interesting, i watched a video about mounting a dummy coil next to the 5 way switch for the bridge pickup..i think i like the stacked option better as alot less wiring has to be done. it sounds like you could use an American friend who can forward shipments for actual cost. you shouldn't be getting gouged just because you live in the uk.
Oh for sure its all aggro with shipping and tax etc. but I do have a few friends in the USA (my 'dead cats' friend is there - he knows who he is) but I would not want to impose really. Well I thought that in 2013 when I bought a new strat (Elite) at the time - same hole. I went to the guitar shop and looked at all the others - and some had the hole and some did not - irrespective 'at that time' of 6 screw or 2 fulcrum. Now that's a long time back - and some depended on the colouring of the body - most solid colours had no hole and most see through cherry (for example) did. I'll take your point on this as I never did understand it. I always mention it if its in the video just so guys do see it and ha its not just me :). The pickups are like fitted to a 2008 American Strat (I have one) however, on the JB they are would a little more for higher output than the AM strat of 2008. Thanks for the info and for watching.
Hi Tony. This is an interesting one, I bought a 2002 USA Strat deluxe, and I took the pickguard apart to change the pickups which were the noiseless ones incidentally.
Stamped into the wood if the neck pickup cavity was BECK ! So I think the Beck bodies were used not just specifically for the Beck model, also the same thing went for my 1996 Strat Plus.
Ha that's very good information I think. There's no stamping on this one from what I see... and likely those pickup routes may have been the SC pickup ones? So things have probably changed. But great info... and thanks for watching.
@tonymckenziecom that's right, it was routed HSS. Keep up the great videos.
Thanks Tony. Looks very nice. Is the hole because they use standard routing on every model but the bridges have different specs? My strat has a vintage trem mechanism and doesn't have a hole. In fact the bridge is snug with the scratchplate so you might not notice if there was a hole.
I can't be sure about that trem hole. I noticed it first in 2013 when I bought a (I think) an Elite. At the time I went in to the guitar store and checked all the strats out. At that point I noticed the 'flashy' topped guitars had the hole, and the standard paint jobs did not. But this is a standard paint job and has the hole... Like you say it probably relates to standardisation (like the pickup routes in the body) to save a bit of money in production. I think it reltes to the hole rather than the tremolo... Thanks for the info and for watching.
The first thing that came up today when I clicked the link is a Jeff Beck Neck @ 450GBP
Oh and looking through from cheapest, I can buy a bone nut for$1.15 AUD….. but shipping is $98 AUD…. I now remember why I don’t shop with them…
Yes - ha I just bought it! :) Thanks for watching.
Don't buy the little bits ;-)
When I was having a quick look today on their prices, it came out saving around £300 compared to dealer price, but that was just a quick look. So it's whether you want to risk if any problems occurred, (Damage, lost etc) and the hassle of overseas return etc.
Personaly, the extra expense of a music shop dealer would give me peace of mind of being able to return/chat to local dealer. However, that's just personal to me. If this company was in the UK it would be different.
As for screwing off the strap locks, that would be OK if they came seperate in a bag included to put on, but to not include them is crazy. So I'm with you on the 9/10 which is being generous for the extra hassle of having to order them.
Removing them may give extra protection to the body in shipping, but at least include the bloody things.😮👍
Well it does depend on exactly what you buy I guess to some extent. I have bought Malmsteen strats (body then neck), Jeff Beck necks (two or three - and just bought one that was listed today and the quality looked perfect. That will go on the JB body guys have seen in this video and we'll see that later. Yes I get it re music gear retailers etc. but I have messed about a long time and I don't think there will be issues really. Everything I have bought for years has been pretty much OK... ha except those pesky strap locks :) Oh well. Thanks for the post and for watching.
@tonymckenziecom Good to know it's been positive for you for buying the parts and you've had no issues, except for the strap locks 😉
At first glance, USA prices are "cheaper" than UK prices because in the UK, prices include VAT, whereas in the US prices shown don't include sales tax, which is added at the end and varies from state to state.
Thats true to some extent... but the UK has 20% tax and not 0% or 6% as in many states.... thanks.
Would be interested to learn the price breakdown Tony. I have a MIJ Strat and bought a Loaded HSS pickguard from Stratosphere a few years ago . Fitted perfectly and sounds great however paid for scratch plate. + shipping then got walloped for UK import Tax on my doorstep before Royal Mail would hand it over. Maybe l was an unlucky but would be very cautious about doing it again. Otherwise great video
There generally IS those taxes. However, if you buy a guitar that would cost a lot more like the JB here, and total it all up, you are still better off by a fair bit of money. The Post office (and others) like to charge for 'customs clearance' which is B****s as they get cleared through customs in any case - those boys are not good. On this body it cane I think either Fedex or UPS and both of those have their own customs clearing - much simpler and faster. If you buy something that is not that high a cost like the pick guard etc. you mentioned then it can be harder to end up with a great result. Its a good point and one I should have maybe mentioned in the video. Creating these vids I don't work from scripts - its all created in real time and sometimes its possible to forget to mention then odd thing... but I'm sure you get the idea. Thanks and thanks for watching.
Can you do a video on japan made fender stratocasters
i nearly bought a brand new stratocaster this weekend then i pulled out of the deal and i got a 92 squire strat made in japan its the best guitar i own from a selection of usa and mexican i have
The build quaility of japan guitars is off the chart if you ever buy a guitar from japan give it a review
You're right the earlier Jap guitars are excellent and at least in the same ball park as the USA stuff - its well known. But you know what, I don't own one :( so I cannot really do it justice - if I had one I would review it. Thanks for the post and for watching.
hit up the pawn shops, you will find virtually new or lightly used gutars at a fraction of what you will pay anywhere periood.
Every visit to the USA I NEVER find them... Ha those are in GC surely ;-) sold as new... (joking of course). Thanks for watching.
As far as numbers on hardware go that's a separate sheet. Watch a good
American fender factor tour. For example. Body has one sheet . Neck another. Hardware. Which were the numbers you were talking about.
All the sheets have in common is the serial number. Whith is on the master sheet which carries all the numbers.
Called builders sheet. Then are lesser build levels. Master builds are the titest. I can't this was always the case.
But i am thinking frnder did this to.
Now get this. To build buyer confidence. It's a way for fender to prove any of theses high end builds.
If returning to the factory are as they left it. Warranty protection for them and you. But that all goes up in smoke
When talk about PRE CBS FENDER.
This is a great post Albert... appreciate the info for others. Oh yeah the old stuff is another story really. And great point about the accountability re warranty etc. something I did not really mention... thanks again and thanks for watching.
Cool. I've bought from Stratosphere before. High prices but nice stuff.
Prices are dependent on what you buy, this JB body complete was a very good price for me here. Just the neck and a pretty big saving really. May not be true for small stuff I understand but for the stuff like JB stuff seems to work for me. And those guys do have good clean (and in this case) new gear. Thanks for watching too.
ah curious, it has the 2016 elite over routed trem hole.. the hole that cannot be unseen :D
Exactly... :) The Elite of 2013 (I think it was) I bought and reviewed, and in that review I mentioned it... so that was the first time I ever noticed the hole... @thetoneknob4493 also mentioned maybe a reason for it. Thanks for watching.
Tony I checked the 1st few pages of the ebay link for necks. None of the fender ones have the made in the usa or mexico stamps on them. How can a buyer be sure they are the real deal ?
I have been buying from those guys for years and ALWAYS received the exactly correct product. This one (while its here) www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364403485003?itmmeta=01HTDH22K3RN3Q2YTW2KGH845Z&hash=item54d823e94b:g:OsEAAOSwtBVk0Rlu is a custom shop Jeff Beck neck and if you check against the items for sale by Fender it is EXACTLY the same. Note also they do show you the documentation on that listing. Of course I need no convincing and its all genuine as received by me. Had there been anything dodgy I would have found that out years back (oh maybe as long ago as 6 or 7 years!). Good point, but I recommend anyone do the research and you'll likely find they are a trusted supplier. And thanks for watching.
@tonymckenziecom Tony thanks for replying. I've bought replacement necks in the past from fender and they always had made in USA on the headstock without exception. What would be the reason the ones I saw on the sellers ebay page had no country of manufacture stamps ?
@@heavymetal6910 neither Fender or Gibson custom shop stuff have made in usa printed on them
If you look at those guitars online they don't even have made in the USA written on the headstocks. Stratosphere just takes the guitars apart and sells the parts.
@@heavymetal6910 I think that it does not state made in the USA on recent necks because they are now made elsewhere -- most likely Indonesia these days. I buy Warmoth necks -- hand made in Washington state, under license from Fender, and imo, better than Fender necks, and less expensive. I have four of them, all awesomely good.
I've used them in the past and it's been good. I don't like that he's gone to a bunch of auctions you have to sort through. Taking off the strap locks is pretty lame though.
Thanks for the post and your experience with them.. Yes I thought the posts was not good really. Thanks for watching.
Buying parts from Stratosphere and finishing it is way more expensive than buying a finished Guitar. Paying more for a partscaster is not a good idea and you kill your resale value too.
Not true on the Fender Jeff Beck - and that's a fact. From the UK even VERY conservative even if I had to buy a case I still save hundreds? Thanks for the info there, but I also think its the same and BTW it would not be a 'parts caster' as ha they are all the same parts? But I get the point and thanks for watching.
I agree with Oaklawn. I've tried it before and built an Am Pro II. It cost me just under retail price after I bought everything separately, and I didn't get the nice case they come with normally. If you buy a model where the serial number is on the neck plate, and can find a neck without a serial number it is less obvious of a partscaster, but anyone can use the Fender serial number lookup site and they'll immediately know if the body and neck don't match. Only do it if you know you're never going to resell it.
Interesting upload,but
Played that import game. For the sake of saving a few hundred £ it’s better just buying an authentic and complete guitar here in the UK, you can always haggle the price. And no resale problems.
@@19501960 That is exactly my point. Thank you for affirming my position. The only thing the store The Startosphere is good for is buying a something you absolutely need not want. The owner is also an A$$HOLE to deal with. Bought a pickguard for my LP it took two weeks to get and the owner refused to give me a positive feedback on EBay unless I did my feedback first. I bought and paid the item instantly.
Well, I don’t see anyone listing “Signature Strats,” but here’s mine…Dick Dale
Ah the Jeff Beck IS a signature strat - and if you see a neck (and its NOT the custom shop version) its signed on the front of the head stock - hence 'signature'. Malmsteen is signed, in fact all those 'signature' models are but maybe these days they don't call them signature? Anyway there you go, and thanks for watching.
USA MADE ?
Yes...
Serial Number checks out. But why buy a guitar without a neck and then pay extra? Not for me thanks.
You missed the point... buy one From Fender at £2200... or buy the body (complete) for £750 + about £600 for the neck, 4 screws and there is the saving and exactly the same thing... brand new. That's the point... and it would still work in the USA because there you don't pay our ridiculous 20% tax and the parts are free shipping in the USA. There really is little to not like. Even adding the cost of the case STILL makes the guitar far less cost than just walking in and buying one bolted together. Thanks for the post and for watching.
You do know where CTS mostly manufacture these days?
Ha it might be China! or not... maybe you're the expert? If so spill the beans... but I do know when buying Alps or much unbranded stuff they are most often priced cheaper and bearing in mind (as well as good stuff from China) there is also far less than good stuff too. Ask Elon about EV's from China and he'll tell you... and about the government financing companies that allows some to sell EV's with a loss on each car they produce... it matters not which product, but it does matter whether they supply markets at a loss to cripple the western companies competition I think... a very common practice from China sadly. Just an opinion of course. Thanks for watching.
A good video, There's no chance I'm buying a epiphone for $1200.00USD.
No nor me... the price is not good for a 'low cost' guitar. Thanks for watching.
I've Not Ever see anyone critics overpriced US guitar brands except TH-cam videos who competes a..ss kissing for promoting those brands. I've been long enough around to see that US guitar brands are over priced, yet quality isn't That good as it should for price you paid. It appears that China will finally put prices where they belong.Thank you China!!🇨🇳👌👍👏
China? Ha you have not seen this video I created a while back about the Chinese parts I bought direct from China - Enjoy: th-cam.com/video/E0xwbea1ss8/w-d-xo.html (or not!) And on a different one I bought a Far East guitar from Thomann - and was checked by the maker AND Thomann! Here was what I was sold: th-cam.com/video/2gDvEqH3VD8/w-d-xo.html and its ultimate demise (I just could not let that go to some unsuspecting buyer) here: th-cam.com/video/gAiQJxiWyZM/w-d-xo.html but the worst thing is this... had they been good I WOULD HAVE SAID SO! Sadly all they did was cost me money. Caveat Emptor. But thanks for watching.