Classical Strat Anyone?

[Bill Bowley]

Here's one that has 'popped up' on EBay in OZ, interesting methinks.....


Details from seller:
FENDER NYLON-STRING STRATOCASTER STCL100
This another rare sighting of Fender Stratocaster STCL Nylon Classic series with of course as the name suggest, nylon strings on it. No, this is neither a home-made nor a modified guitar that looks like strat. It is the real deal from Fender Japan, made in small batch and distributed for domestic Japanese market in the late 90s.

What makes it unique and different to your everyday strat is obviously the specs itself. It is equipped with Piezo technology by Mike Christian USA and a single volume knob, that's it. As you can see there is no scratch plate, no pickup routings either. The input jack is located at the back of the body, cool ! The body is made of solid Ash which appeared to be lighter than any other Ash bodied Strats I have ever owned. The neck is made of solid Quilted Maple with Rosewood fingerboard with Gotoh tuners.
The axe's specifications are as follow:

•Model: Fender Stratocaster Electric Nylon Classic STCL100
•Serial # N035006
•Date of Built : Circa 90s
•Country of Origin : Japan
•Colour: Natural
•Body: Ash
•Neck: 1-piece Quilted Maple
•Fretboard: 22-fret Rosewood
•Tremolo: Die-cast Block Special
•Tuners: Gotoh
•Hardware: Nickel
•Electronics/Pickups: Piezo Mike Christian Technology USA (x6)
•Pickup Selector: N/A
•Control: 1 volume

[ecca]

What an interesting guitar.

[Bluesnote]

Looks great. It'd have been even more interesting with an ebony fingerboard.

[Ubique]

Malmsteen - Fender Nylon String Stratocaster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKMsXBfXbbk

[Bluesnote]

Thanks for that video Neil.
Its a pity that they did'nt locate the pickup somewhere near the neck area. I think is sounds too thin where it is, it'd been much warmer sounding had they done so.
Its not unlike the sound of the Gibson version brought out sometime in the eighties. I once saw a video of Lee Ritenour playing smooth jazz on it and it sounded beautiful Änd its shape was more in keeping with the classical guitar tradition.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Gibson-Chet-Atki ... 27c7d4ba0e
Hugh.

[cockroach]

Was that a joke?

A piezo pickup has to be mounted in the bridge!

[Bill Bowley]

Well, it sold for $1300 + AUS Dollars.

[Bluesnote]

Was that a joke?

A piezo pickup has to be mounted in the bridge!

No it was'nt a joke. I know these pickups are all set on the bridge, I was merely stating that if there was a way to have the pickup somewhere near the neck area, it would enhance the tone somewhat in my opinion. After all, if you pick a classical guitar at the neck area you get a warm tone as you will know so why not place the pickup there also?
It was just a thought
Hugh.

[cockroach]

Nylon strings need a piezo in the bridge- as far as I am aware they haven't yet invented a pickup which amplifies nylon strings and can be mounted anywhere between bridge and neck like a magnetic pickup. Piezo jobs work by pressure and vibration of the strings on the bridge saddle which creates the signal, not by electro magnetic energy like metal strings and a normal magnet and coil pickup.

When you play a piezo equipped guitar the tone varies by where you pick- sharp near the bridge, mellow over the soundhole or near the end of the neck...after all, it's meant to respond and sound like an acoustic guitar. Also most piezo pickups also use a pre-amp with EQ controls which can further alter tone.