Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

[Lewguitar]

I'm looking at several right now on ebay and the going price seems to be between $550 and $750.

Anybody here own one?

They come with 59N and PGB bridge pickup. Is this a PG+ with alnico 5 mag or regular PG with alnico 2?

How about the frets? Little vintage frets or modern medium frets?

Lightweight and resonant?

Some seem to alder and some seem to be ash...true or false?

And finally, if you'd played or owned one: HOWS DOES IT PLAY AND SOUND?

Thanks, Lew

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Should be a PG+. It's a pretty safe bet that if it's a stock Fender w/ Duncans, it's a PG+.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Yes, it's a Pearly Gates Plus. Which is a '59 for the most part.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

I'm looking at several right now on ebay and the going price seems to be between $550 and $750.

That sounds about right price wise

Anybody here own one?

I don't own one but I've played several

They come with 59N and PGB bridge pickup. Is this a PG+ with alnico 5 mag or regular PG with alnico 2?

Should be a 59 in the neck and a PG+ in the bridge, also I belive one of the colis on the 59 is wound "funny" so that all 5 of the positions on the 5 way switch are hum bucking, however Im not sure about that...


How about the frets? Little vintage frets or modern medium frets?

The frets are MJ size, and the neck is a "modern C", 9.5 inch radius...SAME neck as an American Standard or Highway One Fender...alright but far from my fav Fender neck...I wish is was a little bigger

Lightweight and resonant?

It depends...the Big Apple is an American standard with a different guard and different pickups...I personally feel like the AS Fenders are all over the map, likely a 3 or more piece body and for sure a thick finish, weight could be great or could be real heavy...

Some seem to alder and some seem to be ash...true or false?

As far as I know, they are ALL alder BUT the burst ones and some of the see though colours have ash veneers, however I won't say that there are NO ash bodies out there...I've just never seen one!And finally, if you'd played or owned one: HOWS DOES IT PLAY AND SOUND?

Well, It plays like any opther american standard, which is my least favorite Fender Strat period...I dislike ALL the hardware including the 2 point tremolo and tuners, the necks are alright but could be fatter for me, the body weights are never very consistant IMO. I know it sounds like Im really down on them but they are ok guitars however I'd MUCH rather play a MIM Classic 50's, 60's or even 70's Strat, a Jimmy Vaughan or a nice MIJ Strat...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Thanks Guys! I have three Strats with dual humbuckers but they're all MIJ Squiers with the short Les Paul length scale: 24 3/4". I'd like to have a nice dual humbucker Strat with the standard 25 1/2" scale. Any ideas? Maybe I should build one... Lew

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

G&L makes a version of their USA Legacy model with twin 'buckers; or in H-S-S format. You might also check out their delicious ASAT Deluxe model: 25.5" scale bolt-neck, flame-maple over mahogany tele-styled body, and twin humbuckers.

I have one friend that gets a lot of tone from his 2HB Fender Strat and his BF Fender amps--a good Classic Rock tone.

I'd rather switch to a Les Paul or 335 when I want 2HB tones, but the Big Apple Strat concept is a good one for those who prefer Strat ergonomics and want the fatter tone and simplicity of a 2HB guitar.

Bill

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Like Christian I am also not a big fan of the MIA Standards... There's something really lifeless about them.
However, most of them come with HSH spacing so you can find a good one with any pickup set it might be offered with and mod it as you please.

For two humbuckers I would rather go with a Deluxe 72 and change the pickguard for normal size humbuckers.

 

[Kostas]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

... Any ideas? Maybe I should build one... Lew

Find a painted body (ash or alder, not top) from Warmoth's showcase. It would be cheap and even if it's already routed they will route it for humbuckers for you. Showcase pieces are cheaper and ready to go. Then order a neck with your specifications and you will end up with an excellent guitar.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Hey Lew,

Yes, the PG+ is a PG with AlNiCo 5 magnets...

Sorry, but it didn't appear that anyone else had answered that question....

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Well....I bought one anyway! (laugh!) The seller has 100% positive feedback, said he'd give me a full refund if I don't like it, assured me that it's very light and resonant and plays like a dream and is in near mint condition. Paid him $650.

Hope I like it!

I do like the way the five way switch works on these guitars.

You get the neck humbucker, neck single, neck and bridge humbuckers combined, neck and bridge split combined and bridge humbucker.

Pretty versatile. The reviews on Harmony Central are all pretty positive.

I figured if I don't like it I can return it and if I keep it and then decide a few months from now that I don't like it I can sell it for what I paid for it.

Thanks for the replies guys!
Lew

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

I used to have one Lew....it had a 59n/PG+b.....hated those & swapped in a PGn/CCb & that badboy RAWKED !!!!

Listen to some Gary Hoey....he uses them

Eventually, I switched it over to a "normal" s/s/s strat & it was still a sweet guitar, but as usual, GAS got the better of me & I sold it.

I think once you get it up & running to your usual specs, you'll dig it :bigthumb:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

I used to have one Lew....it had a 59n/PG+b.....hated those & swapped in a PGn/CCb & that badboy RAWKED !!!!

Listen to some Gary Hoey....he uses them

Eventually, I switched it over to a "normal" s/s/s strat & it was still a sweet guitar, but as usual, GAS got the better of me & I sold it.

I think once you get it up & running to your usual specs, you'll dig it :bigthumb:

Thanks Terry! If I love the guitar itself, I'll probably change the pickups too. I'm thinking PGn for the neck and CC or Custom for the bridge. Were you still able to get all of the stock tones when you switched out the pickups? Or did you have to reverse the magnet or do something special to get everything in phase? Someone said something about the neck 59N4C being a little differant than a stock one in the Big Apple...

 

[ErikH]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

IMO, you can't go wrong, and you didn't.

There's nothing wrong with American Standards. Sorry, but when a Fender doesn't meet the "vintage" spec crowd, they get slammed immediately. Nothing personal against you guys that prefer vintage spec Strats, but that's no reason to discredit modern spec Strats. Like everything, there's some gems and there's some dogs.

I prefer the modern features of the American Standards / American Series. The MJ frets feel great, the flatter radius is great for bends, the neck profile is just right. It just "feels" right to me. I own a 1994 American Standard and play it constantly. There's not a thing wrong with it, other than needing a fret job because of being played.

Congrats, Lew. Play on and enjoy it. My American Standard had two humbuckers in it for a while a few years ago and I loved how it sounded. I'm glad I went back to 3 singles though. My homemade Frankenstrat handles the dual humbucker duties. You came out cheaper than building too. There's no way you could have built one for less than what you paid for this.

Sorry for the small rant.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

It seems, based on google, that it was PG+. I have one in my Showmaster FAT HH and it's got a lot of mids for a bridge Alnico V pickup. I like it: it's almost like a hotter '59, or a "JB senior". It's still got the PG's mids punch somehow.

Anyways, FWIW....

 

[theodie]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Thanks Guys! I have three Strats with dual humbuckers but they're all MIJ Squiers with the short Les Paul length scale: 24 3/4". I'd like to have a nice dual humbucker Strat with the standard 25 1/2" scale. Any ideas? Maybe I should build one... Lew

Get a cheap MIM or highway 1 and throw a HH pickguard on it. Low dollar project right there!

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Thanks Terry! If I love the guitar itself, I'll probably change the pickups too. I'm thinking PGn for the neck and CC or Custom for the bridge. Were you still able to get all of the stock tones when you switched out the pickups? Or did you have to reverse the magnet or do something special to get everything in phase? Someone said something about the neck 59N4C being a little differant than a stock one in the Big Apple...

Hey Lew.....No Sir, I didn't change a thing. Plopped the PGn/CCb in there & it SCREAMED!!!

But I dig single coils more & wanted a more traditional Strat, so I ultimately put some singles in it.

Playability wise, it was a darn fine Strat.......probably the nicest I've had.

Olympic White w/tortoiseshell guard & rear cover....sweet rosewood board. The guy I got it from was a furniture maker & he oiled the crap out of it till it was super sleek.

I think you did well .....atleast I hope so

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

IMO, you can't go wrong, and you didn't.

There's nothing wrong with American Standards. Sorry, but when a Fender doesn't meet the "vintage" spec crowd, they get slammed immediately. Nothing personal against you guys that prefer vintage spec Strats, but that's no reason to discredit modern spec Strats. Like everything, there's some gems and there's some dogs.

I prefer the modern features of the American Standards / American Series. The MJ frets feel great, the flatter radius is great for bends, the neck profile is just right. It just "feels" right to me. I own a 1994 American Standard and play it constantly. There's not a thing wrong with it, other than needing a fret job because of being played.

Congrats, Lew. Play on and enjoy it. My American Standard had two humbuckers in it for a while a few years ago and I loved how it sounded. I'm glad I went back to 3 singles though. My homemade Frankenstrat handles the dual humbucker duties. You came out cheaper than building too. There's no way you could have built one for less than what you paid for this.

Sorry for the small rant.

You know Erik, this is partially because of you that I bought this thing. I love my MIJ Fender Squier Strats with the dual humbuckers and dual Phat Cats but that 24 3/4" scale is...well...kinda short! Works fine and sounds fine and makes the guitar feel a bit like a Les Paul. But I'm a Strat and Tele man. I wanted a dual humbucker Strat with the 25 1/2" scale...which you have mentioned to me a few times. Lew

 

[ErikH]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

You know Erik, this is partially because of you that I bought this thing. I love my MIJ Fender Squier Strats with the dual humbuckers and dual Phat Cats but that 24 3/4" scale is...well...kinda short! Works fine and sounds fine and makes the guitar feel a bit like a Les Paul. But I'm a Strat and Tele man. I wanted a dual humbucker Strat with the 25 1/2" scale...which you have mentioned to me a few times. Lew

Gosh, Lew. I hope it's money you don't mind spending. Mike (XSSIVE) blamed me for him buying a Music Man Axis....LOL.

I hear ya on the scale thing. I loved the Les Paul I had (same one you played) but after a while I started to realize I prefer the longer scale. I ended up selling that LP and making my Frankenstrat dual humbucker again. I just prefer the longer scale. And a Strat with dual humbuckers is way fun, as you know.

Here's a tip for ya on setup of the bridge I can share. If you set yours flush for no trem bar use, eyeball the levelling of the bridge from the butt end of the guitar towards the headstock. Level out the bridge plate with the neck. That may or may not be the same as making it fush with the body on both sides. On mine, it's not. The bass side of the bridge is above the body just a little bit and the treble side is flush. It made a HUGE difference in playability and sustain. When both sides were flush, it didn't feel or sound right. Then I went through and did a complete setup again and that's when I noticed that with the bridge. Weird as it sounds, but it was also choking out some body resonance. Now the thing resonates much better too.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Gosh, Lew. I hope it's money you don't mind spending. Mike (XSSIVE) blamed me for him buying a Music Man Axis....LOL.

I hear ya on the scale thing. I loved the Les Paul I had (same one you played) but after a while I started to realize I prefer the longer scale. I ended up selling that LP and making my Frankenstrat dual humbucker again. I just prefer the longer scale. And a Strat with dual humbuckers is way fun, as you know.

Here's a tip for ya on setup of the bridge I can share. If you set yours flush for no trem bar use, eyeball the levelling of the bridge from the butt end of the guitar towards the headstock. Level out the bridge plate with the neck. That may or may not be the same as making it fush with the body on both sides. On mine, it's not. The bass side of the bridge is above the body just a little bit and the treble side is flush. It made a HUGE difference in playability and sustain. When both sides were flush, it didn't feel or sound right. Then I went through and did a complete setup again and that's when I noticed that with the bridge. Weird as it sounds, but it was also choking out some body resonance. Now the thing resonates much better too.

Thanks Erik! I usually tighten up the springs around the back until the base of the bridge is pulled tight to the body. Then I adjust the screws in front of the saddles until the base is flat against the body. In a vintage style Strat vibrato over tightening those screws actually causes the bridge base to lift up in back and tilt forward again because the front edge of the bottem of the base is beveled...so they have to be adjusted just right. But I'll check out your method when I set up this new guitar. Thanks! Lew

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Big Apple Stratocaster Questions

Here's some pics of the new Big Apple Strat. It's a '97...first year I think. Even has a little flame on the peghead.