Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

Wayne27

Member
What do you think of Fender Strats with maple flame tops on alder body? I was checking out the Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS Plus Stop.
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

I think it's too much. Flame should not be paired with a pickguard.

Mine is 2013, rosewood fretboard. It's just like any other Mexican Strat but with a humbucker. Nothing special.
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

Actually I don't mind, especially if it is a color that isn't common. I have a Warmoth that is flame maple. You can see some pieces of it in my blog about its wiring scheme.
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

I’ve seen a few over the years - unbound, so the cap is clear. Have to say, it’s not for me - something about being able to see the cap line and it just doesn’t feel right at the arm contour/belly cut. But then again, I’m not a maple cap purist in terms of look, so it may just be that!


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Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

I think it's not bad, looks weird right up in your face, I'm used to flame on like... Les Pauls... but from a distance I don't really look at the flame I just see a nice burst. Cherry burst flame top with a maple neck and three singles is starting to grow on me... and throw a mint guard on it :D
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

Here is a better body shot of my Warmoth. The color is called 'black cherry'.

IMG_0265.jpg
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

I have a Fender Select Strat w/ a flamed maple top that I love. I think it looks cool, but I can understand how traditionalists would gawk at the idea.

Here's mine:
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

I am okay with the flame on more traditional burst colors, but when they start throwing a blueburst or similar over it they've lost me. Then again that's probably more against the color, I wouldn't have blueburst flamed or not.
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

i love a flame top but it is a shame to cover all that pretty wood with a pickguard. I prefer flame tops to have wood mounted pickups. but thats just me
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

Some work, some don’t. Strat bodies need a sharper round over for scraped binding to look it’s best
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

When I see a Strat with a figured top, I always think “...trying too hard...”

I see Strats, as a design, in the period that created them. I think they were created for solid colors and metallics and car paint. It’s something out of the 1950’s and aerospace; it’s not this heritage-drenched thing like a Gibson or some jazz box. To me, a Strat just isn’t from that world.

This, from someone who owns a Jackson Soloist with a flamed maple top and a TOM. Go figure.
 
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Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

IME, they do sound a little different than say, a solid alder body. The attack is a little snappier to my my ear. To me it's a minor thing of little significance.

As to looks...love flame!

Bill
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

I love seeing the grain and flame in any wood. On a Strat they look nice. I can't say I've heard a flamed/capped Strat that sounded like my idea of a Strat sound. Doesn't mean they're not good, just not the sound I want from a Strat type guitar. But maybe the right electronics would set it all right. Don't have the money to find out now though.
 
Re: Fender Stratocaster with maple flame top

Being super honest, and this thought is something I've developed a bit as of later... I can't say I like the way most Teles and Strats look.
They can be pretty or ugly, but not visually interesting to me anymore. I love their tone though.

Having a flame on top or not doesn't change that to me, really. It's still a Strat and will still sound like a Strat, probably.
 
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