Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

[SoCalSteve]

I'm in the market for a Strat and would like to find one that really doesn't need upgrades. This particular model comes equipped with Seymour Duncans and a Koa wood top. Also on my short list is the Jimmy Vaughan, the MIM 60th Anniv., a used G&L Legacy or used American Strat. Too many choices!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

I saw it in the new Fender Frontline catalog, and it looks pretty sweet, although I still think American and American Deluxes are a better value for the money.

Outside of Custom Shops, I really prefer to own and play American Series strats that have nothing but the pickups changed out. My favorite single coils are Chubtone, and they're better than almost all other boutiques, yet cost half as much because they're handwound by one guy who sells by word of mouth and Ebay. I'd say to look for a great used US strat and just upgrade the pickups, and make sure the setup is spot on.

 

[Diaspora]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

i remember reading in a catalog that the koa top is a veneer, so you wont get the sound characteristics of a solid top. someone correct me if im wrong though.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

yes, i think it is a veneer...so you are really buying it for the look of koa, not the sound. who knows how many pieces of whateverwood are underneath the koa.

 

[big_black]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

Yes, it most definately is a veneer.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

I made a post a few days ago about the Lite Ash Strats and Teles as well as the Koa Strats and tele's...the short version is that the pickups are great the guitars suck rocks...lic. built for Fender in China and it shows...they are just not very good guitars. I've said it before but the best stock Strat is the Jimmy Vaughan, hands down no question. The new (2006) MIM Standards are better than last year but stiull need a number of upgrades to be good guitars.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

I saw it in the new Fender Frontline catalog, and it looks pretty sweet, although I still think American and American Deluxes are a better value for the money.

Outside of Custom Shops, I really prefer to own and play American Series strats that have nothing but the pickups changed out. My favorite single coils are Chubtone, and they're better than almost all other boutiques, yet cost half as much because they're handwound by one guy who sells by word of mouth and Ebay. I'd say to look for a great used US strat and just upgrade the pickups, and make sure the setup is spot on.

Cool. I think you're right that I should stick with the American Strats. I may have the opportunity to buy one at wholesale so I'll either go that route new or find something used. (For kicks I'm gonna find out what the cost is for an EJ - I have a feeling it may be more than I want to spend even at wholesale)

I was looking at his Chubtones on ebay. Which do you like? The '67's look interesting.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

I made a post a few days ago about the Lite Ash Strats and Teles as well as the Koa Strats and tele's...the short version is that the pickups are great the guitars suck rocks...lic. built for Fender in China and it shows...they are just not very good guitars. I've said it before but the best stock Strat is the Jimmy Vaughan, hands down no question. The new (2006) MIM Standards are better than last year but stiull need a number of upgrades to be good guitars.

The JV has my interest also. I'm gonna find out what the cost will be for an American from my Fender Corona connection and then I'll decide.

You're right about the quality of the Asian ones-the Showmaster I had was made of the cheapest parts I've ever seen. They should have been ashamed to have their name on it.

 

[Imp]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

i'd say play as many used US strats as you can and pick the best..

also check out used japan fenders, some of the early series (1993?) are cracking instruments...

tom

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

The JV has my interest also. I'm gonna find out what the cost will be for an American from my Fender Corona connection and then I'll decide.

You're right about the quality of the Asian ones-the Showmaster I had was made of the cheapest parts I've ever seen. They should have been ashamed to have their name on it.

If you like the features of the MIA stuff then by all measn grab one but I hate the American Strandard stuff...the necks, the bridges, tubers, pickups wiring, they just feel all wrong to me. I picked my Jimmy Vaughan over a Custom Shop 57 reissue and still am happy with my decision today...the JV has got bigger frets that the 57 and a flatter redius than the 57 but everything else is about the same...I just prefer the vintage style guitars. On top pf that I really liked then I had a large chunk of change left over!

 

[Hoss]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

i played on a Koa Tele at Sweetwater a couple months ago and was not impressed either...the top looked very "budget" :eek13: .

the lite Ash's seem to be a bit better but like Jonesey said...the Am Deluxe stuff (strat or tele) is the best Fenders going right now outside of CS stuff...at least imho.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

Check the recycler daily. I see US strats going for as low as $450-$500 in perfect condition. I also see JV's pop up for around $375-$450 from time to time.

As for Chubtone pickups. He winds to specific Fender eras, but his pickups sound just a little better than the best Fenders. Personally, I think he makes the best single coils I've ever heard, and the quality is the same as Antiquity or Fralin. I've got the El Gordo/63's in my sunburst strat, III/V tele set in my Schecter tele, and in a few days my 69's are going to be in my silverburst strat. His pickups are so good, and so reasonably priced, that I may buy all his strat pickups and be able to make my future strats period correct. I have the 63's and 69's, so I'll get his 62's and 67's too.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

Hmm... is Fender phasing out MIMs in favor of MIKs for their cheap stuff... Course I looked up the prices, they're not THAT cheap. Then again they seem a bit more optioned out than MIMs (abalone inlays I've seen, birdseye maple etc.) Are they made in the same generic "Korean Guitar Factory" as just about every Korean guitar?

What's the word on quality for these? What does Fender make in Korea... I know the Showmaster line, lite ash etc...

Anything else?

slade

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

does anyone have a link?????

 

[big_black]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

Google, you new best friend.

 

[big_black]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

$699!?

Ouch.

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

Google, you new best friend.

o, were old friends. i just did feel like typing all that mumbo jumbo.

those dont even look that nice. they almost look like the alder ones with a little more figure.

im glad it doesnt look like mines

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

My buddy works at Daddy's Junky and they got in the new "Koa" line and they blow, hard. The guitars sound like absolute garbage.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: Has anyone played/heard the Fender Koa Strat?

It's missing the heavilly figured dirty ugliness that makes koa so appealing.

And wow the price

slade