If a guitar is guilty of having the most variations in a single model, Fender's Stratocaster probably takes the cake. From el cheapo Squier Strats made in Indonesia to top-of-the-line Custom Shop models, there are enough Stratocaster models for just everyone.

The made in Mexico, Richie Sambora Standard proves to be in the middle of the pack. It's a signature model, meaning that it is slated to be a limited run production. It has Richie's signature at the headstock, suggesting its collectable status. Mr Sambora endorses it, yet it doesn't mean that he would play it onstage all the time. This is the Standard model, not the *real* Richie Sambora Strat with the star inlays and the maple neck. Confusing?

So what does a Richie Sambora Strat wannabe have to offer us this time? Read on.

[Specifications]
- Made in Mexico
- Poplar body with metallic finish (mine is Lake Placid Blue)
- Maple neck with 9.5 inch radius, available only in rosewood fingerboard. 21 medium jumbo frets. Microtilt adjustment for the neck.
- DiMarzio PAF Pro bridge humbucker, two Special Design single coils in middle and neck positions.
- Floyd Rose II tremolo bridge with locking nut.
- Five way toggle switch
- Master volume control, passive tone controls for middle and rear pickups
- Three ply, 11-hole white pickguard.
- Schaller tuners, self-lubricating and sealed. (If I'm not mistaken)

[Construction]
I have another Mexico-made Strat which has a poplar body (almost all Mexico Strats do) but this one feels rather heavy and solid. In fact, it's the heaviest feeling compared to the other Japanese and Mexican Strats that I own. The dense wood used in this guitar, coupled with the high output, bridge humbucker getting a good sustain is a breeze. The weight of the body feels more like alder, the usual wood used for the U.S. Strats. The finish seems to be very good, though some lacquer overruns could be seen around the horns of the guitar. Neck is pretty straight (not *that* straight) with a very slight concave, which is normal.

[Electronics]
Control knobs feel tight and solid, especially the volume control. Maybe it's just my guitar, but it sure makes finger-tip volume swells a 'la Edward Van Halen like a Jane Fonda workout. Pickup toggle switch works well. Its switch tip is rounded, not conical like vintage Stratocasters.

[Sound]
The DiMarzio PAF Pro, true to its reputation, gives a powerful, smooth and warm distortion when played through my Marshall VS-15R practice amp. Excellent for rock and heavy metal playing, when the amp's second gain is maxed out to '10'. However, the single coil pickups have a very muddy and dark tone to them. Fender calls them 'Special Design' coils, though I don't know what's so special about them. They neither sound like the Texas Specials nor do they behave like Fender Vintage pickups! Forget Twangland with these single coils. These pickups have to go if you're used to the classic Strat sound.

[Playability]
I started out on flat necked guitars from the Ibanez Roadstar series and the 9.5 inch radius neck on the RS Standard feels right at home. I'm already used to my 50's Strat V-shaped neck but this shallow U-shape, coupled with medium jumbo frets make string bends very easy. I think this neck should have had 22 frets instead of 21 (which the American Std Strat does). The extra fret would be useful to bend up to "E", which Gibson players have long enjoyed this advantage.

The tremolo that's supplied with this guitar is the low cost version of the original Floyd Rose. Noiseless tremolo action but string crosstalk (neighboring string drops in pitch) is quite evident when bending strings. A Hipshot Tremsetter might be just the thing to cure this problem!

The Floyd Rose II grips the strings very well, even with heavy use of the tremolo arm provided that you have stretched the strings properly when installing them. The only disadvantage of the Floyd Rose system is that breaking a string renders the guitar useless; it goes completely out of tune! Not to forget that setting up a Floyd unit properly can be a pain if you're a novice at it.

[In Short]
It's a great guitar for beginners and experienced players alike, and reasonably priced for a signature model. Other than having Richie Sambora's cool signature on the headstock, this guitar doesn't have much character. Fender also sells a Floyd Rose Stratocaster with the *real* Floyd Rose unit and better single coils than this model, but I guess it's a price to pay to be "different". Recommended, but there are better Fender models of this price range to choose from. If you happen to be a Richie Sambora fan, go for it!


Recommended: Yes