Fender Blacktop Strat HH Floyd Rose - Opinions, Anybody?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rlord1974
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rlord1974

rlord1974

Active member
So, I've been thinking of picking up a *relatively* inexpensive Floyd-equipped axe to use live without having to worry about a $2.5k guitar taking a beating by some drunk patron.

I was originally thinking of grabbing a Charvel So-Cal for around $750 to $900, but then came across the Fender Blacktop Strat HH Floyd Rose, which retails for around $500.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratBTRFBK

16526-fender_blacktop_strat_hh_floyd_rose_black_rosewood.jpg


Granted, it's a MIM and it uses a Floyd Rose Special (Korean), but is it a decent guitar to gig with? Fit and finish?

Does anybody have any experience with this guitar? Obviously, it would be tough to beat the price.....

:rawk:
 
I use an older one that is fantastic! I changed out the pick ups and giged with it for several years, now I use my charvel but I bring this as a back up when I do gig.
 
For the past several years I have used a MIM HSS Strat as a back-up and for detuned songs. Mine is not FR equipped, but with a pick-up change (JB in the bridge) and a few other minor modifications I can honestly say that this guitar feels and plays earily similiar to the American HSS strat that I have (also with a JB in the bridge position). BTW - Both of mine have maple necks as well.
 
Thanks guys. Sounds like it is definitely worth checking out.
 
rlord1974":a6i22y9c said:
Thanks guys. Sounds like it is definitely worth checking out.
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The return in terms of cost versus quality and usefulness makes this guitar very attractive. I have no complaints with mine.
 
I wanted to love the blacktop series so much. While the bang for the buck is there hardware wise... 9 out of 10 I've tried has had poor fret work. I can't get passed it. From protruding to jagged. Very unfortunate. Try before you buy!
 
snowdog":3n7ij7ni said:
I would be more inclined to buy a used Charvel for around that money.

Here is one in the classifieds now... viewtopic.php?f=6&t=116564
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+1. The MIJ Charvels are killer and can be had for around ~$600 or so. IMO, the Charvel neck has a way better feel than the Fender will. They are a great bang for the buck axe.
 
chumbucket":1rp8dpa2 said:
snowdog":1rp8dpa2 said:
I would be more inclined to buy a used Charvel for around that money.

Here is one in the classifieds now... viewtopic.php?f=6&t=116564
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+1. The MIJ Charvels are killer and can be had for around ~$600 or so. IMO, the Charvel neck has a way better feel than the Fender will. They are a great bang for the buck axe.
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This makes sense, no doubt. The problem here is, I'm frightened by your avatar..... :lol: :LOL:
 
Phrygian":38b03vuu said:
I wanted to love the blacktop series so much. While the bang for the buck is there hardware wise... 9 out of 10 I've tried has had poor fret work. I can't get passed it. From protruding to jagged. Very unfortunate. Try before you buy!
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I had a 2004 American Fender Stratocaster HSS with the push button tone switch. I had 2 problems with the guitar that led me to sell it. the first issue was tuning, even with locking tuners I had tuning issues. The second issue was the frets. I have 6 guitars and rotate all of them. In 5 years I wore down the frets to the point they needed redressing. I suppose i got a bad one but after that I give up on any Fender, especially a new one. I agree, get an old Charvel, IMHO you will be happier and get a higher quality guitar.
 
You also might want to check out the G&L Legacy HH series with a Floyd option. Great guitars for the price and way better than Fender IMO.
 
Charvel all the way. The neck feel is $$$. Fender will never match it.
 
Chris O":2y3wkcur said:
Charvel all the way. The neck feel is $$$. Fender will never match it.
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I know there are a LOT of Charvel fans here on RT, but I am a long-time Fender guy and I love the feel of a Fender Strat's neck - including the 9.5" flat radius of the fingerboard. The Charvel's typically have a 12" to 16" compound radius, so I might actually like the feel of the Charvel less.....

Anyways, it won't be hard to arrive at a conclusion - there's lots of stores locally that sell the So-Cal/San Dimas.....
 
I never had that particular guitar, and I'm sure some disagree and have had good luck with them, but I tried MIM strats 3 separate times hoping to get a good one, and just got shit fretwork on each one.
Neck felt good, but frets were dogshit.
A huge jump to the American Series. I couldn't even deal with it as a backup.
For the money I had to put in, I just upgraded to the next level.
Just my opinion.
 
I would hold out for a deal on the Charvel. I think the MIJ Charvels are frankly worth more than their price and can be had for less than they're supposed to sell for, even new. I work at Sam Ash and we had a few on closeout plus a used one, and I saw some of them move at obscene prices.

For such a small jump in price I think its worth the extra $$$.
 
Just purchased one(Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH Floyd Rose)in titanium silver(color),for the money you cant beat.Fender just discontinued that model(Blacktop HH Floyd rose).I had to do alot of looking around for one,so if you want one now is the time to try and find one, its a sleeper guitar.Its the only MIM 22 fret neck that they made with a Floyd rose.They will go up in price due to Fender not knowing what they are doing to discontinue a very nice guitar..The pickups I will probably change which is no big deal.
 
I looked at them when I wanted an inexpensive Floyd equipped strat. I ended up getting an 80's Kramer Focus for like $250. Original German Floyd, H/S/S, killer guitar for the money.
 
Not a floyd so OP may not care but I grabbed one of these for myself for Xmas and put it under my tree. Its been a great guitar. I have many Charvels but like you, I enjoy the 9.5 radius and 1 5/8 nut size too so this guitar has just been fantastic for me. For $599 its really hard to beat. Comes with Dimarzio PAF (n) and Super D (b) so no need for any pickup upgrades for me. I did upgrade the string trees and tuners to locking Planet Waves but those are well worth it IMO. YMMV but I would suggest you look into these Limited Edition FSR strats - really good fretwork, nice resonance, all around great guitar for the $.

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