Kitarat: kitarakamat ›

Hynkel: Onneksi olkoon tuosta kitarasta, hittolainen se oli miullakin kiikarissa mutta ehdit ensin. Ihan unelmalöytö. Hyviä soittoja!
 
Kiitos ja pahoittelut nopeudestani, joka kuitenkin on suhteellista asiaintilan ollen kuten on - iän jne. jo tullessa vastaan 8).
 
Kaikenlaista mielenkiintoista tulee vastaan kun Strat Plussien historiaa penkoo. Olihan mulla niitä jo -80/-90 lukujen taitteessa samoin kuin alkupään American Standardeja. Ei vaan silloin näitä kaikkia asioita ollut yleisessä tiedossa, ihan kaikkea ei alan lehdistä - Guitar Player yms. läytynyt, eikä ollut internettiä mistä googlata. Eikä tarvinnutkaan kun ne tuntuivat silloin jo käteen high end soittimilta.
 
https://xhefriguitars.com/page2.html#C12
 
"Strat Plus Series was introduced by Fender in 1987 and was the highest end production model next to Fender's Custom Shop guitars."
 
"There is some interesting historical information to note about Strat Plus necks. Back in 1985, Fender nearly went bankrupt under the ownership of the Columbia Broadcasting System (aka CBS) before an investment group led by Bill Schultz purchased the fledgling company. Schultz and his crew then began revamping Fender to return the company to its roots. Over the years different people worked at Fender who shaped and finished, not only the guitars, but the necks as well. Some worked there, going way back even before CBS owned Fender, and others joined after Fender sold to Bill Schultz's new FMIC. Some collectors seek out Strat Plus and American Standard Strat necks that were created by some of the more famous builders. Three come to mind right off - Hector Montes (who later went to work at Fender's Custom Shop), John Cruz (who came to Fender in 1987 and was quickly recruited by Fender's Custom Shop and became a Master builder and is a guitar building legend of himself! Finding a production neck made by him is a rare find and always the best of quality. (1st Picture below.), and Herb (Herbie) Gastelum (one of the longest standing Fender employees). Below are a few pictures (2nd & 3rd) of the rarely photographed Herbie Gastelum. This guy is a humble legend.
 
https://xhefriguitars.com/Stuff/Necks/john%20cruz%20pict.jpg
 
https://xhefriguitars.com/Stuff/Necks/Herbie%20Gastelum%20B&W.jpg
 
https://xhefriguitars.com/Stuff/Necks/Herb%20Gastelum%20CS%20web.jpg
 
Here is a bit of his story:
 
Fender Custom Shop was started in 1987 with luthiers John Page and Michael Stevens at the wheel. Both Montes, John Cruz, and Herbie Gastelum first worked at Fenders production plant, but were later recruited by John Page to fill positions in Fenders Custom Shop. Herbie Gastelum was probably one of Fenders most historical neck shapers. He joined Fender in 1961 and is considered one of the Fender veterans next to Abigail Ybarra who entered the musical instrument industry in the summer of 1956. Abigail is famous for the pickup she has wound over the years. Herbie Gastelum began buffing guitar bodies, then spent a little time in the spray booth, and then settled in as a neck shaper for Fenders Custom Shop. He mostly likely shaped necks for people like Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and many others.
 
Herbie Gastelum was quoted saying: Some people say the necks in the 50's and 60's were better than they are now. But in my opinion, I think the necks - even the whole instrument - is a lot better now than in the 'good old days.' Believe me, I've seen the work, and it's a lot more detailed and a lot more critical than in years past." Winter 1999 issue of Frontline magazine."