Blacktop Stratocaster Pricing
I've written previously about how I believe the Blacktop Stratocaster represented great value, but the universe seems to be taking my opinion a little too seriously. In the past few days, I've noticed a handful get posted, some with that ubiquitous "hard to find/rare" description.
I maintain that the Blacktop was FMIC's little pricing mistake: A "Made in Mexico" Stratocaster with throw away humbuckers, the original spaghetti logo, and a "super switch," which allowed for better splitting options than a typical 5 way would afford. The colors were great too, with Black (sigh), Candy Apple Red, and Sonic Blue being the choices available.
*FMIC = Fender Musical Instrument Corporation
Still, it was far from perfect. The trem block was as small as they could possibly make it, the pickups were generic, and the saddle height screws were too long (some may care, some not). I recounted the changes I've made to mine in an earlier post, and pictured above.
In that spirit, I thought I'd take a look at some of the Blacktops listed recently.
No much else to say here, but $600?!?!? I've seen MIJ/CIJ '62 Stratocasters for this kind of scratch, and there's no comparison if you ask me. You can see from this picture what I mean about the pickguard.
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| This one is mine, there are many like it... |
I maintain that the Blacktop was FMIC's little pricing mistake: A "Made in Mexico" Stratocaster with throw away humbuckers, the original spaghetti logo, and a "super switch," which allowed for better splitting options than a typical 5 way would afford. The colors were great too, with Black (sigh), Candy Apple Red, and Sonic Blue being the choices available.
*FMIC = Fender Musical Instrument Corporation
Still, it was far from perfect. The trem block was as small as they could possibly make it, the pickups were generic, and the saddle height screws were too long (some may care, some not). I recounted the changes I've made to mine in an earlier post, and pictured above.
In that spirit, I thought I'd take a look at some of the Blacktops listed recently.
Blacktop in Candy Apple Red - $500
Let's get one thing clear - naming a guitar "Blacktop" because the three knobs are black is stupid, especially if the tops of the knobs are silver, not black. By Fender's logic, the modifications I've made to mine have transformed it into a "goldtop". Eat your heart out LP owners?
Back to this guitar, $500 isn't the worst I've seen, but it's pretty close. The Candy Apple Red looks best with the questionable choice of mint green pickguard - with the Sonic Blue I own the mint renders the light blue near white. With Black it looks fine, but parchment looks better IMHO.
While I'll always take the traditional logo over either this or the previous iteration of logo for the MIM Standard, I'm not sure the $150-$200 premium is worth that. Again, this is from the perspective that the insides need to be gutted to make a great sounding guitar (you do).
Sonic Blue Blacktop Stratocaster - $600
Fender Pawn Shop Stratocaster - $900
OK, OK. This isn't a Blacktop Stratocaster, but honestly, how many iterations of these at stupid prices would keep yours or my attention?
I rest my case.
This fits though, if for no other reason than the price is downright insane. $900 should buy you a LP Studio, and American Special, or even a Standard (although those prices are stupid right now).
The only mitigating factor here MIGHT be the sea foam green combined with that f-hole. I have yet to own a guitar in this color, but this, lake placid blue, and Shell Pink are high on the list.
Ibanez Talman - $175
No, it isn't a Blacktop, but if I need to explain why this is on the list, you're not paying attention. Two humbuckers mounted in a pickguard, tremolo...
Despite not being a Fender product, I always though the Talman series was the closest Ibanez has come to playing in Fender's arena. I have zero experience with these, but for under $200 you have a guitar that is far better value and oozes the same vibe.
From the looks of it this one sports a pearloid pickguard, which although pretty flashy, looks pretty great here.
