Fender Rarities Flame Ash Top Stratocaster: A Plasma Red Burst tones down the bling
The Rarities Flame Ash Top Stratocaster is Fender's June release
Every month, Fender releases a new guitar with a high-end finish that you would not normally associate with a Fender instrument. The new Fender Rarities Flame Ash Top Stratocaster is the guitar of the month for June, and it’s quite the eye-catcher.
Fender Rarities Flame Ash Top Stratocaster
Last month Fender released the slick, blingy Red Mahogany Telecaster. For June, we’re being served up the Fender Rarities Flame Ash Top Stratocaster. It has a premium two-piece alder body with flame ash top and lacquer finish. It also has a comfortable ’60s C-shaped birdseye maple neck with a modern 9.5” radius fingerboard.
This Stratocaster has three Custom Shop 54 Strat single-coil pickups all wired via a traditional 5-way switch with Volume and twin Tone controls. You also get a traditional six-point vintage style tremolo bridge and vintage tuners.
Fender Rarities Flame Ash Top Stratocaster · Source: Fender
Plasma Red Burst
I think I prefer the look of this Strat compared to the April Quilted Ample Top Stratocaster version from earlier this year. I think the Plasma Red Burst flame suits the guitar better. It is hard to know with these guitars if they will be any better than say a Fender Custom Shop guitar or a regular US-made Stratocaster. But they may become sought after over time (not that’s always the reason to buy something like this).
I’m not convinced yet by the Rarities Series as a whole, but I’m sure plenty of players will like them and appreciate their wood choices and one-off finishes. This one is at least a little more understated than previous releases, as it’s not too over-the-top flashy.
You can read the full official specifications from the Fender product page.
RRP – USD 2499 inc vintage style brown case
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