Fender Rarities Flame Maple Top Stratocaster: The final release in the series
5,0 / 5,0 | 
Fender’s new Rarities Flame Maple Top Stratocaster will be the last model in this series of monthly special models. Has the Rarities series been a hit for Fender or did these guitars stroll by without turning heads in 2019?
Flame Maple Top Stratocaster
This flame maple top semi-hollow construction has a similar look to the Eric Johnson Signature models, but has a touch more bling thanks to that top. The f-hole, to my eye, looks a little out of place on a Stratocaster, though.
This last Rarities model features a rosewood neck (yay, no CITES issues!) and this will give the guitar a slightly different feel to the usual maple neck of a Strat. But overall, it’s mainly a cosmetic change.
Fender Rarities Flame Maple Top Stratocaster front · Source: Fender
Fender Rarities Flame Maple Top Stratocaster back · Source: Fender
Premium pickups
This model has an HSS pickup layout, with a set of Custom Shop 69 single coils and a Custom Double Tap Bridge pickup. The latter allows either a hefty humbucker or crisp single coil sound via the S-1 switch.
The last rarity
If I’m honest, I think the Fender Rarities Series has been a bit dull. As a whole, they weren’t exactly ground-breaking and I don’t get a sense that many players have been getting overly excited by these releases. This last model doesn’t ‘wow’ me personally, but you may love it. If you’re after one, you may have to get your order in quick, as this is a limited edition.
RRP – EUR 2499 / GBP 2249
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One response to “Fender Rarities Flame Maple Top Stratocaster: The final release in the series”
I have just received the violin burst semi rarities strat. plays like butter and allows for many different tones. beautiful.