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Fender's Work of
Art:
the Malmsteen Strat
How the Custom Shop Works
Fender calls their custom shop The Dream
Factory, and with good reason. It's here that their designers and craftsmen
turn the exacting requirements of world-class guitarists into one-of-a kind
instruments, achieving "the perfect expression of each musicia n's personal
vision."
To create Yngwie's personal vision, designer
George Blanda combined elements from vintage Strats of the 50s. "Yngwie is a
traditionalist in many ways," says Blanda. "It was important to him that all
the Strat body contours matched those of his 50s Strats. But the neck was
something else. Scalloped fingerboards are an integral part of his techniques.
So, for him it had to have the vintage look with his special neck."
Guitars from the Custom Shop are produced by
hand. This includes cutting the body, performing six sand-and-finish
operations, buffing to a radiant luster, and assembling the electronic
circuitry. All components such as playing action, bridge height, and i
ntonation are set to much finer tolerances than assembly line instruments.
That's why Signature Series guitars are special orders, taking up to several
months to fill. Here are the specifications on both the U.S. and Japanese-made
Malmsteen models:
Yngwie Malmsteen
Signature Series Stratocasters
U.S. Signature Stratocaster, 1998
Model Fender's website introduces the new
model thusly: "Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen first hit the U.S. music
scene through a Guitar Player Spotlight column and from there, hit the
ground running. From his days in the 80's rock scene to sold-out performances
showcasing his classical influences and prodigious technique, Yngwie has
remained truly one of a kind."
The 1998 model incorporates Yngwie's
customization of heavy (Dunlop 6000) frets and a large 60's-style headstock.
These models have the YJM pickup as well as the HS-3.
Body: Alder
Neck:
1-piece maple with 60's large headstock
Machine Heads: Schaller "F"
tuners
Fretboard: Rosewood or maple, scalloped (9.5" radius/241
mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Pickups: 2 DiMarzio YJM (neck
& mid), 1 DiMarzio HS-3 (bridge)
Controls: Volume, Tone, "No
Load" Tone (bridge & mid)
Tremolo: Vintage
Pickup
Switching: 3-way selector
Pickguard: mint green
Special: Aged parts, brass nut
Scale Length: 25.5" (648
mm)
Neck Width at Nut: 1.650" (42 mm)
Strings: Fender
Super 3250L
Accessories: Strap & cable
Fender Case:
Tweed
More .
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Fender USA Website
1994 Model
[Used with permission from Fender]
1995 Fender
Japan Poster
1998 Model
Malmsteen Strat Fretboard
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