Personally this guitar was a contribution to not only founders but hard rock/metal history, $1200 is a lot for a guitar in my opinion but it’s the era that the guitar represents that adds value, to me.From what I’ve seen from the video I think this guitar would stand up with the best of them I certainly would invest in this little piece of history from fender it sounds absolutely amazing. Great demo Max as always
I just bought my 4th(??!??) HM Strat! The latest one being this Yellow model! I think that after replacing the pickups with better ones this guitar is amazing!! Hell....I always replace the pickups on any new guitar I buy!!
I've always thought about replacing my old HM Strat for another 80s shred classic but I never played anything I liked more. Glad I kept it now. Can't wait to try a new one to compare.
I have an original in white ... the neck is amazing, tuning - rock solid. The electronics are very responsive... finish on the frets is top drawer. I haven't had any issues with the Kahler but I am not a heavy dive bomber style player. Nice to see these make a come back.
Of all the guitar reviews that you've done, you're playing definitely sounds best on this instrument. If you haven't made this your main go-to instrument, you definitely should. A big thumbs up.
I suspect you may or formerly were a long hair white fellow? Yeah, fender ceo said the company didn't need us anymore. For real. But hey, we can sign up for fender play and have some purple kool aid haired whamen give us lessons on suckin at guitar. I wish I was making this up. I'll eat a pile of sh!t before I give fender another nickel. PRS smokes them anyway
I have one of the original HM Strats and I can't find anything that compares. The neck is so sweet. Maybe bring back Hammer or Kramer. Such wonderful beauties. Keep rocking man. Love the channel.
As much as I love Tab .....the original JOLT cola was the best soda EVER to me with Jack Daniels!!!!.....the caffeine level is so ridiculously high it was like doing lines of white and chasing it with Jack n Jolt !!!!.....that was my go to drink decades a go !!!!.....
Best guitar I've ever owned. People hating on the floyd rose special, I have had no issue with it. I've had guitars with the floyd original and it plays exactly the same. I even got rid of my evh stripped strat because my black hm strat out plays it
Thank you for the video, I finally received my blue one. These are my impressions: 1) fit and finish of body and neck is top notch. 2) the thing that bothers me most is the chrome switch, couldn't they use a black one? That needs to go. 3) no TBX controls, that's a pity as the SC pickups would especially benefit... however it's a simple upgrade. 4) pickups are good, especially the SC, the HB sounds more like a JB than a Super 3...due to the fact it was designed for this guitar I might get one. 5) The FR Special is clearly inferior to the OFR in finish and feel however it's not trash. 6) Finally the price: the original sold for $800 in 1998, that's about 1700 today. It had a hard case, the DM, TBX and a tremolo more or less as cheap as the Special, with all these upgrades the new one would cost like the one from 1988....shocking truth!!!😆
Awesome demo- Ethan Brosh was my inspiration for getting an HM Strat after seeing him in Boston live opening for Marty Friedman! I have an HM original 1988 in Razzberry, blue & pink & absolutely LOVE THEM!!!
I wanted one of the HMs very badly. So in the early 90s after I was working a decent job I went into the music store to get the one I had my eye on only to find out it was gone. So after playing every other guitar in the store, I fell in love with a Heartfield Talon II, a real nice playing guitar with similar qualities. I was happy with it, though I have always wanted an HM. I like these new ones, but at $1200, I guess I'll keep wanting lol.
Hmm, I have been watching your stuff for years and I could have sworn that I was subscribed, but then I checked and now I am for sure. Does RUclips mess up and unsubscribed people some times? Either way, super cool guitars from Fender, love that yellow one you have there. I see people say it is overpriced and I tend to agree. I think Fender has priced themselves out of a big hit with those guitars, sadly. I really want one too, but with stuff like Charvel Pro-Mod, Ibanez AZ Premium series and so on, they (Fender) are only going to sell a limited number. I know they are also not making a lot of the FM Strats, but at the right price, say $899 or something, they could make bank on a hot yellow metal shred machine like that. Nice video and a cool segment from Ethan Brosh. Never heard of him before, but I'll do some watching and listening after dinner tonight.
I have an original Peavey T60 in mint condition from 1978 with an ash body, a very underrated guitar in my opinion and many others. It's a solid workhorse of a guitar and I would like to see a comeback of this model, amongst many others as well really.
I have the black one with a maple neck since 1989. I replaced the original Kahler Spider tremolo for a Floyd Rose Lo Pro Edge. I replaced the original single coils for Dimarzio Fast Track 1 in the middle and a Fast Track 2 as the neck pu, taper Potentiometer and coil splitters. The truss rod was faulty. New truss rod, so also the fretboard too and stainless steel jumbo frets. A awesome guitar. Better than before! And made in USA!!!
Sweet guitar but $1200 is a lot of bread for an overseas guitar with a Floyd Special whammy bar. I would personally get a Harley Benton Fusion with a genuine Floyd on it for $350.
true, MIJ is the thing that makes this axe special but still, fender dropped the ball with the FR special. These things just have such an abysmal reputation. I mean, I got warnings about those shopping for less than half of that 1200 budget - and found more than enough FR style axes with better reputation. They should really have went FR 1000.
If you could afford one of these HM's, it's worth buying. If you can't afford one, you can always dream of the day when you can afford one. Fender makes great stuff!
Speaking of 80's, I used to own a 1987 Vester Stage series as my first guitar, got completely ruined as I had it sit without a paint job for too long and the body had started to rot. I absolutely regret losing the thing, because it would have made an awesome mod project, I still have the neck lying around but if I can I will swipe one up asap.
The Fender Heartfield Talon that Vinnie Moore, Dweezil Zappa, & Russ Parrish (Satchel) endorsed back in early 90's absolutely SLAYS the HM. It came from FugiGen as well but stock with screamin' Dimarzio Super 3s & an Original Floyd or Floyd Rose Pro depending on the model ranging from I to V. Also, looked like an RG with sharp point horns & killer Talon inlays on IV & V models. I have owned many Talons over the years in various conditions & still currently have my V model & they always are top notch in sound & playability. Buckethead even played a Talon II for a long time.
I have a red metallic fender heartfield talon.. i put a Seymour Duncan screamin demon in it and i only payed 400 for it maaaany years ago. It destroys ALOT of guitars. I get asked if its for sale quite often. The only guitar i have with a floyd rose. Its a fuckin beast
I agree about the bridge, that Fender should have sprung for an upgrade on the floyd used for this guitar. Ultimately, I believe it was the original trem on the first generation of the HM Strats that limited their appeal, especially when their competition were using Floyds and Khalers. It seems that Fender might be repeating their mistake with this guitar. Also, I haven't checked yet, but Fender would be wise to release a hardtail version of this guitar now, while they have everyone's attention.
Hey Max, thanks for the review. I bought that guitar right after I saw your first video about it. That guitar is absolutely amazing. The neck and fretboard are outstanding, very fast playing neck. I got no issues with the tremolo, but I think I will upgrade it eventually. And to everyone who thinks, this guitar is overpriced at 1200$ - of course it is. Its a rare collector's guitar, you can get an equal guitar for ~900$. But it won't be a Fender. If you are looking for the best price performance ratio, don't buy this guitar. If you want to have it because it's really cool, go for it.
Agree, but the problem is that original '80s ones are still well under this price. Even the US ones like mine are less than this, and the Japanese ones even less. And they have better specs... and are original! THAT is the issue I have with the reissue. I'm not interested in pay more for "rarity" for a new guitar.
I think that they're using the low quality parts otherwise they'd be in competition with charvel who they now own. Add the decent parts and they effectively close down charvel lol
Blue Cat I am not saying you are wrong, but I bought and returned a dk24 in September and I had such a hard time with it that I sent it back. It was a grand, and of course I got a refund, but sometimes “good parts” can be awful. I do think you are right too, if fender adds “good” parts they would push Charvel further back. You never know what will show up at your door if you can’t go get it at the store that’s for sure.
I see your point, it still seems a bit of a waste for Fender to reissue this guitar with another crap bridge. Instead, I would have liked to see Fender release an updated Strat Plus using a two-point strat trem. paired with locking tuners and a graphite nut. Because of the dodgy quality of modem Lace sensors, Fishman Fluence strat set could round out the features nicely!
I would love to see Guild bring back the X-79, X-82, X-88, and S 270 Flyer. From Hamer, the Scarab, the California, and the Chaparral should return. Finally, Washburn needs to reissue the HM-80, A-20, and G series. But, I know these guitars aren't coming back.
I LOVE this guitar. The 80's vibe is a major selling point for Me. I'm currently attemping to save up the money to buy one of these guitars plus the Satchel Purple Bengal Charvel Guitar. To bad that Satchel didn't release one that looks just like the Orange Bengal Tiger ESP that Dokken guitarist George Lynch owns.
Great guitar Max... awesome playing as usual, Tab....I haven't seen Tab since I was a kid!! In the early to mid eighties mind you!?!? Hehe... great content bro 👊
Back in 1990-1992, I had a Squier II HM Strat. It was godly! I am STILL kicking myself for selling it. I was young and very foolish about my guitars back then!
I forgot all about that magazine ad.. That really brings back some memories. How about a video with you top 5 favorite metal pedals? That would be awesome.
Great video, Max! I had one of the very first HM Strats on the market, and my memory (which might be faulty) tells me it was American-made (not that that matters). It was the best guitar I've ever had for getting those pick sqeals/false haronics. I sold it in a time of seriosu cash desperation over twenty years ago and have had more than a few moments of regret. I'd love to get my hands on one of the new ones.
Bought mine in 1989 at the Magic Flute in San Rafael, CA, with $700 from my savings account. My dad told me he'd split the difference if I bought a Les Paul, but I wanted the pink strat since Andy Larocque had a pink B.C. Rich and I hated Gibson (still do). I tore out the two single coils and put a Lace Sensor Blue in the neck and a Silver in the mid. Left the DiMarzio Super 3. Replaced the Kahler Spyder with a Floyd Rose but kept the Kahler locking nut so I didn't have to drill the headstock for the string retainer bar. I still play it on some of the tracks on my channel (MK Sounds). Thing shreds. I can't imagine paying $1200 for a new "HM" when Sweetwater is selling Ibanez RG's for 3-and-a-half. MK
Well It is legendary at least to me... I remember watching Greg Howe's Hot Guitar Licks back in the day and the intro solo that he played with this guitar blew my mind ever since so I don't know about everyone else but definitely I'd say this guitar is absolutely legendary.
Yeah these should have at least a FR 1000 and a Dimarzio super 3 for the money they are asking. The cheaper floyd and non dimarzio pu are a turn off for me. I have my eye on a Demartini Blood drip/skull Charvel anyway so i will pass on one of these.
I bought a Charvel San Dimas at Christmas, for £579, from a sale at Andertons. It's at least the same quality. I really don't have to pay £600 extra for the Fender logo.
You do know TAB IS A 60’s-70’s diet cola. You either drank TAB, or Fresca... you should of had a Crystal Pepsi instead. lol Anyway, I remember Greg Howe playing one of those mean strats ... I myself play 82 strat elite’s that imho is the coolest sounding most different strats ever made. Just listen to Ty Tabor from Kings X , those strats did it all and had a sound like no other. Anyway, great video man.
I have an original one from 1989 and just bought the Frozen Yellow Re-Issue one and have been playing it for a few days. The tones are incredibly similar and the main difference is the tremolo system on the new model which seems to keep in tune better than the original. In terms of value, I think possibly the tones from the HM guitars and versatility from HM/traditional Strat tones are the selling point. The player can go from HM to traditional Strat to twangy guitar sounds and in between and have the flatter fretboard and the neck is smooth.
80s guitar to comeback. BC Rich ST-III. Not what they became today, and not the gunslinger. They had awesome colors too. I had one in powder blue that I'd like to have back.
The originals darkened the corner of the floor in every music store in the late 80s...NOBODY WANTED THEM. These came out years after Guns N Roses...music taste had greatly hanged and Fender was way late to the ball. They didn't sell and nobody wanted them. The Charvels of era where what you wanted if you were going that way.
This is total truth but they are still cool guitars. It's true, they originally were a result of Fender failing to see the change of the tide and they made a late response.
metalmover 1974 Keep in mind that the Ibanez Jem and RG550 came out in 1987 and were very successful. I don’t think it was necessarily that Fender was late to the party. Fender just was not cool when it came to shred guitars and this one missed the mark.
@@joes9545 you make a good point. I also think that Fender trying too hard made it seem uncool. The Ibanez Jem and RG in 87 didnt have "NEZ" written on the headstock lol. Perhaps they just tried to hard to fit in.
I bought my HM Strat in '93; it had been gathering dust in the corner of a local music store, hiding behind a row of candy-ass colored Jagstangs and Mustangs (Grunge had hit). '89/90 Redstone, HS (Lace Silver in the neck, the Super 3 in the bridge). Great guitar. Blocked the crappy Kahler Spyder a couple of months after I bought it. I thought it felt cheap and I was going to tear it up. Only negative about my HM.
You know, Maxx, I'd like to get your opinion on (and possibly a demo of, lol) another iconic hair-metal guitar: the Alvarez Dana Scoop. Hoping you have one hiding in your collection, otherwise we're all out of luck, because these beauties are EXTREMELY hard to find, now!
I had big hair back in the day! Guitars had hair too!! Trems that spoke truth were the gods and we were tired of Aquanet!!!! The 80's were fast & short... IMHO I always loved a good blues vibe.......
dude, you should do a series of reviews of late 80s and early 90s sears n jcpenneys christmas catalog guitars. they may not have been great guitars but thats what a lot of us learned on. check out the guitars in the 1988,89 and 91 sears christmas catalogs
I think this run of guitars is a test batch to see if a full blown Made in the USA should be done. In that version; if it comes out, you'll see a more expensive Floyd Rose, maybe some more boutique wood selections and a new set of higher end pick ups, switching etc...to take this throwback instrument to the next level of modernity.
Looks awesome and sounds awesome too. Interesting that he is in the Michael Sweet band. I have loved Stryper since their start and Michael Sweet's solo stuff! I bought 2 floyd rose specials to upgrade 2 of my guitars because they were cheap, hopefully they will be as good as the floyd rose on my 80s Kramer signature. So yes, it is surprising that Fender wouldn't go the extra mile!
Agreed! I have 2x Vandies and 4x V-Types. Bring back the Vandy Custom (or better yet, the Quilt top version, in Pink please) with a Gotoh or Original Floyd Trem!!!
I had a lot of hot guitars in the 70/80/90's but for the $ the best one was a Larrivee RS-4! A really shred machine with great pick-ups and very a well balanced axe!!!
Man. Great video. I love it. Love the HM strat. I used to have one. Actually I had 2 of them. They were great guitars. I loved mine. I want one of the new ones. I either will have to build one or make my own with a short scale. Love the shorter scale and playability of the flat radius. Just great. Do they still come with a Dimarzio Super 3 bridge pickup???
I remember back, I think it was '89 when I looked at an HM in a pawn shop. I was thinking, "What the hell is this, Fender?!" Now I wish I would have bought it.
I think the closest guitar to this one is the ESP LTD MH-203QM. Can you try to do a review of this guitar? It has similar specs and the cost is less than half the cost of the HM Strat. It would be interesting to see the budget friendly alternatives out there for this style of guitar.
I have one alot of guitar for the money! I paid $399. 2018 now it sells for $549.00 I. Have the schecter banshee extreme as well! Save your money fuck fender!
This is what i've waiting for from fender, for a long time. Modern guitar, i hope the neck is super thin with scalloped neck so that easy to play fast.
I almost got a orginal hm strat in a pawn shop in 2003. It was kinda rough. It needed to be cleaned up. So your saying the new reissue are better. I can believe that. I would get one in pink. So 80s
Not sure about this one looking at this an the Kramer SM1, for about the same price the Kramer had ebony fretboard, cool rails in the neck/middle and JB in the bridge, Floyd rose 1000 and neck through. Would be a cool comparison.
Personally this guitar was a contribution to not only founders but hard rock/metal history, $1200 is a lot for a guitar in my opinion but it’s the era that the guitar represents that adds value, to me.From what I’ve seen from the video I think this guitar would stand up with the best of them I certainly would invest in this little piece of history from fender it sounds absolutely amazing. Great demo Max as always
Man your channel is addictive. By far the best channel about guitars I've found so far. What a beauty the HM strat ! I didn't know about them!
I just bought my 4th(??!??) HM Strat! The latest one being this Yellow model!
I think that after replacing the pickups with better ones this guitar is amazing!!
Hell....I always replace the pickups on any new guitar I buy!!
I would love to see a review of the Charvel Satchel model. Maybe even have Satchel join you 😂😂😂
ruclips.net/video/PsTIqNkHT4c/видео.html
I've always thought about replacing my old HM Strat for another 80s shred classic but I never played anything I liked more. Glad I kept it now. Can't wait to try a new one to compare.
I have an original in white ... the neck is amazing, tuning - rock solid. The electronics are very responsive... finish on the frets is top drawer. I haven't had any issues with the Kahler but I am not a heavy dive bomber style player. Nice to see these make a come back.
Same here. Picked mine up off of Craig’s list and the neck is heaven!
Of all the guitar reviews that you've done, you're playing definitely sounds best on this instrument. If you haven't made this your main go-to instrument, you definitely should. A big thumbs up.
Wyld Stallyns!
San Dimas High School football rules!
Julius Caesar, "that salad dressing dude"
bob wallace Socrates: Sew Crates 🤣😆
Beeee excellleennttt to eaccchh other !!!
I suspect you may or formerly were a long hair white fellow? Yeah, fender ceo said the company didn't need us anymore. For real. But hey, we can sign up for fender play and have some purple kool aid haired whamen give us lessons on suckin at guitar. I wish I was making this up. I'll eat a pile of sh!t before I give fender another nickel. PRS smokes them anyway
Juan Valdez so true 😞
I have one of the original HM Strats and I can't find anything that compares. The neck is so sweet.
Maybe bring back Hammer or Kramer. Such wonderful beauties.
Keep rocking man. Love the channel.
Yep!! Proud owner of Kramer Pacer Custom II :D old but gold.
Love the Tab can in the back.
Thanks for noticing!
First thing I noticed. Love it!
Do they still make it?
As much as I love Tab .....the original JOLT cola was the best soda EVER to me with Jack Daniels!!!!.....the caffeine level is so ridiculously high it was like doing lines of white and chasing it with Jack n Jolt !!!!.....that was my go to drink decades a go !!!!.....
@@chaoticembrace6984 JOLT Cola the Soda for the Elite Hacker. That's from the 90's Movie called Hackers.
your shirt brooo!!!
Best guitar I've ever owned. People hating on the floyd rose special, I have had no issue with it. I've had guitars with the floyd original and it plays exactly the same. I even got rid of my evh stripped strat because my black hm strat out plays it
My oh my.I can't believe me eyes and ears.Never knew this guitar could sound so freakin amazing.I bet this guitar feels amazing while playing.
You went totally eighties. Complete with a can of TAB!! I love it!!
TAB is 70's he should have went with a Jolt Cola.
Props for maintaining the 80's theme all the way down to the can of "Tab" in the background! LOL
Love the cold opening. LOVE the T shirt. When can we expect a Lone Rangers T?
Funny how Fender originally designed the HM Strat to compete with shred guitar makers like Jackson/Charvel, and they now own Jackson/Charvel!
Amazing you are hanging with Ethan Brosh. I have been reminiscing with some Fifth Angel recently.
I bought an original 1988 black with a maple neck and original case for $200 at a Pawn shop a few years ago its a great guitar i love the neck
Thank you for the video, I finally received my blue one. These are my impressions: 1) fit and finish of body and neck is top notch. 2) the thing that bothers me most is the chrome switch, couldn't they use a black one? That needs to go. 3) no TBX controls, that's a pity as the SC pickups would especially benefit... however it's a simple upgrade. 4) pickups are good, especially the SC, the HB sounds more like a JB than a Super 3...due to the fact it was designed for this guitar I might get one. 5) The FR Special is clearly inferior to the OFR in finish and feel however it's not trash. 6) Finally the price: the original sold for $800 in 1998, that's about 1700 today. It had a hard case, the DM, TBX and a tremolo more or less as cheap as the Special, with all these upgrades the new one would cost like the one from 1988....shocking truth!!!😆
That sounds badass! I really like it. His playing and the sound of the guitar has a George lynch/ Dokken sound.
I bought one of those in the late 80s. Returned it and bought an Ibanez RG550. Still have it to this day.
Nice I have a rg560. For the money fender wants they couldnt include a real floyd rose or a 1000 series at least??
Love the "Wyld Stallyns" Teeshirt Max!
Great video! I’d love to see some Charvels on the channel as well!
Love this guitar and I love to hear you play it! You shred on it!!
amazing stuff
Max shredding... it keeps me coming back for more!
love the tab cola there in the background...so 80's good job
Awesome demo- Ethan Brosh was my inspiration for getting an HM Strat after seeing him in Boston live opening for Marty Friedman! I have an HM original 1988 in Razzberry, blue & pink & absolutely LOVE THEM!!!
I’d love to see Gibson release 80’s style Kramer’s. Eddie Van Halen, Richie Sambora, and Vivian Campbell signature models for starters!!!
Chester Swing Jr it’s called Kramer guitars fucknuckle
I had one of these they made in the 80s loved it
I wanted one of the HMs very badly. So in the early 90s after I was working a decent job I went into the music store to get the one I had my eye on only to find out it was gone. So after playing every other guitar in the store, I fell in love with a Heartfield Talon II, a real nice playing guitar with similar qualities. I was happy with it, though I have always wanted an HM. I like these new ones, but at $1200, I guess I'll keep wanting lol.
Hmm, I have been watching your stuff for years and I could have sworn that I was subscribed, but then I checked and now I am for sure. Does RUclips mess up and unsubscribed people some times? Either way, super cool guitars from Fender, love that yellow one you have there. I see people say it is overpriced and I tend to agree. I think Fender has priced themselves out of a big hit with those guitars, sadly. I really want one too, but with stuff like Charvel Pro-Mod, Ibanez AZ Premium series and so on, they (Fender) are only going to sell a limited number. I know they are also not making a lot of the FM Strats, but at the right price, say $899 or something, they could make bank on a hot yellow metal shred machine like that.
Nice video and a cool segment from Ethan Brosh. Never heard of him before, but I'll do some watching and listening after dinner tonight.
Wow , I loved them in the 80s . Will be buying one .
Ibanez RG550 has entered the chat...
Great guitars, but a lot of us can’t live with those paper thin necks.
Reminds me of my 80's Strat with a floyd rose and a humbucker in the bridge.
I have an original Peavey T60 in mint condition from 1978 with an ash body, a very underrated guitar in my opinion and many others. It's a solid workhorse of a guitar and I would like to see a comeback of this model, amongst many others as well really.
I have the black one with a maple neck since 1989. I replaced the original Kahler Spider tremolo for a Floyd Rose Lo Pro Edge. I replaced the original single coils for Dimarzio Fast Track 1 in the middle and a Fast Track 2 as the neck pu, taper Potentiometer and coil splitters. The truss rod was faulty. New truss rod, so also the fretboard too and stainless steel jumbo frets. A awesome guitar. Better than before! And made in USA!!!
1:37
9 dudes are making a fist 5 are pointing at us
Sounds 80ish love the tones in this one!!!
Sweet guitar but $1200 is a lot of bread for an overseas guitar with a Floyd Special whammy bar. I would personally get a Harley Benton Fusion with a genuine Floyd on it for $350.
$1200 for a Japanese guitar is pretty reasonable I think
Awm Joeyjoejoe for some reason I was thinking Mexico since a lot of their stratocasters are made there. The Japanese Fenders are very well made.
true, MIJ is the thing that makes this axe special but still, fender dropped the ball with the FR special. These things just have such an abysmal reputation. I mean, I got warnings about those shopping for less than half of that 1200 budget - and found more than enough FR style axes with better reputation.
They should really have went FR 1000.
Is there really any difference between FR Special and FR 1000 and if so what are the differences?
If you could afford one of these HM's, it's worth buying. If you can't afford one, you can always dream of the day when you can afford one. Fender makes great stuff!
Speaking of 80's, I used to own a 1987 Vester Stage series as my first guitar, got completely ruined as I had it sit without a paint job for too long and the body had started to rot. I absolutely regret losing the thing, because it would have made an awesome mod project, I still have the neck lying around but if I can I will swipe one up asap.
The Fender Heartfield Talon that Vinnie Moore, Dweezil Zappa, & Russ Parrish (Satchel) endorsed back in early 90's absolutely SLAYS the HM. It came from FugiGen as well but stock with screamin' Dimarzio Super 3s & an Original Floyd or Floyd Rose Pro depending on the model ranging from I to V. Also, looked like an RG with sharp point horns & killer Talon inlays on IV & V models. I have owned many Talons over the years in various conditions & still currently have my V model & they always are top notch in sound & playability. Buckethead even played a Talon II for a long time.
I have a red metallic fender heartfield talon.. i put a Seymour Duncan screamin demon in it and i only payed 400 for it maaaany years ago. It destroys ALOT of guitars. I get asked if its for sale quite often. The only guitar i have with a floyd rose. Its a fuckin beast
I agree about the bridge, that Fender should have sprung for an upgrade on the floyd used for this guitar. Ultimately, I believe it was the original trem on the first generation of the HM Strats that limited their appeal, especially when their competition were using Floyds and Khalers. It seems that Fender might be repeating their mistake with this guitar. Also, I haven't checked yet, but Fender would be wise to release a hardtail version of this guitar now, while they have everyone's attention.
Found an original in blue with EMGs and love the Kahler Spyder🤘🏼
Hey Max, thanks for the review. I bought that guitar right after I saw your first video about it. That guitar is absolutely amazing.
The neck and fretboard are outstanding, very fast playing neck.
I got no issues with the tremolo, but I think I will upgrade it eventually.
And to everyone who thinks, this guitar is overpriced at 1200$ - of course it is. Its a rare collector's guitar, you can get an equal guitar for ~900$. But it won't be a Fender. If you are looking for the best price performance ratio, don't buy this guitar. If you want to have it because it's really cool, go for it.
Agree, but the problem is that original '80s ones are still well under this price. Even the US ones like mine are less than this, and the Japanese ones even less. And they have better specs... and are original! THAT is the issue I have with the reissue. I'm not interested in pay more for "rarity" for a new guitar.
Sounds awesome Max!!! Bonus points for the can of Tab on the amp!!! 😁👍🎸
I think that they're using the low quality parts otherwise they'd be in competition with charvel who they now own. Add the decent parts and they effectively close down charvel lol
Blue Cat I am not saying you are wrong, but I bought and returned a dk24 in September and I had such a hard time with it that I sent it back. It was a grand, and of course I got a refund, but sometimes “good parts” can be awful. I do think you are right too, if fender adds “good” parts they would push Charvel further back. You never know what will show up at your door if you can’t go get it at the store that’s for sure.
I see your point, it still seems a bit of a waste for Fender to reissue this guitar with another crap bridge. Instead, I would have liked to see Fender release an updated Strat Plus using a two-point strat trem. paired with locking tuners and a graphite nut. Because of the dodgy quality of modem Lace sensors, Fishman Fluence strat set could round out the features nicely!
Original Floyd is not that expensive like the overprice Ibanez Low Pro. So I will replace it with Original Floyd or a Schaller Floyd.
@@cchavez248 the nicer heels as well with better access.
@@MaestroJericho I rarely play that high up the neck but okay, sure, no harm in a better access heel joint!
I would love to see Guild bring back the X-79, X-82, X-88, and S 270 Flyer. From Hamer, the Scarab, the California, and the Chaparral should return. Finally, Washburn needs to reissue the HM-80, A-20, and G series. But, I know these guitars aren't coming back.
I LOVE this guitar. The 80's vibe is a major selling point for Me. I'm currently attemping to save up the money to buy one of these guitars plus the Satchel Purple Bengal Charvel Guitar. To bad that Satchel didn't release one that looks just like the Orange Bengal Tiger ESP that Dokken guitarist George Lynch owns.
Great guitar Max... awesome playing as usual, Tab....I haven't seen Tab since I was a kid!! In the early to mid eighties mind you!?!? Hehe... great content bro 👊
incredible review
Back in 1990-1992, I had a Squier II HM Strat. It was godly! I am STILL kicking myself for selling it. I was young and very foolish about my guitars back then!
Excellent video, great info, thanks Max!
I forgot all about that magazine ad.. That really brings back some memories. How about a video with you top 5 favorite metal pedals? That would be awesome.
I think HM Strat I think Greg Howe.Great Style. I wish I would have bought 5 of these back in the day.
awesome video
Great video, Max! I had one of the very first HM Strats on the market, and my memory (which might be faulty) tells me it was American-made (not that that matters). It was the best guitar I've ever had for getting those pick sqeals/false haronics. I sold it in a time of seriosu cash desperation over twenty years ago and have had more than a few moments of regret. I'd love to get my hands on one of the new ones.
Bought mine in 1989 at the Magic Flute in San Rafael, CA, with $700 from my savings account. My dad told me he'd split the difference if I bought a Les Paul, but I wanted the pink strat since Andy Larocque had a pink B.C. Rich and I hated Gibson (still do). I tore out the two single coils and put a Lace Sensor Blue in the neck and a Silver in the mid. Left the DiMarzio Super 3. Replaced the Kahler Spyder with a Floyd Rose but kept the Kahler locking nut so I didn't have to drill the headstock for the string retainer bar. I still play it on some of the tracks on my channel (MK Sounds). Thing shreds. I can't imagine paying $1200 for a new "HM" when Sweetwater is selling Ibanez RG's for 3-and-a-half.
MK
Great wall, well painted, and the book shelf makes it look better
Thanks!
Lol 😅😅😅
Why is everyone suddenly acting like this is some legendary guitar?
Well It is legendary at least to me... I remember watching Greg Howe's Hot Guitar Licks back in the day and the intro solo that he played with this guitar blew my mind ever since so I don't know about everyone else but definitely I'd say this guitar is absolutely legendary.
well we dont know better
This guy is trying too hard, he has great skills, but his attitude kills it all
10 hours ago
I got a Pink HM strat reissue in mint condition. Replaced the god awful FR Special with a Schaller Lockmeister. My God what a guitar!!
Great content man!!! As always
That floyd rose special is not gonna last very long.
Whoa!!! love the shirt. Wild Stallyns rule!
Awesome vid!! I love the HM strat! I love the color choice !!
Overpriced and with a floyd special, they should sell them for 399$
Yeah these should have at least a FR 1000 and a Dimarzio super 3 for the money they are asking.
The cheaper floyd and non dimarzio pu are a turn off for me.
I have my eye on a Demartini Blood drip/skull Charvel anyway so i will pass on one of these.
1200 is bogus
I bought a Charvel San Dimas at Christmas, for £579, from a sale at Andertons. It's at least the same quality. I really don't have to pay £600 extra for the Fender logo.
Basswood body too! WTF?
Can u talk some while you are playing so we can get an idea at the volume level you are at? Thanks
Great guitar.Have original start up mfg years of one.Tremendous
this is thou the best review of these guitars.
You do know TAB IS A 60’s-70’s diet cola. You either
drank TAB, or Fresca... you should of had a Crystal Pepsi
instead. lol
Anyway, I remember Greg Howe playing one of those mean strats ... I myself play 82 strat elite’s that imho is the coolest sounding most different strats ever made. Just listen to Ty Tabor from
Kings X , those strats did it all and had a sound like no other.
Anyway, great video man.
I have an original one from 1989 and just bought the Frozen Yellow Re-Issue one and have been playing it for a few days. The tones are incredibly similar and the main difference is the tremolo system on the new model which seems to keep in tune better than the original. In terms of value, I think possibly the tones from the HM guitars and versatility from HM/traditional Strat tones are the selling point. The player can go from HM to traditional Strat to twangy guitar sounds and in between and have the flatter fretboard and the neck is smooth.
80s guitar to comeback. BC Rich ST-III. Not what they became today, and not the gunslinger. They had awesome colors too. I had one in powder blue that I'd like to have back.
I didn’t know all of this - love Michael Sweet and his work w/ Stryper - 80’s era especially
The originals darkened the corner of the floor in every music store in the late 80s...NOBODY WANTED THEM. These came out years after Guns N Roses...music taste had greatly hanged and Fender was way late to the ball. They didn't sell and nobody wanted them. The Charvels of era where what you wanted if you were going that way.
This is total truth but they are still cool guitars. It's true, they originally were a result of Fender failing to see the change of the tide and they made a late response.
metalmover 1974 Keep in mind that the Ibanez Jem and RG550 came out in 1987 and were very successful. I don’t think it was necessarily that Fender was late to the party. Fender just was not cool when it came to shred guitars and this one missed the mark.
@@joes9545 you make a good point. I also think that Fender trying too hard made it seem uncool. The Ibanez Jem and RG in 87 didnt have "NEZ" written on the headstock lol. Perhaps they just tried to hard to fit in.
@@joes9545 Nah, they were definitely late.
I bought my HM Strat in '93; it had been gathering dust in the corner of a local music store, hiding behind a row of candy-ass colored Jagstangs and Mustangs (Grunge had hit). '89/90 Redstone, HS (Lace Silver in the neck, the Super 3 in the bridge). Great guitar. Blocked the crappy Kahler Spyder a couple of months after I bought it. I thought it felt cheap and I was going to tear it up. Only negative about my HM.
The Hondo, man, bring back the Hondo... Great channel man! Cheers!
Bringing it back, the Heartfield Talon!!!!!
YAARRRGGGG!!!!!!!
Yes they are collectors items I have two of them and I will never get rid of them...BTW I feel that the Spyder tremolo was a good one...
I just purchased one and for the price, I'd just wait for a decent original to hit the market. Much better build IMO. Or pick up a Heartfield Talon.
Ethan - you're just that good !!!
You know, Maxx, I'd like to get your opinion on (and possibly a demo of, lol) another iconic hair-metal guitar: the Alvarez Dana Scoop. Hoping you have one hiding in your collection, otherwise we're all out of luck, because these beauties are EXTREMELY hard to find, now!
Excellent TaB can placement on the top of the CaB.
I had a bc rich I loved... black and white blonde neck and fret board played well sounded even better
Liked for the Would Stallyns shirt and TAB. 👍🔥
I had big hair back in the day! Guitars had hair too!! Trems that spoke truth were the gods and we were tired of Aquanet!!!!
The 80's were fast & short... IMHO
I always loved a good blues vibe.......
dude, you should do a series of reviews of late 80s and early 90s sears n jcpenneys christmas catalog guitars. they may not have been great guitars but thats what a lot of us learned on. check out the guitars in the 1988,89 and 91 sears christmas catalogs
60s Silvertone...
I think this run of guitars is a test batch to see if a full blown Made in the USA should be done. In that version; if it comes out, you'll see a more expensive Floyd Rose, maybe some more boutique wood selections and a new set of higher end pick ups, switching etc...to take this throwback instrument to the next level of modernity.
Looks awesome and sounds awesome too. Interesting that he is in the Michael Sweet band. I have loved Stryper since their start and Michael Sweet's solo stuff! I bought 2 floyd rose specials to upgrade 2 of my guitars because they were cheap, hopefully they will be as good as the floyd rose on my 80s Kramer signature. So yes, it is surprising that Fender wouldn't go the extra mile!
I would love to see the Peavey Vandenberg make a comeback as well as the Heartfueld Talon which is one I'm glad to say I still have.
Agreed! I have 2x Vandies and 4x V-Types. Bring back the Vandy Custom (or better yet, the Quilt top version, in Pink please) with a Gotoh or Original Floyd Trem!!!
Heartfield talons are awesome Jems with out the scallops
Love the can of TAB on the amp. Classic!
I had a lot of hot guitars in the 70/80/90's but for the $ the best one was a Larrivee RS-4! A really shred machine with great pick-ups and very a well balanced axe!!!
Man.
Great video. I love it.
Love the HM strat. I used to have one. Actually I had 2 of them. They were great guitars. I loved mine. I want one of the new ones. I either will have to build one or make my own with a short scale. Love the shorter scale and playability of the flat radius. Just great.
Do they still come with a Dimarzio Super 3 bridge pickup???
Thanks Max! Im still a Big Fan of the S/Reaper for the money nothing even close!
I remember back, I think it was '89 when I looked at an HM in a pawn shop. I was thinking, "What the hell is this, Fender?!" Now I wish I would have bought it.
Greg Howe - Introspection
You're welcome.
I think the closest guitar to this one is the ESP LTD MH-203QM. Can you try to do a review of this guitar? It has similar specs and the cost is less than half the cost of the HM Strat. It would be interesting to see the budget friendly alternatives out there for this style of guitar.
I have one alot of guitar for the money! I paid $399. 2018 now it sells for $549.00 I. Have the schecter banshee extreme as well! Save your money fuck fender!
Nice Tab soda can.
The one guitar that I would love to see on the market again is the Charvel 750xl.
mcfly
This is what i've waiting for from fender, for a long time. Modern guitar, i hope the neck is super thin with scalloped neck so that easy to play fast.
I almost got a orginal hm strat in a pawn shop in 2003. It was kinda rough. It needed to be cleaned up. So your saying the new reissue are better. I can believe that. I would get one in pink. So 80s
Nathan montalvo was at one of my bands concerts in Savannah GA he’s a cool dude!
Not sure about this one looking at this an the Kramer SM1, for about the same price the Kramer had ebony fretboard, cool rails in the neck/middle and JB in the bridge, Floyd rose 1000 and neck through.
Would be a cool comparison.