My dream NGD: 7-string Strat with Fender Masterbuilt parts

[cardinal]

Figured that I'd show this off here too:

Specs:
Neck: Fender Masterbuilt, quartersawn maple, with ebony board, skunk stripe and truss rod plug, 10-12" radius
Body: two-piece alder
Bridge: locking Schaller unit (like the Fender Deluxe Strats used, but with 7 strings)
Pickups: Lollar Dirty Blonde Set

Neck was intended for a NAMM piece but the guitar never was completed. The bridge is from the Fender Custom Shop too, but they never used them. Apparently they weren't stamped with the Floyd markings so couldn't be used, and it seems like there wasn't much interest in making 7-strings.

I know it's essentially a glorified partscaster, but it plays like a dream. Solid sustain, no deadspots, beautiful fretwork. The parts really came together on this one. Took for ever to get this together but worth the wait, for me at least.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice !! I've never seen a 7 stratocaster before.

 

[cardinal]

Thanks! Fender hasn't made many. They've made a handful for Maestro Alex Gregory (that have since made their way into other hands), but those have unusual specs. As far as I know, this would have been the only "traditional" Strat that Fender would have built, but they didn't even finish this one. I'm just glad I got the chance to get it all put together.

 

[ReloadZZ]

Nice looking

 

[grooveHT]

Just killer man! I'm interested in a more vintage styled 7 string, and that really hits the spot; not only did you get a 7 string strat, but basically a custom shop! Great vision with putting together your own acquiring quality parts; I don't know that I'd have been able to wait as long for the good stuff to surface.

 

[cardinal]

Thanks! Yeah, I got the neck first, and it was tough not just slapping it on anything I could find. But I wanted to make sure it was done right. Maybe still in the honeymoon phase, but I'm thinking it's my fav guitar.

 

[PeteLaramee]

Love it man. I dig 7 string stratheads.

I had this one made by Perle to IBZ specs...

 

[grooveHT]

The body and the neck are cool for sure, but the most interesting score of the whole deal is that trem; it's probably the most vintage style (I know it's locking, but still) trem that I've seen for 7 string, as everyone else uses a Floyd or Kahler.

 

[cardinal]

Yeah, there are a few non-Floyd, non-Kahler options, but not many. There are cheaper Korean-made vintage trems with zinc blocks. Then there's a Hipshot unit with a steel block and brass plate. I actually have a Music Man JP7 trem sitting on my work bench, too. It has a brass block and maybe steel saddles with piezos.

But that Fender/Schaller unit is the only all-steel unit I could find for a 7-string. I've only ever seen three, and I have two of them. Still looking for the right project to use the other one (and that JP7 trem)...