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Fender Stratocaster VG

 

Review of the Fender Strat VG by The Man in the Jar

Fender and Roland have teamed up to add some very special features to a Standard American Series Stratocaster. The VG in the title must stand for Versatile Guitar.

Features of the Stratocaster VG 

Tuners - Sealed Fender-branded tuners of superior quality.

Headstock - Traditional Stratocaster style carrying the Fender logo and the proclamation "Made in the USA". There's a single modern-style string guide for the 1st and 2nd strings and the truss-rod hole is uncovered (but beautifully finished). 

Nut - White plastic set-in-slot type which is nicely finished.

Neck - The bolt-on neck is the kind of maple loveliness that you have the right to expect from an American-made Fender. Smooth, fast and naturally easy to play. A light brown rosewood skunk-stripe covers the truss-rod routing on the back of the neck. In the backplate you'll find a hole that allows access to a micro-tilt system in the neck pocket, should you ever feel the need for "shimming" the neck's angle in relation to the body.

Fretboard - It looks to me like the neck and fretboard are one piece of maple with the frets let in directly without the addition of a separate fretboard. In any event, the grain of the maple is smooth and creamy and the satin lacquer finish enhances the feel. 

Frets - The 22 medium-fat frets are nicely polished and round off an extremely satisfying neck. 

Action - Good and low from the case, this guitar has had a proper American factory set-up.

Body - Classic Strat shape contoured in exactly the same way the original models were produced. The ash body combines with the maple of the neck to help define the signature sound of Fender guitars. But this particular body does have some differences out the back. In addition to the normal plastic plate that covers the vibrato block and springs, there's another plastic plate that covers the Roland magic that makes this guitar so special. And because nothing that special comes for free, there's also a battery compartment for two AA batteries.

Bridge - Standard Fender bridge with vibrato arm that operates a familiar block and spring arrangement. Each string is supported on its own modern, fully adjustable saddle.

Pickups - Unlike some modelling guitars this Stratocaster is a "real" guitar in its spare time. This means there are three standard American Strat single-coil pickups in that unique Stratocaster configuration. But as modelling electronics need their own signal source, you'll find a fourth Roland-branded blade pickup nestling between the bridge pickup and the bridge. The "real" pickups only work when the modelling electronics are bypassed, all the modelled sounds are sourced from the Roland blade.

Controls - Unlike most Strats this model has one Master Tone to compliment the Master Volume. The other Tone has been replaced by two small rotary switches. The one marked with an "M" selects the guitar model you desire. The one marked with a "T" alters the tuning of the selected model. The five-way selector switch works as normal on the "real" pickups and pretty much as expected on the modelled guitar sounds. A blue light set between Volume and Tone glows to tell you the batteries are working.

Scratchplate - Three-ply white/black/white classic Strat configuration. 

Strap-buttons - Large strap buttons, one on the bottom of the body, one on the top horn.

Output Jack - Standard output jack in a Strat dish on the front of the body.

Finish - Excellent - it's American.

Accessories - A rather lovely Fender hardcase and a bag of goodies including a strap.

 

Sound of the Stratocaster VG

The Model knob is marked with the following letters: N - S - T - H - A

N - This stands for Normal. In this position you are holding an American Stratocaster and Mr Roland is just so much baggage. The three single coil pickups deliver everything you could expect from the world's most popular electric guitar. The Strat is the by-word for single-coil versatility and this particular guitar is a fine example of the breed. If anything the tone is slightly more airy due to the extra body routing required for the electronics. This position is not affected by any tuning model;

S - This position gives you the modelled version of the Stratocaster. It might seem strange to have a "real" Strat that carries a model of itself, but it is necessary as the "real" pickups can't drive the Roland. The tone of the Strat model is a bit woodier, but apart from that the A B comparison of "real" and modelled is spookily good. But, of course, you'd only be using the Strat model when you've also selected an alternative tuning. Imagine playing a song in normal tuning through the "real" pickups then switching to the modelled Strat set to an open tuning for a slide solo!;

T - Stands for Telecaster. Speaker as the owner of two Telecasters I found this to be a highly convincing model, especially on the bridge pickup position;

H - Stands for Humbucker. This gives you a virtual HH Stratocaster. This setting has less character, being a fairly generic model of humbuckers. But having said that it does perform just as well as a set of stock humbuckers. The depth and darkness are there for heavy metal and the treble edge is there for classic rock styles. This is probably the preferred model for the drop-D and Baritone tunings;

A - ...is for Acoustic. Flicking through the five-way switch turns up five different acoustic models. The manual states they range from Dreadnought to Resonator but there are no specific models listed. I find acoustic models to be a really useful solution if you have a few odd numbers in the set that need an acoustic voice. And if you don't have those kind of songs in your repertoire then a modelling guitar gives you the freedom to include some. The Strat's acoustic models are all good so you're bound to find one you can use.

 

The Tuning knob is marked with the following: N - D - G - d - B - 12

N - Again stands for Normal. It should be noted that the tuning function works relative to your actual tuning. For the different tunings to function correctly your real-world tuning must be concert pitch. A semi-tone error on one string will mean a semi-tone error on the same string in all the tuning models;

D - This stands for Drop D. This model only changes the 6th string down a tone, which is hardly the most difficult of tuning changes to make in a hurry. This model is more about convenience that necessity, but it does its job well;

G - Stands for Open G which is DGDGBD. A really useful model for blues, slide or anything of a Keith Richards kind of a feel;

d - Stands for d Modal which is DADGAD. I don't actually know anything to play in this tuning - that's a bit embarrassing!;

B - ...is for Baritone. Now this is serious stuff. This isn't just a different tuning, this is a different guitar. This setting delivers a massive five semi-tone drop from standard tuning, giving you BEADF#B. It's great fun to play with this setting as the string tension and neck dimensions are exactly what you are used to. Also putting a capo on any of the first four frets gives you some interesting open chord variations;

12 - Stands for 12 String. This is quite a convincing 12 string simulator, especially nice when playing with the modelled Strat.

Each of these tuning modes can be applied to any of the modelled guitar sounds.

 

Overall Impressions of the Stratocaster VG 

One of the small gripes I had with my Variax 600 is the quality of the instrument that carries the electronics. There can be no such complaints with this instrument. The Stratocaster VG is first and foremost a very lovely American Fender. The modelling technology it carries should be seen as an addition to that fundamentally excellent instrument. And what a good addition it is, the Telecaster model being a particularly satisfying sound to be wringing out of a Strat. Same goes for the Tuning models, the open G being particularly useful and the Baritone being (as far as I know) unique. All the models are robust enough to stay true during bending, vibrato or slide playing - although you'll need to have good slide technique and a fairly light slide unless you want to lose that lovely low action.

The VG is about twice the price of a regular American Strat. Almost exactly between those two prices sits the top-of-the-range Variax 700 with far more modelling options. So you need to want to own a fantastic Strat with modelling capability rather than "a guitar" with modelling capability. So if the Fender Stratocaster flicks your switches it only remains for me to welcome you to the future!  

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