Why no Japanese stratheads now?

[fullmetalguitar]

OK, my question is this. Since the FMIC takeover, how come they have not put out an import strathead model? People seem to LOVE the Charvel stratheads. Why not put out a Japanese made strat (not Dinky) with a real strathead? With a maple board, seems like it would sell like hot cakes if it was priced like the DK2M. I know they did the Japanese imports a few years ago, but those were not true stratheads, had Dinky bodies, etc.

[dg]

Seems like they've decided to keep down the number of guitars with that headstock & sell them at a steep premium. Also, keep in mind that J/C is a separate division and has to pay a licensing fee to Fender for each strathead they make.

[skorb]

Seems like they've decided to keep down the number of guitars with that headstock & sell them at a steep premium. Also, keep in mind that J/C is a separate division and has to pay a licensing fee to Fender for each strathead they make.

never mind that the lic fee that actually changes hands btwn JCMI and FMIC is probably about $50 (if it is paid at all - there has never been any proof that it is) , and they charge you $300 for that.

[skorb]

if JCMI would put out a MIJ Charvel strat head, full size strat body like the Models, priced around $750, they would make so much freekin money they would not know what to do with it all. I'd buy one in a heartbeat, probably more than one.

$3000 US Charvel stratheads with poor QC (oh, sorry, that's $3300 when you include that hs) will merely lead to this being a forgotten brand in 10 yrs.

[slash]

never mind that the lic fee that actually changes hands btwn JCMI and FMIC is probably about $50 (if it is paid at all - there has never been any proof that it is) , and they charge you $300 for that.

Since you can get a Fender licensed Mighty Mite neck for $99 all day long do you think it's really $50 per neck on a licensing fee? I'm sure the fee is a lot smaller that that. I thought that may add a little perspective to the strathead upcharge

[fullmetalguitar]

Since you can get a Fender licensed Mighty Mite neck for $99 all day long do you think it's really $50 per neck on a licensing fee? I'm sure the fee is a lot smaller that that. I thought that may add a little perspective to the strathead upcharge

Exactly. The lic. fee has to be very minimal, and that's for non FMIC companies! So I don't buy that as a reason not to do a Japanese strathead model.

[skorb]

Since you can get a Fender licensed Mighty Mite neck for $99 all day long do you think it's really $50 per neck on a licensing fee? I'm sure the fee is a lot smaller that that. I thought that may add a little perspective to the strathead upcharge

right, good point on the stock necks out there, I was just being conservative on the high side in throwing out $50. I thought about Warmoth, but my neck from them was over $250 but it was custom made too.

yeah that just makes the $300 upcharge that much more insulting to the customer. it's amazing they don't get a lot more pushback on that.

[poweredbysoul]

I have a Model 1a and a 375 deluxe. Both great guitars. If I wanted to replace the necks with the strat head type what would you recommend. Somebody mentioned mighty mite in the post. Do they sell direct replacements with little mods needed?

Thanks

[charvel750]

Import Charvels with real Strat headstocks are/were EXTREMELY RARE. As such, the original import Charvels got popular because of the point head. Why do you guys want a Strat head on a Strat body?! Fender makes them all day long. Some even have Floyds and humbuckers. We need to remember that the first Charvel imports were riddled with COOL because they had the pointy head. Why try to make your Charvel import look like something it was never intended to be? In the 80's we called that: posers!

[Jackson-Charvel]

Charvel 750 I sort of agree with you more than those that are gaga over a strathead Charvel. I guess the reason for the Strathead Charvel is that was the original hotrod Strat, which evolved into the Charvel with the pointy headstock.

[poweredbysoul]

I thought Warren Dimartini, Vivian Campell, and Jake E. Lee's axes looked pretty cool with strat heads! I came up in the 80's and those were the guys I learned from and still listen to, along with many others of the era. I think the tricked out body and paint job with a maple neck and Charvel strat style headstock kicks ass!!!!

Old charvels are better quality then Fender stuff. I also dig the flat fretboard radius, jumbo frets and maple necks of the Charvels. If I could find that with a strat head I would like to have the option.
I promise you I'm no poser!

[skorb]

Why do you guys want a Strat head on a Strat body?! Fender makes them all day long. Some even have Floyds and humbuckers. We need to remember that the first Charvel imports were riddled with COOL because they had the pointy head. Why try to make your Charvel import look like something it was never intended to be? In the 80's we called that: posers!

that's an interesting response. if Charvel or Grover Jackson followed your advice, there never would have been Charvel guitars to begin with.

pointies were cool 25 yrs ago, but most people these days want a strat head on the Charvel strat body. Fender will never cut it for that. please.

I am an original owner of an awesome Model 2, and I posted here recently that they should just bring back the Model series as they were. but with strat heads would sell more (!) and would be way popular with hardcore 80's fans.

[Jackson-Charvel]

I'd be happy if they brought back the Model series pointy or strat heads.

[dg]

Not trying to argue or to be a J/C apologist, just playing devil's advocate here. The aftermarket neck companies just make necks, not whole guitars. As far as I know, J/C is the only manufacturer of complete guitars allowed to make stratheads, and the fees that they pay for that may be much higher than what Warmoth, Musikraft, etc. have to pay. I agree with most of you, & still think it's probably all BS, but that's the argument I've heard for the high upcharge.

[QuantumRider]

Older ones pop up on Yahoo! Auction every once in a while...

http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/100893471