Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH Humbuckers & Why You Should Buy This Strat!

The Fender Blacktop HH Stratocaster is an amazing guitar that needs no modification. I play through a Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb using a Tech 21 Oxford Distortion Pedal. This is a monster of a guitar that will inspire you. I think Kurt Cobain would have really dug this guitar.

Here is the gear I am using:

Fender Blacktop HH Stratocaster in Faded Sonic Blue

Pedals:
Tech 21 Oxford Pedal

Tech 21 Hall Of Fame Reverb Pedal 2:

Amp Used:
Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Amplifier Limited Edition Blonde
Strings:
La Bella Bender Rock N' Roll B1052 Nickle Wound 10-52

Recording And Mixing Devices:

Sennheiser E609 Silver Super Cardioid Instrument Microphone

Roland Go Mixer:
Amazon Link:

Alesis Multimix 12 Mixer Board. The Mics are connected here and I connect the Output cable to the Roland Go Mixer.

[AaronStark]

Humbucker loaded Strats are my favorite kind of guitars. Best of both worlds. Has a little bit of the brightness of a Strat and the beef of a Les Paul because of the pickups.

[failureiscoolrepeatyourmistake]

it has a lot of sustain *rapidly punches the chord 10 times*

[mark]

I love these guitars - the stock pickups are fantastic and the build quality is great. The pickup combinations are really great.

[davidcorriea]

Had one since they came out in 2010. Absolutely love it. Pretty much my main electric guitar.

[pjincho]

Have this exact strat. I hit on a sctratchy and immediately went to Guitar Center, told the guy I want a strat... he asked me what I like to play, and I told him I love the blues, and that I love the style and tone of Trey Anastasio of phish, so he recommended the blacktop. I guess bc the Languadocs are HH?
I'm a guitar novice. Practiced for over a decade. Shit on theory. Shit ear... mechanically can navigate the fretboard pretty well. Can pick, bend, hammer on, pull off well... but not consistantly. Comforatble playing pentatonic scale over 12-bar blues... but anything that gets into modes and stuff, I get lost.

ALL THIS TO SAY... recently I've been trying to get back to basics and really learn how to play. Been researching Strats, and am falling in love with the bright, clean sound of the SSS... they also look iconic.

How would I go about selling mine to buy an SSS strat. Is trading in a thing with guitars?

I'm guessing I can get roughly $600 for this... and can afford an SSS Strat in the $9-$1k range... been looking at Japanese and American. Any recs?

Also, how far do you recommend having the bridge and neck pickups from the strings?

Thanks in advance for answering if you do.

[jackstrawfromwichita]

Great review, I've had mine since 2013. I love the versatility it offers and I honestly don't have any plans to ever change the pick-ups in the future.

My only complaint about this guitar is that the bridge is a little on the cheap side in terms of quality and how it affects the intonation. Other than that, it's an outstanding work horse instrument that can be used for any genre or playing style.

[johnsenior]

When I got it I did not like the pale sonic blue at all, but the guitar is a keep alright. Thanks for review.
Love the 'parents voice!'

[richardsmith]

As a stone mason I couldn't handle the weight of my Les Paul. Nothing like carrying rocks all day than strapping one over your shoulder. I loved the sound of my Gibson so when I saw a super light Fender with Humbuckers I was WOO HOO deep in love! Bought one and I've purchased PRS, Fender Strat MIJ, Gretsch 5220 and sold them all cause I can't beat the HH Blacktop for $400. Buy one if you can and that buzzing sound you'll drive to every shop to figure out is actually just your loose string tree. Ahh live and learn

[Synismyhero]

i saw this exact spec in a Guitar Center and instantly bought it. It's allure is intoxicating, there is just something special about it and I instantly gravitated to it. I absolutely love it.

[BossDM-]

The neck on my is fantastic. Love the thing. Not perfect - volume cuts out too much when switching to single coils. Frets do stick out a bit, but overall this thing is great, especially for the price. I picked my red w/rosewood fingerboard up on eBay for $300 over 6 years ago. It is a workhorse, and mine stays in incredibly in tune despite my floating trem bar. I must have done a decent job setting it up (several times). The only mods I made are an American string tree and straploks.

[MaxRockatansky]

Ive had this guitar for 10 years. Put black locking tuners on it and Railhammer pickups. Love my Blacktop. Lol

[Casey-P-O]

You gotta put a whammy bar with a black tip on there! That way it's a true blacktop.

[jarrettfinney]

I’ve wanted one of these for a while. Also, let me just say I really really really like your collection of Beatles guitars on the wall. Just saw Paul on Friday and it absolutely blew my mind. Greatest show ever.

[jakevizcarra]

Thats so funny my guitar looks incredibly similar. It's a white body with HH setup. I lol'd when i saw that.

[sloppy_hand]

that's how you absolutelly should use an whammy bar!!!! people in demo videos seems always afraid to even touch it.. the tuners are there to tune, after all.. and the whammy to be used and abused! I want to see Jeff Beck or Kevin Shields style action!!!

[lovroknezevic]

Hi man, came here from Rob's channel and from what I've seen, you are amazing! Subbed :)

[theguitarmanifesto]

She's a beaut dude has a sweet growl, I've had the Tele and Jag blacktop they use great pickups in this range

[turbocharger]

heyy man! came from rob the meat manifesto's channel. i enjoy your content so im going to subscribe!

[oscarmejia]

American alnico hot vintage pick ups really hot, very similar sound to my Sg great guitar man congratulatios.

[alvarof.f]

nunca habia visto a alguien tocar con el meñique por detras del mastil, que locura jajajja