Review - 1988 Fender HM American Stratocaster

I constantly go through new equipment, often faster than I can review them. In these cases I will try to back track and get in a word or two about them.

The story of this strat isn't that long considering how old it really is. For those of you who remember 1988, I don't given that I was 3, it was a good amount of time ago. This guitar, at time of writing, is 22 years old. I'm not sure what most people think when you realize just what has happened in the last 22 years. Now, take into account that to keep a guitar in playable condition would take constant attention, love, and care. Or someone who just bought it and stuck it right in the case in hopes of it appreciating in value. Either way, the one I have was bought by a player. Someone who used it weekly for years, and the condition speaks for that. The body and paint is amazing, but the maple fretboard is worn, and it could use a re-fretting. The wear is natural, and maintains the tone. What has been said about these is that they are vastly underrated, and I can understand why. I will explain that in a second.

The USA HM Strat was created in 1988, and to my knowledge, was produced until about 92-93. The model was meant to be Fender's introduction into the "Super Strat" age. At the time, speed metal was all the rage (Later to come, the Ibanez SM9), and the big companies began competing for the market with Jackson, Charvel and Kramer. Fender got the newly introduced Greg Howe to play them, and he was very vocal about his love for them.

These Fender strats came in 2 version, one with the more pointed "Jackson"-style headstock (popular in Super Strat styling), and one with a smaller version of it's own signature headstock. They came with Gotoh Tuners, a coil-splitting Dimarzio pickup in the bridge, and a Khaller Spyder floating tremolo.

The guitars were (and still are) the subject of some depate. They were a much smaller size in comparison to it's standard strat, and was made of basswood. This provided more clarity and sustain, but removed alot of "tone". This was typical of the Super Strat design. The debate lies in that most "connoisseurs" of the Fender Strat expect that they maintain certain aspects of their guitars, but write this off due simply because they feel that Fender either sold-out, or that the strat could never live up to their high expectations. There is also a small debate that the earliest versions (possibly including mine) were actually made in Japan with USA parts. Even those that clearly state "made in USA" on the headstock were possibly manufactured elsewhere. I have no way of proving either way where they were made, just some things that I have read (in note of this, I encourage ANYONE to correct anything I write that is incorrect. Please have proof or at least evidence as I do my research as well as anyone, but the internet is hardly known for it's accuracy).

In regards to my specific example (no, the pic is not mine, but is the exact same, including condition, except for my fretboard wear). I got what I personally believe to be, a really good deal. I traded a worn Ibanez Artcore AG75 with no case, and $200, for the Strat. I happened to get really lucky when it turned out the guy had the original case! It happens to have all original parts, including the locking nuts. I have read that Khaller will actually still sell parts for the trems.

The neck is where most people tend to focus their appreciation (I personally like the coiltap). Very thin, and seems to be a single piece, with a 24 jumbo fret radius. The biggest comparison would be between this neck and the Wizard II neck from Ibanez. Mine is still straight as an arrow, and from the reviews I have read online, that is not rare for these models. Granted there are alot less left in the world, but there are plenty out there.

In overview, I have become a big fan of this guitar. To be fair, I like shredders. I understand that everyone has their own taste in guitars, and this type of guitar caters to a select group. I like the rarity, the fit, the finish and everything about it. I had never heard from it before I got a chance on one, but everything I read about them are good things. Sadly, I think this is one guitar that will slip through the cracks of the ages, unless die-hards try to keep them kicking, which I don't see enough support to believe will happen. However, I will be loving this one for a long time to come.