I was perfectly happy with my newly acquired Fender Classic Player's 60's Strat until my guitar tech let me borrow his parts-o-caster. While the guitar is super ugly (bright yellow with an orange peel finish), tremolo is being held in place by a maple block (no springs or claw), six point trem with only two screws, and half the PG screws are missing, it caught me by surprise. The guitar has EMG vintage toned active pickups and an unfinished (Mighty Might?) neck, but its the shape of the neck that surprised me...
While the guitar is self as a whole is a piece of junk, the neck profile is awesome! Its wider and thicker at the nut through the first seven or so frets. Doesn't have a V-neck profile, but nice thick C shape.... I realized as nice as the Classic Player neck was, its still based upon Mexican Strat designs... Narrower at the nut and not nearly as thick as I'd like. While I do not want this parts o caster guitar, I'd rather have a thicker neck like it.
American Stratocasters, including the Special and Highway 1 are a single Milimeter wider... Amazing how a single MM can feel so different. I checked with Anthony Stauffer at Steviesnacks.com, who recently gave away a Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd signature strat after acquiring a Stevie Ray Vaughan Signature Strat. I asked him about the neck profiles. He said the KWS was actually slightly thicker than SRV's, but SRV's wasn't symmetrical either. He said the KWS guitars are excellent guitars, one of the best models below the custom shop line. I've found a few used ones for less than $600, so I may be switching if the sale of the CP strat goes through...
Key features of the KWS Strat that I find appealing...
12" Radius
Thick '61 neck profile
Graph-tech Saddles
Vintage Tuners
Special voiced KWS pickups with reverse wound middle.
Still have my eye on a couple USA Standards for the same price, but we'll see what happens.
