One of the most remarkable things about Leo Fender's designs is how malleable they are based on who's interpreting them. Some builders explore the unrefined "two pieces of wood bolted together" idea, leaving the basic design to speak for itself. On the other end of the spectrum are builders like New Hampshire-based D'Pergo Guitars, who refine and perfect every square inch of the guitar - every screw, every fiber of wood, every wind of the pickup wire, etc...are by design, weighed and evaluated with one goal in mind - to build the finest, best sounding, best playing Strat-style guitar money can buy. 

This guitar is incredibly loud and resonant unplugged. Plugging into a Victoria Club Deluxe 2x10 amp, we were met with killer 3-dimensional, muscular, clear tones. The bridge pickup has a beautiful 50s Tele-like top end chime coupled with a fat PAF-like midrange...the neck pickup is to die for....and the in-between positions are round, fat, clear, super touch sensitive. While the bridge pickup has a slight bump in volume (to be expected w/a humbucker in this position), the bridge and neck pickups balance really well. 

The neck, while quite chunky, is shaped beautifully. It feels a bit like a cross between an early to mid 50s Fender and a 50s Les Paul. Unusual way to describe, we know, but that's the impression we were left with. Most importantly for us, it wasn't fatiguing and its size no doubt contributes to the overall sound of the guitar. 

Condition: Excellent. Light signs of use include very faint fret wear and a few small indentations and finish marks scattered around the body (they're very subtle). There's a small ding in the headstock right by the low E tuner. The neck is smooth and its semi-gloss finish feels incredible to play on. 

We've got to admit, D'Pergo may just have achieved Strat nirvana with their more refined take on the classic Strat. This is a remarkable instrument, period. Priced with hardshell case.

• Ash body
• Maple neck, full C shape
• 1.65" nut width
• 25 1/2" scale length
• 22 frets
• Kluson style tuners
• D'Pergo tremolo
• D'Pergo pickups
• Volume, tone, tone, 5-way switch
• Hardshell case
• 7lbs 9oz