Fender Cory Wong Stratocaster - I should have tried one years ago.

Рет қаралды 4,231

Күн бұрын

Today we check out a Fender Stratocaster I rarely see other people talking about, the Cory Wong Limited Edition. After playing this guitar basically non stop since getting it, I'm left trying to figure out what took me so long to give it a chance.
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0:00 Intro
0:58 On the bench - an overview
5:18 Sound demonstrations
9:26 Taking a different approach
10:54 Size comparison with a regular Stratocaster
11:35 Potential cons
13:25 Overall thoughts, this is a winner.

Пікірлер: 97

@rsuazon 4 ай бұрын

Very nice! I think this is probably the most comfortable strat I've ever played. Loved that you demo'd it with some gain as well :)

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

I didn't plan for it to go that way, but the guitar sounds so great with gain I didn't want to turn the pedal off haha

@IanNorsworthy 4 ай бұрын

Another one for the collection! Seems an interesting blend of specs but definitely seemed to pass the ‘it’s a blast to play and sounds great’ tests 😊

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

If I'm smiling when I'm playing it's a pretty good indicator haha

@averagejer 3 ай бұрын

Great review! I just ordered one and will be throwing up a video when it comes in as well.

@AudiomoMusic 3 ай бұрын

Hope you enjoy it!

@JBM_71 4 ай бұрын

Jim, ure back doing the thing I enjoy most - reviewing and sound demo-ing a guitar! And I just love Fenders in those more pastel colours, the Jag behind you even more so. Really loved the playing, (as always) especially the surfy run down part!! 🙂🙂🎸🎸

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

I played the Jag today for a video for Friday and man, that really is a special one. I agree on the pastels, just perfect but the pearloid might be a bridge too far for me as far as the pickguard goes haha

@JBM_71 4 ай бұрын

Yep, agree on the pickguard and I guess the slightly smaller scale means it's not an easy swap. 🎸🎸

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

@JBM_71 very easy swap! I already have some options for next string change haha

@JBM_71 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic look forward to seeing that! 🙂

@gantronyc 4 ай бұрын

I finally tried this model at a shop. What struck me was how comfortable it was. It’s a really nice guitar.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

That's awesome! I couldn't believe how much I bonded with such a modern spec'd guitar considering every other Fender I own is vintage spec haha

@stevecassidyguitar 4 ай бұрын

Great vid Jim - Cheers! 😀👍 I loved the idea of the smaller scale body when the CW was released. Most of the other specs are not to my taste, but I'm always on the lookout for a used CW body. It's a shame the STRATosphere shipping prices to the uk are... Stratospheric 🙈

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Even their prices here are insane compared to what they used to charge even a year ago 😔

@stevecassidyguitar 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic Bummer for everyone then. I'll just take the power sander to my strat then 😁

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Don't forget the chain saw

@stevecassidyguitar 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic 😂👍

@bciecko1 4 ай бұрын

I have never heard of Cory Wong before your channel. Still can say I'm not sure I've heard any of his stuff either. Not sure what kind of music he plays, I'm into indie music mostly so that might be why. 🤷 You mentioned the the difference in this was the colors available. I was thinking, dang, that's not much for a signature model. Then you go on to say the headstock is bigger, body smaller, signature pickup set with an *almost HSS set up, special finish. Haha. I was like, oh okay definitely a proper signature that's strayed from a standard Stratocaster. That finish, when you started playing it, you could see the level of sheen to it, on camera looks slightly more reflective than satin but not as much as semi-gloss. The specular highlights on the edges help sell that idea. Looks awesome. Oh man, the playing at 8:41, the bridge pickup is just killer. That sounds so badass. Totally a unique sound there and nothing I expect coming from a strat. Bigger than a single coil but not as much as a Humbucker. Has this special tone to it. I don't like Strats, I think I want this thing though. Super good demo Jim.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

You're right Bradford, I should have specified a bit more clearly that when I was talking about what was different - it was between HIS production model and this limited edition of it. I can totally see how that was confusing. Dude I think you'd really dig this one. The body being a little smaller is a great touch too and the pickups are seriously incredible. It's like the perfect mix of vintage and modern for me, I can't stand the noiseless in the regular ultras and I also really dig the finish on this more than a hi gloss poly. Franklin guitar works has them on sale right now for 1199.99 on Reverb in both colors....

@bciecko1 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic Oh, it's no trouble. Continuing the video one can definitely sort out the differences/specifications, you cover them well. It was the initial comment that had me scratching my head. But hey, like any good movie, you keep your mouth shut and let it play out; your questions will always get answered. I'm seriously considering selling something to get it. Maybe a couple somethings. I definitely don't need all I have. I've spent so much on guitars lately, I have to be careful. 😅 Thanks for the tip on the beat sale too. That's an incredible price, really. And totally agreed, I haven't really come across a noiseless set I love. They're never bad, never, but they never move me and get me saying wow. Your tones that I mentioned though, man, that just sounded so right. Maybe it was tour playing. Maybe the song choice. Whatever it was, it sounds familiar, or famikiar-ish. Regardless, it was the perfect sound for the demo and that position. You did it justice for sure. 🤘🏻

@No1karez 2 ай бұрын

I got one and love it, it's what I play most because it's so comfortable to hold and play. I highly recommend getting 1.

@AudiomoMusic 2 ай бұрын

I love these guitars, they are awesome congrats on yours

@No1karez 2 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic Thank you

@jessethetodd 4 ай бұрын

Hi Jim - isn't the high e falling off the edge of the bridge pickup pole due to the bridge pickup being on an angle (and in fact the reason the bridge pickup is angled)? My strat looks the exact same at the bridge pickup as this one, and like this one lines up again on the neck and middle pickups. Not saying string spacing isn't an issue - but wouldn't it be determined by measuring the distance between the edge of the fretboard and the string, and due to where the nut is cut and how the bridge is aligned to the neck? Incredible playhing and fantastic demonstration. I agree this guitar absolutely suits you 100%.

@macribas 3 ай бұрын

Exactly, there is no way to make the poles align when the pickup is at an angle, not to mention the string spacing is a bit wider near the bridge than it is near the neck.

@phillramirez8323 4 ай бұрын

like the player and the guitar but not the price😂 like that seafoam green. Good video and review. Jim 😎🎸👍

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

$1199 at franklin guitar works on Reverb.... less than "high end" mexican fenders.... :)

@carpathus 4 ай бұрын

Nice. Been eyeballing those. Not in love with the satin finish or the d shaped neck though. My gloss sea foam green strat with c shaped neck / maple fretboard is one that I will never sell. Cheers! P.S. Recently bought two brand new in the box Bullet strats. It's amazing to me how good they are. The strings perfectly align with the pickups, string spacing on the e strings are spaced perfectly at the edges of the fretboard and the d and g strings align perfectly with the dots. Fit and finish is perfect and they play beautifully. Fret sprout was a thing but other than that fretwork was extremely good. Totally as good or better in terms of workmanship compared to my Mexican strat and tele.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

That's awesome man! I expect to do my own basic fret work at this point regardless of price unless the guitar is coming from Japan or the Gibson Custom Shop 😂

@theguitarprofessionals8584 4 ай бұрын

Yes YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I checked it out!!!!!!! Sweetwater is deals

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Nice!

@jque35ify 2 ай бұрын

Nice review, do you think i stand size pickguard would work as a replacement?

@AudiomoMusic 2 ай бұрын

It will not. I tried. You need one custom made.

@jque35ify 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the reply. I've never liked the look of a stratocaster with pearliod pickguard

@queeffersthrlnd1620 3 ай бұрын

I like coming back to this video to see how this guitar can be used, awesome playing. Since you said this 6 point trem is decked, using the bar should be a little tough/ that would be normal?

@AudiomoMusic 3 ай бұрын

It's not necessarily tougher, but you're only able to push down the pitch instead of being able to go both up AND down like you would on a floating vibrato. In my experience with Strats the best compromise with a vintage bridge and per Callaham they recommend setting up the bridges this way to ensure reliable tuning. The bar works really well and is smooth after you dial it in!

@queeffersthrlnd1620 3 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic ahh so maybe mine needs to be adjusted? It feels like it has good amount of resistance when using it, I’ve already had to literally bend the arm when needing to remove the arm because it was touching the knobs and body from being bent with use. Is the resistance caused by the 4 springs in the back of guitar?

@AudiomoMusic 3 ай бұрын

I have to do a full start to finish install and set up of a Callaham bridge on the blue Cory Wong strat, I'll film the entire thing and show you exactly how I go about it

@queeffersthrlnd1620 3 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic Thank you so much, I appreciate that.

@patrickkrenz515 4 ай бұрын

Sounds awesome and great playing as usual! That string spacing is disgusting though for how expensive it is. Especially with how good cheap guitars are getting lately.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

It's definitely annoying, you mean to tell me the people that do R&D just saw this and said yeah this is fine no big deal? haha

@donbishop6994 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusicJim, you know me well enough I believe, as I comment rather regularly. I don't want to be that guy, but the end of the day Cory signed off on this bridge, perhaps he likes it that way for some strange reason.

@patrickkrenz515 4 ай бұрын

Good perspective! @@donbishop6994

@dragan4658 4 ай бұрын

The Cory Wong being a trimmed model is a plus foe me as I prefer the smaller/thinner guitars as its quite lighter. Fender puts such specialty guitars on sale and a $400 saving is a lot of savings but goes to show that fenders like Gibsons are overpriced otherwise they wouldnt be reduced so much. The Cory Wong is a nice guitar but at $3099 Canadian its a lot of money. I much prefer the MiM Fender Limited Edition Player with roasted neck at $1499 Canadian. Though the MiM guitars age hit and miss in quality. Enjoyed this video as usual as your videos are educational and entertaining!

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Whenever I read canadian or australian pricing it throws me off, you guys are paying quite a bit more than we are even with currency exchanges considered. If I lived in either country I'd just buy a Japanese Fender and be done with buying guitars haha. I totally get your point though, there's huge margins involved - if you want to really say wow this price is crazy - look up the wages for people that work in the mexican factory or indonesian factory for Fender. It's insane knowing that and looking at the prices of any of their guitars but that's business for ya I guess right?

@dragan4658 4 ай бұрын

@AudiomoMusic you're absolutely correct, profits from Mexico, Indonesia, and China are absurdly huge because wages in those countries are so low bit the guitars are expensive. There are a few companies that put out guitars equal to if not better than fender yet are hundreds of dollars less and sometimes 30-40 % less in price like Sire and especially Schecter. Unfortunately when we want Fender on the headstock we have to pay premium coin.

@queeffersthrlnd1620 3 ай бұрын

Sorry for a dumb question, is this just for clean tones? Or can you play music with high gain like the occasional metal song it is a hh guitar that much better suited? Still waiting on it because my order came damaged so I didn’t even try it just shipped it back for an exchange. So just wanted to get some info I can’t really find in other places.

@AudiomoMusic 3 ай бұрын

It actually does high gain really well because of the stacked bridge pickup. I use it all the time with my soldano plug in when I want to play outside of my normal playing and it sounds great.

@andrewkrodel7976 3 ай бұрын

Just curious, do you know if under the pick guard is it routed for HSS, HSH, or only SSS?

@AudiomoMusic 3 ай бұрын

HSH

@jamesgibson3242 4 ай бұрын

Jim that's interesting it's a satin finish because last week I received my Fender Souichiro Yamauchi Strat from Japan and it's a satin finish. Fender list it as a satin finish also. Strat don't often come in a satin finish.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

It's becoming a bit more normal, there's a FSR run in japan of their entire Hybrid ii line in multiple finishes - all satin.

@kmact1976 3 ай бұрын

There’s a shop on Reverb called Franklin Guitar Works that has these (I believe) new in the box for $1199. 🤯

@AudiomoMusic 3 ай бұрын

Yep, I ended up getting a blue one from them for that price and recommended others do the same in some comments on this video. For $1200 it is one of the biggest no brainers I've seen in a long time.

@Melo_cl 2 ай бұрын

I saw it. But is that legit? Does anyone have got it from them that can share a feedback?

@AudiomoMusic 2 ай бұрын

@Marceloarriagadasommelier the blue one I have is from them. Came in better shape out of the box than the one from SW even 😂

@jamesmgreen15 4 ай бұрын

The tech specs say the body satin POLYurethane. I don't see that wearing in any way fast?? OK very eventually versus a 2004 Mex Strat (covered in goop but still fine for price at time)......I probably got the wrong end of the stick, LOL. Nice looking guitar but for that money I don't think I should be at all bothering with fret edges. I guess try a few IN shop and if happy then great would be the way I would do it. I like the pale in the surf green - eye candy🤓🤓🥸😎🧐

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

It will wear pretty quick actually depending on how the person plays, I've seen a few that have already done so and these haven't been around all that long. The highway 1 strat that he has had the same finish and has also worn a lot over the years for sure

@tomasodriziola 4 ай бұрын

how different is it to switch between the compound radius neck to the vintage 7.25? I worry about this

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

I notice the fret size more than the radius more when I switch from the JV stratocaster to this, but the compound radius doesn't feel all the different itself. It's kinda nice never having to worry about fretting out at all and the shape is great.

@thesmellycatjazz 3 ай бұрын

Significant, especially if you go back and forth. Most of my guitars are 12" or flatter, and going to the one guitar I had with a 7.25 was jarring. 14" makes a 7.25 feel like a broomstick. Definitely try it before buying.

@thecappy 4 ай бұрын

Needs the fender vintage/narrow bridge.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

That's indeed what it should ship with imo, i'm just happy i have the callaham VN ready for next string change.

@thecappy 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic yeah the big F needs to be using that bridge on a lot of their guitars. Not sure why they don’t.

@staleyexplores 4 ай бұрын

I wonder if Sweetwater can plek this guitar for me if i was to buy it....?

@staleyexplores 4 ай бұрын

You know I've always wanted one of these

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

They will 100%

@squirelova1815 4 ай бұрын

Surf Green?! I'll take two please.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Ya got good taste, it's the best strat color

@squirelova1815 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusicI think so, and so does Jeff Beck. It looks like my favorite "gem" too: Green Jade. It's cheaper just to get a guitar painted Surf Green or Seafoam Green than to have it carved out of Jade stone, right? Plus, much lighter!

@kingbrutusxxvi 4 ай бұрын

The issue with the string spacing is just something to be expected at this price point. For almost $2,300 you can't expect the factory to actually make a decent instrument, can you? Can you? 🤔

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

I'd say it is a decent instrument, but that stuff does annoy me. I wish I had put narrow saddles on my custom shop telecaster when I had it because the E always wanted to fly off the fingerboard if I dared to play any leads haha

@sublyme2157 4 ай бұрын

It was only a matter of time :)

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

This is the ultra that we were both waiting for haha, none of the noiseless nonsense that id immediately rip out haha

@NicholasANappiNick 4 ай бұрын

Not a fan but that’s a sweet guitar🎉 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Thanks I would agree but certainly not everyone likes the same things

@DarkVelizar 4 ай бұрын

Those string trees are totally unnecessary because of the staggered tuners, IMO

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

A tech I really respect that's been doing this for decades doesn't even believe staggered tuners are necessary on these guitars and in fact are a detriment... some design choices I just don't get either way.

@DisabilityExams 4 ай бұрын

$2,000+ guitar with poor fretwork = typical Fender?

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

I wouldn't say it was poor, but I would say they could absolutely do better with smoothing out fret edges. Sadly this is the case with 99% of new production american guitars I try even the vaunted bird man guitars - the exception was the GIbson R9 and if that had any issues I'd have made a huge issue of it given the price.

@billcrabtree8700 4 ай бұрын

Also a little concerning that this and the string spacing passed sweetwater’s vaunted 55 point inspection

@gratefulmusicsound8337 2 ай бұрын

give yourself a hair cut, You look alike him in my opinion honestly. Nice Video!

@AudiomoMusic 2 ай бұрын

I absolutely need a hair cut that is for sure

@gratefulmusicsound8337 2 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic Not really, You look great right now. Thanks for great Video sir.

@Markleford 4 ай бұрын

All you need is position #4! 😹

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Damn right!!! haha

@Markleford 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusicJust now thought about this: does the push switch for position #4 ALSO bypass the tone and volume knobs like a "blower switch"? 🤔

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

yep, full on panic button status. its glorious and leaves so many possibilities.

@mustuddd 4 ай бұрын

Sounds so spanky!

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

And it's got 22 frets! What on earth am I supposed to do with a 22nd fret?!?!?!?

@queeffersthrlnd1620 4 ай бұрын

How does this guitar compared to a fender aerodyne special Strat? Is this an improvement enough to spend 500 more to get it over the aerodyne?

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

they are really different, the modern aerodynes have the two point trem and a different voiced set of pickups going much more aggressiv, the two point bridge vs the vintage bridge are also not insignificant - both are great guitars in their own right. If you're looking at the prices at Franklin Guitar works and seeing this for $1199 it is an absolute no brainer to buy the Cory Wong. For $1200 new I can't think of any guitar I would recommend over it at or under that price.

@queeffersthrlnd1620 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic yeah that’s what I’m looking at. It just feels like for not a lot more I can get something that I probably otherwise wouldn’t get. I’m still kinda new to playing but I want something that I’ll always keep and is quality. The aerodyne seems good too but I can’t get it in a color I want without it being more so it seems like this is a good option at just 200-300 more. Do you have experience purchasing from them?

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

@queeffersthrlnd1620 I’ve gotten a few guitars from them, John and the team are fantastic and they are one of the only places in the USA where the guitars are actually set up well and ready to play. I’d say just get the Wong, in a worst case scenario you are gonna at the very worst get all of your investment back if you decide to sell it later since USA pricing keeps rocketing up - but it’s just an excellent guitar you won’t feel like you’re compromising with and you can then focus on playing.

@queeffersthrlnd1620 4 ай бұрын

@@AudiomoMusic thanks a lot. Last question if you don’t mind, how are fender US set ups from factory? Franklin Guitar works has two different batches of the Cory Wong Strat limited colors, one still in box with no work done by Franklin including set up or inspection but mint /fender set up and the other is excellent condition and has had a set up and inspection by Franklin guitar works(just has more cosmetic wear signs I’m guessing. Not sure which of these to get as the price is the same but one was a special buy/ not set up by them only fender.

@AudiomoMusic 4 ай бұрын

Fenders USA set ups are pretty hit or miss. I've had success and failures even on $2500 dollar American Vintage Models, however they weren't things I wasn't able to fix on my own - just annoying that I had to. If you want to have more confidence you'll be able to hit the ground running, buy the one set up by them and tell John in the messages I said hey there he's a really stand up guy and I'm really happy to refer people to him because they really do a great job from pricing to setups.