Given the success of the increasingly aggressive sounds, in 1990 Fender decided to export from Japan a new series of Stratocasters, with classic contour, but “hotter”. The Hot Rodded Reissue Series Stratocasters, become famous because used by Richie Sambora, were characterized by the presence of a Di Marzio humbucker with coil tapping at the bridge, twenty-two frets, round neck heel (strangely, “FENDER U.S.A” engraved), and a double locking tremolo: at first Kahler Steeler, then Floyd Rose Original.
The series, consisting of the HRR '50s Stratocaster (with maple fretboard) and the HRR '60s Stratocaster (with rosewood fretboard), remained in production until 1983.
The series, consisting of the HRR '50s Stratocaster (with maple fretboard) and the HRR '60s Stratocaster (with rosewood fretboard), remained in production until 1983.
HRR '50s strats sported a 11-Holes pickguard! (Courtesy of andergtr, hugeracksinc.com)
Floyd Rose Bridge and Di Marzio humbucking pickup on a HRR '60s (reverb.com)
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HRR Series' contoured neck plate with "Fender USA" engraving
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Since 1992 it had been possible to choose, both for the HRR and the other guitars MIJ of the Reissue/Collectables and Floyd Rose (Standard) series, the Foto Flame finishes, which represented an attempt by Fender Japan to compete with the extremely figurative maple tops that were increasingly fashionable in the 1990s (PRS, Dean Guitars, in addition to the Gibsons themselves). The Foto Flame’s effect had been developed by Fender in collaboration with some companies producing cameras and photographic films and consisted in a thin film, applied to the top of the guitar, on which the catchy quilted or curly maple veins were imprinted. The result was impressive, and it was not always easy to distinguish a foto flame guitars from an instrument with a figured maple top.
The Foto Flame Stratocasters, made between 1994 and 1996, were, in essence,’60s style reissues, with rosewood fretboard, vintage tremolo and three single coils, and whose alder body had a basswood top. Foto Flame’s effect was imprinted both on the top of the body and on the neck. They could be recognized because they had the Foto Flame Logo on the back of the headstock. They should not be confused with the 50’s and 60’s with the foto flame finishes, as these last had a basswood body and the foto flame finish was applied also on the back of the body, but not on the neck.
Foto Flame Strat (Courtesy of Moody, strat talk)
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Foto Flame logo
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Locking tremolo version of the Foto Flame, the Floyd Rose Standard Stratocaster Foto Flame, made between 1992 and 1996, is often confused with the HRR, but can be distinguished from this by its twenty-one frets, only two knobs (volume and tone), the rectangular neck plate (not rounded like the HRRs), the "Floyd Rose Squier Series" logo and the Floyd Rose II bridge.
Floyd Rose Standard Stratocaster (reverb.com)
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Floyd Rose Standard Stratocaster's headstock had the Floyd Rose Squier Series Logo (Courtesy of Heilly, Strat Talk)
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Antonio Calvosa
