Sell most other Guitars to get a KWS Strat?

[richieryan]

I'm spending way to much scoring cheap gear and then modding the heck out of them. I enjoy them all, but am never quite satisfied and want a Strat with a fat neck that I wont feel the need to mod, just play the hell out of it...
That means selling the Squier 51 (my fave), the modded SE squier strat, the Samick LS-41, Crate V18 2x12, and digitech RP-150. I'd keep the Vox wah and TS9DX. I also have a Switch Innovo III Signature, but I've had to repair a neck crack behind the nut, so I doubt anyone would get past that. I called my local GC and they said they would call Fender Monday morning regarding price and availability...

[manticus]

I had a high-end, no need or want to mod guitar... I played it for about a month before I sold it so I could buy something cheap and mod the hell out of it...

Just be sure that's what you want, because if modding is in your blood you won't be able to keep away from it.

-Andy

[edandis]

Modding and GAS are addictive as hell.

[BillStickers]

INDEED

[peskypesky]

i thought i knew most of the acronyms. but guess not. what is a KWS strat?

[richieryan]

Kenny Wayne Shepherd: http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0138240306

YouTube- Kenny Wayne Shepherd - "Deja...

[wickedtools]

Kenny Wayne Shepherd
http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0138240300
Beat me to the post.

[peskypesky]

ooh...that is a NICE guitar

[BillStickers]

it is!

that cross is tasty and original got a nice style to it...

nnggggh ngghnghgghnnnnnnnggg [teeth gritting... change of underwear needed... etc.]
grrfhgggtrggggggggggfffffffffffrrrrrthhhhhhhhnnnnn nnnnnnnnnhhggggggg
...

ah... GAS subsided...

[richieryan]

I've been obsessing over neck size... I just need to relax and work with what I have to advance my meager blues skills. The SE that I scored for $25 gets it's GFS vintage Alnicos in the morning (my weekend). Maybe I'll feel better after I hear how it sounds afterwards. I simply need to control my GAS and step away from the laptop and play. I've got a set of video blues lessons from http://www.steviesnacks.com/ Good stuff... Patience Richie, patience.

[richieryan]

KWS Strat neck specs:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stratocas...erd-strat.html


I just received my KWS Strat and in the absence of info for anybody wondering the following will hopefully fill in the blanks. My version is the 3 tone sunburst:

Made in Mexico
3 Piece Body (8 pounds 2 ounces)
Fender/Schaller Strap Buttons
American Vintage Tremolo w/steel block
Graph Tech Ferraglides (Stainless Finish)
Tremolo decked from factory with 5 springs and claw tightened
Fiber Bobbin pickups with all cloth wire (Pronounced Mid Scoop sound)
Neck tone controls middle and neck pickups
Middle tone controls bridge pickup
CTS Pots
'62 Aluminum Pickguard Shield (stamped Nov 2008)
The back of the neck is finished like the Jimmie Vaughan
Not sure if the tuners are Ping or Gotoh, but they seem to be positive
Neck Dimensions:
Width at 1st Fret: 1.650
Width at 12th Fret: 1.980
Depth at 1st Fret: .860
Depth at 12th Fret: 1.012
It does feel like a "full" C shape to my hand, tho' I also have 2 Cray's (2006, 2007) an '01 60's Classic, and an '05 70's Classic, so I am partial to big necks, but they could be clouding my hand - it does feel good though. I also have a Jimmie Vaughan, but that's a V and it is fine for size too.
Hope That Helps, as I rolled the dice on this one - I usually don't and rely on the forums for feedback on new models before I buy, but I am keeping this one.

[AllroyPA]

Looks nice to me, HNGD.

[rompo420]

Hate to say it.......UNIMPRESSED. With Kenny Wayne or his SIGNATURE strat.

I AM A STEVIE LOVER THOUGH.....and i LOVE FENDER GUITARS but I was also not pleased with the SRV guitar aesthetically.....

[richieryan]

420, what's your take on the KWS neck vs the SRV sig neck? USACG makes necks with what they call a "texas blues" profile.
http://www.usacustomguitars.com/contours.html
If you're overwhelmed by the number of options available we have some of your favorite contours and thicknesses already programmed and ready to go. Here are some of the highlights:

There is an average tolerance of +/- .010" due to the finish sanding we do by hand.

Fatback - C Shape 1". Little to no taper at all.

Boat Contour - Soft, but not super soft “V” with some shoulder…like a boat hull!

Texas Blues - Asymmetrical .860" (.070+ taper)

Texas Blues Brother - Hard V that changes into a C around the 9th fret. Usually anywhere from .830"-.850" (.070+ taper)

Slow Hand - Medium V - around .860"-.870" (.070+ taper)

The '54 - .850" Soft V that changes into a C with a .090"+ taper

The '63 - Taken directly from an actual ’63 Strat, it’s a “C” shape that starts out at about an .830 with a .090+ taper.

E.B. Contour - Asymmetrical .850" (.070+ taper)

The KWS is supposed to be modeled on a '61 Strat. As for KW, I bought his new CD and quickly traded it. It's not the blues I like from "Ledbetter Heights". Maybe it's a bit tough to write some good blues material when you are married to Mel Gibson's daughter?

[BillStickers]

Originally Posted by rompo420

Hate to say it.......UNIMPRESSED. With Kenny Wayne or his SIGNATURE strat.

I AM A STEVIE LOVER THOUGH.....and i LOVE FENDER GUITARS but I was also not pleased with the SRV guitar aesthetically.....

I could agree room a certain angle. I only like it so much when I consider how lazy Fender is when it comes to "breaking the mold".
The coolest thing they've done with the Strat this Century is the S-1 Switching system... and let's face it, the amount of R & D they did for it, it's just more than a tad rubbish.

They don't have the any of the gusto that Leo himself had... thusly G & L has outdone Fender in terms of achievements. Fender is not what they were, they're different now for better or worse.

IMO they're just boring at face value