Fender The Edge Stratocaster - Black with Maple Fingerboard Reviews

After owning over 20 Stratocasters I have to say the Edge Signature edition is the best of the best. They neck is spot on perfect, the pickups are so full of personality and character, no boring run of the mill Strat sound here, this guitar will wake you up! The Dimarzio pickup in the bridge position sets the new standard for an American Stratocaster, and finally, the balance between the neck and bridge pickups is dialed in. The tremolo system is the only system I will accept on a Strat from now on, it is just flawless and stays in tune wonderfully. The case is even over the top, and it comes with a very comfortable strap. I own several PRS, Gibson, and Fender guitars, The Edge is my favorite of all of them, Fender got this one right, buy one and you will not be sorry.

I did a lot of research before pulling the trigger and Edge"s guitar did not disappoint.

Great all round instrument. Very well built. Looks and feels awesome. Lives up to the hype.

The neck feels great and the DiMarzio bridge pickup makes a big difference. It sounds "meatier" while cutting better through the mix. I used to have a regular american standard strat and the bigger headstock definitely provides more sustain.

Great design and built. Sweetwater Sales Engineers also very helpful. Package arrived on time and with the requested set up.

This has become my go to guitar for gigs and practice.

Get one. You will be happy withe your decision.

I will keep is short and sweet...I don't often write reviews, but this is the clearest, fastest, most crisp-sounding strat I have ever played. The notes just ring out beautifully from all 5 switch positions. I just put it through the paces for an hour with a Blues Jr. and Reeves Jimmy 50. Sweet sounds all around. My 1997 USA Strat and American Deluxe may be in their cases for awhile...

Outstanding

As a big U2/Edge fan I knew I was going to buy this. I actually tried to convince myself not to! I have a 2012 American Standard with Kinman Woodstocks as my go to "U2" Strat and told myself no need for another. Well resistance was futile! I'm glad I went for it. It's really a beautiful and well made guitar. A step above my 2012. All the hardware and electronics are flawlessly installed. The weight and comfort are just right. I was a bit concerned about the FS1 and how it would balance with the other pickups, especially in quack position. I'm not sure if they under wound the FS1 as was historically rumored on Edge's Strats, but it balances very nicely. Songs like Streets and Pride are easy to dial in and the quack is there. Overall the pickups are more open and articulate than my Kinmann's in my opinion and surprisingly quiet for non noiseless pickups. Lockable Tweed case is awesome as well. Very happy with the whole package. Other than trying a set of 9.5's, I won't change a thing on this guitar. Also - Thanks to my sales engineer Bob Furlong for the great customer service and follow up as usual. Fourth guitar through Sweetwater and I've never had an issue with packaging. Every guitar has been ready to go out of the box(boxes!) with expected tuning tweeks. They have earned a loyal customer here!

This guitar is simply amazing! The collaboration between The Edge and Fender produced one of the most amazing guitars I've ever played! The tone is warm and rich. It has amazing depth! It is a true masterpiece. If you are looking for an amazing sounding and versatile guitar - look no further... If you are trying to recreate the incredibly sophisticated and dynamic sounds of U2 - look no further!!

I've now had the Edge Strat for a year and a half - I like to let some time pass before passing a verdict.

18 months on and I'm still very pleased with it. I like U2, but didn't set out determined to buy this one. It played so well in the store and sounded better than the Deluxe Strats that it sits with. The main customization is in the pick-ups, with a high output FS-1 in the bridge and Fat Fifties in the mid and neck, all with flattened pole pieces. The effect of the flattened poles is more bass and treble, but the treble is smoother than normal because of the higher output pickups. You get a chimey, well-defined Strat tone, but it's a less twangy quack than the classic Number 2. The number 4 position with the Fat Fifties is fantastic (I was stuck in number 4 for a few weeks after I bought it even though the Number 2 is the design focus). Go to Number 1 and you've got a very high output FS-1 that overdrives very, very nicely. Go to Number 5 and you've got a reasonably warm tone (for a Strat). In sum then, you still get a lot of the classic Strat tones, a massive range of tones, but with a design bias towards that Number 2 setting that the Edge made his name with.

Everything else is pretty much Deluxe Strat - locking tuners, 2 point trem, contoured heel. Tone control works the Bridge pick-up as well as the middle. The neck is a bit special - 70s style large headstock, slightly pricier quarter-sawn in a modern "C" profile. I believe the Deluxes typically come with compound C/D, so it feels thinner and flatter up the neck, which I'm not so partial to. I like the slightly thicker C.

I think the Edge's touches are great and you still have all things you like in a modern Strat. It stays in tune nicely and is very comfortable to play. The Strat really is a marvelous piece of engineering from the perspective of the contouring and how well balanced it is.

What are my quibbles? (1) The bushing in the push in trem arm slipped after a couple of weeks. (2) The hasps on the G&G case broke very early on and had to be replaced. (3) Great that Fender tone controls now operate on the bridge pickup, but there doesn't seem to be much gradation once you are down to 3 and below.

If you're looking to get a new axe,give this one a
try.There are all kind of Stratocasters with all kinds of
different necks,pick-ups and feel.This one has that classic Strat sound with the fat 50's pick-ups on the
neck and middle.The bridge pick-up is a custom sound that reminds me of a humbucker,but gives this guitar a rock option.Classic look,classic sound.If you're willing to spend...
the difference is huge.

Regardless of the name, to me this is a just a plain fantastic Strat. The neck looks and plays fantastic. I always liked the maple fingerboard more and this one is buttery smooth. The pick-up selection is excellent. I don't think I've ever had so much sound variety so effortlessly. The Bridge pick-up has a lot of power. But even the stock ones on middle and neck position offer tons of great sound variety and respond extremely well to volume and attack.

I've never had locking tuners. Now I wonder how I ever could live without. Same goes for strap locks.

All of this can of course be retrofitted. But if you do not have a Strat and look for something timeless, classy and extremely well build, you cannot go wrong. Plus, with any luck you find it at a much better price than the new American Elite (or even older Standards).

So even if you do not care about Edge/U2 - give it a try. It's worth it.

4.5 stars because I don't think the perfect guitar exists, and I may always find another that I like just as much or more. I can see how The Edge gets his sound. If you know what your doing with pedals, this guitar will do it. I would think that if you're a blues guy, you'd really like his thing. Tons of FAT and THICKNESS!! Easy to play, a 2 step bend is no problem. Single coils don't seem to pick up very much noise. I believe I prefer the middle pickup, because it's smoother and creamy. The DiMarzio pickup has the definite EDGE sound.
So if you are a U2 or EDGE fan this is a definite buy. You should have no trouble dialing it in. To me, it's very versatile and accommodates the players wish for whatever style you want to play.