Stat Tone

[575Dave]

Hello Folks

I am new to the Club but have owned a(long neglected) 575 since 1998.

I am finally getting back to playing and following up on the Heritage brand as I think they are great instruments.

I am curious about the Stat re: tone, playability, why they stopped making them?

Anyone with some thoughts on these?

Thanks

Dave

[tulk1]

Hi Dave, welcome to the HOC.

 

They quit making the STAT because it was an interim design "loaned" to them by Fender while they were involved in a law suite with Gibson. Out of respect for Fender and their help, the owners have said they would not actively market that design, after winning the law suit. As for tone, sorry, no clue. We have plenty of STAT owners here, so hang on. Someone will answer that.

[gpuma]

Hi Dave welcome to the HOC.

I am a proud stat deluxe owner since 1989. It is a very versatile instrument in my opinion don't be fooled by the super start look. It can of course shred but I have seen it being played by country and jazz players as well. It is very light and comfortable, like a strat, but that is about where the similarities end. The stalkers single.coils do not sound like strat pick ups at all. To me they are a creamy-er version of the typical single coil but still single.coil-ish.

The Stats tend to have slimmer necks, as it was custom in the 80.

Many came with some kind of tremolo installed. Mine has a kahler spider tremolo, but I have seen also few with a stoptail. Also, many Stat had multiple switches for individual pickup on/off. As it is often the case with the heritage models that are a little off the beaten path, it is very difficult to make any meaningful generalization as most of these.instruments had custom spcs

[big bob]

I also have a Stat Deluxe, mine is a hard tail. I would also say I don't find it all that strat sounding. I would guess the mahogany body and maple cap are what mellow the sound. Not as thin sounding as a strat.

 

Oh and I would say the neck on mine is med/ chunky

[schundog]

Welcome, 575Dave! I'm probably the newest member to the Stat club, having made a deal for one in July, picking it up in August, and finally getting it up to snuff in December (my fault.) I have had some fun with this thing, but, as others have said, it's not very Fender Stratocaster-ish. More Les Paulish with a much more comfortable body, IMHO. The neck on mine is much thinner than I prefer, but I can make it work. Mine also has a Kahler trem, that won't see much action with my style of playing, but it was made in 1986, the year I graduated from High School, so I thought that was kind of cool. Beautiful body, Nitro finish, stupid cheap, sounds great. What more can you ask for?! I have posted several vids of the guitar since I just got it back with 2 Fender Tex-Mex Single coils and a setup. The original Schaller humbucker remains, and mine has the multiple switches. They are a neat part of Heritage's history, and I'm glad I picked this up, but I wouldn't want it to be my only guitar. I'm more of a 535 kind of guy, I guess. Here's the link to the other thread I mentioned.

 

http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/topic/25133-stat-update-new-pickups-installed-set-up-ready-to-go/

[holyroller]

I too recently purchased a star. It trally hits the spot.it seams to have a long neck. Its like a lp and a strat squished together. Really solid tone , unlike alot of other guitars makers that do this and they seem thin sounding. I would buy another one.

[575Dave]

Thanks to all that chipped in, the stat sounds like a cool guitar and a great bit of history on top of what is already infused into the Heritage name already.

Now I am finding myself checking ebay, reverb etc for one. Wife will not be happy! If anyone comes across one I would appreciate a heads-up.

 

Dave

[575Dave]

A couple more queries.

The stat looks like some pics I have seen of a 162, what are the differences?

What amp would you say does the stat justice.

What are the Heritage amps like?

Dave

[big bob]

The Stat has a flat top and a fenderesque headstock, the Stat deluxe has a pointy headstock and a carved top. They sound about the same, at least if there is a difference I've never been able to hear it. I play my Stat Deluxe through a carr slant 6v and it sounds great.

[schundog]

I've been pleased with the tone from my Stat from every amp I've used, Ibanez TSA15 Head, Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe Clone, and Fender Deluxe Reverb. 162's also have a pointy headstock, if I remember correctly, and I don't know if they have a maple cap or not. The one's I have seen don't seem to show off any flamey tops, just solid colors, but I may be wrong on that one. Good luck! Oh, and I'd pick up a Heritage amp if I could. They seem to be very well made, quality amps. Heavy, though! Good luck in your quest.