The Exclusive Hardtop Stratocaster guitar is the result of a collaboration between The Music Zoo and Fender Custom Shop. We envisioned an instrument that acknowledged the Fender Stratocaster as being the original inspiration for all of the Strat-type guitars that broke the mold by having humbucker pickups and other modifications that earned them the moniker, “Super Strats.”
So, the Hardtop is the Zoo’s own take on the Super Strat concept, as made by the source! They’re distinguished by having very vintage-like Bare Knuckle Mule humbucker pickups, and the guitars are available with one- or two-pickup models. You’ll also notice that these guitars are built without pickguards, hence the name Hardtop; all electronics are rear-loaded through the instrument’s back, while the pickguard-less top allows some the grain of a beautiful two-piece ash body to be visible under a the finish. Single-pickup models such as this example, which is finished in gorgeous Honey Blonde, have only a volume and tone control. The single pickup definitely looks cool, but there’s a function with the form; it’s known that having only one pickup means less string pull and interference from the other pickup’s magnets and better sound overall..
The Hardtop’s body is lightweight ash, and the one-piece maple neck has a rounded “V” profile and a rosewood fretboard. There’s definitely a minimal aesthetic at work here, and you can see this by the headstock’s bare-bones NoCaster-like Fender decal. Still, when it comes down to actually playing the Hardtop, you’ll hear how using hand-selected quality woods along with the right components and craftsmanship truly make a difference. The guitar resonates effortlessly unplugged while responding with rich overtones and nuances.
Includes: Hardshell Case, Strap, Cable, Custom Care Kit, Paperwork, Certificate of Authenticity
