I recently came across this piece which I am very keen to acquire cuz of the dual humbucking system. However, I am rather skeptical if it is the real deal. Can someone here help me out?
It is a humbucking Stratocaster with a Telecaster headstock. Anybody come across such a model before?
I was reading up on different bullets & thought I'd share this 2 interesting articles which I came across.
This is the first article, both quoted from source (see end of read) -
The Fender Bullet, introduced in 1981, was originally targeted at those looking for an entry level guitar at a reasonable price. Fender took the option to release the USA manufactured Bullet under mounting pressure from far east imports and inexpensive “strat” copies which were flooding the market.
The early Bullet series offered a small range of guitars with minimal color and equipment choices - The original design looked somewhat like a contored telecaster (the headstock was the familiar tele shape). Pickup wise the guitar came with two single coil pickups (neck and bridge) and to finish off there was a single tone and single volume control.
Sound wise the early versions produced a decent enough sparkly treble tone – again reminiscent of a telecaster – a 3 way pickup selector switch allowed for some versatility and the guitar itself was fairly playable with a nice smooth slim neck. Indeed the necks of these early Bullet’s often cause much discussion as to whether they are actually Telecaster necks.
A year on from it’s initial release in 1982 Fender reinvigorated the series by modifying the design – the shape became a double cutaway (traditional Stratocaster type body) and there were more versions with a greater variety of hardware and electronics (for example humbuckers were introduced and there was the option of two humbuckers or one humbucker one singlecoil.) Fender also added a coil tapping button for the humbucker equipped guitars.
With the improved range of hardware – sonically the guitars could produce a more varied palate of tones which could encompass more harder rockier sounds (the original Bullet’s being better equipped for a clean tone). Fender also expanded the color options going from 2 to 4 (sunburst and brown being added).
These early bullet guitars have proved particularly durable with models appearing on ebay some 20 years later still in reasonable condition (watch out for rust on the bridge and tuners though). They make an interesting addition for any guitar collector or for those wanting something a little different.
In the mid eighties the Bullet was swallowed up by Fender’s Squier Brand produced in the far east. Today Squier still manufacture the Bullet albeit, now a closer cousin of the Stratocaster – aimed at the beginner or student – today’s bullet features 3 single coil pickups and the traditional Fender Strat layout on a laminated body. Today’s Bullet can be had for around $100 which is a bargain for anyone starting out.
Overall in the 20 odd years since the bullet was originally introduced it’s seen quite a few changes – however the name still remains and the modern Bullet is squarely marketed at the beginner guitarist offering not only value for money but also an interesting heritage too.
Here is the 2nd article on Squier continuing Fender Bullet's legacy -
The original Squier Bullet (1980s)
Squier Bullet (original style), made in Japan circa 1983 Squier Bullet
The Squier Bullet is an electric guitar that emulates the aesthetics of the Fender Stratocaster, but with modifications to reduce cost. Like the Squier Stratocaster, it is not considered a strat copy as it is manufactured by Squier, a subsidiary of Fender and, therefore, still retained under the Fender brand name.
Construction
The solid body of the current Squier Bullet is made of basswood, a relatively common wood species found throughout Asia. Its shape is similar to that of a Stratocaster with the characteristic mid-body contour and staggered double cut-outs, but is made slightly thinner. Along with the similar body shape, the Bullet also features several other trademark Stratocaster appointments, including three single-coil pickups, and a six-screw synchronized tremolo system.
Discontinued
There had been many complaints of the Squier Bullet in 2005, 2006, and early 2007 over its production and quality, most notably the use of plywood in its body construction. The model was discontinued in early 2007.
Reintroduction
In late September 2007, Squier reintroduced the Squier Bullet as the "Squier Bullet Strat." The new Bullet model features a tremolo, a rosewood fretboard and 3 single-coil pickups. Amidst criticisms of plywood being used in the previous Bullet incarnation, the guitar is now being made using basswood.[1]
The current Stratocaster-based Bullet is not to be confused with this unique model, made throughout the 1980s in Japan. The original Bullet was sort of a mix of a Strat and a Tele, as it has a Strat-shaped body and an all maple Tele neck. The body was made of laminated hardwood, and lacked the belt-line contouring and recessed jack of the Strat. The pickguard is slightly different from a Strat, with single volume & tone controls, the output jack is pickguard mounted, eliminating the need for the angled output jack. It retailed for about $200. The Bullet was originally conceived as Fender's entry-level, and featured two pick-ups and a unique metal pickguard, which also served at tailpiece. The American-made model was only offered for two years. When it was re-introduced in 1983 as one of the first Japanese-made Squiers, it featured three single-coil pickups, like a Strat, and a tremelo tailpiece. While the overall look was vaguely reminiscent of the Strat, the '80s Bullet had a smaller body without any contouring (somewhat like a Musicmaster/Duosonic but with more pronounced cutaway horns), and a Telecaster-style neck. Narrower than a Strat, early Bullets fit nicely in Les Paul cases. The Bullet was also made into different models (Bullet-1, Bullet-2, etc), with different pickup configurations and wiring. For example, one model was equipped with two humbuckers, each with coil taps. By the late eighties, when production moved to Korea, Bullets were also available with Strat necks and rosewood fretboard. A short-lived bass model of the Bullet was also made in both 30" and 34" scales.
Squier Bullet
Manufacturer Squier
Period 1980-2007, 2007-Current
Construction
Body type Solid
Neck joint Bolt-on
Woods
Body Basswood
Neck Maple
Fretboard Rosewood
Hardware
Bridge Synchronized tremolo
Pickup(s) 3 single-coils
Colors available
Daphne Blue, Sunburst, Black, Arctic White, Pink, Fiesta Red
Since most already acknowledge the theory of "no 2 same guitars are the same" even from the same make/model.
Despite negative reviews of Bullets over the the popular California series, imho I find the recent Bullet Strat version has a very nice feel,
from its classic Fender style big head stock(maple fret board) to the slim cut basswood body(HSS route underneath) down to its electronics(3 single coils).
This is the recent Squier Bullet series by Fender -
