Bill Alston
Classic Series
These very popular guitars comprise of a 50s a 60s and a 70s model, there are several
FSRs special editions and variations of these.
Classic Series 50s
Replica of a 50s strat launched in 1999 and still a current model available in the UK at a little under £600.
Classic Series 50s 2006/7 in Daphne Blue
Headstock
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Small with single string tree, truss rod adjustment at heel
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Logo
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Spaghetti Gold
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Pickguard
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8 screw white plastic single ply with aged white plastic controls and switch tip
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Bridge
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6 screw vintage style vibrato
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Neckplate
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4 bolt plain
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Neck
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Fretted Maple soft V 7.25" radius 21 nickle silver vintage frets
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Body
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Poplar or Alder Sunburst is always alder
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Pickups
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3 white 6 polepiece single coils
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Tuners
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Vintage style Chrome
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Colours
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see below
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At launch the colours available were, 2 Colour Sunburst, Daphne Blue, Olympic White,
Black, Dakota Red and Surf Green. Colours have come and gone so have FSRs and as at 2017 the colours offered in the UK are
2 colour sunburst, Daphne Blue, Fiesta Red and Surf Green.
Update rbspql from the strat forum tells me he has a CS50s 2006 60th Anniversary model. I will ask for pictures.
Here is the 60th Anniversary model picture kindly provided by rbspql. Looks great.
In 2014 a lacquer version was launched, specifications unchanged except nitrocellulose on Alder Candy Apple Red only.
According to two members of the strat forum Neil C and The Kid there was an FSR in 2015 the 50s came in Rangoon Red,
Apple or Jetstream Blue
The 2015 FSR in Rangoon Red
In December 2017 there is an FSR available pictured below. It is in Fiesta Red with Gold Hardware selling at £738
Classic Series 60s
Released at the same time as the classic series 50s these are also still current and are available in the UK at £650 to £700
occasionally a little cheaper.
Classic Series 60s
Headstock
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Small with 1 string tree truss rod adjustment at body end
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Logo
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Spaghetti Gold
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Pickguard
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Mint Green 11 screw laminated aged white controls and switch tip
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Bridge
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6 pivot vintage style vibrato unit
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Neck plate
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4 bolt plain no microtilit
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Neck
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Maple with Rosewood Board, C shape 7.25" radius 21 nickel silver vintage frets
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Body
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Poplar or Alder Sunburst always alder
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Pickups
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3 white 6 polepiece single coils
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Tuners
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Vintage style
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Colours
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See below
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As I have said before colours came and went and there were FSRs along the way. At launch in 1999 the colours were
3 colour Sunburst, Lake Placid Blue, Olympic White, Black, Shell Pink or Burgundy Mist Metallic. In 2017 the colours available in the UK are 3 colour Sunburst, Candy
Apple Red or Lake Placid Blue. The 2015 FSR mentioned by The Kid and Neil C introduced us to Cerulean Blue, Lilac and Canary Diamond.
Canary Diamond shown below.
In 2014 a lacquer version was introduced Nitro on Alder Sunburst only.
The 2015 FSR in Canary.
Classic Series 70s
Also launched in 1999 as a replica of the 70s 3 bolt neck strat, also still a current model available in the UK for around
£750 although I have seen Thomann sell them for as little as £640.
Headstock
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Large with 2 string trees, Bullet style truss rod adjuster
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Logo
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Black 70s style
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Pickguard
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White 11 screw laminated plastic, white controls
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Bridge
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6 pivot vibrato vintage style
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Neckplate
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3 bolt with reverse F logo
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Neck
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Fretted Maple or Maple with Rosewood, 7.25" radius, U shaped with 21 nickle silver vintage frets
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Body
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Ash
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Pickups
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3 white six polepiece
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Tuners
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Vintage F schaller
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Colours
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Sunburst, Natural Olympic, White. In 2002 Black added
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This picture of the 2015 FSR for the CS50s and 60s was kindly provided by RadioFM74 of the strat forum
Update April 2018
This 2014 FSR Classic Series 60s has a nitro lacquer finish is in Lake Placid Blue with a matching headstock. It has just sold
on Ebay for £450
