Jim Root's Stratocaster turns the Strat into a heavy rhythm machine. The vibrato is gone in favour of a string-through hardtail, the controls come down to a single volume and a three-way blade, and the pickups are an EMG 60 at the neck and an EMG 81 at the bridge, both active.
The body is mahogany rather than alder. The modern "C" maple neck has an ebony board with a 12" to 16" compound radius, rounder near the nut and flatter as you go up, so chords feel natural low down and bends stay clean high up. There are 22 jumbo frets, no face markers, locking staggered tuners and black hardware.
This USA-built version comes in Flat Black. The Jim Root Jazzmaster has the same electronics and board in the offset body, and the Jim Root Telecaster is the Mexico-built alternative with a straight 12" radius.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: Mahogany
Body Finish: Satin Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
NECK
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Urethane
Neck Shape: Modern "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 12" to 16" Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Position Inlays: None
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Jumbo
Truss Rod: Bi-Flex
Nut Material: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.685" (42.8 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: EMG 81
Neck Pickup: EMG 60
Pickup Configuration: HH
Controls: Master Volume
Switching: 3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
HARDWARE
Bridge: 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles
Hardware Finish: Black
Tuning Machines: Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking
Control Knobs: Black Plastic
Strap Buttons: American Series
Strings: Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
CASE
Case: Deluxe Black Tweed Hardshell