The reissues of ’82 were okay, but many players had the real thing and they were still affordable. The instrument has hardly changed in the 50 years that it has produced Buddy Holly hits, the blues riffs of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the soulful sounds of Eric Clapton, the shimmering tone of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, the sound of Joe Walsh of the Eagles, and the melodies of Jeff Beck. Various electronic components, and the configuration of the amplifier and speaker, can be used to alter the sound of the instrument. Like the electric guitar, the vibrations of the string cause an electrical signal to be created in sensors called pickups, which are amplified and played through a speaker. On the other hand, you can’t afford to stagnate. At the dawn of the Schultz era, things began to come back into focus, and in 1985, with Schultz and his investors now owning the company, Fender faced one of its most daunting design challenges yet: Build a better Stratocaster. Not a reissue, not a cost cutter, not a “Cadillac,” not an import — just a basic U.S. Strat. The color is beautiful. It's a Midnight Wine finish. The feel of the neck is next to perfect and the tone qualities are astounding. It's simply easy and fun to play. Cheap Guitar Package.