Contemporary models
seem to give rise to the most 'what Stratocaster is this?' type questions in
the forums. The Standard '22' is also part of the Contemporary
range but I have given that particular instrument its own page as it does
not share some of the most immediately recognisable features of the range which are; black
headstock (and sometimes the entire neck), the jack socket mounted
on the bottom edge of the alder body and one of eight different configurations
featuring humbuckers:
- Single humbucker at bridge position with
one volume control only. System I tremelo. Model no. 27-4400.
- Two humbuckers with one volume and one
TBX* control, coil splitter, three-way selector switch and
System III tremolo. Model no.27-5800.
- Two humbuckers with one volume and one
tone control, three-way selector switch and System I tremolo. Model
no.27-4200.
- Two humbuckers with one volume and one
TBX control, coil splitter, three-way selector switch and System
I tremolo. Model no.27-5000.
- Two humbuckers with one volume and one
TBX control, coil splitter, three-way selector switch, 627.7mm
scale length (all others are 647.7mm) and System I tremolo. Model
no.27-5500.
- Two humbuckers with one volume and one
TBX control, coil splitter, three-way selector switch,
System I tremolo and 24 frets. Model no.27-5400.
- Two single coils and one humbucker (at
bridge position), one volume and one TBX control, coil splitter, five way selector
and System III tremolo. Model 27-5700.
- Two single coils and one humbucker (at
bridge position), one volume and one TBX control, coil splitter, five way selector
and System II tremolo. Model 27-4100.
The TBX control fitted to some
Contemporary models allowed the user to control tone conventionally by
turning the knob counter-clockwise from its detent, or
to shift the pickup's frequency response by turning the knob clockwise
from its detent.
Pickups were black and the humbuckers uncovered. All models with the exception of the single humbucker variant
sported black, 11 hole single-ply scratchplates. On lower price models the
neck (not just the headstock) was black, as was the hardware. They also had
string clamps whereas the higher price models featured locking nuts.
Confused? Don't worry, you can download the entire
Fender Contemporary Model Manual from here
(as a zipped Adobe Acrobat .pdf file) and all will become clear(er).
Specs, set-up instructions, it's all there. The manual was kindly donated by Jerry Kern of Toledo, Ohio.
I frequently get asked if it is possible to
get spares for the tremolos fitted to Contemporary models. Up until now
the answer has been no. But I've just been told about www.fretsonthenet.com
who manufacture spare arms for System III trems. Who knows, if there is a
viable market perhaps they will produce other spares. Give them a try.
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