Review: Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster

The Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster is the flagship model for Fender’s excellent new 2024 Made in Japan Collection, a stunning new range of instruments with some truly unique details. Featuring a stunning quilted maple top that is sure to turn heads, this guitar perfectly balances vintage charm with modern versatility. 

In the late 1970s, Fender was up against some stiff competition from more affordable Japanese-made guitars. As Fenders were made in the United States, they were losing sales in Japan to domestic brands making exceptional Fender-inspired instruments at a much lower price. So, embracing the classic ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ mentality, Fender decided to move their lower priced guitar production to Japan, officially establishing a partnership with manufacturing company Fujigen in 1982. Thus, Fender Japan Ltd was born. 

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Since that time, Fender Japan have become adored by guitarists for their exceptionally high quality and lower price point. Many would argue that Japanese Fenders offer the most bang for your buck as compared to the cheaper Mexican models and more expensive USA models, providing a nice middle ground where quality and affordability enthusiastically embrace. The 2024 Made In Japan Collection from Fender is no exception, providing an excellent selection of instruments with an array of exciting features at an accessible price.

Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster

The Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster features many of the details that made vintage Fenders so special and combines them with the modern appointments that make new ones so playable, hence the ‘Hybrid’ moniker. Many fan-favourite 60s specs have been included in this model, such as classic Kluson style machine heads, the old school ‘spaghetti’ style Fender logo and Narrow Tall frets. However, a 9.5” radius and a comfortable modern C shape neck take advantage of Fender’s more current, player-friendly focus. 

This particular model is finished in an immaculate Sunset Orange transparent colour that reveals the lovely wood grain of its Alder body. Particularly notable is the flame maple top, a rarity in the Fender catalogue that really makes this guitar stand out. Once again referencing the brand’s classic era, a Tortoiseshell pickguard completes the look, working well with the beautiful flame top. Loaded with a two-point tremolo system with vintage-style saddles, the Hybrid II provides smooth playability for players at all levels. 

The Hybrid II’s maple fretboard exhibits the smooth feel and tight, snappy response that Fender fans love, working in tandem with a silky satin finished neck for a truly delightful playing experience. The addition of a 22nd fret is another handy modern feature of this guitar, and the standard Stratocaster scale length of 25.5” provides that familiar Fender tonal articulation and perfect tension that is missing in shorter scale instruments. 

Under the hood lies three newly designed Hybrid II Custom Voiced Single Coil pickups with carefully staggered pole pieces, perfecting that quintessential tone that only a Stratocaster can produce. Staggered pole pieces are a simple way to fine-tune inherent inconsistencies in individual string volume on guitars, smoothing out the sound very effectively. With that to its credit, and armed with its modern five-way switch, there is no classic Strat sound that this Japanese crafted tool cannot produce. 

In the bridge position, the Hybrid II Strat sounds articulate and bright, providing the lovely bell-like tone and zingy midrange that has been making waves since the instrument’s conception. When combined with an overdriven amp, this pickup sings and screams like only a Strat can, exhibiting a strong midrange that could cut through any mix. 

In the second position, the bridge and middle pickups are combined to create that delightfully funky sound typically described as “quacky”, something these custom voiced pickups really nail. The often forgotten middle pickup in this guitar retains a little of that quack but less so, bringing a warmer, more natural sound to the table that is very balanced. Whether set clean or dirty, the middle pickup in this guitar has enough high end brilliance to be present in a mix without sounding too sharp and is historically a good option for slide work due to its even response. 

In the fourth position, this Strat perfects that funky out-of-phase sound utilised by so many to achieve a sensitive and singularly hollow tone. From poppy, spanky cleans to deep and harmonically dense distortion sounds, this position is an integral part of the Strat sound and the Hybrid II’s custom voiced pickups have really perfected it. 

Lastly, the neck pickup in this unique Stratocaster is as deep, warm and smooth as anyone could hope for. Rich lows and a mellow high end make the Strat’s fifth position pitch-perfect for jazzy sounds when set clean and singing, sustained leads when overdriven. All in all, the pickups in this unique Strat really hit the mark. 

The crowning achievement of the Stratocaster design has always been its versatility. From Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck and Bonnie Raitt to John Mayer, Cory Wong and Steve Lacy, countless legendary players have proven that a Fender Stratocaster allows the individual’s musical voice to shine through. The design has always been brilliant, you add the revered level of meticulousness of Japanese craftsmanship to the mix and you get one very effective instrument. 

Whilst the Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster very artfully combines the old with the new, it is the unique flame maple top that really sets this Strat apart from its cousins. As sublime as the tones provided by the custom voiced pickups are, the look of this instrument is truly its most impressive feature given the price point, as it brings a real sense of individuality to the instrument. As any Fender fanatic will tell you, the brand’s Japanese models are some of their very best and this really is a special one. 

Whether you’re a seasoned Stratocaster fanatic or an intermediate player looking for an upgrade, you can’t really go wrong with this model. It sounds like it should, feels like it should and looks truly incredible. Perfectly combining vintage style with modern playability, I’d call it a home run. 

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