Thoughts, lads??

Why was the Spectrum not available in s/s/s configuration? I would like one.

Electra Phoenix was available in such a configuration, but is a hardtail with a scratchplate and my preference would be a trem bridge with no scratchplate.

Discuss.

A fair question. They did seem to offer up every other configuration on the planet eh?

Perhaps, it's simply because they had the Concord series which could provide that "Strat" alternative. To put out a Specky S-S-S might have looked like they were trying too hard to look like a Fender, and I think that would have taken away from the uniqueness of the Spectrum line.

Better for naysayers to trash the Concord if it failed as a Strat, than the Spectrum which I'm guessing was a better selling line.

I suppose if you really wanted to, you could replace the HB in one of the H-S-S config's, perhaps with a Tele pup of some sort??

Yeah, mate; I've "sort-of" done that with the ST/Telecaster and it's a fair impersonation of said Fender, but to complete a fairly expansive set, I'd love a s/s/s Spectrum, eh!

The Concords - bless their little cotton socks - don't blow my skirt up at all combined with which, the fact of the matter is I've not seen a s/s/s Matsumoku that's in need of attention for sale anywhere!! And, looking at the catalogue scans, I don't believe that the Concords were offered at the same time as the Spectrums so there's that reason for no s/s/s Spectrum blown out of the water... 

So it goes... I never thought I'd get a trans. blue SX either, but that's happened!!

Is it the looks or the sound your after?

Westbone wrote:Is it the looks or the sound your after?

Oooh, sorry, Damian - I missed this one! 

Mate, both, really!! I do like the look of a Spectrum and every now and again I find myself needing/wanting a s/s/s sound...

Now, I do have a Stratocaster here, and the Phoenix X195 which have singles at the bridge and which do the job admirably but, sometimes.... 

What I might do, if the chance ever occurs, is acquire a munted SX/MX/LX/GT and get a bit creative with the bridge position. I could fill the h/b hole with a block of wood and re-rout a s/c hole, eh.... I mean... how hard can it be?! 

I also wonder why Matsumoku, when they made the Spectrum in so many other variants, didn't do a s/s/s....

maybe because of the Concord guitars with SSS already

I'm pretty sure that Specs and Concords weren't available at the same time, eh!!

I say it was for sales.  The market they were after wasn't in the Strat vein so much, more the humbucker dominated arena.  So it didn't make financial sense to offer 3 singles.