With the release of the Gibson robot Guitar, Fender too had to get into the action. They have created the Stratocaster VG, which is a modeling guitar and a digital competitor to the robot. Like any other Stratocaster that is available out there, it features an alder body with either rosewood or a maple wood fingerboard. It also has the 22 medium-jumbo type frets and features the standard triple American Strat pickups. It even has the traditional knobs which include tone, volume and pickup selector. But that is where the similarities cease, between bridge pickup and the bridge itself, you will find a Rolland VG Hex pickup, you will also notice the two additional knobs and even a place to put batteries. These two extra knobs are for selection of the modeling mode as well as the tuning.

The Stratocaster VG features a need for 4 AA batteries that are used to power the guitar’s internal CPU. All that this set-up does, is gets rid of the need for all that extra modeling equipment. It is all built into the guitar and all you have to do is to plug it in and start jamming. Don’t forget to ensure the batteries are fully charged though, but you can tell that by glancing at the battery indicator light.

In other words, using the mode control knob, you can modify the sound even before it leaves the guitar headed for the effect pedal or amplifier. The Mode knob features 5 letters, each of which represents a different mode, you will see NSTHA. But of course these letters mean nothing unless you know what each one stands for, with the obvious N standing for Normal, the S stands for a modeled Stratocaster, the T for Telecaster, the H for Humbucking and the A for Acoustic. S when it says that you can model without the extra equipment, Fender means it.

Not only has the Mode knob added a lot of useful features to this modeling guitar, you also have the tuning knob which supports selection between N,D,G,d,B and 12. Now here is where it gets more interesting since you can now mix and match with ease between the modes and these tuning selections, the N just like previous is for the obvious Normal Mode, while the D is for dropping the low E to D, G os of course for Open G, while d is for D tuning. The final two are also a great addition with the B standing for a baritone tuning and the 12, well let’s just say it will sound like you are on a 12 string instead of 6.

Now the only problem with this set-up is that if you are playing unplugged, you will hear no difference, it is the guitar itself that simulates the changes even though none have actually been made. Also, if the mode selector is set to Normal, then the tuning selection is bypassed.

The Stratocaster VG is also self tuning; well actually it is a simulated self tuning thanks to the Rolland Hex pickup. The tension of the strings are obviously not automatically changed but rather the pitch emitted from the guitar is altered depending on set-up. But one has to remember, that the guitar has to be in standard tuning in order for this to work, otherwise it will alter the alternative tuning you have set-up which may or may not work so well.