The 'Fender HM Strat is a discontinued model of electric guitar produced by Fender Musical Instruments for a very short period from 1988 until 1992, although some sources cite production as started as early as 1986. The guitar was Fender's answer to the Superstrats, produced by manufacturers such as Ibanez and Jackson guitars, and marked a relatively radical departure from Leo Fender's classic design.
The Fender HM (i.e. Heavy Metal) strat was originally produced in Japan and subsequently, in 1990, in the United States. The first version appeared with a distinct Strat logo in the headstock, 24 Jumbo frets (i.e. thicker and wider frets), a maple neck with rosewood or maple fingerboard, a lighter basswood body, or probably alder for US made guitars). In addition the fender HM strat had a Floyd Rose lisensed double-locking Kahler tremolo system "Spyder" and Gotoh tuners, 1 DiMarzio humbucking, H* and 2 single coil pickups (S*, the HSS configuration) and a side mounted jack socket. The US HM series stratocasters were launched together with the Fender Contemporary Stratocaster series in 1990 and included the Strat 10-3200 (i.e. cont. strat, HSS), 10-2100 (HSS), 10-2102 (HSS), 10-2200 (1 silver sensor, H 10-2300 (HH) and 10-2400 (H) models. All HM strat US made models had a scale length of 25.15 inches (639mm) and a radius of 17 inches (431.8mm). The Contemporary Stratocaster was eventually supplanted by the HM Strat in ’88, which went through subsequent versions. The first U.S. Fender Superstrat was the adaptation of the Japanese HM Strat, plus the addition of the U.S. Contemporary Stratocaster, in ’89. Later on (~1990), Fender introduced the USA HM Strat Ultra that is considered by many to be superior to the previous HM versions. Fender HM strat ultra differs in that it has 4 Lace sensor pickups in SSH configuration (these pickups are considered less agressive than those of Fender HM Strat), a smaller 'digitalized' Strat logo and an ebony fingerboard with split-triangle. The Fender logo on the headstock is mother of pearl.
* Note: In descriptions of pickup configurations, H refers to humbuckers and S refers to single-coils.
The Superstrat fashion of the ’80s is a fascinating period in guitar history that is yet not fully appreciated. In 1985, a group of musically dedicated people and investors led by William Schultz purchased the company from Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). Several new models including that of the Fender HM Strat were produced. The Fender HM stratocaster was endorsed by many guitar players including the guitarist Greg Howe. However, this guitar model was also opposed by several Fender purists as it was considered an "off the beaten track" Fender guitar model. The use of a humbucker (instead of a single coil), 24 jumbo frets (instead of 21 or 22 thinner frets) and basswood (instead of alder or ash) was not particuclalrly welcomed by most conservative Fender fans. However, many guitar players realized gradually that it was those features that were most responsible for the charatceristic sound of the Fender HM Strat. Today, as several players around the world look after this 80's Fender [[Strat]] hard rock guitar, this model becomes increasingly rare and collectable. Various versions of the Fender Showmaster are thought to represent the closest current revised editions of the Fender HM Strat.
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