Fender Tom Morello Strat FR RW BLK

Fender Tom Morello Strat FR RW BLK review

The Fender Tom Morello Strat FR RW BLK takes the familiar Strat-style outline and adds hardware and controls aimed at expressive, high-gain playing. Its black alder body, mirrored chrome pickguard, and recessed Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo give it a distinctive look. The signature model has been available since February 2020 and includes a deluxe black case. A "Soul Power" body decal is also supplied for the owner to apply.

Its specifications point to a guitar built for tonal range and pitch effects. The bolt-on maple neck has a Modern C profile, a rosewood fingerboard, white pearloid dot inlays, and 22 jumbo frets. The 648 mm (25.51-inch) scale is standard long scale. A compound fingerboard radius runs from 241 mm to 356 mm, or about 9.5 to 14 inches, moving from a rounder feel near the nut to a flatter surface higher up the neck. Nut width is 43 mm.

Pickup range and controls

The HSS pickup layout combines a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Strat SHR-1B humbucker at the bridge with Fender Vintage Noiseless single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. In user reports, the two single coils are praised for balanced, clean sounds, while the bridge humbucker is described as powerful and well suited to distortion and overdrive. One owner also liked the more biting, crunchy sound available from a combined pickup setting.

Controls include a master volume, two tone knobs, and a five-way pickup selector. The kill switch provides the abrupt signal cuts associated with stuttering rhythms and rhythmic effects. Reports are mixed on its placement and feel. One player found it easy to hit accidentally while seated, while another described the switch as a three-position part where only one position passes the signal. That is worth checking in person if switch response is important to your playing.

Floyd Rose stability and setup

The recessed Floyd Rose FRT-O2000 double-locking tremolo is a major part of this model's appeal. Players report that it holds tuning well, including after substantial tremolo use, and one buyer chose the guitar specifically to address tuning instability on Strat-style instruments. The locking saddles and locking machine heads support that stability, while the fine tuners make small corrections possible after the strings are locked down.

There is a tradeoff. String changes and alternate tunings can take more time than on a fixed-bridge guitar. A player new to this type of tremolo may need patience while learning how string tension, setup, and tuning interact. One owner received the guitar set up in Drop D and made a small adjustment; another found that changing strings and adjusting the bridge took more effort than expected. If you switch tunings frequently, factor that into the decision.

Playing feel and build observations

Several owners describe the guitar as comfortable to play, with a strong sound that stays audible in a band. The compound radius supports both chord work near the lower frets and bends higher up the neck. However, fret-end finish is a recurring reservation. Some players noticed fret ends that felt rough or less carefully finished than expected at this price. One review also mentioned paint near the nut and a loose output jack after a year of use. These reports do not establish that every instrument has the same issues, but they make an in-person inspection worthwhile.

The mirrored pickguard is another point of taste. Some buyers like the bold chrome appearance; one replaced it with a mint-green guard and had to add holes and widen a few openings. The factory pickguard's protective film may also take patience to remove, since owners reported material caught under screws and hardware. Use care around the surface to avoid scratches.

Verdict

The Fender Tom Morello Strat FR RW BLK is best suited to players who want a locking tremolo, a high-output bridge humbucker, clean single-coil options, and a dedicated kill switch in one instrument. Its reported tuning stability and broad sound range are strong points, while fret-end finish, switch ergonomics, and the extra work involved in Floyd Rose maintenance deserve consideration. The included case adds practical value. At a listed price of 1522, inspect the fretwork and controls if possible, and be sure the tremolo's setup demands fit your habits.