The STR was designed in conjunction with Country Western artist Ray Benson. He specified that it have "an extra half-inch all the way around, so it gives the body a bigger sound", as well as the rear belly carve and a thicker neck than a standard Tele. It was part of the American Classic Series.
The DTR was the economy version of the STR, akin to the DS' relation to the S.
Made in Incheon, Korea by Samick.
Related:
DTR-100 Ray Benson Signature[]
1995 DTR-100 TS
This model does not have the typical engraved neck plate design, just a blank plate with the serial number engraved.
- 1995
Body:
- Contoured laminate body
- Alder veneers, front and back
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Maple neck
- Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Satin finish
- Rounded headstock
- Standard logo
- 21 frets
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Two single coils, one lipstick style
- 3-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Standard machine heads
- Pearloid "Violin" pickguard w/ silk-screened signature
- Vintage Tele-style tailpiece
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- Tobacco Sunburst (TS)
STR-100 Ray Benson Signature[]
1999 STR-100 AM
- 1995-2001
- 1995-1998 (TS finish)
Body:
- Contoured solid Alder body
- Flame Maple veneer
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Rock Maple neck
- Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Valley Arts headstock
- Gloss front, satin back
- Bullet style truss rod
- 22 ArticuFretsTM
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Two Duncan Design single coils, one Duncan Design humbucker
- Splittable Hot Rail in middle position (1995-1996)
- 5-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone (push/pull coil tap)
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- 16:1 ratio die-cast machine heads
- Pearloid "Violin" pickguard
- Silk-screened signature (1995-1998)
- Vintage Tele-style tailpiece
Finishes:
- Amber (AM) / Natural Flame (NFA)
- Tobacco Sunburst (TS)
- 3-Tone Sunburst (3SB)
STR-200[]
1999 STR-200 TBK
- 1997-1999
Body:
- Contoured solid Alder body
- Flame Maple veneer
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Rock Maple neck
- Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Valley Arts headstock
- Gloss front, satin back
- Bullet style truss rod
- 22 ArticuFretsTM
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Two Duncan Design single coils, one Duncan Design humbucker
- 3-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- 16:1 ratio die-cast machine heads
- Pearloid Texas pickguard
- Vintage Tele-style tailpiece
Finishes:
- Translucent Black (TBK)
STR-200 KF[]
Limited Edition NAMM 100th Anniversary Guitar. Same as STR-200 but with solid Bubinga body and Natural "Kusu Finish" (N).