Well it's 21 frets because it's based on Dave's 1957 Strat and they wanted to remain true to that.
Aren't the rest of the current Strats 21 frets also? I think they are.
Yes there are a shit load of re hashed, re named same old shit put out by Fender. They're all the same fuckin guitar with different pickups and different colors. That's all.
Play one and you've played them all.
I do have to give them credit for being able to flourish all these years with minimal changes in their lineup. I guess like the old adage goes: if it aint broke dont fix it.
Also I really have to give Fender credit for not changing, because thats why people made what are now known as Super Strats and there might not have been a Charvel, Kramer, Jackson.
So, thanks Leo!!
I'm also extremely happy that since the FMIC buyout of Jackson/Charvel the names and models have not slipped in quality or design.
Some things have changed which I'm not happy about, but all in all it's better than not having them around I guess.
Now I know that Dave Mustaine had a deal set-up to buy Jackson and they went behind his back at the last moment and sold to Fender/FMIC for more money, so either way the company would have stayed afloat.
Would they be ok under Dave's supervision? I'd like to believe so.
I got my parts list all filled out, so income tax time i'll be ordering everything I need to build my own DM Strat.
I havent wanted a guitar as bad as this for a long time, and I really cannot wait to build it.
It wont be authenic and it wont be worth much, but it's as close as I'll ever get and I plan on keeping it for along time.
Next after that is a Gilmour Strat.
I think I'm going to build that to the specs of it during the 1983 era: Charvel Strat headstock, Kahler trem

Did ya think any less? Hahaha!
I have two DiMarzio FS-1 single coils already, and some other odds and ends.