The LEGO® Ideas 21329 Fender® Stratocaster™ set has arrived, and for fans of both iconic guitars and intricate brick builds, it’s a harmonious blend of passions. Following up on the parts and build analysis, the burning question remains: while it’s undeniably a detailed replica, can this Fender Guitar Lego creation actually be played? Let’s dive into the details of this set, provided by LEGO, and explore what it truly offers.
LEGO Fender Stratocaster Set Display
Authentic Design, Silent Strings
At first glance, the Fender guitar LEGO set impresses with its dedication to replicating the Stratocaster’s iconic form. It features six plastic strings, each of varying scale lengths, and a fretboard that suggests playability. Technically, yes, you can press the strings against the printed frets and attempt to pluck or strum. However, the reality is that this LEGO Fender guitar is essentially fretless, as the frets are merely printed markings. More importantly, the plastic strings are loose, lack tension, and connect to printed pickups – meaning this instrument produces no sound.
This silence is entirely by design and perfectly in line with expectations for a scale model. Unlike the LEGO® Ideas 21323 Grand Piano, which aimed for a degree of digital playability, the Fender Stratocaster LEGO set makes no such claims. This is a display piece, pure and simple. The inclusion of actual strings, even plastic ones, adds a layer of authenticity without misleading anyone into thinking they’re getting a playable instrument. This approach avoids the confusion some experienced with the Grand Piano’s marketing, as Tim Johnson explored in his review. An electric guitar, by its nature, requires electrical components to produce sound, something not realistically achievable within a standard LEGO set.
Scale and Display: Is it Ready to Rock?
The question of “playability” takes on a different meaning when considering LEGO figures. To explore this, the builder introduced Zinnia Superfuzz, a custom LEGO figure, to see how the Fender guitar LEGO set interacts with a minifigure scale. Initially intending to photograph a suitably sized figure with the guitar, the set’s larger-than-expected size became apparent. While Zinnia, a sturdier figure designed as a bass player, was chosen, the Stratocaster proved to be oversized for typical minifigures.
LEGO Fender Stratocaster with Zinnia Superfuzz Figure
Despite the size discrepancy, the experiment revealed interesting details. The Stratocaster’s strap can hang on a figure’s shoulder, albeit imperfectly. The lower strap button, constructed with a sturdy Antenna piece, is secure. However, the upper button, merely a Tile Round stuck into a jumper plate, is prone to detaching if the guitar is positioned upright. This upper strap button is identified as the set’s most significant design flaw.
Switching the textile strap for a custom Mixel ball joint strap improved the figure’s ability to “play” the Fender guitar LEGO. While less realistic in appearance, this modification allowed Zinnia to reach the strings more effectively. This playful scenario highlights that within the realm of buildable figures, the LEGO Stratocaster can indeed be “played,” in a whimsical sense.
Further examination with Zinnia and the accompanying amplifier revealed a surprising aspect of scale. Initially perceived as disproportionate, comparing the LEGO amp to the Stratocaster alongside the figure led to a realization: the amplifier is actually close to perfect minifigure scale. Checking dimensions of a Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb Amp confirmed it to be a compact tube amplifier, around 40cm tall, aligning well with the Stratocaster’s body width of 32cm. In the context of Zinnia, the amp takes on the persona of a larger stage amplifier, adding to the visual storytelling.
LEGO Fender Stratocaster and Amplifier with Figure Scale
Beyond its intended purpose as a guitar strap, the flexible strap piece offers versatility for other creative LEGO builds.
Final Verdict: A LEGO Set for Display and Parts
In conclusion, the LEGO Ideas 21329 Fender Stratocaster set upholds the high standards of detail and ambition typical of the Ideas line. The 1074 pieces are largely versatile, including the new curved concave slope (78666). Specialized elements like the silvery strings and Fender-branded strap are ripe for inspiring creative MOCs (My Own Creations). The option to build either a black or red Stratocaster adds further value for LEGO parts enthusiasts.
LEGO Fender Stratocaster Back Detail
The design is generally robust, particularly the amplifier and string mechanisms. The weak upper strap button stands out as the primary flaw. Minor inaccuracies in the body’s white area and headstock size present intriguing modding opportunities for dedicated builders.
Concerns about brand-centric LEGO releases, such as the Adidas shoe set, have sparked debate about whether these sets cater more to broader hobbyists than core LEGO fans. While this may be a deliberate strategy to expand LEGO’s appeal, the Fender Stratocaster LEGO set arguably transcends mere branding. An unbranded LEGO electric guitar would still be a highly desirable item, given the instrument’s inherent coolness. However, the Stratocaster’s legendary status and influence on the collective image of the electric guitar provide a compelling reason for this specific branding. It allows for a fascinating comparison between the real instrument and its brick-built counterpart, appealing to a different kind of enthusiast – the Fender aficionado.
LEGO Fender Stratocaster Angled View
Ultimately, the LEGO Ideas 21329 Fender Stratocaster set is a well-designed, surprising, and part-rich model that appeals to a broad audience. While Fender purists will find particular joy in owning a LEGO Stratocaster, its overall quality and interesting building techniques make it recommendable to LEGO fans in general. Priced at 99€ (in Germany, prices may vary), it offers a fair value for its piece count. The unique and printed pieces further enhance its appeal for collectors and builders alike. The question of whether offering options for different guitar models, like a Telecaster, remains open, presenting a challenge for creative LEGO builders to modify this set and explore further iconic guitar designs in brick form.
The LEGO Ideas 21329 Fender Stratocaster is available from October 1, 2021. If you’re considering purchasing this set, using affiliate links can support content creators.
