After you ask "who the heck is Lincoln Brewster?" Here's my take:: I'm an older electric guitar player - had the honor of owning many great Stratocasters over the years. Signature SRV, Beck, Clapton, Johnson, Hendrix models as well as countless production models American, Mexican and Japanese. All real good (one exception). I recently purchased the Lincoln Brewster Stratocaster in Aztec Gold. In addition to having a very different electronic setup it's also an extraordinarily well made guitar. It's an active instrument with a db boost when the volume pot is initiated by raising the volume knob. The middle tone pot's only function is to change the character of the boost. There is no middle or neck tone control in normal mode. They're open. After the boost the middle nob will essentially act as a tone/character control for all pickups. It still has a 5 way switch. The bridge tone pot controls the bridge only. Ash body, nitro finish, Dimarzio pickups in all positions, compound neck/fingerboard, locking tuners, great two-point bridge/vibrato. It is hands down the BEST of all the Fender instruments I've been fortunate to play. It sounds... how should I say,?... extremely pleasing!! Sounds so good it makes me not want to put it down. The sound options are many - all controlled from the guitar. Don't need to approach the pedalboard at all. Just astonishing guitar! Have a look at one on YouTube and while you're there have a look at Lincoln Brewster Miraculum Live. You'll quickly see who he is. Cudos to his playing and the production. Ok - the point: It's the best Stratocaster I have ever owned! Nope I'm not a Fender rep - just a Fender lover.