Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Overview

When we talk of the musical instrument that changes the entertainment industry, we refer to the electric guitar. Although early attempt to produce an electric guitar was recorded around 1920, modern versions of the guitar represent the evolution in the musical world. The electric guitar looks different from their predecessor, but they are all constructed from the same template or after the same laid down principles. 

All guitars, electric and acoustic are built with a neck, bridge and body. The difference between acoustic and electric guitars lies in the fact that, electric guitars are solid body guitars (they do not have sound holes but transmit sound by plugging into an amplifier) because the acoustic guitars are hollow body (they produce sound due to the existence of a sound hole and strumming of the strings).

Early innovation or invention of the electric guitar were motivated by the volume of the hollow acoustic guitar which makes it very difficult to carry around and was thus relegated to a supportive role in large musical concerts. Earlier versions of today’s modern electric guitars were amplified acoustic guitars crudely modified by inventors who added wires, and other magnetic pickup.

As technology keep on advancing, newer versions became more complex, hence Fender Stratocaster electric guitar was developed and grew to become a major solo musical instrument.

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Brief History

The Fender Stratocaster (Strat) electric guitar was first introduced or invented by Leo Fender in 1954 together with his friends George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares in California USA. They were motivated by the success of Precision Base and Fender’s Telecaster to build a guitar with more tonal versatility as well as improved comfort and playability. Their work resulted in what is today known as Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. Adapted from the profile of the P-Bass, Stratocaster’s double-cutaway, deeply contoured solid body allows easier access to the higher frets and nestled more comfortably against the player’s body. The main feature of the Stratocaster is the addition of a middle single-coil pickup which gives the Stratocaster greater tonal versatility compared to its Telecaster stalemate’s two-pickup design.

The first Stratocaster had a three-way pickup selector switch which guitarists later discovered that they could engage two pickups simultaneously by using a toothpick to wedge the switch between factory settings and thus create unique tones. All these events and others was going on through the watchful eyes of Leo Fender.

In 1977, Fender introduced the 5-way pickup selector switching and a reverse polarity middle pickup. This design allows for hum-canceling effect in position 2 and 4 on the selector switch.

In 1982, Fender introduced a variation of the Stratocaster under its Squier trademark in a bit to create value-priced instruments. This became one of the company’s most successful models. Fender then continued from Japan where the Squier was built to Indonesia, China and Korea. His aim was to produce an instrument that retains the Fender quality standard while being more affordable.

Later in 1987 following the opening of its factory in Mexico, Fender’s reverse custom shop was launched which began building some of the best Stratocaster electric guitars ever.

From this period, Fender continued to rethink its flagship Stratocaster, which saw the introduction of dozens of model variations with unique cosmetics and capabilities. But the essential sound, shape, and playability of the Stratocaster remain unchanged six decades later.  

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Design Development

 

The Fender Stratocaster electric guitar was the first guitar with a deeply contoured body to feature a spring tension tremolo system, 21-fret one-piece maple neck with black dot inlays and three pickups. The Fender Stratocaster electric guitar’s sleek, contoured body shape differed from the flat, slab-like design of the Fender Telecaster hence it’s officially referred to by Fender as the “Comfort Contour Body”. The Stratocaster’s double cutaways allowed players easier access to higher positions on the neck.

They were first introduced in 1954, a few years after the Fender Telecaster as a sleek and sexy, futuristic- looking musical instrument with offset horns for better balance and enhanced playability. It was a “Comfort Contour Body” that was shaped to better conform to the player’s anatomy.

Adapted from the profile of the P-Bass, its deeply contoured, double-cutaway solid body allowed easier access to the higher frets and nestled more comfortably against the player’s body. The middle single-coil pickup gave the Stratocaster greater tonal versatility than its Telecaster stalemate’s two-pickup design.

The body of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar is divided into the head, neck and body.

The head comprises of 6 serial tuners which are used to alter the tension in the string hence sound variation, and head-nut which attached the head and hold firmly to the neck.

Attached to the head is the neck which is made up of the 21 fret board or fingerboard and fret market.

And attached to the neck is the body which is composed of the string saddles, tremolo and tremolo arm, volume and tone knobs, input jack, pickups, pickup selector and pick-guard.

The Stratocaster is made up of six (6) guitar strings, tune with tuning pegs, and have frets on a long neck.

Down to the body end the most popular Stratocaster electric guitars have solid bodies. Sound is produced by magnetic pickups which are controlled by several knobs (usually in pairs). When the string of a guitar is plucked, the sound it produces is barely audible which is then amplified and boosted by an amplifier.

Solid bodies’ Stratocaster electric guitars derive their sound from the three magnetic pickup(s) installed within their body. These pickups function to pick up vibration of the guitar strings, transforming their kinetic energy into electrical impulses that are transmitted in a coil circuit of the pickup to an amplifier (amp). The amplified signal is later sent to drive the speaker which sends out sound waves.

For best sound quality, this pickup must be stable and unaffected by the vibrating body.

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: How it Works

 

The main function of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar is to produce sound or play music. It is one of the most important musical instruments ever created with a huge ability to produce pleasing sound and therefore used in various musical brands like Jazz and Rock.

While there may be of different styles, designs, and models, the general principles of sound production is the same for all Stratocaster.

In order to produce sound, Stratocaster guitars senses the vibrations of the metal strings electronically and produce an electronic signal (electric current) which is then sent to an amplifier and then the speaker. The sensing occurs at the magnetic pickups (usually 3 pickups mounted with a 5-way switch selector) which function as a magnetic field mounted under the metal strings on the electric guitar’s body.

A simple magnetic pickup consists of a bar magnet wrapped in a coil (as many as 7,000 turns of fine wire). When a metal string is pluck, it vibrates in the electric field of the pickups. Going by the laws of Electromagnetics, a moving (vibrating) metal wire in a magnetic field produces electric current. In the case of the Stratocaster, the vibrating string rapidly cut across the magnetic flux of the pickups causing the generation of current. The current which is generated depends on the frequency and height (amplitude) of the vibrating string (this explains the difference in the sounds produced).

The current that is produced is picked by and transmitted by the pickup through a preamplifier circuit with tone controls in the guitar cable to the amplifier.

The tone is adjusted by the upper variable resistor and capacitor. This serves as a filter that cuts out higher frequencies. The frequency (pitch) of the Stratocaster guitar is therefore controlled by adjusting the resistor. The second resistor controls the volume (amplitude) of the signal that reaches the jack and then to an amplifier which drives a speaker.

The type of guitar strings, playing techniques, tone controls, pickup(s), and other factors built into the guitar's design all influence the signal that is sent to the amplifier. To sum it up, every component or feature of the guitar affects how the guitar sounds.

 

Most electric guitars are built with two or three different pickups located at various points on the guitars’ body. These pickups have distinctive sounds, and multiple pickups can be paired, in-phase or out of phase to produce sound variations.

Fender Stratocaster electric guitars are made with pickups of different types. For instance, some pickups extend a single magnet bar under all six guitar strings. Others have a separate pole piece for each string.

Other pickups use screws for pole pieces, to allow the adjustment of the height of each polepiece. The closer the polepiece is to the string, the stronger the electrical signal generated.

Depending on the amplifier’s capabilities and design, it boosts and modifies the signal with the help of various tone controls. The modified and boosted signal is then sent to a speaker, the final output device which converts it to sound waves.

 

How the three pickups and the 5-way switch selector works

The Fender Stratocaster electric guitar 3 pickups and 5-way switch are designed specifically to reduce or eliminate the humbucking sound.

The 5 way pickup switch of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar performs a very important job. It controls and determines which pickup or combinations of pickups are on at any given time. This is basically what gives the Stratocaster its honored tonal versatility.

This switch is a five-position blade-type mounted diagonally on the lower half of the pickup guard on the treble-string side. Its position, just like that of all Stratocaster parts is very vital and deliberate. It is close enough to the pickup hand in order to be within easy reach while playing. It is also far enough to prevent it from accidentally being knocked out of position.

Assigning number to the switch position, and taking the position closest to the middle tone knob as position 1, proceeding in that order towards the middle pickup, we would easily label the switch’s pickup-selector functions thus:

Position 1: Only Bridge pickup
Position 2: Combine Bridge pickup and middle pickup
Position 3: Only Middle pickup
Position 4. Combine Middle pickup and neck pickup
Position 5: Only Neck pickup

Looking at these switch positions, it is important to note that there is no means of having all three pickups on at any given time and also that there is some quite interesting history behind the Stratocaster’s pickup switch.

The first two decades of the innovation of the Stratocaster guitar saw a three-way pickup switch. The switch has as function to select the neck pickup, the middle pickup or the bridge pickup, but not in combinations. It was after this period that the need tonal versatility became so important and saw the introduction of the 5-way pickup switch.

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Features

Stratocaster Single-coil Pickups

The Stratocaster's trio of single-coil pickups produce a famous bell-like tonality that can sound as polite or rude as you need. This trio of single-coil pickups with a 5-way blade switch accesses 5 different pickup configurations. That is Neck pickup, Neck-Middle pickup, Middle pickup, Middle-Bridge pickup, and the Bridge pickup.

 

Iconic Double-cutaway Solid Body Design

The sleek curves and comfortable body contours of the Stratocaster's double-cutaway body, first introduced in the '50s are still the most popular design out there. This double cutaway contoured alder or ash body offers excellent playability, resonance, and comfort.

 

Dual Tone/Single Volume Control

The Stratocaster's single volume knob is placed conveniently for on-the-fly output changes. The dual tone control help tame the guitar's aggressive high end. This master volume and 2 tone knobs control the output signal and the treble frequencies of the Neck and Middle pickups.

 

25.5" Scale Length

The Strat's longer scale length creates clear, punchy lower-string notes and bolder top end, contributing greatly to the Stratocaster's legendary sound.

 

Bridge Design

The six-saddle or synchronized tremolo bridge allows for precise intonation and a wide range of vibrato techniques.

 

6-inline Headstock/String Tree

The Strat's straight pull, String tree and 6-inline headstock layout deliver optimal pressure across the guitar's nut for use with the guitar's tremolo.

Other features include:

• A bolt-on maple neck which provides strength and stability, while allowing for easily removal for repairs or replacement;
• Rosewood or Maple fingerboard for tonal definition and durability;
• Urethane, Polyester finish (modern), or nitrocellulose lacquer finish (vintage and Custom Shop);
• 7-1/4” fretboard radius (vintage)  9-1/2” (modern); and
• A Classic “C”-shaped or “V”-shaped neck

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Ways to Improve the Tone

If you own a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar there are some vital modifications that can be done to make subtle improvements to your guitar.

Practice/Playing Style

The finest or best Stratocaster guitar in the world will sound like chaos in the hands of a newbies. Conversely, a great player can make a lowest great budget Squier Mini Stratocaster sound amazing. Subtleties like dynamics and knowing what or when not to play instantly transform the guitar to a whole new level.

 

Intonation

The key here lies in setting up your guitar properly. This may make all the difference as you navigate throughout the fingerboard. We advise you to visit a pro that has spent their career mastering the setup. Although you may find many tips on how to better set up your guitar online, getting a pro has more benefits. They are more likely to balance out other issues discussed below. Bear in mind that any changes in the tremolo tension, string gauge, string height, or truss rod will usually require an intonation adjustment.

 

Strings & String Height

Many are of the school that a Stratocaster benefits from a slightly higher action. This is based on the fact that it lets the strings ring out more, thus increasing expression and sustain. Bending and vibrato becomes easier which can easily create your "signature" in solos. Also it provides more distance from pickup magnets, which can dramatically alter tone. String type can also play a role in changing the sound of your instrument. Therefore, its worth to experiment what works best for you. Whenever you find a set you love, routinely change the strings, as they usually lose brilliance over playing time. Also, string gauge plays a role factor to many. The goal is to play the highest gauge possible without altering your personal ability or style to perform.

 

Pickup Height

Many Stratocaster guitarists seem to never be satisfied with the bridge pickup hence they try to adjust the balance. This is the act of removing the lower end mud and giving the upper register more presence. You often hear "ice pick", "thin" or "brittle" in conversation. Use a Phillips-Head and bring up the height a bit as you play to hear how it changes the sound. That notwithstanding, on most alnico magnet pickup designs you need to be careful not to get too close as the magnets may literally pull on the string and dampen your notes. Also important to note is the fact that it changes the balance between the other 2 pickups. It is believed that installing a base plate under the bridge pickup thickens the tone, getting it closer towards a Telecaster sound but without as much twang.

 

Change Pickups

This is basically a relative factor. It depends on what the particular player wants to achieve in their tone. Some try to produce something completely original while others want to emulate an artist. One guitar can not really satisfy the needs of all. However, this is easily resolved by the readily found amazing pickups from both the original Fender manufacturer, time tested after market pickup manufacturers and newer reputable higher end boutique manufacturers.

 

Change the Neck

Different neck thicknesses is usually what people are going for. Some love thick vintage style "Chunky"/"Baseball" profile necks in improving tone and increasing sustain. Usually a "Boat Shape" profile, favors those who use their thumb to weigh the back of the neck. Still, others feel it is more about the ability to play with ease and comfort why they often choose the modern "C" shape. This playing style favors the player who wraps the thumb around the front edge. The same could be said about the soft "V" shape. The size of your hands also plays a role in your choice of both profile and radius. 9.5", 12". Compound radius usually favour larger hands while 7.25" vintage radius tends to suite smaller hands.

 

Tremolo/Block

Using a top quality steel block can help the player achieve better sustain and response. Some players even go as far as installing a titanium block. The saddles also can alter the tone depending on what the player is trying to achieve. Many insist that the tremolo be locked down with 5- springs in order to get better stability/sustain. This can result in lost of the functionality of one of the greatest features of this magical instrument.

 

 

Body Type/Finish

If you are looking for a balanced, brighter or darker tone, the Alder is the wood of choice.  Alder has been the wood of choice by Fender for many years, because it is probably the most balanced in frequency of tone woods. Ash is an excellent choice for those desiring a brighter sound. Swamp Ash has been in great demand over the past decade due to its lighter weight. Mahogany, of course, would be another good choice in this area of the tone spectrum.

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Buying Guide

The Fender Stratocaster is among the most iconic or popular electric guitars to have ever been produced and it has been a key player on the sounds of modern music. It was first introduced in 1954, and since then, it has featured on countless recordings, and played by many blues, rock, punk, jazz, soul, country, and R&B artists around the globe. During its six-decade history, the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar has consistently been one of the most popular guitars in production.

Below is a catalogue of the different Fender Stratocaster electric guitar for your quick review.

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Artist Series

This moderately priced style includes Stratocasters built to evoke the sound and look of iconic axes played by some of the world's most important guitarists. The cosmetics, electronics, and pickups reflect the choices of the artists whose names they bear.

Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster with its bridge pickup and reversed headstock is a good example. Thy recall the southpaw master’s habit of flipping over right-hand Stratocasters to play them left-handed.

 

Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster offers easier bends on treble strings and a tighter feel on the bass strings thanks to the “flipped" headstock. 

 

Artist Series Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Stratocaster-Three Tex Mex single-coils with an extra-hot bridge pup plus custom tone-control wiring.

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Fender Classic Series

The Classic Stratocaster was introduced and used from the 1950s. Each Stratocaster model in the series has its unique vibe and quality components that perfect to this iconic guitar’s status.

 

This 1970s Classic Series Stratocaster comes with all the original features: Large headstock, u-shaped neck, “bullet” truss rod, and Schaller vintage machines.

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Fender Standard Series

 

The Fender Standard Stratocaster also considered as the industry’s standard. It incorporates the classic Stratocaster features at an average price. It may be considered an excellent choice for the committed hobbyist or weekend warrior in need of a guitar that will keep them coming back for more year in and year out.

• Alder body
• Maple or rosewood fingerboard
• Modern C-shaped maple neck
• Satin polyurethane neck finish
• White plastic parts
• Chrome hardware
• Standard Ping cast/sealed tuning machines 

Fender Standard Stratocaster Infused with the same playability and vibe as the first Stratocaster created in Leo Fender’s workshop.

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Fender Classic Player Series

The Fender Strat’s updates classic designs with modern improvements in the Classic Player Series. It relies on revered 1960s instruments selection of choice mods which gives these timeless models the supper sonic juice and playability required by the contemporary guitarist.

 

Fender Classic Player Series designed by Master Builder Greg Fessler and bristles with cool elements

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: USA Fender Stratocasters

Built in Fender's Corona, California factory, USA Fender Stratocasters set the standard for tone, playability, and quality. It is made with premium woods (ash or alder), master craftsmanship, and custom shop pickups, the USA Stratocasters are sure to please demanding players across a variety of styles.

 

American Special Series

Fender introduced this affordable, remarkable U.S. made series in 2010 in a bit to make a more affordable piece that is in-line with the increasing economic meltdown. These axes include special bridges, circuits, finishes, and pickups, which represent an incredible value where domestically made Stratocasters are concerned. It comprises of:

• Glossy urethane finish
• Contoured alder body
• Modern C-shaped maple neck
• Specific-model special pickups which deliver upgraded tones
• Vintage-style synchronized tremolo
• 22 jumbo frets

 

Built in US, the American Special Stratocaster with Texas Special pickups serve up midrange chirp, tight bass, and crystalline highs with an outstanding value.

 

American Professional Series

The American Professional Stratocaster may be regarded as a time-honored workhorse of discerning hobbyists and seasoned professionals alike. It is limited to four classic Fender instruments: the Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazz Bass and P-Bass. It is made of:

• Traditional alder body for classic Strat tone
• Modern Deep C-shaped maple neck
• Newly redesigned ShawBucker™ humbuckers and/or Newly designed V-Mod single-coil
• 2-point synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles and pop-in tremolo arm
• Gloss Polyurethane finish
• Fender Elite Molded Case

 

American Deluxe Series

American Delux Stratocaster, enhance your performance and  features all the quality you will expect from an American-made Fender. S-1 switching offers unique sounds at the push of a button and the compound-radius fretboard makes playing a breeze.

• Contoured heel and body
• Select alder body
• Rosewood or maple neck
• 22 medium-jumbo frets
• C-shaped neck profile
• Compound-radius fretboard (9-1/2" at the nut, 12" at the 12th fret, and 14" at the 15th fret)
• S-1 switching system
• Three N3 Noiseless single-coil pickups
• Lane switch which instantly routes signals to the bridge position
• Locking tuning keys
• High-mass tremolo block
• Upgraded, molded case

 

American Elite Series

Fender’s Elite Series electrics, first introduced in 2016, deliver all the proven design features of their forerunners, but enhanced with newly developed 4th Generation Noiseless pickups. This is perfect to acheive the electromagnetic energy required by today’s 21^st century musically intense guitar styles. The American Elite series is equipped with a modern, compound-radius fretboard and a compound-profile neck that matches the best of C and D necks into one of the most comfortable Stratocasters you’ll ever play.

 

Fender Strat, American Elite Series Under the familiar maple or rosewood fingerboard, has a sleek compound-radius fingerboard and new, transitional neck profile for outstanding feel.

 

American Vintage Series

This is a collection of vintage specimen instrument that was dissected and documented to come up with modern recreations (the American Vintage) family. Done by Fender’s rehabbing old machine tools and creating new ones to make these totally authentic or original in terms of their build process. Each has been constructed to give it a modern face lift, enhance the original tone and playability of these iconic axes. It is described as follows:

• Alder body (lightweight) with deep contours
• Modern versions of the originals
• Thick soft "V"-shaped maple neck
• Includes deluxe vintage tweed case
• Model-specific special pickups

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Fender Custom Shop

Since Fender Custom Shop inception in 1987, it has seen a steady increase in demand as a world-class musical instrument. These luthiers craft instruments of unparalleled beauty and playability are the representation of the corporation ties between Fender and some greatest guitarist (such as Clapton, Townshend, and Gilmour) of all times. 

They were produced by modifying existing guitars to creating entirely new instruments.

Many Custom Shop are one-offs creations designs that will never be repeated. Others are retired after limited runs and never to be produced again. Each Custom Shop instrument is a tribute to the luthier’s guitar legend and is an investment-grade purchase.

Custom Shop Artist

Stratocaster’s Custom Shop Artist series relies on each artist’s unique specs, style or taste, executed with master craftsmanship by Fender’s premier luthiers.

 

David Gilmour Custom Shop Stratocaster, the result of close collaboration with the Pink Floyd guitarist and his guitar tech, Phil Taylor. 

 

Custom Deluxe

It is produced by the Fender Custom Shop from Luthiers stunning woods and inlay materials along with the finest hardware and electronics components in hand crafting.

 

Gorgeous Custom Shop Custom Deluxe Stratocaster, hand-selected woods are complemented by Fat ’60s bridge pup with a ‘60s-spec pickups adding extra chunk to the sound of the guitar.

 

Time Machine

This is a revolutionary piece of art created using varied degree of distressing. It is one of luthiers artfully craft instruments from Custom Shops that seems to have been musically eventful. Each copy is a perfect mirror of the model on which it is based.

 

A 1960 Stratocaster Time Machine series which has received a relic treatment, representing the look and feel of an instrument that has been subjected to thousands of hours of playing time.

 

Masterbuilt

Looking for a pinnacle of Custom Shop Master Builders design, Fender’s Masterbuilt Stratocasters are a good choice. Master Builders design and hand-made gives each guitar an utterly unique and world-class musical piece. Master builders such as Paul Waller, personally select the materials and craft of each guitar to their exacting standards.

 

Paul Waller handcrafted 1965 Master Built Stratocaster 

 

Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Review: Squier Stratocasters

This is a division of Fender Stratocasters, sharing many of the same design features at super-affordable prices. In the company's own words, Squier is the “value brand alternative to its formal Fender.”

Squier Bullet Series

This series comes with a tremolo-equipped Stratocaster for the new player on a tight budget which delivers the tone and playability of a Stratocaster without breaking the bank. It has the following characteristics:

• Mini option available (¾ scale, 20 frets)
• Designed for beginners and students
• Bullet (21 frets)
• Maple C-shaped neck
• Laminated hardwood body
• Rosewood fretboard
• Model-specific pickup arrays
• Chrome-covered machine heads
• 9.5" fretboard radius
• 1-ply white pickguard
• Made in Asia

 

Affordable Squier Bullet Stratocaster HSS

Squier Affinity Series

Affinity Stratocasters are a step up in the Squier line, that offer more features than the Bullet including upgraded wood and pickups for a fuller with better or richer sound.

• Maple or rosewood neck
• Thinner 40mm depth solid alder body
• 9.5" fingerboard radius
• 1-ply pickguard
• Model-specific pickup arrays
• 21 medium-jumbo frets
• Large, ’60s-style headstock
• Made in China and Indonesia

 

Squier Affinity HSS Stratocaster Burgundy Mist, comes with a humbucker in the bridge position to make a sonic impact equal to its knockout looks.

Squier Standard Series

The Squier Standard Stratocaster enhanced with the feel and comfort of a Standard Fender at a more accessible price. composed of:

• C-shaped neck
• 45mm depth like most Fender models solid agathis body
• 9.5" fingerboard radius
• Large, ’60s style headstock
• 22 medium jumbo frets
• 4-ply tortoise shell or 3-ply parchment pick guard
• Made in China and Indonesia

 

Squier Standard Stratocaster, based on its Fender American Series counterpart, sports a classically old-school antique burst finish and vintage single-coil sound.

Squier Deluxe Series

Squier’s Deluxe Series Stratocaster are tricked out with modern features that enhance their old-school vibe with advanced playability, sound, and visuals.

• Finish: Polyester
• Basswood body
• Bridge: Vintage-style, 6-saddle tremolo
• Neck: 1-Piece Maple, Modern "C" Shape
• Frets: 22, Medium-jumbo
• Fingerboard: Rosewood or Maple, 9.5"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Hardware: Chrome
• Nut Width: 1.65"
• Tuning Keys: Standard die-cast
• Pickguard: 3-ply parchment

 

Squier Classic Vibe Series

Produced based on the early Strat designs, the Classic Vibe series serves up affordable versions of the vintage Strats you have always dreamt about with some modern touches.

• Finish: Polyester
• Alder body
• Neck: 1-Piece Maple, Modern "C" Shape
• Frets: 21, Medium-jumbo
• Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.65"
• Tuning Keys: Vintage-style tuning machines
• Hardware: Chrome
• Bridge: Vintage-style, 6-saddle tremolo
• Pickguard: 1-ply

 

Squier Vintage Modified Series

This Strats series offer the playability and tonal characteristics of classic-era Strats with hot-rodded updates such as hotter pickups and unique finishes.

• Basswood body
• Bolt-on neck construction
• 25.5" scale maple neck
• 21 frets
• 9.5" radius fretboard
• Upgraded model-specific pickups

 

Why Choose a Stratocaster?

The market is full with a good number of electric guitar that you may choose from. But what is particular about the Stratocaster electric guitar? Why should you choose a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar?

Stratocaster offers a comfortable feel, smooth, double contoured body and neck that together makes the Strat guitar easy to handle, play and move around your body on live performances to add more color to your playing style. Its deep cutaways give guitarist ready access to the entire fretboard. Also, there are various designs of the neck  to choose from according to your hand and playing style.

Stratocaster has been the choice of many players, thanks to its 5-way selector witch and 3-pickup array which offer guitarist or players a variety of options to achieve their desired sound. From mellow and moody to twangy, the Strat covers many colors on the tonal palette.

 

Which Stratocaster is Right for You?

Fender, in his quest to meet the need of every guitarist, came up with a range of electric guitar that also comes with a proportional price tag. All you have to do is decide your style and your budget.

If you do not want to spend or you do not have the budget but still want your guitar to have the feel and look of a Strat, consider the Squier Vintage modified series.

If you have enough budget and want to spend acquiring a good piece of art, a timeless treasure, a Custom Deluxe or Masterbuilt Strat will most likely be for you.

But if on the other hand you are a working pro and want something you can play every day and night, year in and year out, the American Standard Strat is most likely an excellent choice for you.

Since its invention, Fender Stratocaster electric guitar remains one of the most popular or iconic guitars to have ever been manufactured. It has been a key musical instrument by its ability to influence the sound of modern music. It’s 3-pickups and 5-way selector switch gives it’s players the ability to select the tones they want.