Like the Guttenberg press, the steam engine, and the Ford Model T, the Fender American Standard Stratocaster is an object of extreme historical importance. The 2012 American Standard Stratocaster incorporates subtle refinements and tweaks into a timeless design for a better-playing, bigger-sounding, better-looking axe that's sure to turn today's up and coming six-string slingers into tomorrow's legends. Now featuring high-end Fender Custom Shop pickups, the guitar that helped define countless genres of music just keeps getting better.

Bigger Sound

This incarnation of the legendary Strat sounds as big as ever thanks to the use of three Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups and other smart adjustments to the specs. The powerful single-coil pickups are identical to those used on some of Fender's highest-end custom models, and yield copious amounts of classic, chiming Strat tone. The high mass, copper infused bridge block has also been enhanced, so this Stratocaster works equally well playing percussive funk and country parts, singing rock lead lines, or full-bodied jazz chords. The new bridge specs pair nicely with the reformulated body finish. By using a thinner undercoat, the Strat's body can breath and resonate more freely, yielding a bigger, juicier tone.

Follow each step in the creation of an American Strat at Fender's Corona, CA facility with this video:

Better Looks

Take a close look at this Stratocaster and you'll notice subtle aesthetic appointments that make this one of the handsomest Fenders to ever leave the production line. On both the maple- and rosewood-fitted versions, the fretboard now features a deeper finish and a high-gloss buff -- enough to turn heads by itself, but absolutely striking when complementing the attractive finishes. Gigging players need not fear, however, for the back of the neck is still that fretting-hand-friendly satin finish that makes shifting hand positions quick and easy.

If It Ain't Broke. . .

Fender knows better than to trifle with their flagship guitar, and they've kept all the features that guitarists loved from the previous models. The comfortable C-shaped neck profile is still there, as are the hand-rolled fingerboard edges that lend the guitar an already broken-in feel right out of the box. You'll be shredding on this baby like it's been your best friend and confidant for decades. Also retained are the staggered tuning machines, so you get reliable tuning stability, familiar feel, and genuine American Stratocaster tone in an axe that looks and plays better than ever.

Features:

- Absolutely classic Stratocaster design and sound
- Three Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s single-coil pickups with five-way pickup selector
- Twenty-two medium jumbo frets on comfortable rosewood fingerboard and classic C-shape neck profile
- Bent steel saddles with elongated string slots for excellent stability
- Two-point synchronized tremolo bridge
- Thinner undercoat finish for improved body resonance
- Included molded, hardshell case

The American Standard Stratocaster is, has been, and always will be the guitar that Fender stakes its reputation on. With decades of history and millions of satisfied Strat players behind this timeless design, you'll be able to stake your reputation on one, too. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Fender products.

- Series: American Standard
- Body: Alder, Ash (Sienna Sunburst only)
- Body Finish: Gloss Urethane
- Neck: Maple
- Neck Finish: Urethane
- Rosewood Fingerboard: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Headstock Front with Buffed Fingerboard
- Neck Shape: Modern C Shape
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.5 inches (24.1 cm)
- Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo
- Position Inlays: Black Dot Position Inlays
- Scale Length: 25.5 inches (64.8 cm)
- String Nut: Synthetic Bone, 1.685 inches (42.8 mm)
- Truss Rod: Bi-Flex Truss Rod System
- Truss Rod Nut: 1/8 inches American Series Nut
- Pickups: Custom Shop Fat 50s Strat Neck/Middle/Bridge
- Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade
- Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Middle and Bridge Pickups)
- Special Electronics: No-Load Tone Control
- Hardware: Chrome
- Tuning Keys: Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
- Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Vintage Style Bent Steel Saddles
- Strap Buttons: American Series Strap Buttons
- Control Knobs: Aged White
- Included Accessories: Molded rectangular SKB case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

3-Color Sunburst

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 7 in

Black

Shipping Weight: 22 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 43 x 17 x 7 in

Jade Pearl

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 44 x 17 x 7 in

Mystic Blue

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 43 x 17 x 7 in

Mystic Red

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 43 x 17 x 7 in

Olympic White

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 44 x 17 x 7 in

Siennaburst

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 7 in

Product Description

The Fender 2012 American Standard Stratocaster electric guitar offers many of the features that made its predecessors best-selling, go-to guitars, but is upgraded with aged plastic parts and full-sounding Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups! This American Standard Strat is the very essence of Fender Strat tone thanks to the beefy pickups and copper infused high mass 100 percent metal bridge block. The 2012 American Standard Stratocaster is truly a beauty to see, hear and feel.

Features

- Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups offer beefy, bell-like Strat tone
- Bent steel saddles with elongated string slots
- Copper infused high mass 100 percent metal bridge block
- Thinner undercoat finish for improved body resonance
- Tinted neck for a luxurious look
- Aged plastic parts for great vintage vibe

Pickups

The sound of a '50s Strat but with a little more attitude! The Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups pickups on the 2012 American Standard Strat deliver enhanced bass response without the harsh mid-range. Pickups feature hand beveled, staggered Alnico 5 Magnets and Formvar magnet wire. The middle pickups is reverse wound/reverse polarity for hum canceling in positions 2 and 4.