Fender American Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar (Maple, With Case)

When zZounds was a freshman in college, it had to write a sociology term paper about a technological advancement that was a product of its originating culture, but in turn altered the culture from which it originated. Do you know what zZounds chose as the topic of that paper? You guessed it: the Fender Stratocaster. You see, like music itself, the evolution of the Fender American Standard Stratocaster is dictated by the demands of players. These subtle changes then alter the way those musicians play, who, in turn, then change the very course of human cultural history. Like the Guttenberg press, the steam engine, and soap, the Fender American Strat is an object of extreme historical importance, but trumps those other advancements by remaining relevant today (ok, you probably still want to use soap, too).

The latest 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.

Bigger Sound
This latest incarnation of the legendary Strat sounds as big as its storied history, thanks to smart adjustments to the bridge and body finish specs. Fender is now using a high mass, copper infused bridge block, so this Stratocaster can do that funk/country percussive thing as well as singing lead lines and gigantic rhythm chords with equal aplomb. The bridge saddles have also been upgraded to a new bent steel design, providing even more pick attack and chime. 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 tone that's simply. . . well, bigger!

Better Looks
It's hard not to notice the two new striking finish options on the most recent crop of American Stratocasters: Blizzard pearl and Sierra Sunburst. Look even closer, however, and you'll notice other 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 buy itself, but absolutely striking when complementing the new 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 in this year's offering. The stellar AlNiCo V single coil pickups are still there, so you can be sure your new American Standard will sing and sparkle like a Stratocaster is supposed to. Also retained 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. Those staggered tuning machines are still there, too, so you get reliable tuning stability, familiar feel, and genuine American Stratocaster tone in an axe that looks and plays better than ever.

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.

Icon. Not a word to be used lightly. But the Stratocaster is just that. The new American Standard Stratocaster guitars are beauties to behold in sound, look and feel. Fender kept the hand-rolled fingerboard edges, alnico V pickups and staggered tuning machines for playability, tone and stability, and added several new features, including:

- A new bridge with improved bent-steel saddles and a copper-infused high-mass block for increased resonance and sustain.

- A new neck treatment—tinted for a richer presentation, with the maple or rosewood fingerboard buffed to a high gloss. The back of the neck still has that silky satin finish.

- A thinner finish undercoat that lets the body breathe and improves resonance.

- A new Fender-exclusive SKB molded case.

- Two beautiful new finish options, Sienna Sunburst and Blizzard Pearl

Technical Info

Body:
- Alder on:
(700) 3-Color Sunburst,
(705) Olympic White,
(706) Black,
(712) Candy Cola,
(755) Blizzard Pearl,
(769) Charcoal Frost Metallic,
- Ash on:
(747) Sienna Sunburst

Neck: Maple, Modern “C” Shape, (Gloss Headstock Face with Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck)

Fingerboard: Rosewood (p/n 011-0400) or Maple (p/n 011-0402), 9.5 in. Radius (241mm)

No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Frets

Pickups: 3 American Strat Single-Coil Pickups

Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. Delta Tone
(“Delta Tone” system includes high output bridge pickup and special No-Load tone control for Middle and Bridge Pickups)

Pickup Switching - 5-Position Blade:
- Position 1. Bridge Pickup
- Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3. Middle Pickup
- Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
- Position 5. Neck Pickup

Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with New American Standard Bent Steel Saddles

Machine Heads: Fender Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines

Hardware: Chrome

Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment

Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648 mm)

Width at Nut: 1.685 in. (42.8 mm)

Unique Features:
- New Bent Steel Saddles with Elongated String Slots
- Copper Infused High Mass 100% Metal Bridge Block
- Thinner Undercoat Finish for Improved Body Resonance
- Tinted Neck
- Maple Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Front
- Rosewood Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Headstock Front with Buffed Fingerboard
- 4-Bolt Neck Attachment with Micro-Tilt Adjustment
- Bi-Flex Truss Rod System
- Parchment Knobs and Pickup Covers
- Rolled Fretboard Edges
- Staggered Tuning Keys
- H/S/H Pickup Routing
- New Molded Fender/SKB Case with TSA Locks, Glass Reinforced Nylon Trigger Latches, and Form Fitted Plush Interior

Strings: Fender Standard Tension Bullet ST3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042), p/n 073-3250-203

Included Accessories: Fender/SKB Case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth

Case: High-Tech, Molded Rectangular SKB Case

Introduced: 1/2008

America's bread-and-butter guitar! All that Fender stands for is wrapped up in this US-made beauty. Alder or Ash body with C-shape Maple neck, plus AlNiCo V single-coil pickups deliver the sweet, glassy Blues tone found nowhere else. A high-mass tremolo block adds sustain, and hand-rolled fingerboard edges make it a dream to play. Includes Fender/SKB molded case.