American Standard Stratocaster Review


Fender American Stratocaster is one of the most famous Guitar Series by the brand "Fender". 

The Stratocaster guitars helped the brand to reach new heights and gave the competitors like Harley Benton and Schecter a close to close nose fight.

The success of Stratocaster gave birth to more successful series from the brand, Let's look at a brief history and rise of the American Stratocaster Guitars.

Before the company acquired its current name, it was initially known as Fender’s Radio Service situated in Fullerton, California in 1938.

Now dubbed as Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, simply known as FMIC or Fender, is founded in 1946 by Clarence Leonidas Fender who is an inventor located in Scottsdale, Arizona.

During the same year, its first steel guitar was made with a cursive “big F” as its logo.

In the latter, Fender along with his associates George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares used to produce resonator guitars, harmonicas, mandolins, and banjos.

However, as years passed by, its products evolved into the categories of the electric, acoustic, classical guitars and electric and acoustic basses, ukuleles, amplifiers, and effects units.

FMIC now specialized in the manufacturing of amplifiers and string instruments.

fender american standard stratocaster hss

Fender has produced a variety of models, such as the Telecaster, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass and the one that will be focused on is the Stratocaster model.

This model of Fender was initiated between 1952 to 1954 and has since then been improving its guitars and the quality of them.

The Stratocaster is focused on satisfying the complementing the style of the new day and age.

It is one of the best-designed models of Fender, with its double-cutaway shape, solid body type, and an elongated horn-shape leading to the top for balance and appearance.

Stratocaster guitars’ engrooved body shape has been a rival for other replica guitar companies.

Since the Stratocaster model was birthed, it has been played by many guitarists, especially the well-known artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana’s lead singer and legendary Kurt Cobain was one of the users.

Then there is the present guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante who owns many Stratocaster models, and another example The Who’s guitarist, Pete Townshend who used the custom-made Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster. 

Pieces that were listed as the greatest hits were also played on the Stratocaster by Eric Clapton himself.

In-fact Stratocaster was the very first guitar which offers upto 3 pickups and the new add-on spring tension vibrato system in the early 50's.

Since the first creation of the Stratocaster, Fender has continued to enhance the class of this model, which is where the 1987 first series American Standard Stratocaster came into play.

This intricately researched design had its earlier models made in Japan.

It is constructed to be made for modern guitarists with upgraded tremolo, so even with aggressive outbreaks during performances, the tune is still able to stay intact.

Its fingerboards are also flatter in comparison to its other models.

Fender obtained V.C. Squier Company in 1982 and had its assistance in the making of the Stratocaster guitars in the same year to bring about the quantity of the products once Stratocaster became a hit amongst guitarists.

Since the course of the acquisition of Squier until the present time, it has provided an inexpensive settlement with Fender within the market of the development of guitars.

Do You Feel Reading Reviews Is So 90's Then Check The Video Review Of American Standard Stratocaster Below ?

Standard Stratocaster Specs

What Makes American Standard Stratocaster Unique ?


model - 2008 fender american standard stratocaster

There are some standards that the Fender American Standard Stratocaster consist of that is different from other guitars:

  • The use of Alder wood bodies is used for the audibility. It boosts the sound with its light-feathered weight and tight-spaced wood. This particular wood is perfect to gain that bright, reverberating, equilibrium tone and in comparison, to other woods, it produces that defined tonal variation in the upper midrange of the guitar.
  • The “C”-shaped neck is more modernized and thinner than the typical “C” neck used in the 60s. However, the “V”-shaped neck is also used which is more pointed and part of the old school designs which is more of personal preference depending on the guitarist, whether they want that thumb hanging by the fingerboard or not. Although, both shapes do make it easier to hold the neck and glide those strings along the frets.
  • The string gauge is also situated around a guitarist’s personal preference, which means that if you desire a deep bass sound, then heavier strings are recommended.
  • The volume control is very useful and easy to reach because it is placed so close to the fingers. Therefore, by adjusting the volume from the maxed-out positions (turning it down or up) will give different sound placements and the imitation you wish to play.
  • The tone knob/control is also useful when it comes to the type of style you want, if you turn the knob up/down to its fullest, you will find those very soft sounds or very aggressive sounds.
  • The use of the TBX (Treble Bass Expander) circuitry is used to improve the tonal variation without using a battery. It can either increase or decrease the resistance for the amp to produce more or less bass, treble, input or output magnetic field. The TBX contains a custom dual-stereo pot, a resistor and capacitor that discards either the bass or the treble from the circuit. This gives that vibrant sound that any guitarist is looking for.
  • There are 3 single-coil pickups (SSS): the bridge pickup which produces the clearest sounds, the neck pickup has a sub-category between having a rounded sound or warmer sound, all controlled through a toggle switch, which is easy to reach. Thus, it can create the sound effects that a wah pedal does.

My Experience With American Standard Stratocaster Guitars


fender american professional stratocaster

Reasons To Buy

  • The pro of the American Standard Stratocaster is that the small improvements made on the former Fender American series have become a modernized Stratocaster.
  • It has a comfortable grip and texture as if it was produced yesterday.
  • Fender calls the fingerboard “hand-rolled edges” for the vintage and classic feel.
  • The sound that projects is done to the requirements and perfectly matched for a Stratocaster.
  • The control of the tone is very well-defined because of both the middle pickup and the bridge’s pickup, which is the Delta Tone No-Load pot, the tone knob can be detached from the circuit for a vibrant sound and wide range in tone.
  • The whammy gives a variation in sound and is smooth for that Rock ‘n Roll effect.

Reasons To Avoid

  • The con is that its appearance would have been more appealing if “V” notches were implemented in the vintage saddles, that way, it would prevent the strings from slipping and sliding, and would then create a firm grip for the guitarist.
  • Due to the radius curve of the guitar, the “E” and “B” strings stand out more than the other stings, which can be solved through an amp.
  • For advanced guitarists, this guitar might not be to the taste for them, nor is it worth it for beginners, for the reason that it is too pricey.
  • The vibrato might be unpleasant for some players, but the bar can always be taken off by unscrewing it from the guitar.
  • There is a reason as to why there are no humbucker-equipped Stratocaster, there are some modifications that users can fidget around on this guitar, but by adding the humbucker on a Stratocaster will not give it that Les Paul effect.

Not necessarily are the cons disadvantageous for the guitarist, because it can be altered or is fixable. 

Some cons can also be for the guitarist’s personal preferences, which is mostly fixated on the appearance and modification of the guitar itself.

The American Standard Stratocaster is the definition of elegance and high class.

With every part of the guitar, it contains all the knowledge and craftmanship etched into this artwork.

Out of all the amazing aspects that are featured on the exterior and interior of this guitar, the best out of them all is the fretboard and the neck.

The neck is either a satin or lightly-tinted finish which is a flawless combination with the fretboard that makes it effortless to bend the strings when playing the guitar.

There is also a diversity in colors that can be well-suited for the user who purchases the Stratocaster.

In short, it is one of the most exquisite guitars to have ever been brought to the market.

Is it worth investing in the American Standard Stratocaster ?

It solely depends on how often the user plans on playing it, it also depends on what the user sees in the value of the guitar for the price that its worth.

Basically, it depends on how much the user needs this Stratocaster.

This is the recommended choice of guitar for anyone in any generation.

It has the sound, the missing substance and the whole attraction.

The price for this goddess of a guitar is approximately $1,000, which is one of the best companions any guitarist could except.

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Author - Daniel Cooper

About the author

Daniel Cooper loves to make weird sounds by pressing the Black & White Buttons on the instrument and claims to be a musician.

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