The Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar is the guitar design that changed the world. This model offers legendary Fender tone with classic styling for those on a budget. It has an alder body that's contoured to be comfortable during long sessions, whether you're standing or sitting. Its maple neck is super-comfy with a modern C shape.
This Fender Strat come with a long list of standard features including three single-coil pickups, synchronized tremolo with high-mass bridge block, tinted neck, shielded body cavities, medium jumbo frets, parchment pickguard, die-cast tuners and '70s-style headstock logo.
Traditional alder body for classic Strat tone
Comfortable C-shaped gloss maple neck with maple fretboard
3 Standard single-coil pickups with ceramic magnets
Stable vintage-style tremolo with high-mass bridge
At this low price, why play anything but the real thing? Order today.
SPECIFICATIONS
Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard
BodyBody Material: Alder
Body Finish: Polyester
Body Shape: Stratocaster
NeckNeck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck, Gloss Finish on the Face of the Headstock
Neck Shape: Modern "C"
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard: Maple
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Black or White Dot
Truss Rod Nut: 3/16" Hex Adjustment
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Standard
ElectronicsBridge Pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
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
Pickup Configuration: SSS
HardwareBridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Tremolo Arm Handle: Vintage-Style Tremolo Arm
Tuning Machines: Standard Cast/Sealed
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
Control Knobs: Parchment Plastic
Switch Tips: Parchment
MiscellaneousStrings: Fender USA Bullets 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges)
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling
and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a
complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks
Normal wear and tear
Power surges
Dust, internal heat and humidity
Other plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks)
For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax.
Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement
Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold
Plans are renewable on new gear
*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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I've been using Fender Standard Strats for many years now. I'm a professional musician and have been making a living out of guitar playing for the last 30 years and the last 20 years or so I've been using Strats almost exclusively. I've also been repairing and customizing guitars for over 25 years so I do have enough knowledge to back up this review and what I'm about to write.
Aside from the now discontinued Highway One series, the Road Worn Series, and a few classic models, the Standard Stratocaster is maybe one of the most traditional feeling Startocasters for under a grand. I prefer these over the American Series any day. The construction is equal to the quality of the American made. The electronics are of quality CTS pots and the selector switch is the same as the high end American models. The same can be said about the tuners. The bridge is vintage style which provides a more traditional feel and tone than the bridge used in the American Series. The pickups are decent sounding and usable although upgrading is usually what most players will want to do to personalize their individual tone. Even the American made Strats get pickup upgrades so it's not an issue. Body wood is alder and of good quality with an excellent finish. I prefer the neck on these over the neck used on the American Series because it's slightly thicker and rounder. Medium frets are just perfect.
I can't find anything negative to say about these guitars. I've bought about 20 of these and as a repairman, I've had several in my shop for set ups and upgrades and I can truly say, I've never seen a lemon. Sure, like any guitar, it will require a personal set up including anything from action, intonation, neck set up, fret polish, pick up balancing, and many other regular maintenance issues so it is unfair to consider this as being a con. It's just part of owning any guitar.
Even if you decide to upgrade anything, for example, adding locking tuners (direct fit by the way), pickups, Strap Locks, and a case, you still end up spending less than a grand. Keep this in mind. My Standard Strats are always upgraded by installing a set of Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups, Fender Deluxe Locking Tuners, Brass Tremolo block, Gator case, and frequent string changing with Ernie Ball 11's. I set my action fairly high (5/64ths at 12th fret), polish frets regularly, and check intonation at every string change. The bridge is blocked (I don't use the trem) and it has 5 springs holding it flat to the body.
By the way, the newer models currently built are the best I've seen yet. Definitely a bargain. Built by machines and human beings in Mexico, as opposed to being built by machines and human beings in the United States. Contrary to some ridiculous and ignorant ways of thinking, country of origin does not dictate quality. At least not in the last ten years or so. These Standards have come a long way. How can you make it better? Paint them with nitro cellulose lacquer. That's about it. Try one out.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.The gloss finger board is ideal while having a matte finish on the back. I guess the previous reviewer wish it was on all of the neck. Sure that may look great, but i prefer matte for flawless playing. Perhaps b/c of the ceramic pickups i was able to actually pick up a lot of twang, nearly telecaster twang (oooo, that was blasphemy for some of you tele fans). Interestingly enough though, for some reason (maybe my house has good ground) i didn't get any noise even with distortion. Super clean straty sound all over. OH HOW HEAVENLY XD. Also, I'd like to thank MF for ordering a fender that was properly set up with such low action... incredibly low action might i add. I was going to set it up myself, then realized each step of the way.... hey..... everything seems to be right... in fact everything is. I was really lucky with this instrument. If you're thinking about getting a fender, american/mexican, don't spend the extra 400 or 500, or avoid spending a little over a 100 more because china or indonesia makes them cheaper, just get this. You'll be sorry that you didn't. Note however: it doensn't come with a gig bag anymore, but so what, if you've been playing recently there should be no excuse why you don't have a case or bag. If you're a begginner and you're serious this is an amzing guitar that is worth every penny, drop of sweat, and blistering finger. Seriously why get anything else, i'm gonna have to stop here, otherwise i could just keep on writing forever on how happy i am with my new baby. GET IT!!!!
This is the first time that I have been so happy with buying a new guitar. I gambled buying it online, but i don't think i could have found a better guitar. Many say that each strat sounds different, well if that were the case, i wouldn't trade mine for any other strat even if they were identical. She's the one, that's for sure. this is truly an amazing peice of work i did not expect to find waiting for me at my door after work. 10 out of 10
With the sign of a single nick under the clear finish i gave it a rating of a 9, but its still freaking amazing. I got the white chrome pearl, and be forewarned, that the pictures on here may give you the impression that it is grayer than it is, in some cases it looks really white. I say some cases because depending where you're playing, how the lighting is, what color the room is, this thing will always be a different color (within the spectrum of gray and white with lovely sparkling pearls in the clear finish). I never get tired of looking at it. I wanted a blizzard pearl look, but, now its grown so much on me that i in fact like the white chrome pearl finish much more appealing now. In some cases it does look pretty gray. Never gets boring to look at. Fret work mayyyy have been a little better. I've done fretwork that seemed to be better, but still looked great. Parts feel solid, everything is a plus!
Considering i bought it at a lower price than usual, the value for this guitar is unquestionable. I got this thing at a steal! As cliche as that sounds, i really did, i didn't pay the sticker price, however i could definately see this thing being charged between 500 and 700 easily and i wouldn't be surprised because its that good. The americans got to be working a little more, because these mexy's are just catchin' up really quick. I wouldn't pay a grand for an american now, not for what i found what i could buy. The neck on this thing (putting aside the fretwork) is identical, and feels just like an american. Atleast this one that i bought does. I say that because i know i'll have some readers say i'm full of crap, but its true, the neck on mine is absolutely the best. The pickups sound pretty straty, but of course, nothing will beat american pickups, but for my ears, they're close enough, and that's saying a lot.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.Amazing overall. but- know that the whole neck isnt glossed- just the fingerboard but oh well ill just rub some polishing compound on the back of the neck. other than that im unbelieveably pleased
great everything. gloss fingerboard is amazing, electronics are sub par to others but i was planning on upgrading the electronics anyway. bridge also is pretty well set up, but i blocked it so no problems with that!
very good quality. obviously its a mexican standard so it could be better but the quality i received was spectacular for a guitar coming out of this factory.
It came well set up, looks amazing, im very pleased with my investment.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.I have an MIA deluxe (noiseless pups), MIA standard and MIM FSR (ash body, noiseless pups) stratocasters. So my comments have those guitars as reference point.
Strats are awesome guitars for the money. If you learn how to use the the pickups selector switch and volume you can get squealing high sounds to muted low sounds to cover a great many musical genres.
I've seen the quality of MIMs go UP from the mid 90s to now. The finish on my LPB strat is impecable. The gloss maple neck quality is awesome - as good or very close to being as good as the MIA neck. I love the pickups actually. You will only be able to convince yourself you don't like them if you haven't heard about the pups switch, volume and tone knobs. I think they are awesome! Maybe I just got lucky but the magnets even have chamfered edges like custom shop pups. If this is your only guitar and you are looking for some specific soud then yeah I can see how you may want to change them, otherwise keep em. They have charisma!
I think the noiseless pups have a little less character than the ones that come with MIA and MIM standards. In addition you lower the volume knob to about 7 and the noise is gone.
The strat body is the most comfortable ever invented. I set mine up with 11s, lock the string at the tuning post and put 5 tremolo springs on it for tuning stability. I keep the bridge floating but don't use tremolo. Sound (even unplugged) is awesome.
So yeah I'd recommend today's MIM Standard Strat for beginners, intermediate and pros alike. The quality for the price is outstanding!
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.I have had many, many Strats, American, Mexican, Korean, Japanese, and I can tell you, with the newest crop that have come out since 2008, that the newest Mexican Strats to come out can compete with American Strats in many areas. Of course, the American Strats are the pinnacle of craftsmanship, but the Mexican models are no slouches. In fact, I recently sold an American Strat and obtained this recent one (2010 model) on the whim of replacing the pickups. Once I plugged it into my Vox AC15 amp and played some chords, was like "No". This was the sound and playability that I was looking for! Honestly, is the best Strat I have ever played and heard, period. I put a set of 11's on it and that was my only upgrade for it. Did not even need a setup. I would suggest to anyone that wants a good guitar, that they go and play a few of them, and the right one will present itself to you.
Well, it is a Stratocaster. Like the ones of old. No surprises here. Has the large tremolo block, which makes a big difference in the guitars sound and sustain. Poly finish, tinted neck, makes for a very nice looking guitar.
With the small ripple in the finish of my black Strat, can find no other flaws in the guitar. Is not a deal breaker for me. Solidly built guitar, am sure it will withstand many many years of use with no hiccups.
Get it! Is a great value for beginners, intermediate or advanced player. Will be a guitar that a beginner will hold on to and actually want to play for a long time!
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.Things you should do before buying a Stratocaster: Try a few and decide what kind of neck you like, they have a lot of variants. This version comes with a 9.5 inch radius C shaped neck. If you have been playing a 12 in radius (not as much arc) you will notice this difference right away, your pic may miss the strings a few times. It just takes a little getting used to not a huge deal but something you should decide up front. So to me that is the one thing you need to check out, other than that they are all very similar. Fender puts their name on it and fit and finish wise it is a Fender and is very nice. This guitar has just the features you need no bells and whistles.
If you are rich or just want the very best get a US made Strat with the better tremolo, nut, and string tree, and the premium models have upgraded tuners, pickups, and a few extras like a gig bag, case or strap locks. If for you those upgrades are worth two to four times the price. For most of us this is all the Strat we will ever need and it's a great guitar the only thing I will be changing on mine for a long time is the strings every now and then! These guitars do have many upgrades available if you like to do that sort of thing. If you really want all the bells and whistles maybe you should go for the US Strat up front. To me this is just the right model at the right price point.
This is a well made guitar. The workmanship is very good, no defects, no bad frets. Fender puts their name on it and it is good. I could not find any problems with the guitar, the fretboard is well made the finish is perfect. It will require basic setup. Fender has a good manual on their website with instructions on how to setup the Strat.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.This is my second one. Bought a 2012 Arctic White (in 2012), and now I have a 2015 Candy Apple Red as well.
I kept visiting the product page waiting for a good "Open Box" deal, and I got one. Guitar was advertised in Mint condition, and that is how it showed up. SWEET!
Only set-up I had to do was set intonation to my taste. Bridge saddles were set, truss rod was set (perfect bow and string height). Put my favorite strings on it (I don't mess with anything but 11's and the guitar does not come with 11's).
I DID have to raise the pick-up's just a little, to get a bit more beef out of it....but that is just ones own ear, and taste.
These MIM Standards are well built guitars, and I have been lucky to get some delicious "fisheye" characteristics in my Maple wood grains as well.
Just beautiful both to the eyes, and the ears.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.This is the best guitar for the price as for reliability is concerned. I have owned other brands guitars in this price range but none were of decent quality resulting in failure of the electronics in very short time. This strat is just fine for me playing thrash metal, classical, and some jazz.
The ony modification I made was I adjusted the vintage tremelo so it would float similar to a floyd rose and replaced the bridge pick up with a Seymour Duncan "Hot Rails."
My only problem is that the curved radius of the neck makes it harder to do sweeps and I have to rewrite music that requires 24 frets so I can play them.
It's funny as I know alot of people with $2000 guitars that can't plau or keep timing for their life. Then they bash me for shredding on a Strat. It's not the guitar it's the player. As long as you have a reliable guitar no matter what the price you are good to go and this Strat delivers.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.if your looking for a strat that is an excellent value< I'd go with one of these guitars. They are well made, well priced gutars. Sure it might not hold the value of an American model, but if you want a sweet deal this is a great buy! I've been playing for 16 years now and I'm blown away with this llittle guitar. They come in 6 different colors with your choice of a maple, or rosewood fretboard. And you can get it in a left had model as well. They also come as an h/s/s configuration or a roland ready model. There's a style of this guitar for everyones taste. Try one. you might buy it!
I've owned many strats, and I just picked this guitar up in arctic white with a maple neck. It's a 2011 model. I'm amazed with the quality and fit of this guitar. I like how they put the made in mexico stamping on the rear of the headstock now as opposed to the front. It looks much more asthetically pleasing to the eye. The paint is excellent, and the pickguard is mint green in color for that vintage look. I also like how the front of the fretboard and headstock has a glossy finish now and the back is left in a satin coat. It makes for a really sharp appearance!
I"m amazed at the quality for what you pay for this guitar. From the little things like felt spacers in between the strap buttons, to the tuners and staggerd pole piece pickups. This guitar sounds great! I've modified most of my strats with better pickups, but I might not touch this one. The middle pickup is reverse wound, reverse polarity for hum cancelling in switch positions 2 and 4 as an added bonus. The neck is a 9.5" radius with medium jumbo frets. This guitar plays sweet! It's really easy to do extreme bends with this radius and easy on the fingers to!
I think your getting a guitar that is extremely well built at half the cost of an American model. I love my American Strats, but I also love my made in Mexico guitars as well. I own 2 mim tele's and 3 mim strats. I can barely tell the difference in the quality from my 2 american strats. The mim strats have come a long way in the last few years. They look, and play a lot nicer then previous years and in my opinion are getting better and better every year.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
.I scored myself the classic sunburst, maple fingerboard Standard strat. I've never owned an American or Custom Shop Strat so I'm not going to try to compare the different strat models. But at this price point, you get a great value for your money. Satin finish on the neck, beautiful gloss maple fingerboard for that classic glassy Fender sound. I've given mine a through inspection and haven't found any cosmetic issues. I must have gotten pretty lucky with this purchase, the neck on mine has an almost quilted maple look to it and it has some really unique markings on the fingerboard. Absolutely stunning. Soncially, this is THE classic vintage Fender sound. Works for blues, jazz, rock, funk and everything in-between. One thing to note is the tremolo is a vintage style, so if you're really into dive-bombing or Hendrix-style whammy bar action, you might want to go with the American standard with it's more modern-styled tremolo. But it works nicely for more traditional tremolo usage.
One more thing: This isn't a metal guitar. Guys complaining that they can't get a Metallica tone out of it are kinda missing the point. A fender strat isn't going to make your sound for you; it's going to be a quality vessel for your personal tone. A strat is more like a blank canvas for you to put your sound into.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Candy Apple Red Gloss Maple Fretboard
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