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Average Price: $800

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$1001+

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Description

The Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster is where traditional craftsmanship meets modern innovation. This Strat offers a unique blend of classic sound and contemporary features that cater to both budding guitarists and seasoned players seeking the genuine American Fender experience. With its Texas Special pickups, expect a hotter output that can cut through any mix, whether you're playing blues, country, or indie rock. The inclusion of the Greasebucket tone circuit ensures that you maintain steady volume and level bass while rolling off highs, offering a consistent and smooth tonal palette.

The American Special Stratocaster boasts a flatter neck radius, providing a more comfortable playing experience, especially for those intricate solos and chord changes. The vintage-spec tremolo bridge adds a touch of nostalgia while delivering the authentic vibrato you'd expect from a Fender. This guitar is not just a tool—it's a gateway into the world of American-made quality at a price point that makes it accessible to a wider range of musicians.

Whether you're stepping onto the stage for the first time or adding to your collection, this Stratocaster promises reliability, versatility, and a touch of that classic Fender charisma.

Key Features:

  • Texas Special pickups for hotter output
  • Greasebucket tone circuit for consistent tone
  • Flatter neck radius for comfortable playability
  • Vintage-spec tremolo bridge
  • Made in the USA

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model American Special Stratocaster
Finish 2-Color Sunburst, Black, Candy Apple Red, Mystic Seafoam Green Metallic, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Surf Green, Walnut
Year 2010 - 2018
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Red, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 9.5"
Model Family Fender Stratocaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.6875"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender American Special, Fender FSR Limited Edition
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster have?

The Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster is equipped with Texas Special™ pickups, which are known for their higher output and enhanced midrange, delivering a classic Stratocaster sound with a bit more punch and clarity.

Is the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster is suitable for beginners, offering a comfortable 9.5" fretboard radius and jumbo frets that make it easier to play, while its versatile sound can accommodate various music genres.

What is the neck profile of the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster?

The neck of the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster features a modern "C" shape, which provides a comfortable and familiar feel for most players, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles.

Does the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster come with a tremolo bridge?

Yes, the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster includes a Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation while maintaining tuning stability.

What are the finish options available for the Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster?

The Fender 2014 American Special Stratocaster is available in several finishes, including 2-Color Sunburst, Black, Candy Apple Red, Mystic Seafoam Green Metallic, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Surf Green, and Walnut.

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Fender Stratocaster "American Special"

Video thumbnail for Fender Stratocaster "American Special" by GregsGuitars

Fender Stratocaster "American Special"

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for 2014 Fender USA American Special Stratocaster Satin Honey Burst LIMITED EDITION by GregsGuitars

2014 Fender USA American Special Stratocaster Satin Honey Burst LIMITED EDITION

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Texas Special pickups offer punchy sound with extra midrange

  • Greasebucket tone circuitry prevents overpowering highs

  • Lightweight, comfortable "modern C" maple neck

  • Jumbo frets make bending notes easy

  • Vintage vibe with surf green color and large headstock

  • Wide tonal range with 5-position switch

  • Solidly built with great sound across different amps

  • Reasonably priced for a U.S.-made Stratocaster

CONS

  • Fret ends can be rough and need minor adjustments

  • Discontinued model, making it harder to find

  • Noticeable seams on the sunburst finish body

  • Modern tuners not in line with vintage aesthetic

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender 2014 Fender Stratocaster American Special.

Comparisons

  • Owners compare the 2014 Fender Stratocaster American Special to $2,000-4,000 guitars, noting it often surpasses them in playability and tone.

    Source
  • HSS models provide versatile tones, blending dynamic neck pickup sounds with more compressed bridge pickup tones, suitable for various rock styles.

    Source
  • Several owners prefer the MIJ JVMOD for its neck feel and Olympic white finish, despite the typically better electronics in American models.

    Source
  • MIJ guitars are noted for superior necks, while MIA models are reputed to have better factory electronics, making the MIJ with upgrades a compelling option.

    Source

Build quality

  • The neck of this model is described as "like butter," indicating exceptional smoothness and playability, with a blend of modern and vintage specs.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • It's noted that these guitars are rare with limited production, making them a unique find for collectors and players who appreciate exclusivity.

    Source
  • Selling without a hard case may affect perceived value; a new hard case costs around $200, and a used one should be less.

    Source
  • Secondhand market suggests pricing slightly under 1,000 Euros/Dollars; professional setup enhances value.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Texas Special pickups are highlighted for their suitability in achieving a classic Strat sound, ideal for blues and rock genres.

    Source
  • Not ideal for metal-heavy styles; more suited for rock and blues due to its classic Strat sound.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners express that post-2019 Fender models have seen a quality dip, suggesting the 2014 version is part of a superior era.

    Source
  • Users note the deep V-shaped neck profile on some models can affect comfort and playability, especially compared to more common neck profiles.

    Source
  • The soft V neck on MIJ models is praised for its comfort, especially for players with smaller hands, and features a satin finish on the back for smooth playability.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The David Allen Tru 54 pickups and a treble bleed mod on the American Special enhance versatility and tone clarity.

    Source
  • The MIJ model includes CS Fat 50s pickups and copper shielding, providing a vintage-voiced tone suitable for Hendrix-style music.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jos_de_vries

Plays like butter. Exactly what you can expect from a stratocaster.

The Fender Stratocaster in the image is not entirely in line with mine. The Fender that I have is in the natural wood color (ash). Very beautiful guitar. Of course with the ergonomic shape of the stratocaster. Sounds good and is versatile. Plays like butter. Exactly what you can expect from a stratocaster.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tyler Larson uses Fender 2014 Fender Stratocaster American Special

Tyler Larson

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:45 tyler says that he own this guitar, and he also said that he uses it for practise.. it appeared in a lot of videos.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender 2014 Fender Stratocaster American Special, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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