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Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

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Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

$1,224.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (8)

1 Critic Review

2 Reviews

Find out who is using Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

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Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (35)

$1,224.99 17 available Used

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Average Price: $1,225

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Elevate your sound with the Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker, a masterpiece that seamlessly blends iconic design with modern innovation. This guitar features a unique combination of Fender's latest noiseless pickups and a powerful Shawbucker humbucker, providing unmatched versatility and clarity. Whether you're shredding solos or crafting rhythms, the innovative S-1 switching system and the exclusive Passing Lane button offer sonic flexibility that's hard to beat. With its sleek finishes and choice of rosewood or maple fretboards, this Strat isn't just an instrument—it's a statement.

Key Features:

Shawbucker humbucker and two fourth-generation noiseless single-coil pickups for diverse tonal options
S-1 switching system and Passing Lane button for on-the-fly tone and volume control bypass
Available in striking finishes like Autumn Blaze Metallic and Olympic Pearl
Choice of rosewood or maple fretboards to suit any player's preference

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker
Finish	3-Color Sunburst, Autumn Blaze Metallic, Champagne, Mystic Black, Ocean Turquoise Metallic, Olympic Pearl, Satin Ice Blue Metallic, Satin Jade Pearl Metallic, Sky Burst Metallic
Year	2016 - 2019
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, Gold, Green, Orange, White
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Ebony, Maple, Rosewood
Model Family	Fender Stratocaster
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	HSS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"
Series	Fender American Elite

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker?: The neck features a modern C to D profile, providing a comfortable grip for various playing styles, from chording to fast soloing.
What kind of tones can I expect from the Shawbucker pickup on this Stratocaster?: The Shawbucker pickup delivers a clear and defined tone with resistance to noise, ideal for rock and blues, offering a powerful humbucking sound while maintaining note clarity.
Is the Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker suitable for gigging musicians?: Yes, this Stratocaster is designed for professional use, featuring locking tuners, a robust tremolo system, and versatile electronics, making it reliable for live performances.
What is the purpose of the S-1 switching on this Stratocaster?: The S-1 switching system allows for additional tonal options by reconfiguring pickup combinations, providing more versatility in sound shaping.
Does the Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker come with a case?: Yes, it includes a hardshell case for protection during transport and storage, ensuring the guitar remains safe from damage.

Videos

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Ola Englund

Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS

Ola Englund

In-Depth Rundown of Fender American Elite Stratocaster Features

MooreMusicGuitars

Cheapest Fender VS Most Expensive Fender!

GAK

Let's Review! - Fender American Elite Stratocaster w/Shawbucker

JD Riffs & Reviews

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile tonal range from HSS configuration and S-1 switching options
Compound radius neck offers exceptional playability and comfort
Shawbucker bridge pickup delivers powerful, crunchy tones
Improved body contour for enhanced comfort compared to traditional Strats
Noiseless pickups eliminate hum, providing clear and clean sound
Stays in tune well even during intense tremolo use
Passing Lane button adds raw, aggressive tone for solos
High-quality finish and craftsmanship make it a visually stunning instrument

CONS

Electronics issues reported, affecting pickup and tone knob functionality
Passing Lane switch can be excessively bright without adjustment options
Stock noiseless pickups may not appeal to all players
Pop-in tremolo arm can be difficult to use and too short for some preferences

Owner Insights

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

Setup and maintenance

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Some Elites exhibit persistent A string buzz despite professional setups, suggesting potential factory defects that may require attention beyond typical adjustments.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners recommend swapping stock noiseless pickups for Lollar Blackface single coils and Lollar Imperial humbuckers for improved tone clarity and definition.
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Build quality

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Instances of dried glue along the fretboard edges have been noted, indicating occasional factory oversight in finishing.
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Comparisons

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Users have compared the Elite to Suhr HSS models, noting superior playability and setup quality in the Suhr guitars.
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Owners note that Player series single coils deliver a more traditional Strat sound compared to the noiseless pickups in the American Elite, despite price differences.
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Features and functionality

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The compound radius neck is praised for preventing fret-out during bends, enhancing playability across the fretboard.
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Guitar Center exclusive Aqua Marine Metallic finish is highly praised for its visual appeal, not available at smaller retailers.
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The S-1 and passing lane switches are highlighted as part of this Guitar Center special edition, retaining the full feature set of a standard Elite.
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User experience

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Some owners find the S-1 switching system provides limited usable tones, leading to its frequent replacement or removal.
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Switching from an SG, users find the C-D neck profile provides a comfortable transition with its chunky feel higher up the neck.
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Value and pricing

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At $1300, the Elite is viewed as a reasonable deal, but potential buyers may consider the American Professional for cost savings and pickup upgrades.
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Critic Reviews

Reviewed: Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker - Mixdown Magazine

mixdownmag.com.au

The Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker impresses with its flawless build quality, featuring a comfortable neck and versatile sound. The Noiseless pickups deliver excellent tonal variety, and the Shawbucker bridge pickup excels with overdrive. Fender's innovative S-1 switching system offers diverse sonic possibilities, though some settings may sound muddy. Despite this, the guitar's design and performance make it a top choice for those seeking versatility and quality.

positive

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