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Average Price: $1,716

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$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Step back into the golden era of rock 'n' roll with the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster, a tribute to the iconic guitar that shaped the sound of the 1950s. This solid body electric guitar captures the essence of the original Stratocaster design, blending vintage style with modern playability. Featuring Pure Vintage '59 single-coil Strat pickups, this guitar offers an authentic, vintage-style tone that is both clear and articulate. The thick "Soft V"-shaped neck profile provides comfort for both chord playing and lead work, making it a versatile choice for any guitarist.

The American Original '50s Stratocaster is crafted with a classic alder body, offering a balanced resonance and sustain. Its 9.5-inch radius fingerboard caters to contemporary players while maintaining traditional aesthetics, ensuring a smooth playability that feels just right. With its meticulous attention to detail, this guitar showcases a nitrocellulose lacquer finish that not only looks stunning but also allows the wood to breathe naturally over time, enhancing its tonal qualities.

Whether you're a collector or a performer, this Stratocaster is a timeless piece that delivers the legendary sound and feel of the 1950s with precision and style.

Key Features:

  • Pure Vintage '59 single-coil Strat pickups for authentic vintage tone
  • Thick "Soft V"-shaped neck profile for comfortable playability
  • Classic alder body for balanced resonance and sustain
  • 9.5-inch radius fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Nitrocellulose lacquer finish for enhanced tonal qualities and vintage aesthetics

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model American Original '50s Stratocaster
Finish 2-Color Sunburst, Aztec Gold, Inca Silver, White Blonde
Year 2018 - 2022
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 Brown, Gold, Silver, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple
Fretboard Radius 9.5"
Model Family Fender Stratocaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 21
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.65"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender American Original

FAQs

What kind of neck profile does the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster have?

The Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster features a thick "Soft V" neck profile, which is comfortable for both chord playing and single-note runs, reminiscent of the original 1950s Stratocasters.

Are the pickups on the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster suitable for blues music?

Yes, the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster is equipped with Pure Vintage '59 single-coil pickups, which offer a warm, rounded tone ideal for blues and classic rock styles.

What is the fretboard radius of the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster?

The fretboard radius of the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster is 9.5 inches, providing a balance between modern playability and vintage feel.

Does the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster come with a tremolo bridge?

Yes, the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster features a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, allowing for classic vibrato effects.

Is the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster offers high-quality craftsmanship and vintage tone, its premium features and price point may be better suited for intermediate to advanced players.

What are the finish options available for the Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster?

The Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster is available in 2-Color Sunburst, Aztec Gold, Inca Silver, and White Blonde finishes, all with a gloss finish style.

Fender

Fender

Tyler Bryant Demos The '50s Stratocaster® | American Original Series | Fender

Video thumbnail for Tyler Bryant Demos The '50s Stratocaster® | American Original Series | Fender by Fender

Tyler Bryant Demos The '50s Stratocaster® | American Original Series | Fender

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Fender

Video thumbnail for My Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster - My Final Strat... I am done! by intheblues

My Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster - My Final Strat... I am done!

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intheblues

Video thumbnail for Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster - Aztec Gold by N Stuff Music

Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster - Aztec Gold

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N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster - Review & Demo by PMTVUK

Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster - Review & Demo

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for Fender 2018 American Original '50s Stratocaster | Guitar Demo by Guitar

Fender 2018 American Original '50s Stratocaster | Guitar Demo

Guitar

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Video thumbnail for Fender American Original '50s Strat, Aztec Gold | Gear4music Demo by Gear4music Guitars

Fender American Original '50s Strat, Aztec Gold | Gear4music Demo

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Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster Full Demo by Alamo Music Center

Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster Full Demo

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Video thumbnail for Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster by Guitar Center

Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for 2021 Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster | MI Amps Iron Duke by Brett Kingman

2021 Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster | MI Amps Iron Duke

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Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for My Fender American Original 50's Strat after ONE YEAR by Lucas Arredondo

My Fender American Original 50's Strat after ONE YEAR

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Lucas Arredondo

Reviews

PROS

  • Authentic vintage Stratocaster tone, reminiscent of Hendrix and SRV

  • Stunning Aztec Gold finish with a unique sparkle

  • Soft V neck offers comfort and strong sustain

  • Custom Shop quality build and sound at a fraction of the cost

  • Classic 50s and 60s rich single-coil pickups with minimal harshness

  • Excellent tuning stability, even with tremolo use

  • Resonates well with a deep, full-bodied sound

  • Handles distortion and fuzz pedals beautifully, achieving classic rock tones

CONS

  • Traditional string spacing can lead to strings slipping off the neck

  • Neck is too thick for some players, causing discomfort over long sessions

  • Requires neck removal for truss rod adjustments

  • Nitro finish is prone to dings, affecting resale value

  • 60-cycle hum from pickups can be noticeable in some settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster.

User experience

  • The 50s neck is described as chunky but manageable, akin to a "baseball bat neck," suggesting it may require adjustment for those used to slimmer necks.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the nitro finish and vintage tuners for their period-correct aesthetics, enhancing the guitar's vintage appeal.

    Source
  • Despite being pre-owned, an American Original '50s Stratocaster was found with a setup perfectly matching a new owner’s preferences, indicating consistent setup quality.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners find the 50s neck thicker than modern C necks, with some preferring it over the slimmer neck of a Player Series Strat after adaptation.

    Source
  • Owners compare the neck of the '50s Stratocaster as chunkier than a '58 reissue Les Paul, highlighting its substantial girth.

    Source
  • A user preferred the sound of the American Original '50s Strat over a Custom Shop reissue due to its smoother and more rounded high-end tone.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 9.5-inch fretboard radius is considered ideal for playability, offering a balance between comfort for chords and ease of string bending.

    Source
  • The 59 vintage pickups are designed with a 7.25 fingerboard radius and wound G string in mind, causing potential higher output on the G string.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The smaller radius necks suit playing older music styles, as they are comfortable for chord work without straining the wrist.

    Source
  • The American Original '50s Stratocaster's sound is likened to Clapton's "Brownie," encouraging frequent play due to its iconic tonal resemblance.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A buyer paid £1100 for a mint condition model, significantly less than the original retail price of £1600-1800.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some players find the E strings may drift too close to the neck's edge, risking unintended string slippage during play.

    Source
  • A guitar required a neck re-profiling from .97 to .87 at the first fret and 1 at the twelfth to improve playability for longer sessions.

    Source

Build quality

  • The nitro finish can remain aromatic for an extended period, as noted by an owner who purchased a used guitar still exuding a new nitro smell.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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pawel_brzosko

Best beefy strat neck

This one has an even fatter neck than my Baja Tele 50s. It's the strat classic, wonderful rich single pickup tone (I'd say medium output), awesome build quality, classy paintjob and one beefy, super comfortable neck (Soft V). I compared it against American Performer and American Pro and it was in a class of its own despite the fact it was only a tad more costly. A vintage design, but I can shred easily. For fat (necks) lovers this is a gem.

jimmarchi1

new acquisition?

pawel_brzosko

Indeed it is. It was accidental, but I just could not leave it in the store. It fit too perfectly to my hand :)

skylinerr

Great

Traded my good buddy my US original 60s of the same year we bought them for our band I played lead he played rhythm some reason I went for the 60s and regretted not having maple and he seemed to want the rosewood so we traded both guitars completely stock and in near enough new condition

Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mike Shinoda uses Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

Mike Shinoda

Singer, Guitarist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via Swaysuniverse

Mike Shinoda used a Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster during his Post Traumatic Tour in 2018 and 2019. He customized the guitar with doodles, distinguishing it from the standard model. Additional details can be found on his Instagram page. This information is supported by an article on Swaysuniverse.

See how Blaster Silonga uses Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

Blaster Silonga

Singer, Guitarist

IV of Spades

...
Verified via YouTube

Blaster Silonga was seen playing a Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster during IV of Spades' performance of "Come Inside of My Heart" on the Wish 107.5 Bus, as shown in their YouTube video.

See how Tyler Bryant uses Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

Tyler Bryant

Singer, Guitarist

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown

...
Verified via YouTube

Fender gave one to him after doing the demo video. You can see him using it in multiple instagram videos like this https://www.instagram.com/p/Beg4YCdlk-u/?hl=de

See how Wyclef Jean uses Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

Wyclef Jean

Singer, Guitarist

Soul Assassins

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo you can see Wyclef with a Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster.

See how Arun Bali uses Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

Arun Bali

Guitarist

Saves the Day

...
Verified via YouTube

In a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown video, Arun Bali mentions that Fender provided him with a new Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster, which he has been using on Saves the Day's latest album.

See how Whitney Petty uses Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

Whitney Petty

Guitarist

Deerhunter

...
Verified via YouTube

See this video around 9:18

J

Jared Mattson

Singer, Guitarist

The Mattson 2

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar’s Rig Rundown of The Mattson 2 done in 2018 says Jared Mattson is playing, quote, “Fender American Original ’50s Stratocaster reissue featuring wax-potted Pure Vintage ’59 single-coils, a “Soft V” neck profile with a 9.5" radius fretboard, a 6-point synchronized tremolo bridge, and a nitrocellulose lacquer finish.”

See how KJ Apa uses Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

KJ Apa

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video by IMDC Ent., KJ Apa can be seen playing a Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster, showcasing his guitar skills.

M

Marco Wriedt

Guitarist

Axxis

...
Verified via Guitar.com | All Things Guitar

There are three guitars that I play every day. My favourite would be my Fender American Original 50s Strat in sunburst. The second is a Fender American Pro HSS Strat, again in sunburst, and the third would be my Fender American Original 60’s Jaguar in candy apple red. Those are my main workhorses that I use live and in the studio.

Album Usage

The Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster has been featured on the following albums:

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 American Original '50s Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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