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Average Price: $1,099

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$1001+

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Description

The Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker is where classic design meets modern innovation, delivering a remarkable combination of style, power, and precision. This guitar is engineered for the modern musician who craves flexibility without compromising on tone. At the heart of this dynamic instrument are two meticulously crafted V-Mod single-coil pickups, paired with the throaty Shawbucker humbucker in the bridge position. This setup provides a spectrum of sound possibilities—from crystal-clear highs to robust, roaring lows.

Crafted with a "Deep C" neck profile, this Stratocaster ensures hours of comfortable playability, whether you're on stage or in the studio. The 22 narrow tall frets offer a seamless playing experience, allowing for effortless bends and intricate solos. What truly sets this guitar apart is its innovative treble bleed circuit, which ensures your tones remain bright and vibrant even at lower volumes—perfect for musicians who demand consistency in every performance.

This Stratocaster is not just a guitar; it's a statement. Whether you're shredding solos or strumming chords, its versatility and craftsmanship will inspire you to reach new musical heights.

Key Features:

  • Shawbucker bridge humbucker for powerful tones
  • V-Mod single-coil pickups for tonal versatility
  • "Deep C" neck profile for comfortable playability
  • 22 narrow tall frets for precision and ease
  • Treble bleed circuit for maintaining high-end clarity at any volume

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker
Finish 3-Color Sunburst, Antique Olive, Black, Candy Apple Red, Olympic White, Sienna Sunburst, Silverburst, Sonic Grey
Year 2017 - 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, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, Silver, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Ebony, 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 HSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender American Professional
Wood Top Style Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker?

The neck profile of the Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker is a "Deep C" shape, which provides a comfortable grip and is ideal for a variety of playing styles.

What type of pickups does the Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker feature?

This guitar features a Shawbucker humbucking pickup in the bridge position, along with V-Mod single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions, offering a versatile range of tones.

Is the Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker suitable for rock music?

Yes, the combination of the Shawbucker humbucker and V-Mod single-coil pickups provides a powerful and versatile sound that is well-suited for rock music.

Does the Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker include a tremolo system?

Yes, it features a 2-point synchronized tremolo bridge with bent steel saddles and a pop-in tremolo arm, allowing for expressive pitch modulation.

What materials are used for the body and neck of the Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker?

The body is made of alder, and the neck is constructed from maple, providing a balanced tone and comfortable playability.

How does the Shawbucker pickup in the Fender American Pro Stratocaster differ from traditional humbuckers?

The Shawbucker pickup is designed to retain clarity and note definition while reducing noise, offering a modern take on the classic humbucker sound.

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

2017 Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Demo

Video thumbnail for 2017 Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Demo by Guitar Center

2017 Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Demo

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Fender American Pro Stratocaster (HSS Shawbucker Test) by session

Fender American Pro Stratocaster (HSS Shawbucker Test)

session

session

Video thumbnail for Fender American Professional HSS Shawbucker Stratocaster Review by Sweetwater

Fender American Professional HSS Shawbucker Stratocaster Review

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile Shawbucker pickup offers a wide range of tonal options

  • Comfortable neck profile enhances playability, even for small hands

  • Exceptional sound quality with classic Strat tones and warm, clean output

  • Tall, thin frets and 9.5" radius allow easy string bending without choking

  • Excellent fit and finish, with rolled fret edges and eye-catching Candy Apple Red color

  • Weight is ideal for balance, slightly under 8 lbs

  • Treble bleed circuit maintains tone when volume is lowered

  • Molded locking case included for secure transportation

CONS

  • Some players may prefer a fatter neck profile

  • Standard Fender tuners may not satisfy all users, prompting upgrades

Owner Insights

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

User experience

  • The humbucker in the HSS Shawbucker is noticeably louder than the single coils due to higher output, providing a versatile sound range.

    Source
  • One user noted a significant difference in feel and sound when upgrading from a Player Strat to an American Pro II.

    Source
  • Many users who previously owned Les Pauls appreciate the HSS Shawbucker for retaining the useful elements of a Les Paul while enhancing Strat versatility.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners highlight the Strat's 2nd and 4th positions for achieving the iconic "Strat quack," which is distinct from the Music Man Stingray's sound palette.

    Source
  • Owners suggest the PRS Silver Sky SE offers similar playability to the Player Strat, but the American Pro II is noted to feel superior.

    Source
  • Owners who transitioned from SSS to HSS Strat models report the HSS's Shawbucker handles rock and metal genres better, reducing reliance on multiple guitars.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some users opt to replace the HSS configuration with three single coils to capture the classic 2nd position Strat sound, showcasing a common mod for traditional tones.

    Source
  • Owners have reported modding earlier Shawbuckers to allow for coil splitting, but the 2019 model lacks this capability.

    Source
  • Some owners wire the Shawbucker with a coil split for a traditional position 2 sound, though others prefer the full humbucker for its brightness.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The HSS Shawbucker is often described as a "Swiss Army knife" guitar, offering flexibility for players transitioning from other models like the HH Stingray or Telecasters.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A new American Pro HSS Shawbucker was priced around $1,500, with used models comparable to the value of a $1,000 Taylor acoustic in trades.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 2019 American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker cannot split the humbucker into a single coil, unlike some earlier models.

    Source
  • The Shawbucker is notably bright and trebly, often requiring users to reduce tone and volume for a fatter sound ideal for solos.

    Source
  • The Shawbucker paired with the middle pickup can achieve a sound reminiscent of Dire Straits, despite Mark Knopfler's preference for SSS setups.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

A versatile Stratocaster that successfully marries classic elements with modern upgrades. The Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker boasts a smooth vibrato arm and new pickups, enhancing playability and sound. While its humbucker may not sit well with all traditionalists, it delivers a unique tonal blend that suits a variety of styles. However, those who prefer pure single-coil tones might feel the HSS configuration is a departure too far. Overall, this model stands as a solid choice for musicians seeking a reliable workhorse with a bit of kick.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Josh Carter uses Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Josh Carter

Guitarist, Music Producer

Phantogram

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Verified via Mandatory

In the photo gallery from Sasquatch 2014, Josh Carter is shown playing a Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker.

See how Clementine Creevy uses Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Clementine Creevy

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Black

In the YouTube video titled "Cherry Glazerr performing 'Had Ten Dollaz' Live on KCRW" by KCRW, at the 0:14 mark, Clementine Creevy is seen playing a Stratocaster. An article on the official Fender website confirms this guitar to be the Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker.

See how Trey Xavier uses Fender American Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Trey Xavier

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video trey demos the amazon basics overdrive. He compares the pedal to an Ibanez tube screamer mini. For this demo he plays both a Fender Players sss strat, and a Fender American pro hss strat through the pedals.

M

Marco Wriedt

Guitarist

Axxis

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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.

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 Pro Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1
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1

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