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Average Price: $1,099

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Discover a new dimension of sound and playability with the Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker. This guitar is not just an instrument—it's a statement, merging classic Fender craftsmanship with modern innovations. Whether you're a seasoned performer or an aspiring musician, the Stratocaster HSS offers a tonal palette that covers the entire spectrum, from warm, velvety lows to sparkling, articulate highs.

At the heart of this beast is the Shawbucker humbucking pickup, designed by the legendary Tim Shaw. It delivers a full-bodied, expressive tone that remains crisp and clear, even when pushed to the limits. Complemented by two V-Mod single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions, this guitar provides a versatile tonal range that can handle any genre with ease.

The ergonomic "Deep C" neck profile and 22 narrow tall frets ensure a smooth, fast playing experience, perfect for intricate solos and complex chord progressions alike. The newly integrated treble bleed circuit maintains high-end clarity when you roll back the volume, ensuring your sound remains vibrant and dynamic.

Whether you're recording in the studio or tearing up the stage, the Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker is your perfect partner in crime—powerful, precise, and ready to rock.

Key Features:

  • Shawbucker humbucking pickup at the bridge for rich, powerful tone
  • Tim Shaw-designed V-Mod single-coil pickups in neck and middle positions
  • "Deep C" neck profile for enhanced playability
  • 22 narrow tall frets for precise intonation
  • Treble bleed circuit for maintaining high-end clarity
  • Alder body with gloss polyurethane finish
  • 5-position blade switch for versatile tonal options

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 Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker?

The neck features a "Deep C" profile, providing a comfortable grip that suits both chordal and solo playing, making it ideal for a variety of playing styles.

What kind of tones can I expect from the Shawbucker pickup in this Stratocaster?

The Shawbucker humbucker offers a rich, warm tone with clear note definition and reduced noise, making it versatile for genres ranging from rock to blues.

Is the Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker suitable for beginners?

While it is a high-quality instrument that can be appreciated by beginners, its features and price point are often better suited for intermediate to advanced players.

Does the Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker have a tremolo bridge?

Yes, it features a two-point synchronized tremolo bridge, allowing for smooth pitch modulation and expressive playing techniques.

What materials are used for the body and fretboard of this Stratocaster?

The body is made from alder, known for its balanced tone, while the fretboard is available in ebony, maple, or rosewood, each offering distinct playability and tonal qualities.

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 Professional Stratocaster® HSS Shawbucker by Music Store Poznań Guitars&Drums

Fender American Professional Stratocaster® HSS Shawbucker

Music Store Poznań Guitars&Drums

Music Store Poznań Guitars&Drums

Video thumbnail for Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker by Jack Fossett

Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Jack Fossett

Jack Fossett

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile sound covering classic rock to jazz, thanks to Shawbucker humbucker

  • Comfortable neck profile and body carve for smooth playability

  • Exceptional "bell tones" that enhance sound quality

  • High-quality construction comparable to higher-end models at a lower price

  • Comes with a durable locking molded case

  • Ideal for small hands, enhancing playability for more users

  • Stunning Candy Apple Red finish with a strong visual impact

  • Enhances effects pedals' performance, especially with Boss ME-80 through Vox AC30

CONS

Owner Insights

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

User experience

  • Owners highlight that the humbucker is slightly louder due to higher output, offering a distinct tonal balance with single coils.

    Source
  • The blizzard pearl finish changes significantly with light, offering a unique aesthetic that some find polarizing but generally appreciated for its distinct appearance.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The 2nd and 4th positions replicate the signature "Strat quack," making it versatile for those needing varied tones alongside a Stingray or Telecaster.

    Source
  • Owners who play metal prefer the HSS for its versatility and reduction of single coil noise, suggesting it as a practical choice over SSS configurations.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • An owner replaced the HSS configuration with three single coils for a traditional Strat sound, suggesting the guitar's flexibility for customization.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer wiring the Shawbucker with a coil split for a traditional position 2 sound, noting it avoids losing the "quack" loved by many.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Described as a "Swiss Army knife" guitar, it's valued for its versatility in covering both humbucker and single coil tones efficiently.

    Source
  • Combining the Shawbucker with the middle pickup yields a Dire Straits-like tone, appealing to fans of that specific sound despite being different from Mark Knopfler's SSS setup.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Shawbucker's bright tone can be adjusted by lowering the tone and volume for a fatter sound, ideal for solos with added dirt on clean settings.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker is hailed as a versatile workhorse, blending familiar Stratocaster features with modern upgrades. It retains elements from the American Standard series, like the 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, while introducing a new 'modern deep C' neck shape and narrow/tall frets. The standout Shawbucker humbucker at the bridge offers a classic rock voice, though some traditionalists may not favor humbuckers on Strats. The review applauds its wide color options and subtle build improvements, asserting that these enhancements redefine the Strat as more than just a rebranded model. Overall, the sentiment is positive, emphasizing the guitar's appeal to diverse players.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 7 Ratings

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N

Top

the tremoloarm sucks when removing. Shame on Fender.👆🏻for that prize.

boogienorman

Great Tones!

Most versatile Guitar I've played. Covers everything from Classic and Modern Rock to Blues and Jazz.

skylinerr

USA strat under a grand

I bought this for session work ad i wanted something super versatile mines white and maple (as pictured)

Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mac DeMarco uses Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Mac DeMarco

Singer, Guitarist

Mac DeMarco

...
Verified via Photo

On his Instagram account, Mac thanks Fender for sponsoring him. He shows a dozen Fender American Professional Stratocasters HSS Shawbucker in olympic white, and one Tele.

See how Lindsay Ell uses Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Lindsay Ell

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Fender

According to an article by Mike Duffy on the official Fender website titled "Fender in Focus: Deap Vally, Slowdive and Lindsay Ell," Lindsay Ell is confirmed to use a Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker.

See how Cecilia Della Peruti uses Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Cecilia Della Peruti

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Cecilia Della Peruti talks about her Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS in an olympic white finish. She praises the guitar's clarity and brightness.

See how Mike Sigl uses Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Mike Sigl

Singer, Guitarist

Wait of the World

...
Verified via Facebook

In this photo Mike uses a Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker in olive green.

See how Ayden Daniel uses Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Ayden Daniel

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Ayden Daniel can be seen holding the Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker in the Hurricane promo photo.

See how Calai JC uses Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Calai JC

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via Photo

Calai can be see on his phone while his Stratocaster is hanging from his body.

See how Kicksie uses Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Kicksie

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

uses olympic white strat as main guitar when playing live. also used on every studio recording to date.

Genre Usage

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

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