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Average Price: $880
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$400
$1001+
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Description
The Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS is your ticket to iconic sound and modern performance, all wrapped up in a package that stays true to the timeless charm of Fender's design. Crafted in the USA, this guitar offers the perfect balance between classic tones and contemporary features, making it an essential addition to any guitarist's collection. The alder body provides the quintessential Strat sparkle, while the Atomic humbucker at the bridge ensures a powerful punch that cuts through any mix. Complementing this are the Texas Special single coils at the neck and middle positions, delivering the vintage warmth and clarity Fender is renowned for.
The modern C-shaped maple neck, paired with a rosewood fingerboard, offers a smooth playing experience that’s designed for comfort whether you're bending notes or playing fast runs. With 22 jumbo frets, you have the freedom to express every nuance of your playing style. The Greasebucket tone circuit allows you to adjust your sound without losing high-end clarity, giving you more control over your tone than ever before. This is an instrument that promises not only to meet but exceed your expectations, all while maintaining the classic look and feel of a Stratocaster.
Key Features:
- Alder body with gloss urethane finish
- Maple modern C-shaped neck and rosewood fingerboard
- 22 jumbo frets and 25.50" scale length
- 1 Atomic humbucking bridge pickup and 2 Texas Special single-coil pickups
- 5-position blade for pickup switching
- Vintage-style synchronized tremolo
- Greasebucket tone circuit
- Includes a deluxe gig bag
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | American Special Stratocaster HSS |
| Finish | 3-Color Sunburst, Autumn Blaze Metallic, Black, Candy Apple Red, Fiesta Red, Olympic White |
| 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, Brown, Orange, Red, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Maple, Rosewood |
| Model Family | Fender Stratocaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HSS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Fender American Special |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups does the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS have?
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The Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS features Texas Special single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions and an Atomic humbucker in the bridge position, providing a versatile range of tones suitable for various music genres.
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Is the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS suitable for beginners?
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While it offers professional-grade features, the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS is accessible for beginners due to its comfortable modern C-shaped neck and versatile pickup configuration, making it a great choice for players of all levels.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS?
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The Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS has a modern C-shaped neck profile, which provides a comfortable grip and smooth playability, ideal for both chord playing and lead guitar work.
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Does the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS come with a case or gig bag?
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Yes, the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS comes with a gig bag, offering basic protection for transport and storage.
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What is the Greasebucket tone circuit in the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS?
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The Greasebucket tone circuit in the Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS allows you to roll off the high frequencies without adding bass, maintaining clarity and preventing muddiness in your tone.
Videos
Musik Schmidt
Fender American Special Strat HSS RW BLK
Reviews
PROS
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Impressive HSS pickups offer a wide variety of tones
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Custom shop Texas Special single coil pickups provide excellent sound quality
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Fast, comfortable necks with a superb feel
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Jumbo frets allow for easy string bending and great tone
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Greasebucket tone circuit enables smooth volume roll-off
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Lightweight with a distinctive '70s headstock aesthetic
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Excellent playability and sustain, even when played acoustically
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Well-built American-made quality at a reasonable price
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Versatile tones suitable for multiple music styles
CONS
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Poly finish on the neck feels plasticky and cheap
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Tremolo quality is subpar compared to other Fender models
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Atomic humbucker may be underwhelming for some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS.
Features and functionality
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The Atomic humbucker delivers a punchy, biting tone reminiscent of early '80s hard rock.
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The American Special Stratocaster HSS is noted for its oversized headstock, a design feature that many enthusiasts appreciate for its aesthetic and vintage appeal.
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The neck and middle pickups are identical to those in the SRV signature model, ideal for achieving Stevie Ray Vaughan's iconic blues tones.
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Setup and maintenance
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Many users block the 6-screw tremolo due to setup complexity, noting a preference for non-tremolo use.
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User experience
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Owners describe the Texas Special pickups as having a high output with a significant mid-range bump, which can be overpowering in band settings.
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One owner, who also owns a gloss black model with a maple neck and fingerboard, mentioned it as a reliable and favored instrument despite minor humbucker limitations.
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Some players find the American Special HSS Strat's all-black body with a maple neck to be aesthetically harsh, preferring colored alternatives for visual contrast.
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Use cases and applications
Build quality
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The rosewood neck and 22 frets are appreciated by those transitioning from Les Pauls for their extended range.
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Mods and upgrades
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Some owners express a desire for coil-tapping the humbucker, mentioning it would enhance versatility by mimicking a traditional SSS configuration.
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Comparisons
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The American Special is seen as a predecessor to the Performer series, with no significant downgrade in quality, offering similar build and tonal flexibility.
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Owners suggest trying both the Fender and the PRS Silver Sky in-store, as the feel and playability can differ significantly, despite similar price ranges.
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Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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