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Average Price: $800
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Description
Unveiling a refreshing take on the iconic American Standard, the Fender American Special Stratocaster redefines the expected with its potent Texas Special pickups and innovative Greasebucket tone circuit. Boasting a sleeker neck radius and a vintage-inspired tremolo, this masterpiece manages to command a lower price point, making it a perfect entry point for players yearning for an American-made Fender. Whether you're a blues enthusiast, a country crooner, or an indie rock artist, this Stratocaster delivers a more consistent, dynamic tone as you roll off highs, thanks to the Greasebucket tone circuit.
Key Features:
- Texas Special pickups for a hotter, more intense sound.
- Innovative Greasebucket tone circuit for maintaining volume and bass levels while rolling off highs.
- Flatter neck radius for enhanced playability.
- Vintage spec'ed tremolo for a rich, resonant sound.
- More affordable pricing, ideal for those seeking their first American-made Fender.
- Suited for various music genres including blues, country, and indie rock.
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | American Special Stratocaster |
| Finish | 2-Color Sunburst, Black, Candy Apple Red, Mystic Seafoam Green Metallic, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Surf Green, Walnut |
| 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, Blue, Brown, Green, Red, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | 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 | SSS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Fender American Special, Fender FSR Limited Edition |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What type of pickups does the Fender American Special Stratocaster use?
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The Fender American Special Stratocaster is equipped with Texas Special single-coil pickups, known for delivering a bright, punchy sound with enhanced midrange, making it ideal for blues and rock genres.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender American Special Stratocaster?
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This guitar features a modern C-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for both rhythm and lead playing, suitable for a wide range of playing styles.
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Does the Fender American Special Stratocaster include a case or gig bag?
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Yes, the Fender American Special Stratocaster comes with a gig bag, offering basic protection for transport and storage.
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What is the Greasebucket tone circuit on the Fender American Special Stratocaster?
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The Greasebucket tone circuit allows you to roll off high frequencies without adding bass, maintaining clarity and preventing muddiness when adjusting the tone controls.
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Is the Fender American Special Stratocaster suitable for beginners?
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While the Fender American Special Stratocaster is a high-quality instrument that can serve advanced players, its playability and versatile sound also make it accessible for dedicated beginners looking to invest in a long-term instrument.
Videos
GAK
Fender American Standard Stratocaster vs Fender American Special Stratocaster comparison at GAK
Fender American Standard Stratocaster vs Fender American Special Stratocaster comparison at GAK
GAK
Fender American Special Stratocaster CAR
ProGuitarShopDemos
Fender American Special Stratocaster Rosewood Fingerboard | N Stuff Music
N Stuff Music
Fender American Special Stratocaster Tone Review and Demo
MusicStoreLive.com
Fender American Special Stratocaster • Wildwood Guitars Overview
Wildwood Guitars
Fender American Special Stratocaster Review
PMTVUK
2015 Fender American Special Stratocaster Demo - Sonic Blue Tastiness
The Gospel of Mark
FENDER American Special Stratocaster MN 2TSB
session
New n Cool - Fender American Special
KAOS MUSIC CENTRE
Fender American Special Sonic Blue New 2015
Fusionmusic Studio
Fender American Special Stratocaster, Sonic Blue
Rich Bischoff
Fender American Special Stratocaster (Surf Green )
Music Outlet Malaysia (MO)
Fender American Special Stratocaster (with Texas Specials) | Review & Demo
Sergio Serra Music
Fender American Special Stratocaster - Surf Green - Celito -RS
Good Music Instrumentos Musicais
Fender American Special Stratocaster VS Highway One Stratocaster
Sergio Serra Music
Reviews
PROS
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Texas Special pickups provide a powerful and mid-heavy sound
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Greasebucket tone circuit maintains clarity when rolling off highs
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Jumbo frets make bending easy and comfortable
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Modern C-shaped neck is smooth and comfortable for fast playing
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Lightweight and comfortable for extended play
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Vintage vibe with surf green and other color options
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Versatile tone with 5-position switch for a range of sounds
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High-quality American craftsmanship at a reasonable price
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Great build quality with vintage style bridges for perfect intonation
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Ideal for both clean and overdriven tones
CONS
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Fret ends can be rough and may need attention
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Some find the Texas Specials too hot for classic Strat tone
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Noticeable seams in the body under certain finishes
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Heavier compared to some other guitars
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Discontinued model, becoming harder to find and more expensive
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Special Stratocaster.
Comparisons
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The Fender MIJ JV soft V neck is highly praised for comfort, especially for smaller hands, contrasting with the American Special's C shape, which some find less engaging.
Source -
The American Special includes a gig bag, while the Standard comes with a hard case, reflecting a difference in accessory offerings.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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The American Special features David Allen Tru 54 pickups and a treble bleed mod, which are highlighted as significant upgrades for tone enthusiasts.
Source
Features and functionality
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The MIJ JVMOD includes CS Fat 50s pickups, noted for achieving vintage tones, which align well with Hendrix and Mayer musical styles.
Source -
Fender American Special has overwound Texas Special pickups, a 70s headstock, and vintage string tree, offering a unique blend of vintage and modern design elements.
Source
Build quality
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MIJ guitars are generally considered to have superior neck quality, while American models might have better stock electronics, making MIJ an ideal candidate for electronic upgrades.
Source -
The Special's jumbo frets are taller, making it harder to achieve very low action compared to traditional Strat frets, though the difference is subtle.
Source
Use cases and applications
Setup and maintenance
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Special's vintage 6-screw tremolo contrasts with the modern 2-screw on the Standard, affecting tuning stability and feel.
Source
Value and pricing
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The $300 price difference between the Standard and Special is justified by component quality, but the Special remains a solid option for those on a budget.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 12 Reviews and 63 Ratings
95
95
I have this one is seafoam green btw
Very good guitar ( American Special Honeyburst )
One of the best guitar under 1000$! Absolutely not disappointed at all !
Artist usage
Add artist
Matty Healy can be seen playing his 1980s Fender Elite Stratocaster, in black at Manchester Academy on 11/28/15. He's been playing this guitar on The 1975's fall 2015 tour.
This is a picture taken from backstage at the American Music Awards
The guitar used by Pepper for the song Learn from this mistake with down on DVD Diary of a Mad Band- 2010
You can identify it because of the two strin trees min 1:21
In this source you'll find the main guitar of Jack Steadman.
Yavuz Çetin frequently played a Fender American Special Stratocaster, as seen in an Instagram post from #YavuzFest.
In his YouTube video covering "Redbone" by Childish Gambino, Justice Der plays a Fender American Special Stratocaster, notable for its 70s-style headstock, jumbo frets, and deep reddish sunburst finish.
In a photo posted on Terry Bickers' official Facebook page dated November 2024, he is seen using a Fender American Special Stratocaster equipped with EMG pickups, as noted by Terry Bickers & The Inner Spiral.
Here, Darwin is clearly seen playing a Fender American Strat
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Keith is seen in this image playing a Surf Green American Special.
.jpg)
Kris Leonard is seen with a Fender American Special Stratocaster in an Instagram post, suggesting it might have been a gift from Fender. It was reportedly used on stage a few times before the tragic end of the band.
Album Usage
The Fender American Special 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 Special Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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