Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $800
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Fender American Standard Stratocaster stands as a beacon of versatility and timeless design, embodying the rich heritage of its iconic predecessors while introducing modern enhancements that make it a must-have for any guitarist's arsenal. Built for those who demand both classic tone and contemporary playability, this solid body electric guitar offers a seamless blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative features.
Crafted with an alder body and a comfortable maple neck, the American Standard Stratocaster delivers the unmistakable Strat sound that has shaped countless genres. Its trio of Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups provides a wide tonal palette, from shimmering cleans to gritty overdrives, making it equally at home in a blues jam or a rock gig. The modern C-shaped neck profile and 22 medium jumbo frets ensure smooth, fast playability, letting you explore the fretboard with ease.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or an aspiring musician, the Fender American Standard Stratocaster offers unmatched reliability and tonal excellence. Its synchronized tremolo bridge and bent steel saddles allow for expressive playing and precise intonation, while the staggered tuning machines ensure stable tuning even during the most intense performances. With its enduring appeal and adaptability, this Strat is more than just a guitar—it's a trusted companion on your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Alder body with a gloss polyurethane finish
- Maple neck with modern "C" shape and satin finish
- 22 medium jumbo frets
- Custom Shop Fat '50s single-coil Strat pickups
- Synchronized tremolo bridge with high-mass block
- Staggered tuning machines for improved tuning stability
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | American Standard Stratocaster |
| Finish | 3-Color Sunburst, Black, Blizzard Pearl, Bordeaux Metallic, Candy Cola, Charcoal Frost Metallic, Jade Pearl Metallic, Mystic Blue, Mystic Red, Mystic Sunburst, Ocean Blue Metallic, Olympic White, Sienna Sunburst |
| Year | 2008 - 2016 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Alder, Ash |
| Body Shape | S-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Bridge |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss, Metallic |
| 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 Standard, Fender FSR Limited Edition |
| Wood Top Style | Opaque, Plain |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Fender American Standard Stratocaster like?
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The Fender American Standard Stratocaster features a modern "C" shape neck profile, which offers a comfortable and familiar feel for many players, making it versatile for various playing styles.
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What kind of pickups are used in the Fender American Standard Stratocaster?
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This Stratocaster is equipped with three single-coil pickups, known for their bright and clear tone, making it suitable for genres like rock, blues, and pop.
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Is the Fender American Standard Stratocaster suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Fender American Standard Stratocaster is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile sound, although its higher price point might be more appealing to committed players.
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What is the main difference between the Fender American Standard Stratocaster and the American Professional Stratocaster?
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The American Professional Stratocaster, which replaced the American Standard, features updates like a "Deep C" neck profile and V-Mod pickups, offering a slightly different feel and tone.
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How does the tremolo bridge on the Fender American Standard Stratocaster affect playability?
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The tremolo bridge allows for pitch bending and vibrato effects, enhancing the guitar's expressive capabilities, while maintaining tuning stability with proper setup.
Videos
DV247 Music Store UK TV
Fender American Standard Stratocaster Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Wide range of sound options with five control settings
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Low action and easy to play
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Rich and full sound quality, resonates well
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Fat 50's pickups and customizable tone control on bridge pickup
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Neck size and shape provide comfortable playability
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Versatile pickups for varied music styles
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Delta Tone system offers a boost when lower tone control is maxed
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Neck feels smooth and comfortable, plays like butter
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Reliable tuning stability and durable build
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Maple neck provides bright sound, perfect for leads
CONS
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Original pickups can sound harsh and sterile when played alone
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Neck may not be as smooth as cheaper alternatives
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Known humming issue with heavier distortion
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G-string tuning stability issues with stock bridge
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Standard Stratocaster.
Features and functionality
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The 1989 Stratocaster includes a TBX tone control and a unique headstock design, which are not present in the 2012 model.
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The 2012 model is praised for its Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups, which provide a richer tone compared to older models.
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The block saddles standard on 90s American Standards are noted for their durability and distinctive feel compared to newer models with different saddle designs.
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User experience
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Owners of the 2012 model report it holds up well through gigs, indicating robust build quality and reliability.
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One owner reports acquiring the guitar barely used, played only twice, revealing potential opportunities for finding well-preserved instruments in the market.
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An owner with 25+ guitars noted selling due to financial constraints, suggesting a buyer's market for high-quality used instruments.
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The neck's ease of play is frequently highlighted, with comments on how it facilitates quick transitions and comfortable positioning for fingers.
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Comparisons
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Some users argue the 1989 model has a unique sound that they prefer over newer models, despite the advances in electronics.
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The 2003 model is compared in value to an early '80s Japanese Strat, with some preferring the Japanese models for their unique pickups and sound quality.
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Owners of newer models still express admiration for features on 90s models, such as brushed saddles, suggesting a preference for their aesthetic and functional qualities.
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Value and pricing
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The 1989 model is suggested to have potential nostalgic value, potentially making it a better long-term investment.
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A 2003 American Standard Stratocaster in mint condition can be found for $750, which is below the market rate of $1200-$1400 for similar models.
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A 1995 American Standard with a tweed case was acquired for $875, representing a notable bargain due to the case's separate value of $200-$300.
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Build quality
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Mid-90s American Standard Stratocasters feature a Modern C profile neck with a 9.5" radius and medium-jumbo fretwire, a combination praised for playability.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 33 Reviews and 170 Ratings
46
best american fender in terms of value
amazing guitar (year of production 2011), i've had it for eight years now and still use it to this day. neck pickup produces the classic thick and glassy sound of a stratocaster! Sound amazing plugged to marshall jvm/dsl as well as unplugged.
236
Classic Strat
My 2008 Fender Stratocaster is eveything you seek when you want that classic Strat sound. Quality Made in USA guitar with no problems at all, pickups plays great, gloss neck, and it holds tuning very well. Every guitar player must have a Strat!
995
A great playing workhorse
I own a black 1987 American Standard Strat from the first run. Heavy 3 piece alder body with 'swimming pool" route, one piece maple neck with low action and 9.5 radius, jumbo frets. The original pickups sounded great in position 2 and 4, but a bit harsh and sterile when played alone. The guitar is now equipped with Fender Tex Mex pickups (neck, middle) and a Seymour Duncan JB jr bridge pickup, which sound great in this guitar. When combined with aftermarket Fender locking tuners, the American Standard Tremolo works realĺy well. This is an excellent playing versatile guitar, which I have played on countless gigs and in the studio. I own three Fender Stratocasters, and this one has a modern Pop-Rock sound, and the best-working tremolo. If you are looking for vintage Strat sounds, other models are better options. This is a great workhorse which suits a wide range of styles.
My Dream Strat
My first electric guitar was a MiM Stratocaster in Sunburst. I really liked that guitar, until the fateful day where I first played an American Standard Strat in a guitar store in Delaware. I did not have much money at the time, but I swore that I would one day upgrade to an American Strat. Flash forward about five years, and I bought a Black American Standard Strat from 2000. It has the tuxedo look with its black pickguard, and I just love the feel of a guitar that was worn in for two decades. It immediately felt friendly to me, and was the best guitar purchase experience I have ever had. The Alnico V pickups are really good, and I may swap them for upper level strat pickups one day (maybe Albert Hammond Jr or John Mayer signature pickups). I will own this Strat until I drop!
135
Fender Stratocaster American Standard
Don´t know exactly what year, but i bought it new, when they first started with the two pivot tremolo-bridge. I reckoned that it would stay in tune better than the original bridge, but i always had problems with the G-string. Changed to a Wilkinson VS-100 bridge, Spretzel Looking tuners and i got much better tone. Not so bright and sizzling and stays in tune pretty well for a non-locking trem.
Very good guitar
i like the sound of this guitar with 1 or 2 pedals but 1 think the sound isn't the best without pedals...
Preferred Settings + Usage:
position 1 and 5 for rhcp (frusciante), position 2 for john mayer and 4 if you whant to "simulate telecaster" (sorry, i know that's not the real sound) but try it !
Only gets better with age!
This guitar is generally well put together. Oddly enough, my favourite feature is the bridge that sports a flat surface making mute picking especially easy on this even with a floating tremolo.
The maple neck give the guitar a bright sound perfect for shouts and lead playing. The overall sound of the guitar has improved with its age. Some players say that the wood fender uses in its solid body guitars matures overtime to give a richer mellow sound 'bell-tone' sound when played clean - this is certainly the case with this quality instrument.
I've had this for over 10 years and have played it almost daily with only minor adjustments to the action, and it has presented no major problems here; a real workhorse of a guitar! I prefer to use Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys on this guitar.
182
Classic model not to be missed in any guitarist collection
Unique sound, and awesome looks, esp tobacco sunburst, plays well, but the neck (even though I scalloped it after careful consideration) is not as nice and smooth as the neck of my far cheaper Korean Squire strat. Plus unwanted humming when using heavier distortion, well-known issue. But other than the scalloping I plan to keep it as original as possible. Legendary guitar, needn't say more.
111
Versatile
I love the Delta Tone system in these Strats for when you turn up the lower tone control to 10, the guitar gets kind of a straight to jack wiring mod and there is a great rocking boost to the guitar! The feel of the neck is great, and it weighs around 8 pounds. I have thought about getting noiseless pickups put in it, but I don't want to lose tone...so we will see.
41029
You can make a delta tone or delta volume pot yourself for free by scratching a mm or less of carbon off of a stock 250K. Or if you like to feel shit with your hand and not struggle to hear it over the drummer you can use push-pulls to disable the volume and tone control. Disabling the volume is an old Neil Young trick.
111
Definitely; it puts the load straight to jack. I just like to roll it with my pinky and turn it on for a solo if I feel like I need to visit some 80's guitar god shtick!
Artist usage
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George Harrison used the 1991 Fender Stratocaster American Standard for spontaneous gigs, including performances in Canada, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.
In this video Josh is playing Inca Silver Stratocaster with rosewood fingerboard and matching headstock
Roger got this Stratocaster as a gift from Jonathan Wilson, and he can be seen playing it in his video for "El Derecho De Vivir En Paz"
"Even though my first guitar I ever owned was a strat (Fernandes lawsuit stratocaster, not for sale) I’ve never really been a strat guy. Until later on in life while writing songs for Barriers with The Future Violents. This is the guitar I used to record "A New Day's Coming" and "No Love" with Steve Albini." - Frank
Serial: Z7069260
I ran the SN and it shows as an American Standard.
Throughout the video, Stu can be seen playing a Fender Stratocaster in an Arctic White finish
In a feature by Premier Guitar, it is noted that Dave Murray uses a modified cream Fender American Standard Stratocaster with a Floyd Rose tremolo system and three Seymour Duncan Hot Rails mini-humbuckers, all set on a sparkling pickguard, during Iron Maiden's 2010 tour.
In this photo, Smith can be seen playing his Fender American Standard Stratocaster with Floyd Rose Tremolo.
Adam Young's studio has six Fender guitars. The second is an American Stratocaster.
Steve Jones is pictured with a Fender American Standard Stratocaster in a user-uploaded photo, suggesting it is part of his gear collection.
Claudio Sanchez uses a Fender American Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar, as shown in his Instagram post. He refers to this guitar as the “Shabütacaster,” a name derived from his former band. Sanchez mentions that he modified the guitar with a set of EMG DG20 pickups.
Mark Lettieri owns a Fender American Standard Stratocaster from 1993, which he has used on tour with Erykah Badu and on multiple solo records. The guitar has been updated with Fishman Fluence pickups. This information is confirmed by a listing on Reverb, titled "Fender American Standard Strat 1993 (signed) Owned by Mark Lettieri."
Album Usage
The Fender American Standard Stratocaster has been featured on the following albums:
Barriers
Frank Iero (2019)
Uncomfortable
Wallows (2017)
V
Wavves (2015)
Afraid Of Heights
Wavves (2013)
Keyhole / Hydropump
Die & Addison Groove (2013)
Test Of Submission
Dysrhythmia (2012)
Psychic Maps
Dysrhythmia (2009)
UROBOROS
Dir En Grey (2008)
Barriers and Passage
Dysrhythmia (2006)
Vida De Perros
Los Bunkers (2005)
MACABRE
Dir En Grey (2000)
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 Standard Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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