Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $499

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$400

$1001+

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Description

The Fender Stratocaster Blacktop is an electrifying addition to any guitarist’s arsenal, offering a robust tonal palette that caters to both the traditionalist and the modern rocker. Designed for those who crave a powerful punch without sacrificing the classic Strat vibe, this guitar comes equipped with dual Hot Vintage Alnico humbuckers, ensuring a high-gain output that excels in versatility and depth. The Blacktop series strips away the unnecessary extras, presenting an instrument that is as straightforward as it is striking.

With its sleek, solid body and ergonomic design, the Stratocaster Blacktop promises an unmatched playing experience. The three control knobs and three-way pickup switch allow you to seamlessly navigate through a spectrum of sounds, from warm, jazzy tones to aggressive rock riffs. This guitar is perfect for players who want to explore a vast range of musical styles without the burden of an exorbitant price tag.

Whether you’re jamming in your garage or performing on stage, the Fender Stratocaster Blacktop delivers reliability and durability, making it a worthy companion for any musical journey. Its understated elegance and bold sonic capabilities make it a standout choice for musicians who want to make a statement without shouting.

Key Features:

  • Dual Hot Vintage Alnico humbuckers for high-gain versatility
  • Solid body design for enhanced durability
  • Three control knobs and a three-way pickup switch for tonal flexibility
  • Ergonomic and sleek design for comfortable playability
  • Affordable yet professional-grade quality

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Blacktop Stratocaster HH
Finish Black, Candy Apple Red, Sonic Blue
Year 2011 - 2014
Made In Mexico
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, Red
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 HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Fender Blacktop

FAQs

What kind of pickups does the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster have?

The Fender Blacktop Stratocaster is equipped with Hot Vintage Alnico humbucking pickups in both the neck and bridge positions, offering a powerful and versatile tone suitable for various music styles.

Is the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster suitable for heavy music genres?

Yes, the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster's dual humbucking pickups provide a thick and aggressive sound, making it well-suited for heavier music genres like rock and metal.

What is the neck profile of the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster?

The Fender Blacktop Stratocaster features a modern "C" shaped neck profile, which offers comfortable playability for both chords and soloing.

Does the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster have a tremolo bridge?

Yes, it features a Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and classic Stratocaster vibrato effects.

What are the available color options for the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster?

The Fender Blacktop Stratocaster is available in Black, Candy Apple Red, and Sonic Blue finishes.

How does the pickup switching work on the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster?

It has a 5-position blade switch allowing various configurations: full bridge, two inside coils, full neck & bridge, outer neck single coil, and full neck pickup for diverse tonal options.

Is the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster made in the USA?

No, the Fender Blacktop Stratocaster is made in Mexico, maintaining a high standard of craftsmanship and quality.

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Fender Blacktop HH Stratocaster demo - Damon Chivers @ PMT

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop HH Stratocaster demo - Damon Chivers @ PMT by PMTVUK

Fender Blacktop HH Stratocaster demo - Damon Chivers @ PMT

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH by ProGuitarShopDemos

Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH by N Stuff Music

Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH video review demo Guitarist Magazine HD by Guitarist

Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH video review demo Guitarist Magazine HD

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop Strat Guitar Gear Review by Musora

Fender Blacktop Strat Guitar Gear Review

Musora

Musora

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop HH Stratocaster Review - YandasMusic.com by Yandas Music

Fender Blacktop HH Stratocaster Review - YandasMusic.com

Yandas Music

Yandas Music

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH Humbuckers & Why You Should Buy This Strat! by Mike From Nashville

Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH Humbuckers & Why You Should Buy This Strat!

Mike From Nashville

Mike From Nashville

Video thumbnail for Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH Black 2011 Mexico by Loud Lemon Demo

Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH Black 2011 Mexico

Loud Lemon Demo

Loud Lemon Demo

Video thumbnail for Fender Stratocaster Blacktop Demo by Tom Roger Thu

Fender Stratocaster Blacktop Demo

Tom Roger Thu

Tom Roger Thu

Reviews

PROS

  • Sonic Blue color is eye-catching and popular

  • Humbucker pickups offer clear, mellow tones

  • Vintage looks with hot pickups turn heads

  • Suitable for various music styles

  • Responsive pickups enhance dynamic playing

  • Smooth blade switch operation without static

  • High output pickups maintain strat jangle

  • Great tone and sustain from stock pickups

  • Versatile neck feel for chords and lead

CONS

  • Poly gloss neck can feel sticky

  • No hard case included with purchase

  • High output pickups may not suit all preferences

Owner Insights

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

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend Dimarzio pickups for improved sound, citing dissatisfaction with the stock electronics.

    Source
  • One owner replaced stock pickups with Dimarzio Air Norton and AT-1 for better tone and is considering rewiring for two volumes and a master tone.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Blacktop HH Stratocaster is noted for its unique three-control layout, which may be altered by replacing the pickguard.

    Source

Build quality

  • The neck is highlighted for its comfort and as one of the few Fender models featuring a 22-fret neck with real Rosewood.

    Source
  • An issue was noted with a Blacktop Telecaster where the pickup wires were not soldered to the volume pot, causing sound to cut out, requiring a simple fix.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some prefer the vintage single-coil sound of traditional Strats over the humbuckers in the Blacktop HH for music styles focusing on clean tones.

    Source
  • The Blacktop HSH Strat is frequently mistaken for higher-end models, with owners noting its surprising quality for a Mexican-made guitar.

    Source

User experience

  • Users report stock pickups can sound muddy, suggesting potential pickup swaps for clearer tones.

    Source
  • Owners describe the Blacktop Strat HH as having a huge sound, with neck pickup cleans and in-between positions offering classic Strat tones.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A Blacktop Telecaster owner reported persistent fret buzz and intonation issues, even after professional setup, potentially indicating quality control inconsistencies.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Blacktop HH Telecaster is described as handling distortion well, with a sharp, twangy bridge pickup and a warm neck tone, making it versatile for various styles.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HH brings a robust, versatile twist to the classic Strat design without losing its iconic charm. With its twin humbuckers and innovative switching, it delivers a wide range of tones, perfect for both blues and heavy rock. The guitar's build quality, playability, and tonal versatility are impressive, especially for its price. While the glossy neck might not suit everyone, the overall package makes it a stellar choice for those seeking a powerful, gig-ready instrument. If you're a fan of the classic Strat but crave more power, this could be your new go-to guitar.

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Artist usage

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See how Angel Olsen uses Fender Stratocaster Blacktop

Angel Olsen

Singer, Guitarist

The Wild Hearts

...
Verified via YouTube

Angel Olsen can be seen playing HH Stratocaster during NPR Tiny Desk concert

See how Austin Getz uses Fender Stratocaster Blacktop

Austin Getz

Singer, Guitarist

Turnover

...
Verified via Photo

He uses this guitar in many live photos including this one.

See how Jacob Bugden uses Fender Stratocaster Blacktop

Jacob Bugden

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Music Video of 10:36 Jacob Bugden of Beabadobee can be seen using Fender Red Stratocaster Blacktop (Triple HH) at 2:16

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 Stratocaster Blacktop, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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