Fender Stratocaster Elite

$999.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (6)

2 Critic Reviews

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Fender Stratocaster Elite

1 community setup

8 wishlisted

17 saved

Page last updated Jun 08, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 8, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (5)

$999.99 40 available Used

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Average Price: $1,000

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Fender Stratocaster Elite is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Fender Stratocaster Elite is a sophisticated evolution of the classic Stratocaster, designed to satisfy both vintage enthusiasts and modern tone seekers. This solid body electric guitar combines the familiar double cutaway silhouette with cutting-edge technology, offering a distinctive playing experience. Built during the early 1980s, the Stratocaster Elite integrates active electronics, setting it apart from its predecessors. With a unique tremolo bridge and individual push pickup selectors, this instrument allows for precise tonal control, making it a versatile choice for any guitarist.

What truly distinguishes the Stratocaster Elite is its innovative use of the TBX and MDX circuits, providing an EQ-boosting feature that enhances your sound palette. Although it was only produced for a short span, the Elite's influence is evident in later models like the Stratocaster Plus, marking it as a pivotal piece in Fender's storied history. Whether you're playing rock, blues, or jazz, this guitar delivers a dynamic range of sounds that can elevate your musical expression.

Key Features:

Double cutaway solid body design
Active electronics with unique TBX and MDX circuits for EQ boosting
Individual push pickup selectors for versatile tonal options
Specialized tremolo bridge for enhanced playability
Limited production years: 1983 - 1984

Ideal for musicians who appreciate vintage style with modern functionality, the Fender Stratocaster Elite is a testament to innovative guitar design.

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender Stratocaster Elite?: The Fender Stratocaster Elite features a modern C to D neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for players who enjoy a smooth transition between chord playing and soloing.
What kind of pickups does the Fender Stratocaster Elite have?: The Fender Stratocaster Elite is equipped with 4th Generation Noiseless pickups, offering a clear and hum-free sound ideal for a wide range of music genres.
Is the Fender Stratocaster Elite suitable for advanced players?: Yes, the Fender Stratocaster Elite is designed with advanced players in mind, featuring high-quality components like a compound radius neck and S-1 switching for versatile tone control.
Does the Fender Stratocaster Elite come with a case?: Yes, the Fender Stratocaster Elite comes with a hardshell case, providing excellent protection for the guitar during transport and storage.
What is the body wood used in the Fender Stratocaster Elite?: The body of the Fender Stratocaster Elite is made from alder or ash, depending on the finish, both known for their balanced tone and resonance.

Videos

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Fender

Clare Dunn Demos The Fender American Elite Stratocaster | American Elite | Fender

Fender

Fender American Elite Stratocaster | N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Fender American Elite Stratocaster • Wildwood Guitars Overview

Wildwood Guitars

In-Depth Rundown of Fender American Elite Stratocaster Features

MooreMusicGuitars

Fender Ultra vs Elite Stratocaster: What's the difference?

astringsuk

Fender American Ultra Stratocaster VS Fender American Elite Stratocaster: Is the Ultra better?!

Alamo Music Center

Fender American Elite Series | From the NAMM Floor | Fender

Fender

Fender Elite Stratocaster Demo & Review

PMTVUK

Reviews

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Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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The treble bleed circuit on the volume pot can affect volume swells by maintaining a sharp attack even at lower settings.
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Users have reported issues with the volume control knob being too loose, causing accidental volume changes during play.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners recommend using Howard Feed-N-Wax for rehydrating rosewood fretboards to reduce fret sprout due to dryness.
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A persistent A string buzz was reported, unresolvable even by professional techs, suggesting potential inherent vibration issues.
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Crackling volume pots may indicate a dirty pot rather than a defective one, and can often be resolved with contact cleaner.
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An owner suggests comparing the Elite Strat with a similar model in-store to check for potential defects before purchasing.
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Comparisons

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The Elite's truss rod adjustment is noted for convenience compared to traditional styles, allowing easier access for on-the-spot adjustments without specific tools.
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The Elite's comfortable heel joint and compound radius neck are favored, but the Suhr HSS is noted for superior setup and playability without buzzing.
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Some players prefer the HSS model for its humbucker power, which can provide more volume and presence compared to the SSS model.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners frequently replace stock noiseless pickups with alternatives like YJM Furies or Lollar Blackfaces for improved tonal clarity.
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A Vega-trem bridge is a recommended upgrade for better tuning stability and range compared to the stock two-point floating bridge.
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Replacing stock noiseless pickups with Lollar Blackface or Bareknuckle Mother’s Milk pickups has been suggested for improved sound quality.
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Build quality

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Some units have been found with dried glue on fretboard edges, requiring careful removal with a blade.
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User experience

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Owners note that the S1 switching system is appreciated for its versatility, with no issues reported in switching or noise.
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Critic Reviews

Fender American Elite Series review

guitar.com

Fender's Elite Series electrics push the envelope with 4th Generation Noiseless pickups, a versatile S-1 switching system, and refined design elements. These guitars stand out for their smooth playability and noise-free, classic Fender tones. The HSS Strat impresses with its Shawbucker pickup, offering a modern edge, while the Telecaster delivers soulful, thick tones perfect for blues. Despite a slight oversight for bass players and a difficult-to-see Passing Lane button, these instruments are highly playable and represent the pinnacle of Fender's production models. Overall, Fender has achieved a high-performance series worthy of attention.

positive

Full Review

Fender American Elite Stratocaster review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Fender American Elite Stratocaster impresses with its modern upgrades, including fourth-generation Noiseless pickups and a new neck profile. These features offer a refined, noiseless playing experience and expanded tonal options through the S-1 switching system. While vintage purists might shy away from its contemporary enhancements, the Elite Stratocaster caters to those seeking a versatile instrument with a classic voice and added modern flair. However, it carries a slight weight and string imbalance that may not suit every player. Overall, it is a strong contender for guitarists looking for a balance between classic Strat tones and modern versatility.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

greghowe

242

about 2 years ago

Not your traditional Strat:

This is my magical unicorn of a Stratocaster. Most collectors are not interested in CBS era gear from Fender, but to me, this is perfect. The neck is thin and comfortable. The tone is superb. The pickups are well balanced and the mid boost pot is amazing. (I see why Clapton insisted this be in his signature models going forward from this period.)

Preferred Settings + Usage:

To me, the biggest perk is the ability to cut from one pickup to another with the press of a button. I am able to completely cut off the sound like I had a kill switch, or I can turn any pickup on with any other in any combination, impossible with the 5 position switch.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

From Gear Setup

john_torres_zr

about 10 years ago

Wish it had a 22nd fret

Great sounding guitar even with stock pickups. I believe these pickups are lace sensor prototypes, but I'm not 100% sure. I also do not like the "free flight" tremolo/vibrato system, as it tends to get the strings out of tune. However, the awesome guitar tone alone (especially with it's active single coils) makes it worth the 4 stars. Oh, did I mention that I also hate having to change batteries?

jake_jakerson

191

over 7 years ago

Super cool and unique guitar

I recently picked one of these up because i saw Matty Healy play one and had to have it, its a super cool guitar and something everyone should try!!

Artist usage

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Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Verified via Christies

Eric Clapton experimented with the 1980s Fender Stratocaster Elite model, as documented by Christie's.

Matthew Healy

Singer, Guitarist

The 1975

Verified via Photo

With the release of the new album, Matty has been seen playing this 1980s Elite stratocaster, especially on the song "Love Me"

Joe Walsh

Singer, Guitarist

Eagles

Verified via Photo

Joe Walsh uses this 1980s Fender Stratocaster occasionally. The picture here was taken on the 18th of May, 2012 in Winnie, TX. This guitar the cream white colour and has gold hardware.

Josh Farro

Guitarist

Paramore

Verified via Instagram

In an Instagram post, Josh Farro expresses gratitude to Fender for gifting him a new American Elite Stratocaster. He has also been seen playing this guitar in recent posts, alongside his signature Telecaster.

Ty Tabor

Guitarist

King's X

Verified via Photo

Ty Tabor used a Fender Stratocaster Elite as his main guitar during the early King's X albums, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Abalonevintage.

Mike Duce

Guitarist

Lower Than Atlantis

Verified via MusicRadar

Mike Duce: “This is my main guitar. It’s brand new from Fender with Noiseless pickups, as well as the in-phase/out-of-phase S-1 system.

“There’s nice hardware on it, as well! There’s a Hipshot [bridge] because I’m drop-tuning a lot from standard and the songs go straight into each other.

“I was a bit dubious about them at first as I thought they were mainly used for bass; I found myself checking the tunings and it’s actually been pretty good. I use custom gauge strings - 56, 44, 32, 24, 16, 12 - which just came out of preference over the years.”

Neil Arthur

Singer, Keyboardist

Blancmange

Verified via Muzines

While claiming not to be a good player, Neil owns up to owning a Fender Strat Elite ("the one with the white pickups and the onboard power"), an £18 Toreador SG copy, and a £150 Epiphone Coronet.