The Fender name remains historically synonymous with Rock n Roll of any style, and that said, will always be a popular choice for any player as a first, second, third – or more – guitar. Fender maintains a quality expected of the name used by performers from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton to Jim Root. The popularity of the Fender brand has prompted them to create price points to make the guitar more accessible to all players.
A Fender Standard Stratocaster is a sensible value for beginning players and working professionals. It is constructed in Fender’s Mexican factories with cost-effective components that make it an affordable quality instrument. To the average viewer, it looks and sounds like the classic Strat. For the player it performs well, and until you have developed an opinion about your own preferences, it is excellent instrument at any level. For professionals, the price-point of the Fender Standard version makes sense when the security of your equipment is a concern. It is a work horse that does the job at a price that allows for customization.
Fender Standard Stratocaster Options:
- SSS or HSS Pickups
- “C” shape neck,
- maple neck or maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.
- three single-coil pickups with 5-way selector,
- vintage synchronized tremolo
- chrome hardware
The Fender American Standard Stratocaster is considered the standard of excellence by many throughout the world. The quality is irrefutably the best of the Fender brand and well worth the investment. The American Standard is constructed in the US, with superior materials and higher quality control than Fender’s Standard versions. The product is reputed to hold, and in many cases, increase, in value. Professional players – especially those who record – are sold on the tone quality of the American Standard, and coupled with their finer playing appointments, believe them highly worth the price. This is a guitar you love as is. For the price, you should not need to customize it.
Fender American Standard Stratocaster Options:
- SSS or HSS pickups
- maple neck or maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.
- “C” shape neck,
- Fender Custom Shop Fat ’50s single-soil with 5-way selector
- master and no-load tone control,
- 2-point synchronized tremolo and
- chrome hardware
And then, the Fender American Special Stratocaster is the answer for those who really want American made product, but simply cannot justify the high-end price of the American Standard Strat. Constructed with less costly parts but high quality control, the Special is a great compromise with middle-of-the-road pricing that even allows room for tweaking by the customizing enthusiast.
Fender American Special Stratocaster Options:
- SSS or HSS pickups
- maple neck or maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.
- “C” shape neck,
- Fender Texas Special™ single-coil or Texas Special™ single-coil w/ Atomic humbucker
- 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo
- chrome hardware
The fact remains that Fender is a sound product at any price point, for any level player. City Music carries all three product lines. Stop in and compare for yourself, and discover the beauty of the Stratocaster at prices that can’t be beat.
