Fender Standard Stratocaster

Players on a budget can rejoice! The Fender Standard Stratocaster makes the mark in quality, playability and features and it is affordable. By affordable, I mean for those of us who aren’t living in Beverly Hills. This is another of the MIM (made in Mexico) Fender lines. Don’t be fooled, though, as the Fender quality shines through in every one off the assembly line.

The truth is that a standard Stratocaster is big on sound, big on features and bigger on quality. From the tuning keys to the tremolo bridge, this Strat is stupendous. The electronics are outstanding and include a 5-way blade type switch. This allows the player to select from the neck, neck/middle, middle, middle/bridge or strictly bridge pickups.

The controls are standard with a master volume that lets you clean up the tone a bit. If you use effect pedals at all, that is an important aspect. In addition, the middle and bridge pickups each have their own tone controls. That makes the Stratocaster an excellent selection for many genres. Coupled with a fairly good phase shifter pedal, the blues and jazz tones are exceptional.

Strutting a 25.5”, 21 fret neck, playing this axe can be a wonderful, liquid experience. Jumbo frets complete the ambiance and make this a blues player’s dream axe. As I have said before, versatility is the order of the day with Fender guitars and the Standard Stratocaster is no different.

Whether your playing style is blues, rock or country, among others, the Standard Strat is useful. The Stratocaster was one of Fender’s first designs and was actually an offshoot of the Telecaster. Standard equipment is three single coil pickups, but you could opt for the Standard Stratocaster HSS. The “HSS” stands for the altered pickup configuration (humbucking at the bridge and single in the middle and neck) for an added dimension.

Now the Stratocaster is available in a variety of beautiful finishes. Each finish is available with either a Rosewood or Maple fret board. That is simply a matter of preference on your part, but I prefer the maple. It just sustains better and is smoother to play in my opinion. The most popular is probably the Brown Sunburst, sometimes called Tobacco Sunburst. The finish does not affect the sound or playability and is simply all about aesthetics.

The fact that this Strat is made in Mexico may turn some players off, but it really doesn’t matter. The Fender quality is still there, the electronics are still Fender and the construction is the same. For players that are on a budget but require a good quality guitar that can do anything, the Standard Stratocaster is a good selection to make.

Standard Strats also come in several different models, each with it’s own set of features and configurations. There is the Standard Strat, the Standard Strat HSS, the Standard Strat HSS with a locking tremolo tailpiece and the peripheral ready Standard Roland Ready Strat for the midi players out there.

Whatever Stratocaster you decide on, you will not be sorry. Fender delivers again with an affordable axe that anybody can walk in and buy right now. From serious gig players to the guy who plays at church, this is the Strat for you.