rss

Fender Stratocaster Guitars

Fender Stratocaster guitars are immediately noticeable by their distinctive shape, and can often be seen as the defining form of the electric guitar as we know it today. Simply taking one glance at the double cutaway design of the Fender Stratocaster is enough to bring images of rock n' roll concerts at the biggest of rock arenas to mind. Its reputation is well deserved, as it is the result of feedback, research and development gathered in the earliest days of the electric guitar.

The history behind this iconic instrument stems all the way back to the first prototypes that Leo Fender himself tinkered with in his workshop in the old days, and still remains a staple of many musicians today. Along with other guitars invented at the time, the Fender Stratocaster is one of the most enduring and extremely commonplace shape of guitar available today, and comes in many different configurations to meet the demands of any genre and style of music.

History of the Fender Stratocaster Guitar

The iconic design of the Fender Stratocaster guitar is a result of feedback from previous models available from Fender at the time, namely, the Esquire and Telecaster guitars. The single cutaway design of these guitars was rather uncomfortable and cumbersome to play with at times due in part to the slab-like flat body shape of the Esquire and Telecaster. The Fender Stratocaster features a contoured body design in order to make playing comfortable for longer periods of time.

Tonal variation was also made possible with the addition of a third middle pickup between the bridge and neck pickups. The electronics also received a revamp, adding in the third position for the pickup selector switch to be chosen, as well as an additional knob to further adjust levels to where the player needed to modify the most.

The modular nature of the Fender Stratocaster was also notable in this era; while most electric guitars of the time utilized set-in or neck-through designs, the Fender Stratocaster utilized a bolt-on neck design. This meant if the neck broke, then a replacement could simply be ordered and bolted on again, negating the need for the complete replacement of the guitar. 

Many also consider the Fender Stratocaster guitar to be the first double cutaway design on a guitar. The double cutaway design offers easier access to the upper frets of a guitar, a godsend to more technical players who found the single cutaway on the Telecaster and other guitars at the time uncomfortable. Combined with the tonal variations possible with the added pickup, the contoured body, and the light weight of the alder construction, the Fender Stratocaster guitar was a hit the moment it came out in 1954.

The Many, Many Fender Strats Today

The Fender Stratocaster continues to enjoy widespread popularity today due to its instantly recognizable shape and tonal flexibility. Players of all genres, whether it be surf rock, ambient sound scapes, gut-busting metal, or the most artsy of art-rock bands have all found the Fender Stratocaster more than capable of keeping up with even the most intense gig because of the flexible yet time-proven design.

Fender Stratocasters today are available in a wide variety of configurations to suit any style of music. A common variation of the original Fender Stratocaster design is the pickup configuration the guitar comes in: Players wanting to keep the original Stratocaster sound but want a little more fatness in tone typically opt for a humbucking pickup in the bridge position, with the original single coil pickups still retained in the middle and neck positions. Heavier players prefer that another humbucker in the neck position, with the middle pickup omitted from the guitar entirely.

The electronics can also be varied, as players can opt for 3-way or 5-way pickup selectors as well. The latter offers a combination of 2 pickups in the 2nd and 4th position, further flexing tonal variations. Push-pull potentiometers can also be an option for the person wanting the ultimate in tone flexibility and variation.

In addition to the electronics, the Fender Stratocaster guitar also come in a wide variety of finishes, spanning from the body itself, to the pickguard, neck, fretboard, inlays, and headstock. The customizable nature of the Fender Stratocaster also contributes to why it is one of the most lasting and iconic pieces of design in our time.

Famous Fender Stratocaster Players

The sheer numbers of prominent and famous artists who have used the Fender Stratocaster guitar are mind boggling. The sound of the Stratocaster can be heard in the vast majority of genre-shaping recordings since its inception, and continues to make waves in the recording room and in the arena to this very day.

Perhaps the most prominent player of the Fender Stratocaster was Jimi Hendrix, known for his bombastic and wild playing style which was also intricate and precise. In addition to traditional guitar playing, Hendrix was also well known for his stage antics which often involved pushing the tonal possibilities of his guitar to the limit, and even destroying it outright. One notable performance was his appearance at the 1969 Woodstock festival, where his performance of “Star Spangled Banner” defied the limits of what the guitar was thought to be capable of.

Contemporary artists such as Billy Corgan and John Mayer still recognize the significance of the Stratocaster to this very day, creating music that pays homage to the Fender Stratocaster Guitar players of old while still pushing the boundaries of popular music.

Classified Ads / Just Listed
file1323252022

Fender American Vintage 62 Stratocaster Left-...

$1599.99

About Us Payment Shipping Terms Returns Returns 60 Days for returns on instruments, 30 days on accessories. Non-Returnable Items Copy-protected material such as sheet ...

file1323252028

2007 Fender Vg Stratocaster W/roland Dsp Tech...

$1425.00

This guitar is new off our showroom floor, includes a Standard molded case. Fender teamed up with Roland to create this iconic guitar that can do it all. An amazing array of 16 t...

file1323253812

Fender Standard Stratocaster Hss W/ Floyd Ros...

$699.99

About Us Payment Shipping Terms Returns Returns 60 Days for returns on instruments, 30 days on accessories. Non-Returnable Items Copy-protected material such as sheet ...

file1323081013

Fender American Stratocaster Walnut The Strat...

$3799.00

Fender Stratocaster Walnut with Burst Effect"The Strat" Made in USA1983 #CC12817This is a genuine Fender Walnut Stratocaster - they don't come up for sale often, and are a collec...

file1323081009

Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster

$800.00

2008 Fender american deluxe hss stratocaster in mint condition.  deluxe neck 22 highly polished frets abalone dots, fender shaller locking tuners, lsr roller nut, ...

file1323079223

Fender Acoustasonic Stratocaster Deluxe (rare...

$500.00

This is a 2005 Fender "Acoustasonic Stratocaster Deluxe" electric/acoustic guitar in that is in relatively new condition. It is perfect for those who can't decide between buying ...

file1323081017

2004 Fender Stratocaster 50th Ann Usa Deluxe ...

$2100.00

IMHO, You Won't Find One Better! Payment via PayPal only  *  (no other payment method accepted)2004  *  50th Anniversary American Deluxe Stratocaster...

file1323079215

Fender Stratocaster Usa Deluxe Strat Neck Map...

$599.00

Today I have a 2011 Fender USA DELUXE neck it is in PERFECT condition. Below are the details. So if you are looking to upgrade your strat with with a smoooth ...

file1323079228

Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster Electric Guitar...

$550.00

 This guitar was "Made in the USA" and you could entertain your next party guests by playing Springsteen's hit "Born in the USA"!!Do you or someone you know want t...

file1322908207

Eric Clapton Signature Series Fender Strat St...

$846.00

Fender USA 57 Reissue All original Mojo  'Blackie' Signature series 2002 Eric Clapton   factory soft V shaped neck profile There are dings in neck look close...

Classified Ads / Most Popular
file1276149618

Grosh Retro Classic (strat) Guitar — Br...

$1625.00

 Grosh Retro Classic Electric GuitarA beautiful Don Grosh's creation with great playability and tone.All stock except for the bridge pickup -- now a professionally installed...

file1277910026

Fender® Billy Corgan Stratocaster® Usa Stra...

$1499.99

e-mail   1-800-878-8882 -Featured Item- Fender® Billy Corgan Stratocaster® - Olympic White (Includes Vintage Tweed Case)F...

file1273944608

Fender Strat Plus Stratocaster – David ...

$700.00

Up for sale is a unique Inca Silver Sratocaster plus.   The "plus" was the introduction of a few new design advances: 3 Fender Lace Sensor pickups (originally, 3 Gold L...

file1277908213

Warmoth Aaaaa Wild Birdseye Strat Neck W/ Sch...

$390.00

Up for sale is the perfect neck for your Schecter Strat Dream Machine project. A Warmoth vintage style 12" radius Strat neck with wild and beautifull Maple AAAAA Birdseye, no dot...

file1279279812

Fender Squier Blue Strat Guitar Starcaster 15...

$200.00

Furio Store Fender Squier Blue Strat Guitar Starcaster 15G Package Search Description:  ...

file1277686843

Fender Richie Sambora Stratocaster W/floyd Ro...

$155.00

Up for auction is a Fender Richie Sambora (of Bon Jovi) Stratocaster!! It came stock with a Floyd Rose bridge and Dimarzio Humbucker and WOW this guitar ...

file1276884022

Fender Tom Delonge Stratocaster Blink 182 Sig...

$599.00

*LIKE NEW* Fender Tom Delonge Stratocaster - Blink 182 - Autographed GuitarThis is a well kept collectible 2001 Fender Deluxe Tom Delonge Signature Series Stratocaster in exce...

file1277713818

Fender David Gilmour Black Strat Relic + Coll...

$3777.77

This guitar is in the original box that it shipped in from Fender Custom Shop, unopened and untouched (outside of the Fender Custom Shop). If you want to be the lucky owner of th...

file1274875222

Fender Stratocaster Tom Delonge Sea Foam Gree...

$380.00

Tom Delonge Stratocaster -a slice of Blink 182 sound in your hands!This is a Fender artist series guitar made in Mexico. For punk rockers, this is your guitar!The Fender Tom Delo...

file1275573621

Relic Stratocaster John Mayer Vintage Strat G...

$1049.00

*Scroll down for more pictures*   Custom Order for a Mayer Heavy relic Tribute Stratocaster This auction is for a custom order for a John Mayer Black Reli...

file1289320276

Fender Squire 50′s Classic Vibe Stratoc...

$199.99

I bought this Fender Squire 50's Classic Vibe Stratocaster in Lake Placid Blue 4 days ago because I wanted to use the body for a project I wanted to build. I have decided th...

file1276268429

Relic Fender Stratocaster, Tex Mex ’95 ...

$100.00

  Up on the block is an opportunity to own a cool Strat with the following features: Completely original Fender Tex Mex with the 50th Anniversary emblem, incl...

file1282759246

Vintage 57 Ri Mij Fender Stratocaster Strat N...

$202.00

Up for sale is a awesome '57 reissue Fender Stratocaster Neck, made in Japan, in 1994.  The neck features very little fretwear and a "V" profile.  This is a beautiful n...

file1279391416

Custom Fender Stratocaster

$256.82

Re-listing with lower reserve and lower Buy-It-Now:It is with a heavy heart that I part with my Custom Strat -- Partscaster, Frankenstrat, call it what you will...I call it one o...

file1281285011

2007 Black Fender American Standard Stratocas...

$740.00

You are viewing a black 2007 Fender American Standard Stratocaster.  The guitar is in 100% MINT, unplayed condition – no scratches, "micro marks," dents, or dings.&n...

file1279413023

2003 Squier Affinity Strat Limited Edition Fe...

$142.50

2003 Squier Affinity Strat Limited Edition Model . Serial number No de série: CY03035577 It was Crafted In China. It is finished in a rare Aztec Gold with a polyurethane over c...

file1280030429

Strat Neck Pr Flamed Mahogany W/ Brazilian Ro...

$102.50

Welcome to Musikraft's Official Ebay "Custom Shop" As a Fender Licensed Company since 1994 we are happy to offer replacement necks and bodies as well as other guitar related part...

file1323770417

Fender American Deluxe Strat Perfect Cond. W ...

$775.00

Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster -- 2007 model, PERFECT condition, barely used, refurbished, Tobacco Sunburst finish, comes with official Fender hard case Select ash body with...

file1278250210

Fender Usa Eric Clapton Stratocaster – ...

$1200.00

Rare  |  Boutique  |  Vintage Your Guitar Boutique (+65)6336-0601  |  [email protected]   Fender USA Eric Clapton Stratocaste...

file1275424211

Fender Custom Robin Trower Stratocaster Arcti...

$3099.99

Proudly Serving The eBay Community Since 1998 Fender Custom Robin Trower Stratocaster Arctic White Item Description As one of Britain’s...

From the Blog

Learn About The Eric Clapton Stratocaster

by Fender Strat on March 16, 2010 - 0 Comments

Taking a look over the paragraphs of this piece, I can imagine that you are attempting to learn a little about an impressive model of electric guitar that Fen...