Fender Review: American Stratocaster

History:

Purchase: I bought this Strat from the Guitar Center, in Harahan, Louisiana for $565.00 used. I cut my teeth on a Strat many years ago. For a long time I've played a Gibson SG and love it for overdrive, but I missed the Strat sound.

What I Like About This Fender American Stratocaster: The feel and the sound. For my hands nothing feels so comfortable as the neck on a real Strat. Like I said I played a Gibson SG for many years but had to pay attention to my fingering. With the Strat everything just falls into place. The Strat twangy, punchy sound is great for the type of playing I do; R&B and Oldies Rock. It's natural sound doesn't need effects so much as other guitars. It stays in tune very well. When I really dog it may go slightly out of tune but still sound great anyway.

What I Do NOT Like About The Fender American Stratocaster: The Trem bar really sucks, goes out of tune right away. I know there are solutions to this; different nuts and bridges. I just took the handle off. Don't need it. The strings bend extremely easily.

Fender American Stratocaster Quality Rating: It was like new when I bought it. Not a mark even on the pick guard. It looks and feel like quality when I play it. Fender's got the American Strat (as well as others) dialed in. Except for the tremelo, it's perfect.

Review Summary: My only regret is that I did without a Strat for so many years. It makes a difference in how I play and the level of pleasure I get from playing. I'll give it 5 even with the sucky trem. The rest of the guitar more than makes up for it.

Rating of this Fender product: 5

This Fender American Stratocaster Electric Guitars Review Submitted By: Nat Montalbano

Review Date: 2003-04-23