The tone is outstanding, the playability is great, and being affordable
for such a quality guitar goes without saying.
This guitars holds up in just about every playing situation. To own this
guitar is to be part of a great tradition. The special is a keeper!!!!

texmex21 owns this item

After I sold my Gibson Les Paul while in College back in the late '80s, I thought I'd never own a world class guitar ever again. Well my Stratocaster Special is just that. Great tones, a neck that plays smooth like soft butter, and affordable. Great example of American craftsmanship. It is worth every penny I paid. To the people at the factory, I say, great job building my Special !!! :)

amado57 owns this item

I was initially after a USA Standard Strat, but I thought I would look at the USA Special as it seemed like a very good deal. So where have the corners been cut to keep the price down ? Wood-wise, they’re pretty much the same. Fender UK confirmed that all the USA Standards and Specials use 2 or 3 piece alder bodies which was a good start – so they’re no longer making bodies out of multiple blocks with a veneer on the top and bottom like they did in the 90s. OK for a base model but for me, a big no-no for a USA model ! To me, the neck woods looked identical. The Special has the 70s style headstock an logo which you either love or hate. Personally, I love it. I grew up in the 70s ! The quality of finish on the bodies looked the same to me – both very deep and shiny and faultless. The neck finish is slightly different – the Special has a matt finish back and front whereas the Standard has a gloss finish on the front of the headstock and a gloss finish on the maple boards. One area where for me, the Special definitely has the advantage is that it doesn’t the aged plastic parts which I hate but hey, that’s just my opinion …. Hardware-wise, the Standard has the latest version of its 2-point tremolo/bridge unit whereas the Special has the classic 6 point unit. Both seemed very smooth and returned to pitch which was fine for me – but I’m not a heavy user of the tremolo arm. The Standard has more adjustability on the neck with the micro-tilt and the bi-flux truss rod, but for me the action was fine on both models with very little fret buzz. What seems to be the deal clincher for lots of people are the jumbo frets, Texas Special pickups and the grease bucket electrics. This is obviously a matter of personal taste and the only way to decide is to try one for yourself. I loved the tone of the Texas Special pickups which seemed to have more “oomph” than the standard. The Jumbo frets were no problem as I was brought up on them ! My very first “proper” guitar which was the only guitar I had for over 10 years was a 70s Norlin Gibson SG whose frets were rail tracks compared to the Special … so I felt very much at home ! Finally, you don’t get the case with the Special. The gig bag is OK but not that well padded. I would definitely recommend a proper case if you’re gigging. In the end I went for the Special in Surf Green and having now owned it for a couple of months I don’t regret it for a minute. A definite keeper - and I would recommend this guitar to anyone !

rzoni owns this item

Just bought a Surf Green at the leading music store here in Serbia. Great looks and feel, however there is a slight fret buzz in various positions. I am wondering whether anyone had the same experience. I would very much appreciate some advice before I arrange a setup.

neno owns this item

I've been playing Fender guitars for years. I've owned a Telecaster for over 20 years. I love the sound and performance of the new '13 Strats. Great value and beautiful color.

j-mcclung owns this item

At one time or other had up to 25 guitars including 7 different Fender's, 1962 Ri, American Standard , Strat + MIJ 1983 strat, an Amer. Vintage Telecaster, and now this special. The special is the easiest to play and I like the tone, a little buzz but a little adjustment was all it needed, got it in CAR because most of the others were burst, really like the color, a keeper.

j74b owns this item

Decent American made instrument at a decent price point with a new colour. This guitar plays smooth, fit and finish are decent, so is the fretwork. I'd personally like to see more colour choices like daphne blue and celadon green on all American made instruments like the tele and Pbass. Overall, great product for the price. As with any guitar, try before you buy, there's always a rotten apple in the bunch.

Mo_bitchez owns this item

This guitar is an amazing machine for what I play. It is great even though I have a few preferences that don't quite align with this guitar I don't really care when I'm playing it. I personally wish the low action was a little lower, that's something I can adjust myself. Overall it is a very versatile machine that can let you shred, play a ballad, or bang out a tune with a nice swing. Plus, the tone knobs make noticeable differences. Even the tuning machines are great. If you have a wide range of musical interests (to play) then I can't think of a better guitar.

I had a friend come with me to the store to buy a Strat. We tried out several and the tones out of this one were what I was looking for. This was the most affordable american made Strat I could find new. After buying it and playing around with it at home for a little bit I took a close look at it and was amazed at all of the little things I found wrong with it. The neck bolts were loose and the neck was tilted so that was the first thing I fixed, easy. Then the intonation needed a slight tweek as did the height of the strings due to fret buzz but this is personal choice. The nut needs a little adjustment as some of the strings click when tuning so I think there is a little drag going on there. The shielding paint was poorly done inside and was nearly absent under the grounding lug. The pickup selector switch pops but seems to be getting better. I may change this out since that is really unacceptable. The jack nut came loose. The bridge needed tweeking as well to get it to work properly when using the whammy bar. I guess you get what you pay for even if it's made in the good old USA. I expected more from an american crafted guitar and I guess that's what I am most disappointed about. Fortunately I can handle most of the work needed to bring this great deal up to par. The candy apple red finish looks great and I love the neck with it's eased edges. It's a great sounding and comfortable guitar to play and stays in tune well even when using the whammy bar once everything is fine tuned. I love this instrument and play it as often as I can. I would have given 5 stars if it hadn't needed a switch and so much fixing up, still a good value.

Arc-n-spark owns this item

I'm mostly a Tele player, but I brought this strat after selling my 50s reissue Jap strat and missed having a strat in my collection. Tried a number of strats in a music store and spent several hours playing Us Standard, FSR US Standard and some Mexican models. I wouldn't say the guitar was any better built than the Mex equivalents at a similar price, but the difference in electronics and the Texas Special pickups were what sold me the guitar. The tone range from the specials is great allowing the usual classic strat styles both clean and driven.
The downside for me was that the neck and jumbo frets took some getting used to and almost put me off buying the guitar. We each have different preferences on these and personally I like a chunky neck, like on my Baja Tele.
The guitar is a keeper for me though now I've got used to it. Value for money is exceptional. I preferred it to the US standard, even though its a cheaper guitar and thought the Texas specials gave it a better sound. US built for that money? A definite bargain

chrisrainbow78 owns this item

I'd always wanted a Strat in a sunburst finish, and when I finally got the opportunity to obtain one from my hometown Fender dealer, it turned out to be just as good as I hoped it would be. Admittedly, there was initially quite a lot of fret buzz on two or three of the strings, but a little fettling of the nut by the in-house luthier soon cured that. The neck and fingerboard are really comfortable - though I prefer the medium frets of my (American Standard) Tele -, the action easy and the intonation is accurate all the way up the neck. The testimony to the quality of the sound was the luthier's admission, when I came to pick it up, that he hadn't put it down all day! The Texas Special pickups produce a such sweet, sweet sound, and, of course, yield up that iconic Strat "quack". I still think my Tele is my #1, but just as my luthier discovered, days can go by without me playing anything else.

redpaul1 owns this item

I wanted a great quality American made guitar without emptying my bank account and the Special was the perfect choice. It really is a fantastic instrument and although I no longer gig these days, I spend hours and hours every week just enjoying playing it and listening to those fantastic Strat tones. I choose the Candy Apple Red finish and it is just absolutely gorgeous. I read somewhere that is was Leo's favourite custom colour and I can see why.

Paul Meek owns this item

Best buy for the money!

smallcookie2 owns this item

Picked this up at the local family owned guitar store. I had originally put an acoustic in layaway but just couldn't get away from the Strat tone! I asked the owner if he would let me trade the acoustic for the Strat. He said sure and I'm the proud owner of an American made Strat with Texas Special PUPS! I love the tone and playability of this Strat. I would recommend this model (and do) to anyone wanting an American made Strat on a budget. I got the Candy Apple Red one, the finish is supreme, the neck is fast and it has jumbo frets! You can't go wrong with one of these.

noizey owns this item

What can I say. One of the most playable guitars in the range.

Went to a GC in Indiana on Mother's day 2012 while visiting from California to try out some amps a friend was looking at. This was one a number of Strats I played to demo the amps. After playing this and comparing feel to other a few other Strats they had, could not put it back. The feel and sound was what I had been missing all these years since having traded my first Strat years ago. Though only a two color sunburst (would have preferred a three color) that was a minor factor in comparison to its other attributes. After having and playing for nearing a year, I feel like an improved guitar player, though it's actually the guitar that makes the difference. The guitar price point is a value making it affordable without a compromise in quality. I can't imagine a better neck, it feels like butter. I love the Fender Strat sound of the Texas Specials, and the five way switch provides great sound options. The only thing I have done was install Fender locking tuners, which seems to have improved tuning stability.

Lenny1716 owns this item

This GUITAR was my third Fender, the first one i was too much younger to realize the special gift i had in may own, the second one comes with the HSS humbucker, sounds great, speciallly for hard rock and overdrive/distortion music kind, but there's nothing like the first love and now i return to the original 3 single coils, the only can get that "quack" sound, so bright and crystal type. I used in the past to play onto several guitars, like Gibson, Ibanez and other minor brands, but nothing compares to a American Stratocaster, that´s not only the beautiful concept design (the ergonomy), but also the way this guitar merge with our hands, i used to say to my friends that playing this guitar is like hearing a litlle orchestra, it sounds so harmonicaly that even one a single note you can do magician with your vibrato finger style or palm muting (hello Hank Marvin).
(Sorry to my english, I am from Portugal)

joao branco owns this item

This guitar is everything I've ever wanted in a Stratocaster. Beautiful finish, Solid hardware, great action and tone that doesn't quit... I've always loved that classic Strat "Quack"... The American Special Delivers! Love it!

jdminogue owns this item

Fender "Stratocaster" simply the best guitar for any style of music. The Stratocaster always delivers what ever the style of music. If I only could choose one axe for the Gig It would be the my Stratocaster everytime because of the wide range of colors and tones available from The Fender "Stratocaster"

frazier552 owns this item

Always wanted a Strat. Found this at my local guitar store. Sounded great played great. Fit and finish were perfect. I was lucky that the store had a special issue so I could get the guiter in white with a maple neck.

CPATTER328 owns this item

I was thinking of customizing my standard strats to the specs I wanted and then Fender surprised me with this guitar:
It has everyting I wanted! large 70's headstockl, 22 jumbo frets, C shaped maple neck, 9.5" radius, texas specials and last but not least.... two-tone sunburst. the pickups sound fat and rich but still retain all the chime that a single coil shoud have.
it is super comfortable and yields itself to effortless playing. Vey happy with this one. If I could add one thing, it would be noiseless pickups but some that still sound like the texas speciasl but without the hum. Thanks Fender for an awesome yet affordable American Strat.

robmutilva owns this item

Bought this guitar on a whim as I have been a Gibson / Epiphone / Martin player for about 50 years. Walked into a Fender Dealer's shop to buy a cable and walked out with a Fender Guitar. Played a few notes and a couple of chords and took it directly to a local "tuning" shop to have the playability tweaked just a little. Once J Gravity Strings spent a few minutes with a wrench and a small file... Voila!

The guitar is amazing to play and the tone and pickup combinations a joy. Tuned it to down a half step and the blues are a breeze. HAve barely touched my Les Paul since.

Affordable, very playable and produces sounds only a Strat can make. One of my "best buys" and my go to axe for blues.

Rob Lumley owns this item

The American Specials are great guitars, especially if you want a little more crown to your fret than the American Standard models. I love the jumbo frets and the fret work is superb with the nice fret dressing on the ends of the frets. The quality is great. If you are looking for key differences between these and the American Standards, it's this: these (special) have the vintage style tremolo, not the two point. If you use your trem a lot, can deal with tuning a floating trem and want the better (when using the trem a lot) tuning stability, then the two point is more your speed. If you use the trem sparingly and do not want your guitar to go crazy out of tune when you break a string, then the vintage trem style is for you. The next main difference, as mentioned earlier is that these necks have jumbo frets.

The neck is perfect with the nice hand rolled edges and awesome fret work. The rest is the high quality strat body and electronics you would expect from an American Fender. Now, buy one and go make history. :)

Great job on another great guitar Fender!

VertigoRyan owns this item

I own a Fender two tone American Special Strat and love it. The American Special series is very affordable for most guitarists. My two tone has a maple neck and doing a bend or verbroto is easy. I think the neck is fast and lots of fun to play. The pickups are Texas specials and have the best clean tone and that classic Fender sound. Adding a little tube overdrive for some affect is also great. I wish I could give this guitar a ten star rating. I highly recommend it for any guitar players. I plan to add another Strat or Tele sometime in the future to my collection that's how please I am.

artist0503 owns this item