The logic of this entry in the catalog is flawless. Arguably not so much above the American Deluxe as slightly to the side: for those who want an alternative blend of boutique and time-honoured Strat features. Obviously, given the price point, the fit and finish are flawless on all the Selects I've handled. The choice of timber is highly tasteful; really special but not so over-the-top as to take the instrument into silly "furniture guitar" territory. Lickable flame on the neck and a body that just shimmers in restrained gorgeousness under that marvellous burst lacquer. Somehow it's workmanlike and dress-best at the same time.

How much difference the compound fingerboard makes is up for discussion, but at any rate this neck has got to be amongst the sexiest in the hand I've ever found from Corona. Towards the slim end of Fender's range, but not palm-tiringly skinny: it's a proper Strat, not a one-trick shred machine. Pickups are utterly subjective, but to my ears I'm getting everything out of them I expect from a Stratocaster: a classic neck tone, the right quack on bridge-and-middle - and I just love driving that bridge pickup with the no-load tone setting engaged. Simply nothing here not to like.

My one personal reservation is that I wish the front body edge contour was of traditional Strat dimensions. I absolutely get that the point of using a Tele type radius is so that viewed from the front we can't see the back wood peeping round the edges of the drop-top front. But for myself I wouldn't mind if it did: it would state clearly that this is a Fender rather than a Suhr or Tom Anderson Super-Strat type body. Nuttin' wrong with those, naturally - but we just want a Fender to be unreservedly a Fender.

Whatever. This guitar raises the bar once again for all product from all the factories. Watch out, Custom Shop! At the price, it's a no-brainer. Now we're just waiting to see more colours...

Finish very nice! I think I'm maybe spoiled by having two custom shop strats, and a 1989 strat plus, but these models don't feel the same! They feel more on the cheaper side. A bit expensive for what your getting. A great try though, to impress us fender fanatics, but I think there are better models , like the new american standard. They are the real deal.

I went shopping for a Strat and tried many on for size including several custom shops and although some were very nice, none of them completely moved me until I saw this baby hanging from the wall. The flame topped maple body really grabbed my eye, so I took it down from the wall. The first thing you notice when you are holding it is how amazingly light it is. The I strummed it acoustically and it rang beautifully. Once I plugged it into a fender amp and strummed an open chord, the maple had a wonderful chime to it and I was completely sold. I could not put this baby down. For years I have been playing my Les Paul, but this guitar has become my work horse. It is very versatile and it is a knock out both from a sonic and a visual perspective. Highly, highly recommended!

I was in market for a new guitar in November of 2012. The first time I saw the Select Cherry Burst (looks different than this new one mind you) it just grabbed me. Hands down the nicest looking guitar I think I have ever owned. I been playing since childhood; over 36 years and have owned many guitars and this is hands down the best playing guitar I have to date. The guitar feels amazing, the neck plays like butter, its a beauty to look at and believe it or not these Select only pickups sound amazing. I simply have no desire to play anything else.

I have yet to pick up this 2013 model but I am quite sure it plays well. Do yourself a favor and play one you won't be disappointed. I wold take mine over several custom shops at twice the price. I could not be happier and everyone that has picked it up just marvels at it and calls it butter...

sonicbrewz owns this item

I've owned this guitar for a little over 8 months and it is one of my 2 main go-to guitars (the other being a Les Paul Standard TransAmber) for gigging. The guitar's finish hooked me in the store initially during Christmas 2011 and I loved the way it played and sounded but the price was still more than I was willing to spend. Over the course of the year the price started dropping a bit but it wasn't until about June that I seriously considered it. After a few more auditions in the store they finally came across with a deal that I couldn't I deal so I traded in one of my other Strats and took it home.

The fit and finish on this guitar was immaculate and it only needed some minor setup tweaks (neck relief, string height) before it was ready to take out. The maple neck had that already broken in feel with proper fret dressing and played silky smooth. The sound at rehearsal was unbelievable - the pick-ups sounded a little meatier than those on my Am Standard Strat without losing that signature Strat tone when playing clean. However, they really showed their stuff when I kicked in either the OD pedal or the the high-gain channel on either amp (HR Deluxe Mk3 and BlackStar HT Club 40).

The guitar is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship and never fails to garner comments from players and fans alike. Short of a Custom Shop model, this is probably one of the best guitars that Fender produces off-the-rack.

greyseal owns this item