I have a '95 Olympic white American Standard Strat. It's all the electric guitar I've ever wanted. I only ever use the front 2 pickups although occasionally I'll use the back two for twang. I can't honestly say there's anything I'd change with this thing; it does exactly what I ask it to, even on a cheapo amp it sounds great. These days it's the only guitar I play because of some problems with my hands. I've played my Martin D-18 for years as my go-to, but I can only play it for a few tunes these days, so I use the Strat to back me up singing for my singer/songwriter gigs and for any session work; it plays so easily I can play it all day, which I sometimes do. Leo Fender changed the world when he came up with these guitars; I don't know if there's supposed to be some knock on mid-ninetees Fender, but mine is of the highest quality.

lsford777 owns this item

Tone would make anyone happy.
Fender has made perfection in tone here, will go down as one of their absolute best in top 3, if not number 1. I can not fault it.
I remember when I was in the shop, I had to focus on tone —not song or melody. So, I got a friend to play so I could hear. I'm happy with fender as they made me a perfect guitar, over the moon. Thank you fender and the crafts people at Corona, CA, USA.

MrStratUSA owns this item

I've played mostly the higher end MIM Stratocasters the majority of my playing life. I figured a bit of tweaking and there would be no real difference. I received my American Standard straight from the factory. I tuned it up and with no adjustments this guitar played perfectly - even without plugging in it was incredibly bright and resonant. The neck is smooth and the intonation spot on. I was really impressed with the fret edges and also the frets themselves. I should have been playing this type of guitar a decade ago at least. Highly recommended - also the Pearl Jade Metallic color is mesmerizing. In a word - wow.

GoRoryGo owns this item

I've spent all my life buying and playing copies. You can find some really good ones if you look long enough. When I thought it was about time to buy a "proper" guitar I went straight to the American Standards. My strat was ordered and when it came it was still in the cardboard box. I opened it, played it and it was perfect from the off. I have not had to do anything to it. Why didn't I buy one 40 years ago !!!!

ricdove owns this item

This guitar so far is garbage. It will not stay in tune for more than 2 minutes of playing - even worse with the whammy bar. I'm so pissed that I will never buy a fender ever again. I don't know if it's just my guitar someone screwed up on or if it's not assembled correctly but this is not what I expected from an American made fender ( I think my Squier was about 10 times better than this). up until this tuning issue happened it was definitely a five star guitar and my favourite guitar I have ever played so if is something simple or a defective guitar I will be sure to change my rating when it's fixed or replaced.

Officerjimlayhe owns this item

I used to play metal in my young ages. I bought an ibanez rg series guitar and was satisfied for several years . When i played my fender that was very very different than the guitars i had played before. American models of fenders are very expensive in my country so i ordered a strat this year from abroad. a strat was my childhood dream guitar. at 27 i got it and the magic became real. I love the sound, shape, tones, everything that this guitar gives me. Plug and do the magic.

abstruse owns this item

I started my love for Fender when i bought a Squire Strat in 2007. But when it started falling apart, I began searching for a new axe that could withstand ALOT of playing. I thought about buying a Gibson SGor Les Paul but tried a 2008 American Standard Stratocaster and was instantly in love with the rolled edges, comfortable contours and colour choices. I eventually scraped up enough money in 2009 to buy one and found a 2008 Sunburst maple neck Am. Standard in at my local music store which was the exact thing i was looking for. Since then it's been through school jazz band performances, tons of jam sessions, my first band's first gig, and HOURS upon HOURS of me playing the thing and it's still awesome. I've recently modded it a bit by stripping the american standard single coils (because they were noisy under high gain) along with the parchment scratch plate and replaced them with a tortoise shell plate and Dimarzio rail pickups to eliminate the noise and get a bit more girth from the instrument, now it's damn near perfect for me. My only minor complaint would be that the frets are a tiny bit too small and it was quite expensive (even more than the RRP it is now) at the time but that's probably because the guitar had just been revised and was still very new which is why i gave the value a 3, but other than that. Thanks Fender, you've given a Australian teenage boy many years of enjoyment and playing pleasure.

Far cry from the rafts of vintage reissues and attic-relic specifications, this is by all means, a modern Fender. The price point sits as what some might regard as upper-mid priced; just enough to expect the kind of trimmings that would accompany a post £1000 price tag (such as a nicely masked gloss finish on the face of the headstock, no load tone pot, etc.), but not so much that is totally out of reach for the working musician.

So what is this guitar if it sits in such a price category? It's not exactly brimming with vintage authenticity, but it is the kind of go-to guitar that nearly every user will find a sound they can use and few will be able to complain about the feel of the instrument. It really is, by nature of the Stratocaster, a jack-of-all-trades. This is not a bad thing at all either!

My own model is the sierra sunburst, rosewood 'board model - it has been a good workhorse for teaching for some time now and has been used for session work in musical pits, teaching, covers bands, funk bands and the like. My only complaint is that the pickups were too noisy and a little under-powered, as well as not having enough meat 'round the middle, but I am more picky (pun intended) than some, and the stock pickups will be more than grand for most. Some Dimarzio Area pickups, locking tuners, graphite nut and a little electronics modification, and I have the PERFECT all rounder strat for under £1300, with a nice SKB case to boot.

It would be nice to see a strat like this with something like a 12" 'board radius, but then with a good set-up, this strat is certainly quite the playable instrument regardless. It certainly has plenty of natural resonance to it and sounds reassuringly strat-like. At this price, I'd happily recommend buying one if you're after an abuse-friendly workhorse.

colmdon owns this item

Over the years the American Stratocaster has evolved, from what many call perfection, to near death. Fender, in its wisdom, finally realized they needed to get back to basics. In the '80s and '90s players were presented the American Standard. A really nice guitar, but it wasn't quite there yet. The edges of the neck and body contours were a little too angular and the pickups weren't quite right. Next the Strat changed again into the Am. Series Strat. The body contours and pickup cavity were more accurate and the neck was rolled to give it that broken in feeling. Yet there was still more that need to be done. The bridge block and saddles weren't right. The pickups were good, but they needed to be improved.

Here we have the new American Standard. It was better sounding, better playing, and better looking than ever. The pickups are the best I've ever heard on a Standard model. In fact when I went into a music store and played a different Strat models, the new Am Std. was the only guitar that caught my ear and struck that gut feeling I get when I find something really nice.
As for things I'm not happy with the new Am Std-- Colors, colors, color. I like most of the new colors, but they are so dark, even the blue one is too dark.

Over all, I really love this guitar and feel that it's a fine addition to the American Stratocaster.

I play electric guitar since 2009, so I'm not a professional, but I've been playing the Strat since the beginning: I started with a Squier by Fender, then last year in november I bought a 2011 American Standard. I know that there are a lot of wonderful guitars, but this is THE guitar in my opinion. It 'is very elegant and confortable. The design never gets old and I think the sunburst finish is a stroke of genius.

Thanks Clarence Leonidas

giovanni.cerri owns this item

I'm a novice guitarist and wanted a Strat forever. Played years ago and gave it up. I finally decided to buy an American Standard in 2011. Again, I'm not a great player by any means, but this guitar can make anyone sound good and will make you fall in love with playing. The tone and playability are second to none. If you are thinking about buying a Fender Strat, STOP THINKING...Do it and you will have an investment that will only increase in value and bring years of enjoyment.

mikemcdonald58 owns this item

I picked one of these up last year to upgrade from a mex strat. i love the american standard ash model.
i also own two gibsons a les paul tradional and a sg standard. but everyone know that only a strat sounds and play like
one. i play it more than any other guitars i own. i just like the feel of it.

anaconda44 owns this item

I own a Fender Stratocaster American Standard 2012.
I'm 36 years old and I can say that at Christmas I managed to fulfill
one of my greatest desires: to buy American Stratocaster!
I will try to be as impartial as possible in making a review of
this piece of the history of modern music.
American Standard Stratocaster is a great guitar and it allows you to
run different types of musical genres, from pop music to very loud Hard Rock.
The three classic single coils allow you to get 5 different configurations of tone (in my opinion the most interesting are the intermediate: neck + middle and middle + bridge).
The sound of this guitar is warm and inviting: this is a common feature of humbucker pickups.
I play it with a Fender amp type "Frontman 2012", and this guitar is not affected at the "coldness of transistors," indeed, the Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups retain their characteristic warmth, and the dynamics of the instrument is outstanding.
I want to report an improvement of the instrument also from the point of view of the controls: with the new wiring is now also possible to adjust the tone of the bridge pickup, so you can make the sound of the pickup responsible for the most part of the solos brighter or darker than other two pickups.
I think, however, that the best configuration is 3 single coils stratocaster,
because I believe that the humbucker at the bridge contributes to unbalance the sound of the instrument, and to exalt the bridge pickup to make it more powerful than to the other, it is sufficient to raise it a little compared to the other two.
As for the build quality of the instrument, I think that the Stratocaster is a great guitar, made with important woods, and also the painting doesn't show particular flaws.
The combination of maple, alder and rosewood helps to balance the different frequencies of sound, giving the instrument a distinctive bright sound, emphasizing, however, the characteristics of the single coils.
As for the playability of the instrument, I had a feeling when I went from playing a guitar with a thin neck to play the Stratocaster.
The shape of the neck is very convenient and also the height adjustment of the saddle allows an Action truly excellent.
The tremolo is well done and even after intensive use of bending lever, the tuning is adequate.
Logically Stratocaster has its merits, but it also has its flaws.
I think Fender should mount series locking tuners, to increase the strength of tuning.
Being picky, I would probably create a neck angle of 1 degree or so, to make a perfect action and I would improve the quality of the strap buttons.
I think, however, that the American Standard Stratocaster is a fantastic,incredible guitar, full of charm and sound quality.
I would suggest Fender to reduce the number of variants of the Stratocaster, avoiding confusion in the buyers, and helping to enhance even more the Standard model, which, I think, in some ways is better than the Deluxe model: other trademarks of Fender could treat instead Strat lower-end models.

vezioricciardi owns this item

I had never been a Strat player. Growing up in the 70's everyone I knew had a Strat and I always wanted something different so I went for Teles and a Les Paul. Then about 4 years ago I had some spare cash burning a hole in my pocket and was in my local guitar shop trying different guitars. As a bit of a last resort I picked up an American Standard Strat, sienna sunburst with maple neck. It just felt right. Great balance, a smooth and fast neck, light too. But best of all the wiring meant that I could roll off the treble on the bridge pickup and get a wider range of tones than I expected from a standard Strat.

WORTHINGREBELS owns this item

Have several other guitars but this is my favorite. Comfortable and easy playing from the first minute I picked it up. The set up right out of the box was perfect for my playing style. Just tuned her up and was ready to rip. Not sorry I opted for the American Strat. Well worth the few extra bucks.

psardo owns this item

After many years of being away from music, I decided to take up the guitar again. Although I had lessons throughout childhood, I was worried that I would have forgotten how to play. I decided to start slow and picked up a Squier. Was relieved to find out it was like riding a bike. Eventually, the Squier didn't do it for me anymore so I figured what the hell - Go For It!
My American Standard Strat is the sweetest thing I have ever played. It goes with just about any style or genre of music. It also keeps its tune even if I neglect it for a couple of months. Great sustain and tone. The feel of the instrument is so natural it doesn't weigh me down even after playing several hours. If you have a regular "Mexican" Fender (I also have a regular Tele) you will find the difference is remarkable. Make the investment in the American model. You wont be disappointed.

trshannon674 owns this item

I had 3 of them and sold all for other brands. But my heart was stolen by my old strats, never forgotten. Now luckily I had some money and I said: "I want a brand new strat." Now I am a proud owner of a black American Standard Stratocaster. Great action and so beautiful sound. Thanks Fender!

ninosmeraldi owns this item

I own an '88, Fire Red, maple neck MIA Strat. The absolute best guitar on the planet. There are other guitars that sound like a Strat, hundreds that look like a Strat, hundreds more that wanna-be-a-Strat. Only one in the world, though. Set up right, these play better than any other guitar I play, and I play a lot of guitars as a staff writer and gear tester. Use the Fender Factory setup, available on this website (it's easy guys), and you will be amazed at what a delight a MIA Strat is to play. Absolutely blow away all comers in battle. No contest.

For a secret killer tone, throw in a set of '69 pickups... eeoowww!! Jimi, eat your heart out, brother.

I went from a Squier Strat to the AM STD Strat - and boy what a pleasant change. It is so sweet to play.

jenshb owns this item

These American Series Strats are my favorite. You can play almost any style of music. They play well, they sound great, the look good.
I have 3 of this model manufactured in various years. They all sound slightly different from eachother due to various changes that were made during the time of manufacture. Various pickups, hardware and finish materials were used and it does make differences in tone. The rolled fingerboard edges make them very comfortable to play. Action can be set very low. This is a guitar I wouldn't be without. I think prices are just beginning to to reach a point where they become less of a solid value. Still a great guitar.

Randy1 owns this item

I must simply state the Fender Stratocaster is the best, most playable, versatile, beautiful guitar ever produced. Every instrument is not only comfortable and ergonomic their simply works of art. I own a 2010 sienna sunburst, I actually purchased her on a whim without a store demo via online. Beforehand i had just played acoustically (I had a squire strat but didnt like it too much), but decided i wanted the creme de la creme of guitars and purchased a Stratocaster, best purchase of my life. My purchase choice was guided predominately due to the wide variety of musicians who use it, and boy I'lll tell you so many people play them for a reason. No mater what style you play or what amp/effects you use they sound simply wonderful. dont go for the cheapies, go American Standard. save up the extra few bucks, you wont ever regret it, one of these guitars properly taken care of will last a life time. I thank Mr. Leo Fender for this work of art, rest in peace sir...

alexcrabtree owns this item

This strat is just a dream to play. The fit and finish are pure classic fender. The "Fat 50 s" pickups can give you so many classic Fender sounds, drop it down to the bridge and the surfer twang is their, pull up to the neck position and its fat creamy blues tones. Theirs a reason the strat has been the standard guitar for so many great artist.

Les Chrostowski owns this item

I have owned an American Standard Stratocaster since 2008. Mine is in Olympic White, with a maple neck. The first time I picked it up in the music store, I fell in love with the feel of the guitar. I just could not put it down. That was 5 years ago, and I am still playing it. The fit and finish are fantastic, and Fender's quality control is light years ahead of Gibson's. I own a lot of guitars, from several manufacturers, but I ALWAYS end up going back to this Strat. It is my go to axe, and with the addition of an aftermarket humbucker, it is versatile enough to do entire gigs with my rock cover band without changing guitars. I can't do that with any other guitar I own. I absolutely love this guitar!

deebolay123 owns this item

I got my first Fender guitar a Duo Sonic II in 1965 and then a used 1965 Fender Stratocaster in 1967 as well as a 1965 Fender Super Reverb amp and they are still great today. I have also bought many Fender Stratocasters over the years just to have new ones of different colors. You can buy one American Fender Strat and have it as a great guitar that's a keeper forever. The guitar is so comfortable to play and the pick ups sound great with sparkle and tight well defined lows. The guitars are well made and very durable. First is great sound, well made, and very comfortable that's easy to set up and play. Look at all the amazing players that have played Fender Strats, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Mark Knophler, Ritchie Blackmore, Robin Trower, and the list goes on and on. Over the years Fender is always innovating and trying different things to satisfy everybody. There are so many possibilites and choices. The Fender Strat is a great guitar. The medium jumbo frets are the perfect size. Everything is right for a no nonsense go to guitar that is a keeper.

Ronstratlover9 owns this item

I got this when I wanted to get a nicer, 22-fret guitar than the Squier I started with. I compared this and the Deluxe, and went with this one, in the Ash Sienna Sunburst. I liked the sound on this one better for the price. To be honest, I picked the color, not the wood choice, and didn't realize it was an ash body, but I quite like it.

I've since gotten a Standard Strat, that plays almost as well - in fact, the frets on the American Standard seem a little lower than the Standard, which hasn't helped my admittedly beginner playing as much as it might. It did help me to realize how hard I fret, but it's kind of an expensive way to learn.

I play this more than anything, but I can't keep it out to just grab and play, due to small children around the house. I keep my Squier out for that. I've played it out at jam nights and such, and get lots of compliments on its looks.

rjim owns this item

I purchased an American Standard Strat in 2010, before they added the aged plastic parts and custom shop pickups for 2012. Mine is in Charcoal Frost Metallic with Rosewood neck. I have used a number of guitars over the years but still find the strat to be the most versatile and enjoyable to play due to the comfortable shape, weight and variety of tones I can get from it especially when paired up with my Fender Hot Rod deluxe amp. I have always been impressed with the build quality of the Fender guitars I have owned and the American Standard is no exception.

garyfm owns this item

This is an incredible guitar. Playability, tone, looks, feel, you name it, it has it. My favorite of all my many guitars. It is my "Blackie." You will never go wrong with a Strat, just look at the list of artists who have made the Strat their "go-to" guitar. It is hard to believe that you can get an American made guitar for this price! What are you waiting for?

Fingerstyle Rules owns this item

My first American Fender Strat. Bought in 2009 and after years still a great guitar. The playability is very good and the sound is warm with bright tones. Want a good reliable guitar with real Strat sound, do not hesitate (I did not) you will not regret it, I promise...

Marcello owns this item

Fender are famous for their guitars, particularly the 'Strat'. There is nothing about this guitar I would change. Bulit, painted and designed with perfection. And the tone? The sound? You can't beat it. Every style of music can be played on this guitar. What more do you want? It's all here.

jessie.morris owns this item

This is the 9th Strat in my collection, and I must say probably one of the best.

sstultz owns this item

When I first picked this strat up and played it, I felt an immediate connection. WOW! It has only grown better and better. I cannot imagine being without this one. Simple to use, great neck, tones, weight/balance, sustain. It feels alive in my hands. LOVE IT! Sienna Sunburst w/ maple. A beautiful classic!

EMcRobie owns this item

Picked up this strat last year, and it's been a perfect addition to my tool box! It plays like a dream - I wish all my guitars played this easily! It sounded great when I first played it, but I swapped in the Fender 57/62 PUPs and I'm glad I did. It's a pretty guitar, and the fit and finish are wonderful. Between it and my '52 AVRI tele, I have all the electric guitar I need!

I bought my first American Standard Strat in 1987...first or second year of Fender making them after CBS was out of the picture. I bought my second one in 2011 and it's thrilling to see that the quality of these instruments is still top notch. The quality of construction and finish is extremely high, and as soon as I got my hand around the neck it became clear this was simply "easier to play" for qualities I still can't put my finger on. I miss the hardtail option sometimes; however, the characteristic sound of the instrument has a lot to do with the tremolo bridge so those of us who don't use it just have to suck it up and lock them down. I've already done some serious customization of the pick-ups and switches and the strat remains a dream for such work. I don't think you can find a better quality electric guitar at this price. My standard workhorse go-to guitar will forever be the American Standard. When you've already found the best, why muck with it?

dbmcc owns this item

Love it and happy to have it. Looks nice and good tone. I reduced one point as it sometimes makes hum noises.

gomies owns this item

The Fender American Standard Stratocaster? Indeed it is a standard. It is the standard by which all others should be compared. If you are reading this, you most likely are no stranger to the look, feel and tone of the Fender Strat. You probably remember the excitement you felt when you first heard this amazing guitar. I know I do. The American Standard Strat is that guitar. It feels incredibly solid, feels very smooth, is stunning to look at, and most importantly, it has *that* sound.

In fact, it has buckets full of *that* sound, and then some.

Purchasing this instrument is a no-brainer. Playing it is like switching on musical autopilot.The sound and feel of this baby conspire to get you to tap your deepest wells of inspiration, and that is no exaggeration.

But don't take my word for it. Go to your local guitar shop and compare. I bet you'll fall in love, just like I did.

edwinthedutchman owns this item

As you'd expect, perfect in every way. When I picked this up I knew it was going to be mine. Holds its tuning incredibly well, all in all, it just feels right.

Miktrik owns this item

Very good sound and high quality. Thanks Fender.

hoedel owns this item

This model has a great neck and nice pickups. I hot-rodded mine with aftermarket pickups and it sounds great. It has a rosewood fretboard, which is nice, but not quite as good to my taste as the maple. Overall, the guitar is excellent, but not quite as good as the American Deluxe strat or the 1957 vintage hot-rodded strat that comes with a Dimarzio bridge pickup.

slickstring owns this item

It feels good, It sounds good and it looks good.
Every Amp-Strat-Combination has it's own Soul.
It's fun to find out - it will worth it!

shruschka owns this item

There isn't a lot to be said about this guitar. The guitar speaks for itself. Since I was a child, I dreamed of owning a Strat. Now 26 years old, I finally could afford to purchase one. As a bit of a purist, I didn't want to settle for anything less than an American-Made Fender Stratocaster. I'm glad I had high standards. This guitar is everything I dreamed of. The fit, finish, build quality, and playability are off the charts. This is my first electric guitar but I am confident in saying that anyone, amateur or pro, would be pleased with this guitar. The only complaint I have is that it never goes out of tune.

wesromaine owns this item

The versatility of this guitar is amazing! The clean tones just shimmer and it can still deliver a distortion fueled bombast. The Olympic white finish is fantastic, the neck is perfect, and the action is smoother than any other guitar I have played. Well done Fender!

Soul Crusher owns this item

I have the 2012 version of this model with a maple neck. The neck is extremely smooth creating a fret board with an easy action that makes this guitar very playable. I also liked the actual price I paid for it at Guitar Center. It's a lot of guitar and case for the money.

A 4 out of 5 on the design rating,only because of the tremolo bar's thread stripped or bottomed out from the bridge threading very easily.Leaving the tremolo bar to swing loose and occasionally buzz, supposedly a common occurrence. I own the 2012 American standard and consider this the only negative to a guitar that makes my heart sing and my very soul stir with excitement every time I pick it up to play and hear "THAT" sound that I always wanted! I own a few classic guitars, but my Strat will always be my #1.Thank you Fender!

Gary2112 owns this item

What I like about the American Standard Stratocaster is a bit of everything that made this historic guitar what it is today, been in the past, and will always be in the future. The tone, action, smooth neck, exceptional body contours and comfortability of playing. The paint job is awesome and beautiful. I am happy with my 2011 American Standard Stratocaster. The "Strat" is the guitar all my guitar heroes played when I was growing up and the only one I want to own because of it.

eastsunroom owns this item

The best American Standard ever built.
Great sound, beautiful finished.
Thanks a lot...

olecram68 owns this item

I owned a couple of other Strats (2001 Am Standard and a '92 Floyd Rose Classic) so wasn't really looking to buy when in December 2011 a friend asked me to help him buy a guitar as a present for his son for graduation. We met at the store and I pointed him to this model with a maple neck simply based on rep, features and his price range. He played it for a few minutes but being a keyboard player felt he couldn't judge it and asked me to try it out. I was amazed at the difference between that guitar and the other Stratocasters of a few year's earlier vintage - the guys at the store told me that Fender was putting renewed emphasis on the quality of the Am Standard particularly with the necks and it showed...! The fret dressing was spot on and the fret ends were polished giving the neck a silky "broken in" feel. At that point I told my friend that if he wasn't buying it and taking it home, I was (and did)!

This guitar quickly became my workhorse guitar for gigging until my Strat Select purchase (but that's another review) and is still my mainstay for rehearsals and always goes along to the gig as a backup guitar. Over 2012, I played a few other new models and found that they all exhibited the same attention to the neck giving them superior playability for the price. The tone is vintage Fender with the glistening shimmer (especially through a Fender amp) but snarly rock tones if you want 'em. If you're looking for that guitar to move you into the next level of playing at a value, you can't beat it.

greyseal owns this item

This is one of my lower end Strats. This is the one I play for the everyday gig. Reliable is the word I would use. It is consistant from gig to gig. It's not necessarily the best feeling guitar I own but that does not mean it does not feel great, see my above remark.
I have owned several strats over the years and even though I think the 60's, 70's strats feel better this is a great tool for the working guitar player.
I think in general the necks should be a little more dressed out of the box but after a couple of years of break in it should not be a problem I have installed the LSR rollar nut and locking tuners because I can't do without them due to my Jeff Beck Strat.
General it can stand up to the rigors of a giging musican.
Mike

rafone owns this item

I love the feel of this guitar. It has great action and is a very solid instrument. I'm not one for road worn so I appreciate the excellent finish on this guitar. Wouldn't buy anything else.

nevertooold owns this item

The neck on this Strat is so smooth that I barely have to touch the strings.
This easy playability takes the stress off of my hand. This allows me to play
longer. This is my third Strat and I have loved all three, but this is the best Strat ever.

Larry Murphy owns this item

This guitar has seen some abuse over the years and it just keeps on keeping on, stays in tune. It is my main guitar for a jam that I have been hosting for the past 11 years. Many players play it and love the action and tone and many players have dropped it, knocked it over, drinks spilled on it, but it still plays beautifully. I have Telecasters also which I love also but they are newer and I play them out when I don't have to share. but they are built just as tough and I am sure thy could take the abuse also. The Strat also gets all the sounds you need from crystal clear to down and dirty (depending on amp settings pedals etc...).
I will never give up my Fender guitars!!

Russstgeorge owns this item

I have been using my American Standard Stratocaster for almost a year, and I am most impressed by the how solid the construction of the instrument is, as well as the compenents. I upgraded from a 90's Squier (also a very good guitar) but as most people know the American Standard is a clear step above. The tone of the instrument is quite bright, and I have considered changing the capacitor to a 0.47, but ultimately resisted (I do not want to void my warranty just yet). The Olympic White finish and maple neck are such a fantastic combination. The neck is great - the satin finish is really a joy to play. Overall, I love my American Standard to bits, but I plan to bequeath it to my daughter when she is big enough to hold it. She is only 18 months old, but she gets really excited whenever I play it around her (not for the quality of my playing incidentally). Then I can buy myself a Telecaster!

davidaxelbank owns this item

What's there to say about the American Standard Strat that hasn't already been said? Incredibly comfortable body that's contoured for hours of playing, a C-shaped neck that's satin on the back but gloss on the front so your hands can glide smoothly up and down the fretboard. New for 2012 are the Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups that deliver on their name's promises. They're bright but not harsh and are extremely responsive to the subtleties of however hard your pick/finger attack may be. The setup, fit and finish right out of the box lived up to the reputation set by the living legacy of USA made Strats!

On a completely superficial note, the aged plastic pickup covers and control knobs just look great.

DerDrache owns this item