Fender's American Stratocaster and Telecaster remain the best-selling musical instruments in the company's line, which is saying something, given the rich history this company has had over the past decades. Though Leo Fender is long gone, the newest American-made instruments that bear his name are a substantial testimonial to his guitar-building legacy. The present-day crop of instruments combines the best of the of the new and the old.
Never ones to rest on the past, Fender has actively interviewed a wide variety of players to see how Fender could build even better musical instruments. Leo Fender would indeed be proud, since he was perpetually concerned with the requirements of real working musicians as he built his products.
Fender sagely chose to retain the ingredients of their instruments that plainly didn't need changing. Let's use the Stratocaster as our first example. Still present are the Micro-Tilt neck, two point vibrato (honestly, a vast improvement over vintage designs), the four-bolt neck, 22 fret necks, 9.5" fretboard radius, and DeltaTone circuit. So, if these elements are still present, how is the time-honored Stratocaster new?
One of the best new features is a thinner paint undercoat, which actually results in clearer tone since the wood can breathe a bit more. The neck is better as well, with a satin finish on the back, giving it a much smoother feel. The neck front, by contrast, has a gloss finish, giving the instrument a really professional look.
They also wisely resolved to refine the bridge design, incorporating beloved elements from vintage-style tremolo bridges. It has a higher mass design, which results in much improved sustain.
The recent design also includes vintage-style bent steel saddles, which aid in capturing the classic vintage Strat tone. From Buddy Holly to Jimi Hendrix, it's all here.
While the stock Fender bridge doesn't supply the same level of tuning security that a locking system does, for all but the most outrageous whammying the Fender system is amazingly stable.
Likewise, the Telecaster experienced superb upgrades as well, including a redesigned bridge. The Tele includes a brass plate that, when coupled with the steel saddles, provides obvious Telecaster twang!
Both guitars include a world-class TSA lock-equipped SKB case that makes airport travel a picnic, and the case is very well-designed and could take quite a punch, we bet.
With street prices under $1,200, the Fender American Standard series is a fine choice for those searching for the merger of old and new.
If you are looking for the best prices on a new or used Fender American Telecaster or Fender American Stratocaster, then there's only one guitar shop you need to visit. Ray's Guitar Shop has the best prices on all new and used instruments on the Internet, including all Fender Musical Instruments.
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