I love this guitar. For somebody who knows from the past what a cheap and nasty guitar is I really feel proud to finally own an American made Vintage Stratocaster. I will leave it to those who know more about the anatomy of guitars to define the differences between a vintage Stratocaster and a modern Stratocaster though I think it is mainly in the overall neck dimensions and slightly concave fretboard of the vintage Stratocaster which makes playing bar chords a whole lot easier though the real 'string benders' might find it not to their liking on both E strings which can slip a bit. The tonal quality of the vintage stratocaster is also a little cooler than the modern Stratocaster. Being a non professional player who is very much into playing the great guitar songs ... MoreI love this guitar. For somebody who knows from the past what a cheap and nasty guitar is I really feel proud to finally own an American made Vintage Stratocaster. I will leave it to those who know more about the anatomy of guitars to define the differences between a vintage Stratocaster and a modern Stratocaster though I think it is mainly in the overall neck dimensions and slightly concave fretboard of the vintage Stratocaster which makes playing bar chords a whole lot easier though the real 'string benders' might find it not to their liking on both E strings which can slip a bit. The tonal quality of the vintage stratocaster is also a little cooler than the modern Stratocaster. Being a non professional player who is very much into playing the great guitar songs of the 1960's surf era I love the playability and tone of the guitar. The vintage 1950's hard case is also a quality and eye catching item.

A truly great Strat

Absolutely loving this guitar so far. It is pretty hot for a Strat, which I like. It still sounds like a Strat but it handles gain really well and retains great clarity and note separation. The build quality is fantastic, with a solid build and flawless finish. If there was one criticism, it's that the fret ends are not quite as smoothly finished as they could be. With that said, there is not fret sprout or sharpness, they're just not quite as smooth and rounded off as they could be. The guitar did, however, arrive perfectly set up and playing really well, so no adjustment needed, and it stays in tune really well even with the floating trem. In all, I'm really pleased and this is that wonderful thing. It is an affordable instrument that I wouldn't hesitate to gig or ... MoreAbsolutely loving this guitar so far. It is pretty hot for a Strat, which I like. It still sounds like a Strat but it handles gain really well and retains great clarity and note separation. The build quality is fantastic, with a solid build and flawless finish. If there was one criticism, it's that the fret ends are not quite as smoothly finished as they could be. With that said, there is not fret sprout or sharpness, they're just not quite as smooth and rounded off as they could be. The guitar did, however, arrive perfectly set up and playing really well, so no adjustment needed, and it stays in tune really well even with the floating trem. In all, I'm really pleased and this is that wonderful thing. It is an affordable instrument that I wouldn't hesitate to gig or record with and I have every faith that it would last the course. It's all the Strat you would ever realistically need.

A year down the line...

I have waited a year since buying this guitar to post a review because I'm very aware that people often arrive home so enthralled with their new toy that they immediately post a 'Wow!' type review, without really getting to know the instrument.A year ago, I walked into my local music shop with enough money saved up to by an American Standard Stratocaster. I am not wealthy, so this was a big deal for me. There was plenty of choice, but a Classic Player 50s (in Shoreline Gold) caught my eye as well, so I tried it out alongside the Americans. I left the shop with the MIM and a new amplifier and I can honestly say that I have not regretted my decision one bit.The guitar was already set up nicely, but I made some adjustments to the action to suit my personal taste ... MoreI have waited a year since buying this guitar to post a review because I'm very aware that people often arrive home so enthralled with their new toy that they immediately post a 'Wow!' type review, without really getting to know the instrument.A year ago, I walked into my local music shop with enough money saved up to by an American Standard Stratocaster. I am not wealthy, so this was a big deal for me. There was plenty of choice, but a Classic Player 50s (in Shoreline Gold) caught my eye as well, so I tried it out alongside the Americans. I left the shop with the MIM and a new amplifier and I can honestly say that I have not regretted my decision one bit.The guitar was already set up nicely, but I made some adjustments to the action to suit my personal taste and there was still no hint of fret buzz, right up to the top frets.There has been a fair bit of comment on here and elsewhere about the non-standard position 4 wiring (neck and bridge), with some players preferring to rewire their guitars the traditional way (neck and middle). I really like the position 4 sound, so mine has remained unaltered.The shaping and blending of the body and neck is simply stunning. This is one of the areas where the hands-on input of Fender Master Builder, Dennis Galuszka, really shows. The Classic Player 50s genuinely looks, feels and sounds like a much more expensive Stratocaster and I'm sure the workers at the Ensenada factory must have benefited from such a close collaboration with the Custom Shop Master Builders. I know we musicians certainly have!The Classic Player 50s model is fitted with a single ply pick guard which is prone to a little bit of warping. This is 100% authentic to the period and is NOT A FLAW as many people seem to think.There are all sorts of reasons why you might want to buy an American Stratocaster, and I completely understand if that's the case, but if you are willing to consider a MIM, look no further!

Awesome Pickups and Neck

I have been playing (and teaching) guitar professionally for 30 years and finally here's a "non custom shop" soft V neck that is more period accurate (it really is a soft V and not that thinner version on the road worn 50's strat or that so called, soft V replacement neck that Fender sells). I really enjoyed playing this guitar...it has great tone an excellent fret board with tall frets (yaaaay no 7.5 raduis) and typical fender good looks. I would have given this guitar "5" stars save for the price and two other items. The two things I was upset about was, one.... the pick-guard was made with that thin cheap plastic and it does not look or feel right on this pretty guitar (and yes I know it was modeled after a 50's guitar... but come on... let's change the things ... MoreI have been playing (and teaching) guitar professionally for 30 years and finally here's a "non custom shop" soft V neck that is more period accurate (it really is a soft V and not that thinner version on the road worn 50's strat or that so called, soft V replacement neck that Fender sells). I really enjoyed playing this guitar...it has great tone an excellent fret board with tall frets (yaaaay no 7.5 raduis) and typical fender good looks. I would have given this guitar "5" stars save for the price and two other items. The two things I was upset about was, one.... the pick-guard was made with that thin cheap plastic and it does not look or feel right on this pretty guitar (and yes I know it was modeled after a 50's guitar... but come on... let's change the things that need to be changed and leave the "original" type strats in the reissue catagory for those purists). Number two, at this price point I would like some weight to my strat (my john mayer strat is very heavy and I love it). I digress, the weight on this guitar is not bad nor a major deterrent. All in all save the items I have mentioned it is a decent looking and playing guitar. But IMO the price should not be 2k and above (with tax). Thank you Fender for at least not having a 7.5 radius on this piece. In conclusion, forthe most part I have to say... good job Fender IMHO this is a home run.

Best thing they produce today.

While some artist series instruments are quite fine tuned to the specific needs of a single person, this one is basically what you would get if you took a '57 Strat and revised it by an alternate universe Leo Fender that isn't a cheapskate. Quartersawn maple may not yield as many necks per log, but wow does it assist the top end sparkle and sustain. Neck, middle, and bridge pickups each have different magnets, again adding complexity to the manufacturing line (and purchasing), but the resulting versatility is a masterpiece.Add features like the missing backplate, the flatter fretboard radius, and the staggered tuners that could only really be informed by the sophisticated kind of player that didn't yet exist, and you have the pinnacle of Strat design that never ... MoreWhile some artist series instruments are quite fine tuned to the specific needs of a single person, this one is basically what you would get if you took a '57 Strat and revised it by an alternate universe Leo Fender that isn't a cheapskate. Quartersawn maple may not yield as many necks per log, but wow does it assist the top end sparkle and sustain. Neck, middle, and bridge pickups each have different magnets, again adding complexity to the manufacturing line (and purchasing), but the resulting versatility is a masterpiece.Add features like the missing backplate, the flatter fretboard radius, and the staggered tuners that could only really be informed by the sophisticated kind of player that didn't yet exist, and you have the pinnacle of Strat design that never was. This is less EJ's Strat and more the world's. It's EJ's slam dunk by way of standing on Leo's shoulders.This guitar, a good Les Paul, a good clean amp, and a good dirty amp, and any desert island player would live like a king (our queen) for the rest of their days.I ended up returning the first one I got due to a sizable melty-looking scar on the pickguard, which I'm guessing was caused by melted wax as there was a small dollop of it hanging out of the neck pickup. Who knows. The second I received was in proper as-new condition and happened to have not-so-subtle figure in the neck's maple, the kind for which one would expect to pay extra. Score!I wouldn't knock Fender for the first gaffe, these things happen. If anything, they could hire a few more folks and ease the pressure on the ones they have. Battle scar aside, the build quality on both the instrument I returned and the instrument I kept is immaculate. My experience with vintage Fenders has led me to believe that most are just above average guitars and only a few have that "lightning in a bottle" quality. Fast forward to today, and I'd say a higher percentage leave the factory now with that magic built-in than ever before.

Everything is outstanding about this guitar

I have owned several HSS Strats including another Ultra and an Elite. Fender really put their best foot forward with this model. The top is beautiful, the ebony fretboard is warm and smooth, and the neck is amazing. The color combinations make this an incredible looking guitar.The single coils are clean and smooth, and the humbucker packs a punch. The double ultra tap humbucker adds even more sound variances.This is a keeper. Check one out if you have a chance before they're gone.

Expensive, but worth every penny

The combination of the unique umbra top, the ebony fretboard, and black headstock make this Strat stand out. The noiseless single coil pickups in the neck and middle position sound so good and don't made any humming or buzzing. The humbucker was the selling point for me, and I absolutely love how it sounds through my Orange TT 15W tube amp. The D shaped neck plays like butter. It took about an hour to setup the way I liked - I swapped out the OEM Fender Strings for a set of Ernie Ball cobalt slinkys, which took a while to stretch and stay in tune. The action on the guitar was a little higher than I like, but that's easily adjustable, and includes a 0.05" hex wrench for doing so. For this amount of money, it's easily in Ernie Ball/PRS/Suhr territory, but if you love ... MoreThe combination of the unique umbra top, the ebony fretboard, and black headstock make this Strat stand out. The noiseless single coil pickups in the neck and middle position sound so good and don't made any humming or buzzing. The humbucker was the selling point for me, and I absolutely love how it sounds through my Orange TT 15W tube amp. The D shaped neck plays like butter. It took about an hour to setup the way I liked - I swapped out the OEM Fender Strings for a set of Ernie Ball cobalt slinkys, which took a while to stretch and stay in tune. The action on the guitar was a little higher than I like, but that's easily adjustable, and includes a 0.05" hex wrench for doing so. For this amount of money, it's easily in Ernie Ball/PRS/Suhr territory, but if you love the sound and feel of a Fender Strat, it's worth every penny.If you're on the fence about this guitar, buy this limited-edition before it goes away. I highly recommend this Strat, and have no regrets with my purchase.

Love the vintage tone

I owned an American Professional series strat, played in a band for 3 years. I loved that guitar and the Shaw VMod pickups. Well, quit the band, didn't play it much, sold it. A couple years later I missed the style and tone you get from a strat. I saw a classic 60s (lake placid blue) in a store and soon as I plugged it in I heard the true strat tone I love. It has the vintage 60s pick ups, the make zero noise. The Pau Ferro fret board is similar to rosewood, a little warmer than maple. I did my own set up: the truss rod adjustment is at the heel of the neck so it requires taking neck off to fully adjust, but not a problem for someone of average ability. this thing stays in tune, is great to play, and I hear the vintage Clapton, Gallagher, Messina, Miller (and many ... MoreI owned an American Professional series strat, played in a band for 3 years. I loved that guitar and the Shaw VMod pickups. Well, quit the band, didn't play it much, sold it. A couple years later I missed the style and tone you get from a strat. I saw a classic 60s (lake placid blue) in a store and soon as I plugged it in I heard the true strat tone I love. It has the vintage 60s pick ups, the make zero noise. The Pau Ferro fret board is similar to rosewood, a little warmer than maple. I did my own set up: the truss rod adjustment is at the heel of the neck so it requires taking neck off to fully adjust, but not a problem for someone of average ability. this thing stays in tune, is great to play, and I hear the vintage Clapton, Gallagher, Messina, Miller (and many more) tones that I remember from 60s and 70s rock. the prices is great. I've owned 3 different MIM fender instruments, never a problem with any of them. The quality of work they put out in the Ensenada factory is 100% better than in the 80s. I'll put this guitar against anything from Corona, no problem. buy it, you won't regret it.

Stunning In Every Way

I had been playing this guitar for months at a local guitar center, and finally I had gone in to buy it. I tried every conceivable way to get them to sell me that guitar for a good deal and they just weren't having it, so finally I gave up and bought in online for a great deal. To my surprise, this one not only sounds just like the one in store, but has less fret buzz. I was already in love with it, but this makes me even more pleased as it's not quite as bothersome as the one I played in store. It may just be the setup on the one I have, but I will say the neck feels slightly smaller than the on in store, not a huge difference and really just a subjective thing. That said, I'm pleased with the sound and feel of this guitar, it has a great vintage vibe and the ... MoreI had been playing this guitar for months at a local guitar center, and finally I had gone in to buy it. I tried every conceivable way to get them to sell me that guitar for a good deal and they just weren't having it, so finally I gave up and bought in online for a great deal. To my surprise, this one not only sounds just like the one in store, but has less fret buzz. I was already in love with it, but this makes me even more pleased as it's not quite as bothersome as the one I played in store. It may just be the setup on the one I have, but I will say the neck feels slightly smaller than the on in store, not a huge difference and really just a subjective thing. That said, I'm pleased with the sound and feel of this guitar, it has a great vintage vibe and the pickups are on the hot side, but are very vintage sounding. No loss of high end like on the texas specials, and they're very jangle-y when clean. Really, they're much closer to vintage sounding pickups, but the way they treat overdrive is more akin to hot pickups and also they came from the factory setup like texas specials with 8/64-ths bass side and 6/64-ths treble side, they didn't sound good setup like vintage style pickups which are 6/64-ths bass side and 5/64-ths treble side. So anyone trying to fight the pickups may try that. Overall, I'm absolutely 100% happy with the purchase, it sounds exactly like the guitar I played in store, and it feels good in my hands. It has next to no fret buzz which is astonishing with a 7.25 radius, I hope that my initial impressions lasts, as I'll be able to compare this to my American Standard strat when it gets finished being repaired, but as of this moment my scrutiny has yet to find a deficit with the guitar, and to my surprise I feel no need to change anything on it. So my judgement, this is a phenomenal guitar. The price, sound, feel and look are all on point, and there's little I could say negatively about this guitar.

The slickest strat I have ever played

It looks great but I really was after the ebony fretboard and it was not a mistake. The fact that the ebony is not pure black just adds to the character of the guitar. I am still tweaking it to get the setup to match my '09 Deluxe but still plays super smooth. Running the middle single and the humbucker together is some great sound.