Standard Stratocaster HSS Review

The Standard Strat HSS guitar features special switching for its humbucking bridge pickup and two single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions.

Features:	9.1
Sound:	9.3
Action:	8.7
Reliability:	9.1
Impression:	9.4
Overall rating:	9.1
Users rating:	8.3
Comments:	56

overall: 10

Featured review by: FoolOnThePlanet, on september 14, 2007

Price paid: $ 400

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: Mines a Mexican made HSS Strat. 21 frets, Fenders signature neck, rosewood... I got a sunburst Strat. It's got the stock bridge, I took out the trem bar because I never use it. It has 1 Volume, 2 Tone, and a 5 way Pup Switch. It's an HSS config of course, with stock pups. I've never felt the need to change them, they're very nice. The guitar as a whole is very solid, I've never felt the need to exchange any hardware yet. It still holds great tune and everything so no new tuners needed. I kept the stock strings for a while Fender Super Bullets. They were very nice until the high E broke. Instead of replacing them with Super Bullets I put in D'addrio .10s which are my original strings of choice on all guitars until I got this one with SB. I'm trying to think of at least one downside, but I literally can't. I don't know if I got lucky or theyr'e all like this, but this is a great guitar. I got a Roadrunner hardshell case and strap bargained in with it along with the 30 doller price cut thanks to my sales guy at GC. // 10

Sound: I play everything. I play blues, the full spectrum of rock from surf to hard, and dabble in jazz, funk, and classical. It's an extremely versatile guitar, I can get great tones from the HB, then neck pick up is awesome. I never really use the mid, but it sounds nice as well. I can get a surprisingly nice acoustic-like tone in the mid/bridge position. My rig is pretty complicated. Not techniqully, but I have a lot of effects. I run it through a Twin Reverb (Fender+Fender is orgasmic), with a Chorus Ensamble, Phase 100, Screamin Blues, Super OD, Blues Driver, Distortion, Mega Distortion, Dynamic Wah, OCD Octave, and Big Muff. The pedals color my tone slightly, but not much. It's a great sounding guitar. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I kept this guitar stock everything. It really wasn't as bad as I thought. I was planning on exchanging pups and tuners, but this is an extremely solid guitar. Everything was set up coreectly, action perfect to my liking. The guy at GC made sure everything was great with it. // 10

Reliability & Durability: It is my top guitar. It definately withstands Live playing. It seems like a solid guitar. The strap buttons are great. I've jumped around with it and nothings wrong. I've yet to get straplocks, but I don't know if I'll need them. I could deffinately play this without a backup, but I won't simply becuase I need other guitars for specific songs. It could deffinately be my all around guitar though. // 10

Impression: As said before, I am a very varried musician Who needed a very versatile guitar. I got what I asked for. I've been playing for about 2 and a half years now and own 7 or 8 guitars. In my house between my dad, brother, and I, there are about 15-20 guitars/basses. So I've been brought up on a lot of different instruments. This is deffinately my favorite. I deliberated long and hard before getting this between about 15 guitars. I narrowed it down to an Epi LP, this, a SSS Strat, or a Mustang. When I went to GC, they didn't have the Mustang anymore, and I liked this more than the SSS, so I was stuck between the Epi LP and the HSS for about a half hour. I finally decided on this. I'm glad I did. Not only is this a great guitar, but now I know about Agiles and am getting an Agile LP instead soon. // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: NoFX_Fan182, on february 26, 2007

Price paid: $ 383.15

Purchased from: Guitar Works

Features: This guitar is a 2006 model made in Mexico. The neck has 21 medium-jumbo frets, and is a one-piece maple neck with walnut skunk stripe down the back. The body is alder, and is finished in Arctic white. Very cool looking. There is a Vintage syncronized tremolo with stamped saddles. I might upgrade the saddles to something heavier for better sustain. The electronics are passive, so they don't need batteries. Like most Strats, you get the Standard Volume/Tone/Tone controls, as well as a 5-way selector Switch. None of the controls are noisy, and they feel solid. Because this is an HSS Strat, the bridge pickup is a humbucker. The pickups are machine-wound by Fender in Mexico I believe. The tuners are Fender/Ping Standard tuners, and stay in tune very well, even when dive-bombing. The guitar came with a durable Fender Standard gig-bag, tremolo arm, manual, Fender bumper sticker, warranty card, registration card, and two hex wrenches for adjusting the truss rod and saddle height. The only reason this didn't get a 10 is because of the cheap saddles, however that doesn't mean the sustain is bad. It just could be better. // 9

Sound: I play mainly punk and pop-punk music and the humbucker pickup really gets the job done for that. The single coils also work well for classic rock and blues. I think the pickups sound just as good as the ones on the American HSS, although a bit hotter. I use a little 15 watt practice amp, and this guitar still sounds awesome! As I said before, the controls don't make any noise at all. The neck pickup has a very warm sound (for a single coil). The middle pickup is bright, but not too bright. The humbucker doesn't sound too bad clean, but it really sings distorted. Over all, a wide variety of sounds can be made. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Honestly, the factory setup was pretty bad, but it wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed with a few tools. The truss rod needed to be adjusted to get rid of fret buzz, and the saddles needed to be raised a bit. Luckily the guitar came with the tools to make these adjustments. The pickups needed to be raised slightly, but they still sounded ok at the factory height. The neck itself has no flaws whatsoever, but the frets sticked out and made it hard to play. The guitar store offered to file them down though, and it plays great now. Intonation was setup fine except for the high E string, which needed just a small turn to get perfect. The body also has no obvious flaws, but the tremolo routing is slightly too big at one corner where the hole for the tremolo arm is. Not too noticable unless you look carefully. The screws for the pickup selector Switch were loose and needed to be tightened, and one of the screws for the tremolo cavity cover was half-way out! Not too big of a deal to tighten, it was just kind of annoying. None of the hardware is rusted or anything, and the tuners were tightly secured to the headstock. The neck wood has a straight grain, so it leads me to believe that it is high quality wood. The nut was cut perfectly. There were no flaws in the finish on the neck or body. Nothing here that couldn't be fixed (except for the tremolo route, but it doesn't bother me), but I expect better from a company like Fender. // 6

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is solid as a rock. The hardware definately looks like it will last (although I don't think using stainless steel strings on the Vintage saddles are a good idea). The strap buttons looked solid, but I imediately replaced them with Schaller strap locks so I don't know for sure. By the way, for anyone Who plans on putting Schaller strap locks on this guitar, the screws that came on the guitar will work with the strap locks, so you won't need to drill or plug the strap button holes. I would totally use this guitar for a gig without a backup, it's that strong. The finish looks thick enough that it won't wear off, but it's not so thick that it prevents the wood from creating nice tone. Over all, the durability is awesome. The only bad thing are the strings. They're pretty wimpy, like 9's or something. That's ok, I plan on changing them with a heavier gauge soon. These ones look like they'll break soon with some hard playing. // 10

Impression: This guitar is awesome for punk music and pop-punk music. It's also great for modern rock, classic rock, and electric blues. I've been playing for about 4 years, and despite the fact that my previous guitar is a Squier Bullet, I know how a good guitar plays and feels. I think this one feels and sounds better then my Dad's '77 Stratocaster. My favorite feature is the humbucker. It really sounds great with distortion; it makes a thick, heavy sound. Despite the poor factory setup, the only thing I don't like about it is that tremolo cover is solid (1 ply) white, but the pickguard is 3 ply (W/B/W). Not that it makes too much of a difference anyways, Who really looks at the tremolo cover? If this guitar was stolen or lost, I would definately buy it again if I had the money. It's not like I have a ton of cash though, I'm only 14 years old and don't have a job. I would totally do everything I could to get it back though. This guitar deserves a 9/10. If it wasn't for the poor setup, it would get a 10. This is a great guitar for the money. You may have better luck with the setup. And even if you don't remember that it's all fixable with the tools that come with the guitar and a phillips screwdriver. Buy it! // 9

overall: 8.2

Reviewed by: lithium26, on february 04, 2008

Price paid: $ 450

Purchased from: Singapore

Features: This Strat is made in Mexico in 2002. 21 medium jumbo frets on a rosewood fingerboard on a C-shape neck finished with satin polyurethane finish. Alder body with 2 single coil pickups on the neck and middle positions, and a humbucker on the bridge position. Passive electronics. Bridge is a Vintage style synchronized tremolo 1 volume knob, 2 tone knobs for the single coil pickups only, and 5-way selector switch. Machine heads are Fender/Ping Standard cast/sealed tuning machines. // 8

Sound: I play music along the lines of rock, hard rock, alternative rock, blues and metal. The Strat, in stock form, is not very good compared with my Jaguar, but it is pretty decent. It's HSS configuration makes it extremely versatile. It allows me to play what I want to play, but there's a but of a problem for metal. The Strat's not really a metal guitar. There's a bright sound overall due to it's alder body. The stock humbucker sounds pretty thin and weak. I like the neck pickup, but it can get a little muddy sounding. I don't really use the middle pickup, but it sounds pretty decent too. I'm currently using it with a Laneey LC15R, and it sounds awesome. To my suprise, there is not much noise with this Strat. With a pickup change, this guitar has tremendous potential. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar was set up really really really badly. The action was too low and there was a lot of buzz. There was also newspaper stuffed into the guitar. However, that's the only major problem. I'm not liking the feel of the finish of the neck. I like the nitrocellulose finish on my Jaguar, and the polyurethane finish feels rough compared to the nitrocellulose finish on my Jaguar. // 7

Reliability & Durability: A few months after I got the Strat, there was signs of rusting on the bridge especially, and some oxidation on the pickup pole pieces and tuning pegs. This is mainly due to the extremely humid climate in Singapore. I can use it on a gig without any backup, as the Strat can keep in tune really well. I don't use the trem much so it's all great. I haven't changed the strap buttons actually, and I just bought the locking strap buttons. I'm going to install them soon. The finish seems reasonable. I don't think it would wear off in the near future. // 8

Impression: Overall, I like this guitar. However, I do have certain problems with the guitar. Such as the weak sounding pickups and the neck. I don't play as much metal as I used to play, so it's fine as of now. Unfortunately, when I bought the guitar (2.5 years ago), I didn't know much about electric guitars (I haven't joined UG yet), and I wished I bought the SSS Strat instead, or perhaps a higher-end Strat. Such as the deluxe or the highway one. Compared to my MIA Fender '62 Jaguar, it sounds pretty weak, but with a pickup change, I believe I will love this guitar much more. // 9

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: partsimpson, on december 13, 2007

Price paid: $ 640.5

Purchased from: www.soundlive.com

Features: The Fender Standard Stratocaster H/S/S is made in mexico. It has 21 Jumbo Frets. I personally have a maple fretboard (which is extremly confortable. The body uses alder wood and has a maple neck. It has one volume and two tone knobs and a five was selecter to pick between the 2 single coils pickups and the humbucker at the bridge. // 9

Sound: I play every style of music really from blues to metal to jazz and the guitar is so versitile. I run it through a Boss GT-8 and a Bos ME-50 and a Electro-Harmonics Big Muff Pi into a Fender FM212R and this allows me to play any style want. I can get a very nice high tone sound out of the humbucker and that really jazzy sound out of the single coils. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Well it's a Femder. You no when you get a Fender the quality of the finish is going to be brilliant and this was no different. The pickups on the guitar came nicely set but I raised the neck pickup a bit to give it a bit more heat. The action on the guitar was really nice and really confortable. Over all extremely good. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is very well built and will last. I would easily use it at a gig without a backup. It says in tune very well. The hardware looks like it will last and so far I haven't had any problems with it in that area. I give my Strat a bit of abuse and the finish has lasted without chipping which I really like. // 10

Impression: This guitar is a great buy for the price and I would definately buy another if I lost it or got it stolen. I like the playing the blues with this guitar if you put it on the neck pick up and put through a bif muff with the tone turned down it is a really nice sound. Igave mine in Artic White and to look at it it is a beautiful guitar. // 10

overall: 9.4

Reviewed by: B_Man4949, on march 23, 2007

Purchased from: World Of Music

Features: My second guitar, a Mexican made Fender Stratocaster HSS. I don't know the exact year but I got it Brand New in 2005, so it could be either an 04 or an 05 (it was the store's demo model, so they knocked $150.00 of the price). The body is solid alder painted in wine red. It has a polyester finish. The 25.5" scale length neck is maple with a walnut skunk stripe, I believe the neck is also finished with polyester, nonetheless it feels great and plays fast. The fretboard is unfinished rosewood with 21 medium jumbo frets. The bridge is a genuine licensed Floyd Rose II. The Strat's humbucker and two single coils are made by Fender. I found this guitar's bridge humbucker sounds great for blues and heavier, dark metal styles, but lacks, in my opinion, a little output, and a tad bit of sustain, nonetheless it still has enough output and sustain for lead legato lines. The two single coils in the neck and middle are great for playing blues rythmn in both clean and dirty tones, but lack a ton of output and sustain for legato playing. As on most Strats, there is a single five-way selector Switch. There is one master volume control, a tone control for the neck pickup, and a tone control for the middle pickup. The tuners are none-locking, Fender tuners. This guitar comes out of the box with a set of 9-42 Fender nickleplated steel strings. // 9

Sound: This guitar somewhat fills the requirements of my music style. I play mainly 80's style shred (Vai, Van Halen etc.)as well as rock (AC/DC, Kiss, Led Zeppelin etc.)and just a touch of Clapton style Blues. This Strat fills my requirements for the blues and rock, but lacks a touch of sustain and bite when it comes to the shred style (a Duncan Custom would probably fix that). I play this Strat through a Fender G-DEC 15 watt amp and use various effects including Flange, Phaser, Wah, and stereo/tape delay, I can almost get the VH signature sound out of this Strat. There is not much variety of sounds from this guitar because the two single coil pickups are the same, so it is very hard to tell the difference in sound between the two. This guitar, as far as I know, Makes little to no noise when the humbucker is switched on, depending on the amp's settings. The single coils make a lttle more noise than the humbuckers as they aren't hum-cancelling. Overall, this is one great sounding blues and rock guitar. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: Since this guitar was a demo model, it probably had countless people adjust things to suit them in the 5 minutes they were playing it for. So it would be very hard to determine Who well the factory set it up. There were no routing errors, allthough there is a scratch on the underside of the headstock, and a miniscual dent just above the pickguard, but this could just have been from it's life as a demo model. The guy at the store said to bring it back in a month to get it set up. Before I got it set up, It played beautifully, no buzz or anything. After I got it back from being set up, the low E-string kept rattling in the nut slot, even through my amp, unless I maxed out distortion, which made songs like "Stairway to Heaven" Sound like crap. I took the guitar back to the store several times (which isn't easy since I Live an hour and a half away from it), and they said nothing was wrong. Only when I actually stayed there and watched the guy fix it, It got done properly, I have since never stepped a foot near that place. Other than that little problem, The guitar's fit and finish is excellent. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is rock solid, except the strap buttons, the one on the upper horn keeps working loose after having the strap on a while. I would most definately use this guitar at a gig whitout a backup, as long as the strap buttons were changed first. This is one guitar the will last for several years of hard playing, if it is well taken care of. I also had a slight problem with my high e-string breaking at the saddle with extreme whammy bar use (it is a Floyd-Rose after all). After tuning my guitar a half step down, I haven't broke a single high e-string yet and I have had my guitar tuned a half-step down for almost six months now. // 9

Impression: I have been playing for about 2 years now and this is my favourite guitar. I also own an early '80s Yamaha G-231 accoustic guitar, which is an awesome guitar to learn on because of the wide neck and huge gut strings. If someone stole my Strat, I'd spend the rest of my life tracking the theif down so I can beat the crap out of them. The best part about this guitar has to be the Floyd Rose. The worst part about this guitar is the low-output single coil pickups. I tested a Yamaha Strat copy(about 25% less money than the Strat) before buying my Strat and in comparisson, the Strat won hands down. I would definately recomend this guitar to anyone looking to buy an excellent guitar for under a thousand dollars. // 10

overall: 9.2

Reviewed by: tjcoleman95, on july 03, 2009

Price paid: $ 430

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: I bought a 2008 (? I believe, the product dating on the Fender website isn't really up to date) Mexican made Standard HSS Strat. 21 medium jumbo frets. I got the maple neck with a brown sunburst. It's absolutely gorgeous Passive electronics. 2 Standard single coils. Came with a free gig bag. 5 way selector switch which allows sooo many different tones. blah this is all stuff you can read on Fender's website. The big highlight here in the humbucker that's been placed ever so graciously by Fender in the bridge position. For a stock, it's actually a very good sounding pickup. It dramatically increases the versatility of the guitar. // 9

Sound: I play anything from classic rock to blues to grunge to hair metal, but its pretty rare that I play any type of metal without the prefix "hair" or "glam". I am playing through a Fender Hot Rod Deville 2 12 and straight into the amp this guitar sounds . The single coils on this guitar are honestly not too noisy at all, and the humbucker is just absolutely orgasmic. It really beefs up the Strat. For heavier distortions I use this guitar through a big muff. They fit hand in hand perfectly. Then when I really wanna get different, I throw in the wah, which sounds awesome... Duh. The guitar is bright, which is a nice change over the Les Paul I played for a while. The humbucker in the bridge is still plenty twangy when played clean. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The action is a little higher than waht I'm used to, and yes, I would like to lower, but I have absolutely no clue how I would ever go about that. The pickups are at seemingly the perfect height to me. Everything sounds wonderful. The finish was done wonderfully on this thing. Exactly how it looked online. No complaints. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I haven't really "tested" it yet. But this guitar seems pretty durable, so long as your not carless with it, I think it will last a while. One of strap buttons is pretty loose, but I've been meaning to get around and fix that. I would say yes to using it at a gig without a backup, but I would have said that about my Les Paul too. And I tried, and the tuning machine snapped off right before we played... sad face. So no, never again will I play with a backup. The finish seems pretty thin, but I don't know. Isn't that a good thing though? I like having my "own" guitar. With "my" wear markings on it. // 8

Impression: This guitar is pretty damn close to perfect for everything I've ever wanted. The versatility of this guitar allows you to play and sound great with so many different styles. If it were stolen, no I would not buy another one. Well, instantly. It takes me a while to save up money to buy these things. And before you think I'm some jobless hobo, no, I'm 14. Lol. My favorite feature is by far the humbucker, but isn't that the reason you buy this one anyways? If I could wish for one thing this guitar had, it would be a case. So it never gets beaten up. // 10

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: The_Teleblaster, on january 14, 2009

Price paid: A$ 800

Purchased from: Guitar Centre at the Gabba

Features: This particular guitar was made in 1999 and is a Mexican Standard Stratocaster. The guitar is finished in a beautiful wine red with a rosewood 'board and maple neck. it's body is made of alder, which has a nice tone for the styles that I play with this particular guitar. The bridge is a Standard Stratocaster Vibrato, which is great for dive bombing and all those freaky effects. Pickups are passive American single coils (they had been upgraded by the previous owner) and are controlled by a pickup selector, two tone controls and a volume control. Tuners are Standard Fender-made tuners. I knew the guys I bought this off and bargained a case and cable out of them (I was also buying an amp at the time, so they were happy to throw them in as freeies), but with new Strats you get a gig bag as Standard. // 10

Sound: I bought this guitar as my first electric, as I wanted a guitar that would be able to handle my my penchant for blues rock, as well as fitting my unhealthy obsession with Pink Floyd and The Stones. Tonally the USA pickups sound fantastic and emulate those classic SRV and Hendrix moments. As is with all Stratocasters the guitar has a nice bright sound that shimmers on clean settings and dirtys up for a crunchy overdrive. Overall a very versatile guitar that suits many styles and has a timeless tone. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar had been set up by the guys at the store I bought it. I am left handed so they only had a few lefty Strats in store and although the others were good this one stood out in terms of both tone and playability. The action was just right and all the hardware was in good order, although some of the screws were rusted (not a big deal but a bit annoying). The pickups were also adjusted to a great sounding height. Apart from the screws I am completely happy with this guitar. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I have gigged with this guitar on numerous occassions and it hasn't let me down. All the hardware has stayed in good order and the strap buttons are nice and solid. I would have no hesitations in using it in Live performances again and would have no problems using it without a backup (but I have other guitars that I use Live as well so there would always be one on hand anyway). The finish has lasted extremely well since 1999 so I don't think I'll be having any problems with it. Certainly a very well built, reliable guitar. // 10

Impression: I mainly play blues, blues rock, rock, classic rock, hard rock, prog rock and all those kinds of genres and this guitar suits these styles perfectly. I have been playing guitar for over 5 years and use this mainly with a Peavey Bandit 112 and DigiTech RP250 multi-effects pedal. If it were stolen or lost I would have absolutely no hesitation with buying another, it simply suits me perfectly. I love it's fantastic neck and beautiful pickups, as well as it's finish. Of course I could go on about the Saga of the rusted screws but it is really not a big issue. I knew that I wanted a Strat but did try a few other guitars including American Standard Strats, but I honestly liked this one best. Although single coils do have that annoying buzz it is not a big issue, it is barely audible in a Live situation anyway. Overall a timeless design and a well-built, beauiful sounding instrument. // 10

overall: 7.6

Reviewed by: dzaerpoor, on june 14, 2008

Price paid: $ 350

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: Not sure when mine was made but it was made in Mexico by the finest of mexicans. It has 21 medium jumbo frets that seem prett good all through out the neck. One of them isn't filed very well but it's on the low e side and it's at the 19th fret so you don't really realize it. it's alder body is nice, keeping it fairly lightweight but still with a fair amount of punch. The Strat body has nice curves to fit your body where the guitar would meet your stomach and where your right arm curves over to strum the strings. I have the "Elctron Blue" Finish which I like but I realize I should have gone with white. I got the maple fretboard mainly because of looks but it's also smoother than the rosewood. It has a floating trem and mine stays in tune very well. I don't really use the trem very much but even if I don't tune it for a week, it's only a few ticks off on my tuner. Being an HSS Strat, it has passive single coils in the neck and middle with a humbucker in the bridge. it's not that great but I'll get to that. It has a master volume and two tone knobs for the two single coils. I wish it had one for the humbucker as I like to use that more. It also has a five way pickup selector to chose between the 3 and mix the middle and neck or the middle and bridge. The tuners are fine, nothing special and it came with a very simple gigbag and tools to adjust the truss rod. It would be nice if the gigbag was better and the humbucker had a coil tap but you can't always get what you want. // 8

Sound: I play mostly clean and classic rock. Right now I am trying to learn Black Dog which is classic rock and I can get this well. The humbucker adds quite a bit of versatility in this guitar. It's a little higher output so when you Switch to it, the volume gets louder but it's not by that much. The only problem with this was that when I got it, the humbucker was super trebly, and chord sounded very harsh and mean and it made me hate the guitar for a while as I bought it intending to use the humbucker quite a bit. I later turned the screwa next to it a few times and the problem was fixed completely. Now I love my guitar. With my solid state amp on full blast with distortion it get only a little hum from the humbucker and a noticable amount with the single coils. it's wierd though that when I use the middle and bridge pickups I get the least amount of hum. Anyways, great guitar, the neck pickup is very smooth and the tone and volume knobs give even more possibilities. By the way, The pick up selector makes almost no noise. don't get this guitar expecting the humbucker to be great though because as this body is light and alder, it lacks the punch and low end normally associated on les pauls and humbuckers on those. don't think you will get that with this. Also, I had a ton of fret buzz on the low E string but I changed strings and it went away. 7 before the alterations, 8 after. // 7

Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar was set up great for me. I don't really know what perfect action is as I haven't delt with any guitars with bad action so I couldnt say. The pickups as I said before sounded harsh but it's probably the easiest adjustment you can do on a guitar and it changes the sound a lot. The intonation is almost perfect as I checked it with a tuner and the bridge is just right for my needs. If you are using the vibrato arm a lot, I suggest looking at a guitar with a locking bridge as too much use will make this guitar go out of tune. Everything is good on this guitar. The middle pickup tone knob is a little stiff compared to the others but I barely use the tone knob or middle pickup any ways. I have bumped and dinged this guitar on various walls and door ways but I have yet to find a single scratch on it. Very durable finish. I give it an 8 because it's not the prettiest guitar and there's always better. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This guitar will last. plain and simple. The pickups may not be the best and wou may get them changed but it is dependable. I once caught my strap about to come of my my strap is the worst I have ever seen. I usually play sitting down but I would recommend getting straplocks if you move around on stage a lot. I would never use a guitar on a gig without a backup as it never works out well not to do so. You need to have some sort of thing to fall back on when you break a string or something. Like I said about it has a great finish. // 8

Impression: This guitar is a great match to any sort of music. I would only say it's not good for metal but overall I have no like for metal and I find that it's only teens who really like it. Trust me you'll grow out of it. I've been playing for a while. Ignore the onfo in my profile as that is my brother. he's the fifteen year old. I'm writing a review of his guitar as he's too lazy to do so. I own a few tube amps and I've realized, it's better to have one thing that does one thing great than have one that does everything ok. that's how I feel about this guitar. I lean more towards humbucking guitars as I like a more warm and full sound that I feel most strats do not provide due to the weight and shape of the guitar. I would not buy this guitar again because there are so many better and I would just save to get a better one. it's no fun getting the same guitar again and not expecting anything new. My favorite feature is probably the humbucker now that I adjusted it. I hated it before. Thanks for reading this and I hoped it helps. I give it a seven not because it's bad but because there's much better. For the price range I say it's in the top three along with Agile and possibly Hamer. // 7

Reviewed by: unregistered, on december 18, 2006

Purchased from: MusiciansFriend.com

Features: This 2006 Fender guitar was made in Mexico I think, it is a Standard. It was a Factory Special Run, so it has so special features. Has a 21 jumbo-medium fret 9.5" radius C-shaped maple (satin finish) neck & fretboard w/black dot inlays and a black painted headstock w/silver Fender and Stratocaster logos. Solid alder body w/black satin finish and a machined metal pickguard sets this Strat apart from most. Fender Vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge and Fender/Ping sealed tuners. S/S/H pickup configuration w/Tex-Mex single coils in neck/middle and a humbucker w/coil tapping in the bridge. Passive electronics, 2 tone knobs & 1 volume, 5-way switching. 2 allen wrenches included for truss rod & saddles. // 10

Sound: I play mostly rock, classic rock, blues, and this guitar sounds great for that style. The single coils growl out power chords and barre chords Shine on clean. For leads, the humbucker gives this axe some added power and less noise on overdrive. I use it through a 10-watt practice amp and it sounds pretty good on the clean channel and the overdrive gives it a blues sound through the single coils and a classic rock sound on the humbucker. I also sometimes use a Electro-Harmonix Doctor Q envelope follower on the clean channel for funky or melodic playing and it sounds great. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The action was great when I got it. The strings they put on it are kinda rusting, so I'm gonna put some elixirs on it soon. The pickups were situated at good heights, they don't really get feedback unless I get really close to the amp on overdrive. The bridge seems fine, and it doesn't seem to go out of tune when I use the tremolo. There were no flaws with this guitar yet, but I have only had it for a month or so. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I don't really play gigs, but I would totally use this guitar for a show. It looks great and the metal pickguard would look awesome under lights. The tuners seems to work pretty well and the tremolo doesn't seem to cause to many problems as long as you don't abuse it. I wouldn't use it without a backup b/c that's not really a good idea. The finish seems pretty solid, I've hit it a few times and it doesn't scratch. // 9

Impression: I think I fell in love with this guitar. It sounds good, but I might switch out the humbucker for something with more power. I've been playing for 2 years, and I have a bass and an acoustic. If this were stolen I would kill the person who stole it and take it back. I would also take his wallet. I love the pickup configuration, b/c it gives me a good variety of sounds to choose from. The neck is good and it looks awesome. The knobs, tips and pickups are black giving it a different look from most strats. My favorite feature has to be the pickguard, though. It is the most interesting flashy feature and it never ceases to catch my eye. // 10

Comments

[lithium26]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but i believe that is the Fender Standard Fat Strat?

[.executable]

That's it. HSS-Strats are called Fat Strats.

[set.me-free]

wots the differarce can u tell me

[seek_&_destroy]

... the diff is one has a humbucker...

[deportivo]

i also think the newer ones have a switch in one of the knobs so the single coils sound like humbuckers? something about stacked humbucks and switches. check the fender site.

[E V H 5150]

Deportivo, is that the S-1 switch you're talking about? I think it's also on some Telecasters.

[StratSlinger421]

I have one of these. It is one of the most versatile guitars on the planet. When I first got it, I thought i was simply just getting a beginner guitar, but now that I have gotten more experienced and have played dozens of other guitars, I realize that my Fat Strat is really an amazing guitar. I am glad that I have my own, and I would whole-heartedly recommend this to any intermediate player who wants an extremely satisfying piece of equipment for an unbelievable price.

[freebyrd32]

i have one and it is pretty good, much better than the epi les paul i played. and the s-1 isnt on any standards just on american mades.

[red star]

to clear up some of the confusion fat strats are now called hss strats and the s1 switching system is on the american deluxe models. this article is about the standard mexican series. i have mexican standaed hss strat an di love it! so versatile

[jhjps]

the single coils are reversed so when set with both of them on they cut out some noise, but still not as much as the humbucker

[scarfacesuit]

i have a guitar similar to this with a humbucker at the bridge, and that's all i ever used to keep the pickup selector on because it had such a great sound. then, sadly, when trying to spin my guitar on stage the strap snapped and it fell.... ever since then my humbucker has been broken, but the ****in single coils work fine...

[freebyrd32]

dude that sux about your guitar. The s-1 switching is on american hss too, i just bought one and when i was playin it i thought it was a deluxe because of the s-1 but then i looked at the tag.

[SonOfOsiris]

its pretty damn good i think...although ive never been on one

[santhony1987]

^I like the sounds of that black headstock and metal scrath plate... ALOT.

[santhony1987]

This guitar needs 22 frets though... that's all its missing i think.

[Fender_For_Life]

I own a Standard Double Fat Strat, which has a hummer at the neck aswell as the bridge, but its currently being modified to a Tom DeLonge setup concerning the pickup. Seymour Duncan Invader at the bridge. my fat strat has 22 frets, why does this, and all the other strat reviews, have only 21? its kind of odd. in my opinion, stratocaster's are the best quality guitar in the world for its price. hands down, top notch guitar. peace out

[bluesblaster]

freebyrd32 wrote:

dude that sux about your guitar. The s-1 switching is on american hss too, i just bought one and when i was playin it i thought it was a deluxe because of the s-1 but then i looked at the tag.

they have S-1 on the Fender Hwy 1 models as well as the deluxe guitars. it uses a special capacitator to use the pickups in series connections rather than parallel, turning your guitar into one of the most versatile instruments on the planet

[lamofbodom]

first of all, the american hss is not made in mexico....if it was it wouldnt be $1200....itd be $400....second off...im sittin next to mine right now....and it has 22 frets....the difference between a mexican made strat and american is great....not only in price but in durability and quality....and the 2006 american standard strat, american deluxe, and teles all have the s1 switchable pickup which wen activitated, gives a warm kind of humbucker sound....almost imitates a les....in my opinion....

[Goldy93]

every stratocaster to me is the same. dont see the point y they bring out new ones

[Thunderstrucked]

@Fender_for_life : if you have 22 frets you have a squier or a usa fat strat

[StratRat13]

Goldy93 wrote:

every stratocaster to me is the same. dont see the point y they bring out new ones

And that's why you know zero about guitars.

[drmbdrummer]

I love this guitar, the range of tone is awesome for the price range and it's a Fender so it plays smooth as silk. And as I was told by the guy at guitar center "it's great for metal", psh, ok. Maybe not metal, but jazz, blues, rock, prog, and yes if you put it through the right effects...metal...fine.

[doommaker]

Never a big fan of fenders... dont like the feel of them, but i have had a play of this one.. and although i still didnt like it much atleast it had a humbucker to give it some power.. even clean... i dunno i say if your gonna play clean guitar go buy a semi acoustic. I guess im just more of a Gibson man. Not saying that this guitar is bad, just personally the feel and sound of it doesnt appeal to me. And no im not a metal head or a shredder, hell i even play some Ska music, but i play everything from soft rock to hard rock, that includes jazz... and i'd still say my semi acoustic sounds better clean... and dirty than this strat did even if it is a cheapo one i picked up for 200 bucks and needs some work. But thats my opinion so dont bag me just coz i personally dont like fenders.

[Metaphysics]

how much would this cost?

[freebyrd32]

$400 for $500 you can get the 60th anniversary standard, it has upgraded pickups but it doesnt have a humbucker

[Shib]

I got this exact same guitar

Except its a baricuda
Its blue
it has a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard

[E V H 5150]

Hey, doommaker, I think what you picked up for $200 was a Squire. Fenders may be cheap(er), but the quality certainly is not lacking. I admit I've never played an American Deluxe or an Eric Clapton Strat, but the ones I have played are some of the best guitars for the value.

[XPandaXBear]

this fender sounds nice. Id like a different color tho.
My ibanez switches from single to humbucker as well.

[woodenbandman]

all i can say is that i want one.

in natural/transparent orange like the '52 telecaster finish.

[DrosteGuitar]

Freebyrd, the people who want a Fat Strat usually don't want to spend a hundred dollars more on a Strat without a humbucker. It's the humbucker that defines the model.

[doommaker]

The one i picked up was DEFINATELY that guitar, like i said, i dont like the way they play.. but then again i customise the necks of my guitars anyway.

[freebyrd32]

good point DrosteGuitar, i didnt think of that when i posted, i feel like a douche

[Warm_Tube_Guy]

I have the American Made Version of this guitar. One word. Amazing.

[Bille joe6]

I got this guitar but with a floyd,its amazing i have replaced the humnuker with a seymoure duncan SH-4 it sound perfekt.

Check.

[Zeppelin_31]

This is definitly a beginner's guitar, I got one when I first started (the frets are really flat), but it was just about the best thing that came into my life. I've preformed many shows on this guitar, and it has never failed me. They're so easy to use, and they sound great. Sure, my Gibson SG is a higher end guitar, but my Strat does the job just fine.

[Zeppelin_31]

Besides, an SG can't hold a whammy bar

[fastmguy]

actually the SG can take a bigsby...but its fugly...

[damico529]

i baught the limeted edition hss standard strat off of musicisnfriend.com for 440 bucks lemme tell you you get what you pay for, horrible sustaian pretty good clean and alright disto but i would honestly change the humbucker to something that would more suit you

[V_mike]

I posted the unregistered review. The difference I forgot to leave out was the Factory Special Run in the title. My particular Fat Strat is an 06 Diamond Anniversary Mexican Fat Strat. It's only differences are the aluminum pickguard, painted headstock, and pickups (tex-mex singles). That makes it better value for the same price!

[sharkhead7854]

can anyone tell me if this or the mex strat is better?

[NoobOnZone]

their both the same..if i'm not wrong.The standard is made in mexico

[NoobOnZone]

oh..hm...now i'm not so sure if thier the same...the neck is of a different colour...and the whammy bar is different

[heartrocks_yogi]

i'm plannin to buy this one but i'm kinda confused between esp viper-50&this one...which do u think will be better considering its my 1st elctric guitar...????

[Steel8909]

Does the mexican hss come with a 22 fret version?

[Cbrownie2]

Fenders is one of the best guitar companies out there, but I think the strat is a bit overpriced for me, so I go with Aria.

[nirvanapwns]

heartrocks_yogi wrote:

i'm plannin to buy this one but i'm kinda confused between esp viper-50&this one...which do u think will be better considering its my 1st elctric guitar...????

well this one it´s a good starter and a perfect gigable guitar

[scott87z]

I just bought 2006 HSS and and very pleased with it. Definately a good purchase. I am glad I got this instead of the squire.

[Ali-b912]

i want a floyd rose one. does it sound good doing metal thru the humbucker?

[silly hats]

The one I bought has nothing wrong with it besides the factory strings are too light.
Its the best valued guitar i've ever had.

[KCW1229]

is this guitar versatile? caus ihave a choice between this, an ibanez RG350DX and an epiphone les paul custom

[jacobiss622]

KCW1229 wrote:

is this guitar versatile? caus ihave a choice between this, an ibanez RG350DX and an epiphone les paul custom

go with this guitar. les pauls are overpriced and the ibanez isn't that good. this guitar kicks ass.

[KCW1229]

u sure?? caus i mean, its the lowest on the fender line,,, epiphones LPcustoms are at the top oftheir line. and ive taken ibanez off my list lol =]

[joe kool]

I got this guitar for Christmas and I absolutely love it!!! I of course have the HSS model with a midnight wine finish and a white pickguard, (Practically my school colors). I love the versatility of the humbucker. It really makes the harmonics scream with a heavy, crunchy sound. On the other hand, I've heard from a guitar enthusiest that the humbucker is a disadvantage because the "best" sound is the setting in between the bridge pickup and the middle pickup. I don't agree with this though. I play all different kinds of music from hard rock to country to Buffett and all the different pickups this guitar has makes it easy to play all of them. I play it through a Marshall Halfstack Valvestate VS 100 and it's honsetly the most versatile instrument I've ever heard. BUY IT!!!

[joe kool]

jacobiss622: GET THIS GUITAR! I HAVE PLAYED IBANEZ'S AND THIS GUITAR PUTS ALL IBANEZES TO SHAME!

[SgtMiyagi]

I always read about comments regarding the action, intonation or strings after buying any guitar. Personally, I always factor in the cost of having it professionally setup and putting on new strings, be it on an American Strat or PRS. Even the best guitars still need some tweaking from the factory to take into account the player's style.

Just my $0.02.