Fender Stratocaster American Standard | 1993

A 1993 Fender Stratocaster American Standard ... now available at our Sun-Sounds Music Shop in Sliema, Malta. 27 years old guitar in a splendid condition. You'd have to see it to believe it. Only some wear visible on the back side and the fretboard which does not affect the playability in any way. There is no tarnishing of any of the metal parts. guitar was also upgraded with locking machine heads and the pickguard was changed to black. P.S this guitar does not come along with a hard case.
 
Every company wants to improve their products, and Fender is of course no different. The early ’80s found the company back under private ownership and wanting to create new classics. While the ’57 and ’62 reissue Strats were selling very well, there was need to address issues that were encountered on the older guitar designs. So they made some substantial changes to arguably the most popular electric guitar ever designed –
- The American Standard uses a new trem fastened to the guitar top with just two bolts instead of the six used on the original.
- The small, easily rusted saddle on the original were replaced with heavier, smoother block saddles that made palm muting easier and more comfortable.
- The backplate routing was changed to allow easier string changing.
- The five-way pickup select was finally standard equipment, and the pots were also wired differently. The volume pot stayed the same, while the middle tone knob only affected the neck pickup. The lower tone control affects both the middle and bridge pickups.
- The middle pickup was reverse-wound and reverse-phased, eliminating hum in positions two and four. This makes the American Standard a great recording guitar and players will appreciate the lack of hum in noisy bars, near fluorescent lights, or with questionable electrical circuits.
- Access to the truss rod is now at the headstock, but without the ’70s bullet. This makes truss rod adjustments a snap and allows you to do so with the guitar strung to pitch – an impossible feat on the old Strats with truss rod access under the pickguard.
- The fretboard radius was changed to 9.5 degrees, making string bending easier, and larger fret wire was also employed.
 
The American Standard Strat does all the great tones you expect from a Strat. With a properly adjusted nut, you can indulge in fairly serious whammy action without going out of tune. The flatter fretboard and bigger frets make for a comfortable playing experience. 
 
Strats excel at so many kinds of music that it’s hard not to love ’em. Finished in a beautiful rare gun metal blue, this is one great looking Strat with sound to match.