Fender is one of the iconic brands of guitar for a very long time. They have a lot of models, but the Stratocaster is the most famous. It is a very versatile model and a favorite for a lot of rhythm and lead guitarists. The Fender Standard Stratocaster is most sold Fender guitar.
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Did you know that a lot of guitars evolve from a Fender Stratocaster? A lot of guitars used by lead guitarists today are what we can consider actually as Super Stratocasters. The manufacturers modified with fast necks, humbucker pickups and different type of tremolo bridge.
They manufactured the Fender Standard Stratocaster in Mexico, and it became so popular because its price range is much lower compared to the Fender American Standard Stratocaster. The Mexican Fender Stratocaster has the same body wood as the American Standard, which is Alder. The neck is the same construction although the American Model has 22 frets while the Mexican has 21 frets as standard. They have the same neck wood also.
You cannot compare the hardware between the two because the American Model has a very decent hardware. The Mexican Model has good hardware though and very much capable as the main guitar from beginner level to Mid-Level Professional Players.
What is good about the Mexican model is when it is upgraded with top of the line hardware like pickups and electronics. It can surpass an American Model with stock hardware in sound, and still, you don’t pay the price of an American Model. The American Model, when upgraded, of course, is on the higher level than the Mexican Fender, but the cost is way much more.
There are so many available upgrades for the Mexican Fender, from pickups to bridges to tuning machines than other guitar models. A Mexican Fender fitted with a choice Seymour Duncan, EMG or DiMarzio pickup will easily beat in sound an American Model with stock pickups.
I have seen a lot of professional players using a highly modified Mexican model as their instrument of choice.
These are some of the available drop-in tremolo bridge upgrades,
The pickup options are so many to list here, but these are some of the favorites
- Seymour Duncan Single Coil Pickups
- Seymour Duncan Single Coil Sized Humbuckers ( Hot Rails, Vintage Rails, Cool Rails)
- DiMarzio Single Coil Pickups
- DiMarzio Single Coil Sized Pickups ( Air Norton S, Cruizer, Chopper)
- EMG Active Single Sized Pickups
A Mexican Neck upgraded to Stainless Steel Frets will feel like you are “playing on ice.” Stainless Steel Frets are so slick and hard wearing it will last the guitar lifespan. It also looks very cool when polished. When you bend a lot of notes, you should consider Stainless Steel Frets.
If you want to increase sustain, there are available tone block upgrades. It is your choice if it is Titanium, Brass, Tungsten or Copper you want. The Titanium Tone Block is the Most expensive but will increase the sustain dramatically. Remember, the stock tone block of Fender Standard Stratocaster is lead.
I own two Mexican Stratocasters, heavily upgraded. One has the Seymour Duncan P-Rails pickups while the other one is fitted with the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails, Vintage Rails, and Cool Rails Set. I will never sell or trade those guitars with other guitars. They are really a piece of art, and they are part of my collection.
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Hello Everyone,
I am Belden but friends call me Den, and I am the owner of this Website.
I have finally quit my job in Aviation as my online business is giving me financial freedom.
I love doing this online business as I love to help people quit their day job and do things they really love.
You will mostly find me hanging out at the coolest site to learn anything about online business.
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Hi Den,
Thank you for the awesome Fender Standard Stratocaster review . I have wanted to play on guitar for a couple of years now but I have just recently started it. I would like to hear your opinion. Do you think this is a good guitar to buy in the early stages?
Thank you
Hi Albert,
This model guitar is good for beginners, and professional guitar players as well. A highly modified Fender Standard Stratocaster will surpass a stock Fender American Model. If you can afford the price, this is the best guitar for the beginners.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Very nice Fender Standard Stratocaster review. Thank you for the detailed information. I like listening to guitar solos and I have seen a lot of guitar players use this guitar. Do you play one of these or do you know someone who plays one of these? Im sure that they are worth every penny that you pay.
Hi Scott,
The Fender Standard Stratocaster is a very versatile guitar that is why so many players are using it. This model is not the top of the line of the Fender guitar model, but a lot of professionals are using this, modified of course. It is a perfect guitar for modification as there are so many compatible upgrades available in the market. I have two highly modified Fender Standard Stratocasters. I play the guitar an I jam mostly with my wife who plays bass and my teenage daughter who plays drums. Please click on the YouTube link in the About Den page.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Hi
I’m a fan of Fender myself.
I have a similar guitar but mine has a rosewood fretboard instead of maple, they are great guitars.
I’m also into modifying my guitar piece by piece but i came to the moment that i want to switch my neck to a nitro finish maple neck.
After some research, I found out that the easier/cheaper way was getting a standard Mexican strat then change my 1ply assembled pickguard with fat 50 a fat 69 and a Seymour Duncan ssl5.
Loved your Fender Standard Stratocaster Review.
Cheers
Hi Pedro,
Fender Stratocaster guitars are iconic. Nice upgrade you have there for your Mexican Stratocaster. Seymour Duncan makes very good pickups for Stratocasters.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Hi,
I think you did a great review and description of the Fender Stratocaster. I have always been a fan of guitars I even have one of my own, but I still have yet to learn how to play it lol.
Could you provide a post or recommendation on how to learn how to play the guitar? I and many others would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Hi Necollier,
Please check my posts about guitar lessons. I even have a post about learning to play guitar scales which is a step to play lead guitar.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
As I understand it, the Fender Stratocaster was popular in the 60s and 70s. Most rock legends and lead guitarists used the Stratocaster. People like Jim Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, etc brought it the best in thesthese guitars. I’ve seen a few videos of Jim Hendrix producing sounds from his Stratocaster that boggled the mind!!
Hi George !
The Fender Stratocaster is still very popular today. Albeit highly modified. Even Ritchie Sambora Of Bon Jovi is using it. The Fender Stratocaster is a good all around guitar if modified right. It has so many parts available got modification. That is why it the most favorite guitar for modification.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
You got a great review here on fender stratocaster, i am myself a guitarist which plays on heavy metal and hard rock genres, the band that i love to cover their musics are avenged sevenfold and black veil brides but i do not own a fender stratocaster, i own an ibanez gio which is quite good for a beginner , i will probably buy one fender stratocaster in the future.
Hi Izzul !
Nice to know that you like my review. That Ibanez Gio you have will come to life if fitted with a DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan pickups. The Fender Standard Stratocaster is a much better guitar than a Gio .
Thanks for the comments,
Den
hi my name is paul and I am a true guitar lover. I have
Played for over 30 years and love the blues sound that the fender Stratocaster makes. but also I can really rock out with the les Paul. GNR all the way. I also think that Seymour Duncan really makes some great pickups. I like all the Information here on this site and great Products. Rock on !!! Paul
Hi Paul!
Yes, the Fender Stratocaster is really great for blues sound and the Les Paul really rocks. I have to agree with you that Seymour Duncan makes some great pickups. I appreciate that you like my site.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
it looks good but I think you need a few more pages like where to get guitar lessons!!!
Hi Jose,
It is coming soon.
Thanks for the comments,
Den