Background
The Fender Stratocaster, often called short for "Strat" is an electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, John Fullerton and Freddy Tavares in 1954.
It's a double cutaway, solid body guitar with a bolt on neck and bridge tremolo. In its traditional form it comes with 3 single coil pickups, 5 way switch, Master Volume and 2 Tone control.
Originally came with a 3 way pickups switch but guitarist later figured out that lodging the switch between 1&2 or 2&3 can get out-of-phase humbucker pickup like tones.
Other Pickup Variations:
Fat Strat: H-S-S pickup combination. Humbucker Bridge, Single coil - Middle, Single coil - Neck
Super Strats: H-H or H-S-H
a. Humbucker - Bridge, Humbucker - Neck b. Humbucker Bridge, Single coil - Middle, Humbucker - Neck
Scale Length: 25.5 inch
Neck: Maple 21 frets, Maple with Rosewood fingerboard 22 frets.
Body: Alder, Basswood, Poplar and Ash. Limited editions - Koa, Mahogony & Quilted Maple Top.
References
Fast Facts
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Company
Fender Musical Instruments
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Debut - Production Life
1954 - Present
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Nickname
Strat
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Fact:
The Fender Stratocaster is the most widely copied electric guitar instrument.
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Fact:
American made Fender guitars are made in Corona, California. The original factory was at Fullerton, California.
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Fact:
MIJ (made in japan) or CIJ (crafted in japan) Fender guitars are not allowed to be sold in the USA.
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Fact:
Only MIM (made in mexico) or CIM (crafted in Mexico) Fender Guitars are lower cost Fender guitars are allowed to be sold in the USA.
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Squier
Is a guitar string manufacturer acquired by Fender. Today Squier produces quality low cost copies of Fender guitars
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Pre-CBS
Refers to guitars made before Fender was bought by the media giant CBS in 1966. Many percieve a loss of quality when standards are lowered in favor of cutting cost to improve profits. Pre-CBS Strats are highly sought after by Vintage Collectors
