All user reviews for the Fender Standard Stratocaster [1990-2005]

I wanted a guitar with a great sound, good touch, and wouldn't buest my wallet. I picked up the strat to try out and I knew it was meant for me. I bought this guitar at Daddy's Junky Music in Orange, CT for $315 USD (there was a weekend sale). I highly recommend them. Plus the manager is really nice to me.

The touch is very good. It has an amazing sound and a fast maple neck. Only $315! It is probably one of the best deals i have ever gotten on a guitar. It is one of thjose guitars that is easy to play. I highly recommend it as a second guitar or maybe third (this was my third guitar). Plus Craig Nicholls from The Vines uses it!

Its ALL good.....

Mexican strats used to be a lot worse than American Strats, but now the Mexican is not that much worse than the American. Just a slight change in pickups and hardware.

This would be a great guitar if you don't want to bust your wallet. It is good for all genres of music. It serves good as a main guitar, and has great FENDER quality.

In other words, BUY IT!!!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Well I paid for my 10 years old Fender strat 300 bucks. I just wanna know, that even it is quite a nice guitar for me, may I change the original pickups, because the bridgepic. is a bit noisy, and there is too much bass in the neck one.

Well it has a warm sound, Stevie R.V. type, you know. It is very light, I mean the weight. Sound cool, but sometimes I feel, maybe with better pickups, would be more satisfying.

The sound is a bit noisy, and it is hard to get the same overdriven echo coming back from the amp, like with my Gibson, which is easy to make a long gain sustain with. Is it the light wood or the pickup?

Luckily briliant constuction, and good quality.

Can I get longer sustain with spec. pickups, or it won't change, because it is a matter of the body's wood material

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

$349 Musicians Friend

Thick body, not too heavy not too light, round neck,feel.

Stock pickups a little weak.

Sturdy construction, not bad quality.

I wanted a fender strat and didn't have the money for an american. So I bought a mexican. People have told me there's not much difference between the too, so I took their word for it. Well, I've had it for about 5 months now, and it is my foremost guitar. When I got it, i put a pearloid pickguard on it, just for looks, and I added a seymour duncan hot rail at the bridge for a heavier sound. Now I can play ANYTHING on my strat and make it work. I can have a chunky, palm-muted, chug with the hot rail, and use the single coils to get a clean sound as well as a great blues and classic rock sound. Now about American Strats being that much better, I don't think so. I played a Clapton signiture strat at guitar center and I prefered mine. Some people have said though, that no strat sounds the same. The stock pickups are a little weak, but replacement pickups aren't that expensive. All in all, I love my MEXICAN strat, and I wouldn't trade it for an american any day.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I've wanted a true (brand new) Fender Strat for the last 25 years or so. I have owned a couple of copies and a couple of older mismatched Strats, along with other makes and styles over the years. I finally picked up my Dream guitar a couple of months ago, for $300. YOU DON'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!

In the beginning! The name,looks and Playability.

EXTREMELY POOR QUALITY CONTROL!!! coming out of Fenders Mexico Facility.

I inspected the Guitar as thoroughly as I thought I could when purchased. But when I got home (with better lighting)I soon found dull spots and scrathes on the neck, orange peel of the paint, along with other finish faults that should have been addressed before ever leaving the plant. I returned the guitar and a replacement was ordered. A week later, I opened the box containing a Brand New Guitar, directly from the factory and found absolute garbage. With chips, scrathes, unknown black marks on the neck that looked to be under the topcoat.I chose to keep the original, after seeing that. Unfortunately the time for a refund had expired.

Bottom line is this! If you must have a Fender and can't afford an American, buy a Squier! Half the price (or less) than a Mexican made. But a far better fit and finish, or even a $100 copy. This is the last thing I'll ever own with the name Fender.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Well, I won this guitar at the local McFadyen Music store...but it originally costs 350 bucks. Good Price?

Well, My guitar is very cool...It has three singe coil pickups a five way pickup switch two tone knobs and one volume it has a nice clean sound to it and great action. I'd like to clear up the whole urban legend that you can't have distortion without humbuckers...thats what amps are for. Humbuckers help but you can still crank out sick riffs with a single coil. It doesn't go out of tune very easily either and the neck feels so great in your hands. THe vinatge headstock is beautiful along with the jet black finish. Love it. I one day would like to upgrade to either a Hot Rodded American Deluxe Double Fat Strat, a Fender American Deluxe Toronado, a JagStang (kurt!), a Fender Mustang, or a Fender Jaguar but im gonna play this baby until it drops first.

Of course more expensive guitars like those previously mentioned above (i.e. Mustang) have better tonal ranges and sounds but for the price this is a great guitar...I believe the true passion of music however comes from the player so..for the price this guitar is kickin!

It is like a rock a few weeks ago i was playing it and the strap came off and it slammed full force down onto a metal grating heating vent the finish was UNTOUCHED...amazing? It is good and solid. I believe this guitar is underrated too much. It has great quality


This guitar is great. I love the sound. The standard sound. It is a true electric guitar. May not be fancy but this is true music. MUSIC FROM THE SOUL.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I got this at the guitar expo in columbia South Carolina on July 12 2003!Used but at 215 bucks who could resist!

Everything I mean I am amazed how I got a fender not cheap squire but a fender strat for 200 bucks HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.Everyting is perfect no complaints. Fast neck one of those guitars that a beginner turns into a master on and keeeps it because its top-of-the-line sweetness

It was used so it had a scracth in the back which no one sees so not even worth mentioning.

Quality is top perfect grade a guitar

Get one now great buy for beginner or even an old pro

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i got it from sam ash on sale for 199.99$, the guitar lists for 350.00$. i am extemly happy with this guitar.

i went from a squier bullet to this guitar because i felt that i needed a more mature instrument.
-GREAT TONE
-EASY TO PLAY
-GREAT PRICE, EVEN FOR 350$ ITS A WONDERFUL DEAL
-COMPARES TO MORE EXPENSIVE AMERICAN MADE STRATS
-GREAT FOR ALL TYPES OF MUSIC, FUNK, ROCK, ALT, JAZZ, HEAVY MET, CLASSICAL ROCK EXT..........
-SOUNDS GREAT WITH DISTORTION
-MADE BY A BRAND, FENDER


-COULD HAVE MORE COLOR AND PICKGUARD COLOR OPTIONS, THATS ABOUT IT.

-VERY SOLID UNIT
-STRONG NECK
-HIGHT QUALITY PARTS
-ALL AROUND GREAT CONSTRUCTION.

I CANT RECOMEND A BETTER GUITAR TO A STARTING OR EXPERIANCED PLAYER, IM EXTREMLY SATISFIED.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I paid 350 sheets for my ltd edition sunburst strat. Being my 2nd guitar I jumped at the chance at owning a real Fender and not some Squire bullshit!

This guitar is light and is well made. i've fucked it all over the shop like a bitch n not one mark on the body. The maple fretboard is so easy to clean n strippin the strings for a clean makes it look brand spankers.

Iy lacks the power in tone you would get from a Les Paul. This guitar is good when using effects.Finding a sweet sounding clean is hard. If you like your distortion adn punk rock music go for a strat.

The mexican strat is pretty basic and comes with no extras.

Good guitar for the money. If you enjoy playin a wider range of styles then go for a les paul but if your a big fan of strats then go for it!!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I purchased this beautiful blue satin mexican standard strat at sam ash,advised by teacher to pickup a second guitar I papaid$349

I like everything about this guitar,look,finish,tone,build,neck playability and no those people writing bad reviews about mexican strats not holding there tune they dont know how to tune a guitar,i tune mine once every 4 days and i play between 3-5 hrs a day!

Great constructed guitar and great quality guitar built tough but plays as smooth as satin!

Bottom line dont listen to anyone get in your car go to your local guitar store ask salesman for a mexican strat by fender and pick a colr and buy it!It is the best priced guitar u can buy, plays like a million dollars ivev i played 1,000 dolar guitars that dont compare to this i dont care if u r a beginner or pro buy this guitar and save yourself alot of money searching for a great quality great sounding guitar for$349 it will be the only guitar u will need to buy!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Bought at sam ash paid $349 bought fender because of it's reputation wanted a good quality guitar without empting my bank account!I also need a second guitar for gigs this was going to be my other guitar now its my main guitar sorry Ibanez!

First thing I noticed on this unit was its beautiful blue satin finish that's what attracted me toward it,I was buying a fender standard strat mexican made when I walked into the store, color was the only decison I had to make, and this color drew me towards her she was the only one in the place that color!

There is nothing negative about this guitar!

Built strong,beautiful finish,great tone and awesome neck!Its's a Fender what else would you expect!

Bottom Line!Want a very high quality strong built,great tone,great looking guitar and not go in debt, buy this guitar YOU will LOve it!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I was given this guitar for Christmas in '98, It was just meant to be a begginer guitar until I knew I was serious about playing. I think I was about $700 Canadian, I guess a pretty good deal. Well, five years later I am still playing it and I think it's great.

I like the strat mostly for it's playabiltiy, the neck is a bit thinner than the new american strats which makes for easier playing if you are doing precision playing. The contoured body is nice because it sits comfortably and is not so heavy that I will destroy your back like a Les Paul will. I enjoy the bright tone of the single coil pickups, they're nice for playing clean and crisp. When using alot of distortion, my solos just scream.

The only thing I really want is the deep thunk of the Les Paul or the PRS guitars. The body style of the Strat just doesn't give that deep chunk of the Gibson or PRS even if you do have humbuckers in it. Also, I don't use the tremolo bridge at all for bending, I think I'd prefer a stop tail instead.

The quality of the guitar is pretty good. I haven't had any problems with the neck at all and the harware is pretty solid. However, lately I have been having some problems with the elecronics. There has been popping and crackling when I am playing more "chunky" stuff. I'm not sure why it does that though, or if it is a trend with these guitars.

Well, overall it is a pretty decent guitar. It is made well and is fairly versatile when it comes to playing different types of music. One thing you have to realize is that this is not the greatest "rock" guitar. It won't give you the thick crunch of a Gibson Les Paul or a PRS, but it will produce a better clean crisp sound than a Les Paul will. So, if you are a serious rock player I would not recommend a Mexican, American, or any other Strat. However, It you like the high crisp clean sound, the Strat is for you.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I saw this guitar at my local music store. Asking the "manager" if I could look at it I already knew it would be mine. It was used, of course, so I only had to pay $250 for it.

The color is beautiful. It's a Midnight Wine finish. The feel of the neck is next to perfect and the tone qualities are astounding. It's simply easy and fun to play.

There is only one thing I don't like about it and that's the frets. I believe it currently has Mediums, or Medium Jumbo, I'm not too sure on that. I would like to upgrade to Jumbos or however large I can get them. Since I use big strings (high E starting at .012) I need bigger frets to bend.

The construction is very good, esp. for a Mexican Strat. I would've thought that I'd prefer an American, however I really have fallen in love with this guitar. It's constructed like any other strat.

It's a great guitar. For the price and for the quality. It sounds great and plays great.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

i took a chance and mail ordered this guitar for about $275.i couldnt believe how good it looked when i got it.i strapped it on and it felt great.the balance on it is unbelieveable.the action is nice and low out of the box.it stays in tune good.have since ordered a second one because i keep one tuned a half step down for some of my music.same quality out of the second one.

everything.igrew up with a friend who had an american strat,and this one plays as well.

i cant think of anything,except i wish i could afford made in usa.

go to a guitar shop that has usa and mexicans and compare.you will be impressed.

i havent seen this quality for the price on any brand.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I BOUGHT MY GUITAR AT A LOCAL MUSIC SHOP FOR $325.00 ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT AN AMERICAN STRAT IT IS ALMOST AS GOOD THE ONLY DIFFERENCE THAT I COULD FIND WAS ONE FRET AND A LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUND BUT NOT ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY THE $400 DIFFERENCE IN PRICE

THE ONLY THING I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THE GUITAR IS THE PICKUP SWITH GETS IN THE WAY SOMETIME OTHER THAN THAT IT IS GREAT

IT IS CONSTRUCTED VERY WELL ALMOST IF NOT AS GOOD AS AN AMERICAN STRAT

IF YOU CAN'T DECIDE BETWEEN AN AMERICAN OR MEXICAN YOU CAN SPEND ALOT ON THE AMERICAN OR PAY ABOUT $350 FOR THE MEXICAN AND GET A PRETTY GOOD AMP AND GUITAR FOR THE SAME PRICE AS AN AMERICAN GUITAR

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

This is a $525.00 guitar. I got it with a Fender Frontman 15G amp.

Mostly eveerything. The frets are nicely spaced and the neck has a very smooth, comfortable feel. Transitioning from one chord/note to another is easy. Fender Bullet strings have excellent sound. Three good pickups that produce different sounds. Very clear sound, whether clean or distorted. Easy to tune. Very good construction. Plus it just looks like a beauty. Cream colored body, white pickguard. Very good, especially for Mexican made.

Probably the only thing I don't like is the huge Fender sticker the store pasted on the pickguard. Once I pulled it off it ripped the plastic covering on the pickguard and ripping that plastic off wasn't the most fun I've ever had.

Excellent. The Bullet strings are clear and good. Well built body, good feel. It's the kind of guitar that you feel comfortable with no matter what. First rate quality, especially for a Mexican made guitar.

It's a Fender, what do you expect? Of course it's going to be an excellent guitar.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I really wanted and needed a good quality elecrtic. I went to my sam ash and started looking for a fender. I like fenders so i knew what i wanted. The sales Guy told me that if i wanted a good guitar at a resonable price i should get this one. I got it at $335.

The guy was right. I love this guitar. it has the smoothest fretboard ive ever played. it looks so cool, sky blue and the sound and tone is great. i like the 2 tone knobs and the finsh. not a scratch.

The only thing is that it has some annoying buzzing through the amp. But that isnt such a big deal. other than that there are no compaints.

the qualtiy is very good. the strings stay in tune and it is very durable. it has an alder body and it is very stong not scratches or paint chipping

This guoiatr is really great. if you cant afford an American this is the best choice. Well it may be a little better. Get this guiatr it will last you a long, long time!!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I got this guitar at sam ash somewhere around 398 bucks. I needed and electric guitar, and I love it with an awesome combo fender champ amp. NO FAT STRATS.

I love it becuase it's sound is a miracle. It has and awesome maple finishing, 2 terribly wicked pick ups, 2 tones, what more ya need? How bout a sunburst finish and maple neck frame?

NOTHING!!IT IS THE BOMB

It is a well made guitar, amzing guitar from hell, made for the metalist, based on begginers, Jifted for jazz, perfect for punk, IT IS THE BEST

IF U ARE A BEGGINERR OR UR THE BEST GUITARIST EVER GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THERE ISN"T A BETTER GUITAR SO STOP LOOKING

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I was looking for the best quality/price for an electric guitar to play at home. A dealer in Québec city area suggested to me to buy a Yamaha Pacifica 112. I tried both the Pacifica and my Mexican Stratocaster. The touch was about the same but the Strat sound is more rich and I decided to pay $200 CND more for the Strat; total $600 CND. I also tried a US Stratocaster and felt no difference at all with the touch and the sound and I would have paid $1500 CND more for the US version.

When I played my first guitar solo (Pink Floyd), I was very very glad having bought a Strat; the sound is about the same than the one recorded and I can play for hours because the touch is so smooth. I knew at the first notes on my Strat that I would have regreted if I had bought the Yamaha Pacifica.

Absolutly nothing to complain about.

A Stratocaster is a Stratocaster even if it's a Mexican version. I have played about 50 hours with my new guitar and everything is perfect.

Never hesitate to pay a few bucks more for a Stratocaster. I'm completely satisfied with this guitar.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

About 6 years ago at a place in Holland, Michigan called Del's, I bought the guitar for about $320. It was cool because It was my first electric guitar, I had been playing acoustic for 4 years. I bought a little 15 watt Peavey amp to go with it, but I now own a Line 6 Spider, I think thats 100 watts.

The best thing about it is that you can get just about any sound out of it you want, from low and crunchy to high and whiney. The neck is fast, its got 3 single-coil pickups and the two tone knobs. Its really easy to modify it with all kinds of stuff. I put new knobs and pickup covers on it, along with new tuners and it only took me an hour. It sounds great with any amp, great tonal quality with high distortion and on clean.

Nothing really, the only thing is with the tremolo bridge, the strings tend to come out of tune every couple days, but its not even worth mentioning, since you can tune a guitar in two minutes max.

I've had it for almost seven years, i've taken it gigging in the van, i've dropped it countless times, and, its still together. No construction defects, its worked as it should for as long as i've had it.

Even though it's the first electric i've had, its still the best, If you're willing to pay $800, you can get an american strat, but basically, its the same guitar. It's great for beginners and experts alike.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought the Strat my second electric. I had an okay experience with Fenders in the past but this ruined it. I paid around $350, not being able to afford the American.

There isn't a lot to like. The neck is probably the only decent part. The body weight is okay.

For starters, the TREM SUCKS. That is really my biggest, and only complaint. After adding 2 more trem springs it still goes out of tune every 3 miuntes. I retune and retune but there is no point. For about $200, I bought a Schecter 006 Elite. One of the best guitar I have ever played. Get a cheap Schecter instead!

It was overall, constructed okay.

NEEDs A TREM. If you get rid of the crappy trem and replace it, or add a fixed bridge it will be a lot better.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I got this guitar for 50 bucks off a co-worker. It's probably the 10th electric giutar I've acquired in my 6 years of playing. When i got it i fell in love with the feel , LIKE A GLOVE..

I can go anywhere with the fretboard , kind of like this old peavey bass I used to have. Since I got this particular instrument I have been studying music with a lot more love. I would like to say it's because of the sound but it's not , it's the time we have together.

If i have to say something bad about her , she's a little dirty. However mentioning that i think I'll clean her up tonight.

It's in great condition although the spings connecting the wamie and the bridge are a little tight.

I can't say it's the best unit I've played but god damn I've written the best songs on it. I sure would like to get a bass to accompany her but then again recording time would be nice to.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this at a local MARS Music for $300.00 on sale.
I am a beginner, but wanted an electric that was easy to play and had good quality. I wasimpressed with recent reviews of this type guitar (always high reviews).

The guitar is a beauty! it's got a rosewood fretboard and is extremely easy to play. I find myself growing fonder of my purchase every day I play. I have been able to speed up some of my playing due to this model's ease of play.
The finish is a honey burst finish and is simply beautiful for a guitar. There's a good finish shine on it also.
The strings also seem to stay in tune for a longer time period than on previous guitars I have played.
The electronics (including the output jack) appear to be quality constructed.


The one small drawback is the slight hum from the single coil pick ups. But that's what i wxpected and will probably change the pickups later.

The overall quality is excellent. Paint detail is great. There are no glue marks or scratches.
The output jack is sturdy unlike other cheaper guitars.
The guitar has a rosewood fretboard on a maple neck.

Bottom line: This Strat is the best buy for the money. It sounds great, plays easy and I could not tell the difference between this unit and the American version sound wise.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I got my first good quality electric guitar for christmas at guitar center, and i paid for it around 350$ after some deal.

I like everything about this guitar. I always dream of having a fender stratocaster. I luv the sounds, the quality, the fret, everything about it. This guitar is strong and as almost as good as the american stratocasters. Sometimes you can't really see the difference. I don't even need a technical support for this guitar since it's good quality.

Nada, zip, everything about this guitar is good, very high quality and yet still cheap, i recommend at everyone, this guitar is for everyone, beginners, experts, everyone, it can play all musics from jazz to metal, you just got to buy some equipments like pedals for some type of music.

This guitar is heavy duty, the wood looks good, the painting is sweet, the finish is great, although its kinda heavy but thats ok cuz all electric guitars r heavy, other than that its good, superb

The best guitar in the world. Fenders and Gibson are the greatest, theyre like the gods of the guitar, but im rooting more on fender, i don't know why, you should all buy one to believe it

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com