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Stratocasters Through The Years

Click each guitar to learn more

12.5% complete

’50s
’60s
’70s
’80s
’90s
’00s
’10s
’20s

Stratocasters Through The Years

50’s

The Stratocaster is perfected into the form that players recognize today and introduced as Fender’s new top-of-the-line electric guitar.

Buddy Holly plays a Stratocaster on The Ed Sullivan Show with his band The Crickets, unveiling the guitar to a national audience.

The two-color Sunburst finish becomes the iconic three-color Sunburst finish, a colorway still used on Stratocaster models today.

Stratocasters Through The Years

60’s

Bob Dylan “goes electric” with a 1964 Sunburst Stratocaster at the Newport Folk Festival.

The Stratocaster is featured on the Beach Boys’ first live album.

Jimi Hendrix famously burns his Stratocaster at the Monterey Pop Festival and performs his iconic version of the “Star Spangled Banner” at Woodstock.

Stratocasters Through The Years

70’s

Richie Blackmore and Deep Purple release “Smoke on the Water”, one of the most iconic electric guitar riffs played on a Stratocaster of all time.

Pink Floyd’s Live at Pompeii and Dark Side of the Moon are released which prominently feature the Stratocaster, inspiring players to this day.

Robbie Robertson plays a bronzed 1954 Stratocaster in the Martin Scorcese concert film The Last Waltz.

Stratocasters Through The Years

80’s

Stop Making Sense is released, a concert film about Talking Heads where David Byrne plays a 1962 Sunburst Stratocaster alongside Jerry Harrison.

Los Lobos records their rendition of “La Bamba” which features Cesar Rosas on the Stratocaster, reintroducing the song to a new generation.

Stevie Ray Vaughan plays a Stratocaster at the Montreux Jazz Festival and their set vows David Bowie.

Stratocasters Through The Years

90’s

The release of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik reawakens worldwide interest in the Stratocaster.

Bonnie Raitt plays a Stratocaster in her “Something To Talk About” music video. Following popular demand, the Fender Bonnie Raitt Artist Signature Stratocaster is introduced.

Kurt Cobain destroys his black Stratocaster during the recording of “Endless, Nameless” and Nirvana blows the roof off the MTV VMAs featuring Kurt Cobain playing a white Stratocaster.

Stratocasters Through The Years

00’s

Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not is the fastest selling debut in British history, led by Alex Turner’s angular, stabbing Stratocaster sounds.

The Strokes release their debut album Is This It, ushering in a new renaissance period of creativity and ‘alternative’ bands out of New York City.

Juanes plays for 1 million attendees at Paz Sin Fronteras Peace Festival in Colombia.

Stratocasters Through The Years

10’s

Nile Rodgers performs with Daft Punk, Pharrell, and Stevie Wonder on “Get Lucky” using a vintage White Stratocaster.

H.E.R. plays a clear Stratocaster during her GRAMMYs debut performance and performs a mesmerizing rendition of “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl using the H.E.R. Signature Stratocaster.

Stratocasters Through The Years

20’s

Bruno Mars (as part of Silk Sonic) performs at the GRAMMY® Awards with a vintage Stratocaster.

Fender unveils the highly anticipated Vintera II Series, which includes ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s inspired Stratocaster models.

Fender celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Stratocaster with an Anniversary Collection featuring new, exclusive colorways.

SIGNATURE

STRATOCASTER®

ELECTRICS

Match the riffs and the style
of your guitar heroes

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  • Artist Series Jeff Beck Stratocaster Electric Guitar Surf Green
    Fender Artist Series Jeff Beck Stratocaster Electric Guitar Surf Green
    Now: Your Price $2,249.99
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  • Artist Series Eric Clapton Stratocaster Electric Guitar Olympic White
    Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton Stratocaster Electric Guitar Olympic White
    Now: Your Price $2,249.99
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  • Artist Series Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst
    Fender Artist Series Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst
    Now: Your Price $2,299.99
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  • H.E.R. Stratocaster Artist Signature Electric Guitar Blue Marlin
    Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster Artist Signature Electric Guitar Blue Marlin
    Now: Your Price $1,349.99
    Preorder Now
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  • Rory Gallagher Signature Stratocaster Heavy Relic Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst
    Fender Custom Shop Rory Gallagher Signature Stratocaster Heavy Relic Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst
    Now: Your Price $6,300.00
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  • Dick Dale Signature Stratocaster NOS Electric Guitar Chartreuse Sparkle
    Fender Custom Shop Dick Dale Signature Stratocaster NOS Electric Guitar Chartreuse Sparkle
    Now: Your Price $5,000.00
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  • Johnny A. Signature Stratocaster Time Capsule Electric Guitar Sunset Glow Metallic
    Fender Custom Shop Johnny A. Signature Stratocaster Time Capsule Electric Guitar Sunset Glow Metallic
    Now: Your Price $5,450.00
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  • Michael Landau Signature 1968 Stratocaster Relic Electric Guitar Black
    Fender Custom Shop Michael Landau Signature 1968 Stratocaster Relic Electric Guitar Black
    Now: Your Price $4,800.00
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    • GET THE 411 ON FENDER®

    Find your perfect Strat® with this spec check

    Country of Origin

    Double Tap Humbucker

    Noiseless Pickups

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup

    S1 Switch/Push Pull

    Fretboard

    Frets

    Neck Profile

    Fingerboard Radius

    Finish

    Fender American Ultra Luxe

    Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Plasma Red Burst

    Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Plasma Red Burst

    USA

    YES

    YES

    YES

    YES

    Rosewood

    Medium

    D

    10"-14"

    Polyurethane Finish

    Country of Origin: USA

    Double Tap Humbucker: YES

    Noiseless Pickups: YES

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: YES

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: YES

    Fretboard: Rosewood

    Frets: Medium

    Neck Profile: D

    Fingerboard Radius: 10"-14"

    Finish: Polyurethane Finish

    Fender American Ultra

    Fender American Ultra Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Cobra Blue

    Fender American Ultra Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Cobra Blue

    USA

    YES

    YES

    YES

    YES

    Rosewood

    Medium

    D

    10"-14"

    Polyurethane Finish

    Country of Origin: USA

    Double Tap Humbucker: YES

    Noiseless Pickups: YES

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: YES

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: YES

    Fretboard: Rosewood

    Frets: Medium

    Neck Profile: D

    Fingerboard Radius: 10"-14"

    Finish: Polyurethane Finish

    Fender American Vintage II

    Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Sea Foam Green

    Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Sea Foam Green

    USA

    NO

    NO

    YES

    NO

    Rosewood

    Year/Era Specific

    Year/Era Specific

    Year/Era Specific

    Lacquer Finish

    Country of Origin: USA

    Double Tap Humbucker: NO

    Noiseless Pickups: NO

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: YES

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: NO

    Fretboard: Rosewood

    Frets: Year/Era Specific

    Neck Profile: Year/Era Specific

    Fingerboard Radius: Year/Era Specific

    Finish: Lacquer Finish

    Fender American Professional II

    Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Olympic White

    Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Olympic White

    USA

    YES

    NO

    YES

    YES

    Rosewood

    Narrow

    C

    9.5"

    Polyurethane Finish

    Country of Origin: USA

    Double Tap Humbucker: YES

    Noiseless Pickups: NO

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: YES

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: YES

    Fretboard: Rosewood

    Frets: Narrow

    Neck Profile: C

    Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"

    Finish: Polyurethane Finish

    Fender American Performer

    Fender American Performer Stratocaster Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Guitar Honey Burst

    Fender American Performer Stratocaster Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Guitar Honey Burst

    USA

    YES

    NO

    YES

    YES

    Rosewood

    Jumbo

    C

    9.5"

    Polyurethane Finish

    Country of Origin: USA

    Double Tap Humbucker: YES

    Noiseless Pickups: NO

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: YES

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: YES

    Fretboard: Rosewood

    Frets: Jumbo

    Neck Profile: C

    Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"

    Finish: Polyurethane Finish

    Fender Vintera II

    Fender Vintera II '70s Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst

    Fender Vintera II '70s Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst

    Mexico

    NO

    NO

    NO

    NO

    Rosewood

    Year/Era Specific

    Year/Era Specific

    Year/Era Specific

    Polyurethane Finish

    Country of Origin: Mexico

    Double Tap Humbucker: NO

    Noiseless Pickups: NO

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: NO

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: NO

    Fretboard: Rosewood

    Frets: Year/Era Specific

    Neck Profile: Year/Era Specific

    Fingerboard Radius: Year/Era Specific

    Finish: Polyurethane Finish

    Fender Player Plus

    Fender Player Stratocaster HSS Plus Top Maple Fingerboard Limited-Edition Electric Guitar Blue Burst

    Fender Player Stratocaster HSS Plus Top Maple Fingerboard Limited-Edition Electric Guitar Blue Burst

    Mexico

    NO

    YES

    NO

    YES

    Pau Ferro

    Medium

    C

    12"

    Polyurethane Finish

    Country of Origin: Mexico

    Double Tap Humbucker: NO

    Noiseless Pickups: YES

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: NO

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: YES

    Fretboard: Pau Ferro

    Frets: Medium

    Neck Profile: C

    Fingerboard Radius: 12"

    Finish: Polyurethane Finish

    Fender Player

    Fender Player Series Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Buttercream

    Fender Player Series Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Buttercream

    Mexico

    NO

    NO

    YES

    NO

    Pau Ferro

    Medium

    C

    9.5"

    Polyurethane Finish

    Country of Origin: Mexico

    Double Tap Humbucker: NO

    Noiseless Pickups: NO

    Alnico Magnet in Pickup: YES

    S1 Switch/Push Pull: NO

    Fretboard: Pau Ferro

    Frets: Medium

    Neck Profile: C

    Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"

    Finish: Polyurethane Finish

    BUILD YOUR CUSTOM STRAT®

    Hardware & Parts
    Hardware & Parts

    Grab essentials for no-compromise upgrades and repairs

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    Pickups

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    Necks & Bodies
    Necks & Bodies

    Browse styles and profiles ranging from traditional to modern

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    Pickguards
    Pickguards

    Get your ideal look with a choice of styles and colors

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    Strings
    Strings

    Make sure you have the final component for your guitar's tone

    Shop All
    Hardware & Parts
    Hardware & Parts

    Grab essentials for no-compromise upgrades and repairs

    Shop All
    Pickups
    Pickups

    Find your tone, from jazzy blues to hard rock and heavy metal

    Shop All
    Necks & Bodies
    Necks & Bodies

    Browse styles and profiles ranging from traditional to modern

    Shop All
    Pickguards
    Pickguards

    Get your ideal look with a choice of styles and colors

    Shop All
    Strings
    Strings

    Make sure you have the final component for your guitar's tone

    Shop All

    Need help picking the perfect Strat®?

    Call 866-498-7882 or chat with a Gear Adviser.

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