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Fender American Elite Series: Built for the Pursuit

Fender American Elite Series: Built for the Pursuit

Clare Dunn Demos The Fender American Elite Stratocaster | American Elite | Fender

Clare Dunn Demos The Fender American Elite Stratocaster | American Elite | Fender

Description

The American Elite Stratocaster is a progressive guitar for 21st century musicians. Designed for players who push the envelope every night, this guitar is a true performer that leaves others in the dust with eye-catching style, exceptional feel and versatile sound from the very first moment you plug it in and play.

Featured on all American Elite instruments, the 4th generation Noiseless pickups are only available in this series, and represent a quantum leap in pickup design. Combining vintage-style sound with effectively noise-free performance, these are the pinnacle of Fender’s noiseless pickup designs, offering pristine cleans and fat, overdriven tones that scream with pure rock ‘n’ roll power.

Designed for fast playing and effortless position changes, the compound profile neck is ideal for all playing styles. A modern C-shape at the nut, the profile morphs along the length of the neck to a modern, D-shaped profile at the updated neck heel, providing plenty of comfortable support for fret hand antics. Locking, all short-post tuning machines provide increased break angle at the nut for buzz-free performance. The smooth two-point modern tremolo adds emotive touches to your performance without sacrificing your tuning.

Fender is renowned for head-turning style, and this guitar is no different—from newly refined, sleek and deeper contours that hug the player’s body to the black chrome headstock logo and large pearloid fret markers this instrument will dazzle the audience with elegant style. The American Elite Stratocaster is a bold guitar for the brave new guitarist who is setting out to cross uncharted musical terrain. Includes a redesigned Elite Molded Case with TSA locks to provide increased protection for your cherished instrument.
Fender American Elite Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst
Fender American Elite Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst
Fender American Elite Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst

Features

Body
  • Body shape: Double cutaway
  • Body type: Solid body
  • Body material: Solid wood
  • Top wood: Not applicable
  • Body wood: Alder or Ash (depending on finish)
  • Body finish: Gloss
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Modern C to D
  • Neck wood: Maple
  • Joint: Bolt-on
  • Scale length: 25.5"
  • Truss rod: Standard
  • Neck finish: Satin
Fretboard
  • Material: Maple
  • Radius: Compound
  • Fret size: Medium jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Dot
  • Nut width: 1.687" (42.8mm)
Pickups
  • Configuration: SSS
  • Neck: 4th Generation Noiseless
  • Middle: 4th Generation Noiseless
  • Bridge: 4th Generation Noiseless
  • Brand: Fender
  • Active or passive electronics: Passive
  • Series or parallel: Series
  • Piezo: No
  • Active EQ: No
  • Special electronics: S-1 switching No-load tone control
Controls
  • Control layout: Master volume, tone 1, tone 2
  • Pickup switch: 5-way
  • Coil tap or split: No
  • Kill switch: No
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Tremolo/Vibrato
  • Bridge design: 2-point synchronized
  • Tailpiece: Not applicable
  • Tuning machines: Deluxe sealed
  • Color: Chrome
Other
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Special features: New Modern String Tree, Asymmetrical Neck Heel, Black Chrome Fender Headstock Decal
  • Case: Hardshell case
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: United States
warning

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Reviews

4.69

16 Reviews

92%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Great Guitar, I love it!!!

I have owned several American Strats, but this one is the best one so far. The neck is exceptional. The C to D design is really nice. However, I'm most impressed with he pickups. Every other Strat or Tele that I own/owned, I immediately replace the pickups becuase the stock Fender pickups are so noisy and not very good sound wise (especially the bridge pickup). These 4th generation noisless pickups are absolutely amazing. They are super quiet and have a really great sound. I play this guitar in all 5 positions whereas I only played my other Strats in 2 or 3 positions. I haven't quite figured out the S-1 switching yet, and am undecided on the sounds, but it's just another 5 options for the pickups and sounds. I bought the "Sky Burst Metallic" finish, and I absolutely love it! I hate to admit it, but part of the reason I bought this particular model was so I could get this finish. It looks different colors in different light situations. I get comments about the color/finish all the time. The case is also something to write about. The TSA approved case is great and rivals the TSA cases that I bought for my EVH and Charvel San Dimas Guitars. Overall, it's a great guitar from Fender. If I had one complaint, it would be the price. I think the price, even in Guitar Center is a little steep, but you can't have everything the way you want it I guess. Great Guitar, I love it!!!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Product is awesom but pathetic shopping experience

Based on my shopping experience I would recommend not to buy anything from Guitar center (online or shipping at home). It will be better to buy it from some other store or directly from Fender if possible.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming4
  2. Small Venues3
  3. Practicing2
  4. Recording2
  5. Rock Concerts2
Cons
  1. A little bit expensive IMO1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced5
  2. Professional Musician2
Pros
  1. Fun To Play7
  2. Good Feel6
  3. Good Tone6
  4. Solid Electronics3
  5. Good Pick Up1

Reviewed by 16 customers

  • Awesome guitar!

    5

    submitted7 years ago

    byJess

    fromUtah

    I'm primarily a bassist, but wanted to play guitar also, so I bought this Strat because I have an American Elite jazz bass, so I figured an American Elite Stratocaster would also be really good (I've never found anything like a really expensive Fender for good sound, and I searched through a lot of basses to find that out). When I got it home, the tone was absolutely beautiful--just what I was looking for! :)

  • Fantastic Update to Stratocaster line

    5

    submitted8 years ago

    byStutocaster

    fromSanta Monica CA

    I had to completely re-tune my Marshall amp for this strat after my 1980's strat with vintage pickups was retired. The output is much higher and the feel is great. I love the increased accessibility of the higher frets, with the elite neck and heel. Also locking tuners and strap holders. Still experimenting with the S1 sounds.

  • The best Stratocaster I had until now

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byRafael

    fromundisclosed

    I love this guitar. The compound radius neck feels incredible. Noiseless pickups sound great.

  • Very Nice.

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byCLARENCE

    fromundisclosed

    Love the compound neck and the vast, vast variety of tones.

  • I love this guitar.

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byFree Agent Mike

    fromAntioch, CA

    This is definitely a pro level guitar. I love the neck and the tone of the guitar. I have played a few gigs with it and my band mates indicated they like how the guitar tone sounds compared with my other strat with Texas Specials. All in all I highly recommend this axe.

  • Fantastic guitar, would buy again any day of the week.

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byJeff

    fromundisclosed

    Amazing guitar. I got the aged honey burst and it's beautiful. Classic strat look and feel with multiple updated features. The locking tuners make string change and tuning a breeze. The S1 switch is truly innovative. Can get the classic bluesy strat sounds and a more hot hum bucker sound in the 4th and 5th positions with the switch engaged. Nice, fast action along the fret board and the neck's D to C contour gives a flatter surface for chording higher up and a deeper contour to leverage deeper bends lower on the neck for soloing. The contour change is subtle but played back to back with my mid 90's strat and you can definitely feel the difference. Zero buyers remorse, if you want to add a strat to your collection or upgrade, this is the right guitar.

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Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byLa

    fromMaplewood Minnesota

    This guitar new or used?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This is an new model

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked bymbrown555

    fromWA

    What material is the nut made of?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar comes with a plastic nut.

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byGuillermo

    fromBuenos Aires. Argentina.

    Good Morning. As I do not understand English well I would like to know the difference between "Fender American Elite Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar" and "Blemished Fender American Elite Stratocaster Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar". Especially what the word "Blemished" refers to. Since there is a cost difference between the 2 models. Thank you. Guillermo. P.S. Last year I bought them a Fender USA guitar in Orlando and I retired it in NY. I am very happy with the purchase.

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Blemished means their are scratches and scuffs that are visible, but do not affect the play ability

  • submitted7 years ago

    asked byBryan

    fromReseda, CA

    Is this guitar used?

    Open Reply -
    This guitar is not used. It is brand new.