Fender American Select Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Transparent Crimson Red

I use this guitar a lot through my Fractal axe fix 2+, and it delivers always. I've been playing 30 yrs and this is my go to axe often. The pus,push vol has great optional sounds too.

So there I am in GC ready to buy an american strat. Originally I wanted an american standard in Sienna sunburst with the rosewood board but there wasn't one in stock. So I checked a few other strats and tele's they had there, along with a few Les Pauls and was almost ready to pass on the purchase and visit another store. Then my wife pointed out the American Select Mahogany hanging up there and I said sure, why not, while I'm here. I must admit that when I played the other american strats they had there I just didn't find one that fit me right. The minute I picked this one up, it was synergy. It immediately felt right in my hand, even my wife said my expression (big smile) changed the minute I began playing it. She even noticed the difference in sound compared to the others and she is not musical at all, it's something she would never really notice. I must admit I was stuck on the color of the sienna sunburst so much that, I may have passed this guitar up due to my mind set on color, but I'm glad I didn't. The sound is warmer and a bit deeper than a regular strat due to the mahogany and is a little heavier as well. Some say it sounds like an SG but I don't agree. So not only does it look unique, it also sounds unique. The wood grain is fantastic and the high gloss black head stock is not done justice by the photos on the computer. The locking tuners and roller nut is a great add and helps keep the tuning very stable when using the trem bar unless your dive bombing then you're better off with a floyd rose. The tex/mex pickups with the diamondback H at the bridge help add some unique tone to this strat as well. I ordered a new one and had it sent to my house, I didn't want the somewhat beaten display model. When it finally came I was happy to find out that they still come with the S-1 switching. I know some people weren't sure if they still did. I also ordered a fender 15w Super Champ XD head and cabinet which they didn't have at the store, but I used a blues junior 15w tube amp to simulate what it would sound like. They go great together in my opinion. If you're in the market for an american strat you should check this one out. I'm pretty sure this model is exclusive to GC and Musicians friend so you'll have to go to GC to check it out.

I've owned this guitar for about 2 years now and am completely satisfied! Guitar sounds great through my Blues Junior. I love the combination of pick-up selections. The guitar was flawless when received and has held up great. Easy to change strings and rock solid tuning. Mahogany is beautiful and flawless. Great Strat!

I've had one for almost a year now and it definitely is not anything like ant other strat I've played. It has incredible tone. I've played it through a marshall vintage modern, a super reverb blackface, a blues deville, and a JC- 120. Extremely pick sensitive on the vintage modern at medium gain levels. The tone changes are noticable as you go up the neck. Thanx to Guitar center you can get your hands on one of these little jewels. It won't replace all your strats but will make a welcome addition to them. On your first gig with it change to this one ahter a couple of tunes and watch the audience reaction. It would be perfect to add a seymour pearly gates on the bridge and a seth lover on the neck or maybe a pair of gibson classic 57's leaving the single coil in the middle, but thats a lot of work considering the wiring. I'm content to leave mine as is. I had to do about 5 minutes of setup. p.s. It comes with fender super bullets 10-46, my personal preference.

I'm always searching for combinations in unique and unconventional qualities in a guitar that still maintain recognizable characteristics in tone and overall sound. This HSS is the best strat I've played in years, and is one of Fender's superior gems. The diamondback humbucker combined with the Tex-Mex pups and the S1 switch have provided so many variables between clean, crisp, crunch, biting, wailing and weeping, it's impossible to describe all the benefits of this design. This is not a strat trying to be a LS as some seem to have the impression. This IS a strat, but a strat that's been sup'd up at the factory. I've seen some comments expressing dissatisfaction with the S1 switch, but I like the additional sounds I can create and the S1 hasn't failed me yet (and I use it a lot). I like this option. Switch S1 on with the Tex-Mex pups and you have what is almost a hot humbucker tone, but without sacrificing the raw single-wound bite at high gain. Back off on the overdrive and the T-M pups and diamondback warm up just enough to give endless variations in slightly smoother tones. Cut the S1 and play nearly everything from Gilmore or Clapton, to SRV. I have to admit the I had to tinker with it for hours before getting the action to my tastes, but that's common to any strat. The S1 switch also has only a slight noticeable affect in the bridge position, and would be better if were wired for a bit more warmth at lower gain. Still, everything about this guitar from sound to feel to looks is exceptional. I especially like the black headstock and matching pick guard with the crimson red see-through finish. It's simultaneously bad and beautiful, and it turns heads every time I play it. It's a work of art and great investment.

I've owned this guitar for 2 years now. I went to Guitar Center to buy a Les Paul. I just happened to pick this Strat off the wall and plug in to a Marshall. It took me a very short time to forget about the Paul after getting a feel for the neck and the sounds this guitar provides. I've been playing for 25 years and never liked the looks and playability of a Strat, until this one. The finish is amazing and I feel that all great tone guitars are mahogany like this one ... good going Fender. I really fell for the black head stock, pick guard and pickups. This guitar plays like silk, is easy to work on and I'm surprised it doesn't sell for more considering the quality. After reading other reviews, I looked into changing the pickups, but as I played it for a while I realized it sounds amazing as is. I've also read that there were problems with this model staying in tune. Forget that, all I'd say is ... "locking tuners", learn how to use them. This guitar is solid and fits the body well. I highly recommend this Strat above the rest.