Fender Limited Edition American Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar Daphne Blue Rosewood Neck

I've been a Strat guy since to mid-70's. I've had a lot of 'em. I prefer the classic Strat appearance this one has. This one is destined to be my favorite.

I don't think you can go wrong with an American made Fender guitar. I bought this one in 2016! I have been playing over 40 years.

This Limited Edition Fender Stratocaster really lives up to it's name. The Solid Rosewood Neck and Custom Shop Texas 58 pickups give this diablo a real kick once you plug it in. Sustaine is exceptional and the pickups and tone will give you a clean sound as well. One thing to note. If taking this out of the USA on trips. Keep in mind the rules pertaining to international CETI laws concerning sustainable/ Non Sustainable woods as when traveling back it could get seized by the F&WS the same agency that raided Gibson back in 2011.

This Stratocaster has amazing features that you would find on the higher end models.. The solid rosewood neck provides superb Resonance in the neck pickup. The pickups are limited custom shop grade which gives you a hot tone at each selection. Light weight as compared to its cousin The Rosewood Telecaster for a fraction of the price.

Was in the market for an American Standard with a rosewood fretboard. Tried a bunch...all solid guitars worth the price tag. Eyes roaming "the wall" at Guitar Center as I noodled on the one I was about to buy and saw this gem on the top line (out of reach). "What is THAT?". Salesperson pulled it down for me...neck felt incredible. And the neck is everything to me. A/B'd them side by each...same amp, same settings. Noticeable tone difference between the maple neck and the solid rosewood. Deeper, richer...hard to describe, but oh so delicious. I'm done buying Strats after this one. It doesn't get any better. If you have the coin, buy it.

I've been watching this model for quite awhile waiting for a used one to come up at a price I could afford. And it finally happened. Now I'm wondering how/why the previous owner ever let it get away? I'll probably read his/her story several years down the road lamenting the loss with, "I should have never sold that one!". And I'll just be smiling! So I have a couple MIM's and a couple MIK's, but this is my first American Standard. So as far as overall build quality, I'm not sure the USA model has that much of an edge over an upgraded MIM, but man this neck is really something special! I own quite a few guitars, but for some reason, this one fits my hands like a surgical glove! Perfect! Bends slide up or down effortlessly and the chording positions don't feel cramped. It's not "sweaty hand season" here, but I'm pretty sure there isn't going to be any stick & slip on this neck. It's just so smooth! (So is my satin finish MIM, but this is a different smooth!) And as I have an alder body MIM w/ a Fat 50 pickup in the neck, I was able to do a tone comparison. The rosewood neck definitely adds something very, very nice to the tone. I find it bit warmer, but with sort of a "snap" to the notes and much more resonance as well. Hammer-ons are approximately twice as loud on this wonderful neck over the MIM. So, it's not just hype, this really is a nice step above the Fender maple or maple/rosewood slab. If you're reading this you're already interested and if you can afford the retail price (especially if you can catch a sale) this guitar is worth it. If you can't afford the inflated price, watch for a used one, volunteer for some OT at work, get a side job...whatever! Just try to score one before they're gone! And from a personal standpoint, I hope they never make them again because it's just way too cool to have something special like this one! Now it's time to thin my Strat collection because with THIS GUITAR! I probably wouldn't be playing them much anyway.