Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Maple Fretboard Arctic White Gloss Maple Fretboard

Most Liked Positive Review

This is definitely a Fender Strat

Hello, I've had this guitar for over a month now and I'm confident in my assessment to help people looking to make this purchase. Let's start with this, for my 18th birthday I got myself an Ibanez acoustic guitar to replace my BC Rich Warlock. This switch was because my playing went from metal to classic rock and I wanted to finger pick more. Over four years later I was an acoustic playing mad man. But soon I've started to play more classic rock, funk, blues and punk. With some assistance from Hendrix, Vaughn, Gilmour, Frusciante and many more to name I knew a Strat was going to be MY guitar. Now the big question, American or an Import? I've seen and heard so much talk about how great American Strats are and also how the Mexican ones have been stepping up their game leaving only subtle differences between the two (aside from the huge price difference). That subtle difference I believe is in the tone. The best way to put it, I'd like to beef up the twang. Because you're paying less this guitar is not going to be assembled with high quality parts but gets you close to that perfect Strat sound. That's not anything some ingenuity can't fix. Replacing the stock tremolo and pickups this guitar would still be THE biggest bang for your buck. You can do virtually anything you want cosmetically and sound wise. And the playing is oh so smooth and versatile. This guitar will be by my side for the rest of my life. So factory wise, I can't complain. But as for the distribution with shipping and inspecting from Guitar Center, it is a shame. I've called to place my order and I was very stern on how I expect a completely blemish free new Strat. Out of the resealed box (implying they've inspected it like I've asked) I immediately noticed a dirty fingerprint practically fused with the finish. Till this day I can't get it completely out. So some GREAT cleaner and polish at their expense would be wonderful. But I doubt that will happen. I suppose that's my fault for blindly purchasing a guitar. But the closest GC to me which is still a long ways away only had a floor model of the guitar I wanted. So if you can, do a walk in and inspect it thoroughly before you fall in love with it too much to send it back... I hope I've done alright helping anyone with this legitimate review. Take care everyone!