Fender Standard Series Stratocaster

AT THIS POINT, Fender's core instruments have become the equivalent of classic novels like Moby-Dick and On the Road, which are refreshed nearly every other year for new audiences to digest.

- Paul Riario

It’s almost ironic that a “The Standard Is Set” sticker on this review Stratocaster’s pickguard reads to me as window dressing because, as much as I want to believe that, I’m fairly certain there'll eventually be yet another revision to this Standard Series’ Strat in some shape or form. Don’t get me wrong; in no way am I cynically punching down at the brilliance of a Strat or Fender’s attempt to reach more musicians with a revamped and well-built guitar at an affordable price point every so often. The bigger point I’m illustrating is that Fender’s consistent tinkering with their legacy instruments — like this latest Standard Series Strat — has led to improved player-centric versions that never get lost in translation.

Build Quality & Playability