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Fender Stratocaster

Electric guitar model

Introduced by Fender in 1954, the Stratocaster is one of the most influential and widely imitated electric guitars ever made. Its contoured double-cutaway solid body, bolt-on maple neck, three single-coil pickups with a five-way selector, and synchronized vibrato bridge produce a bright, articulate voice that has shaped rock, blues, pop, surf, and country. Players from Buddy Holly and Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton and David Gilmour built signature tones on it, and the design has anchored Fender's line for seven decades.

Technical line drawing of Fender Stratocaster
Technical line drawing of Fender Stratocaster

Articles

  • Fender Stratocaster Overview

    An overview of the Fender Stratocaster, the 1954 solid-body electric guitar that became one of the most influential instruments in popular music.

Sources

Category

Made by

  • Fender

    Fender is an American maker of electric guitars, basses, and amplifiers, founded in California in 1946. Its Telecaster, Stratocaster, and Precision Bass are among the most influential solid-body electric instruments ever built.

Family models

  • Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster

    Electric guitar · United States

    A signature Stratocaster modeled on Stevie Ray Vaughan's famous "Number One," featuring a left-handed vibrato unit mounted on a right-handed body, gold hardware, a pao ferro fingerboard, and the engraved "SRV" pickguard. It is built to capture the thick, expressive blues tone he was known for.

  • Fender Stratocaster American Standard

    Electric guitar · United States

    The U.S. production-standard Stratocaster offered from 1987 to 2016, updating the classic with a 22-fret neck, a two-point synchronized tremolo, and modernized hardware. For nearly three decades it was the benchmark American-made Strat.

  • Fender Eric Johnson Signature Stratocaster

    Electric guitar · United States

    A signature Stratocaster developed with guitarist Eric Johnson, built to vintage sensibilities with a thin nitrocellulose finish, a quartersawn maple neck, special-wound single-coils, and countersunk tremolo springs. Detail touches such as a single string tree and a 12-degree neck-pocket fit reflect Johnson's preference for clear, dynamic tone.

  • Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster

    Electric guitar

    A signature Stratocaster for neoclassical metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, defined by a scalloped fingerboard, a brass nut, and a large 1970s-style headstock. Its specification supports the rapid, fluid lead playing central to his style.

  • Eric Clapton Stratocaster

    Electric guitar · United States

    Fender's first artist signature model, introduced in 1988 and shaped around the feel of Eric Clapton's favorite Stratocasters. It pairs a soft V-shaped maple neck with noiseless single-coil pickups and an active mid-boost circuit, and the vibrato is typically blocked for a fixed-bridge response. Offered in finishes such as Torino Red, Olympic White, and Pewter, it remains one of Fender's longest-running signature guitars.

  • Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Stratocaster

    Electric guitar · Mexico

    A Mexican-built signature Stratocaster developed with blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, featuring a special neck profile and a set of hotter Tex-Mex single-coil pickups. It is wired for vintage-style response and aimed at expressive blues and roots playing.

  • Strat Plus

    Electric guitar · United States

    A premium Stratocaster series Fender offered from 1987 to 1998, fitted with noise-canceling Lace Sensor pickups, locking tuners, and a roller nut to improve tuning stability. It was a flagship of Fender's late-eighties modernization.

  • Fender David Gilmore Signature Stratocaster

    Electric guitar · United States

    A signature Stratocaster modeled on the legendary "Black Strat" played by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, finished in black with a black pickguard. It reproduces details from his instrument, including noiseless pickups, a shortened tremolo arm, and a custom switching option for added tonal range.

Represents

  • Fender

    Fender is an American maker of electric guitars, basses, and amplifiers, founded in California in 1946. Its Telecaster, Stratocaster, and Precision Bass are among the most influential solid-body electric instruments ever built.

Played by

  • Jimi Hendrix

    Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music. In a brief but explosive career he transformed the electric guitar through pioneering use of feedback, distortion, and effects.

Variants

  • 1954 Fender Stratocaster

    United States

    A year-specific Stratocaster variant representing the model's first production year.

  • Fender American Professional II Stratocaster

    Electric guitar · United States

    A modern Fender Stratocaster variant with V-Mod II single-coil pickups, a Deep C neck, narrow-tall frets, and a two-point synchronized tremolo.

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