Fender Standard Stratocaster

Features are well documented in this database. I bought this guitar new in 1999 with the thought of customizing in mind. I was mainly interested in a well-constructed neck and body. This Mexican-made Strat fit the bill nicely.
I deducted a couple of points for the quality of the stock pickups and the tuning machines--which are in fact quite well made, but not up to the level of the industry leaders. Overall, the features are fantastic for a guitar that has a street price of less than $300.

I play modern rock, mostly original compositions. Strats are great because they are so versatile, and for clean sounds, you can't beat 'em. I put a new set of Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s on this guitar and set it up for Fender Bullets (.10s) and the sound is absolutely great through my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and my Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 201. When you strike a note through a clean or slightly overdriven amp, the attack is really smooth and quick; then the note "blossoms" or fattens just slightly before decaying smoothly and sweetly. Very cool!
When overdriven, this guitar with the Fat 50s is very rich and complex. The harmonic overtones are accentuated by the blossoming effect of the pickups. I think that the Fat 50s are somehow artificially aged to achieve this effect.
The original pickups were fine--in fact quite good. Contrary to other reviews in this database, mine were not at all noisy--especially in the out of phase switch positions. They were smooth and responsive, and very bright sounding. The bridge pickup really snapped when played through a clean channel, and the middle and neck pickups were terrific for smooth rhythm crunch.

I thought I was going to have to pay at least $500 for a Strat that had a solid neck and a nicely finished body, but I was amazed at the quality of this instrument for the price. Outstanding! The neck is straight and the frets are smooth and well dressed. My strat has a rosewood fingerboard that feels terrific. The finish on the body is perfect (mine is a midnight blue color). The guitar came with stock .09s and two tremolo springs. I changed the strings to .10s, tightened the tremolo claw, and added a third spring. I lowered the action and was able to remove almost all of the relief in the neck with only a minor amount of buzzing--not noticable at all. Overall, this guitar sets up nicely.
Other reviewers have commented on the poor quality of the tuning keys. I have not found this to be true at all. My Strat stays in tune perfectly, and the tuning keys, while not top of the line, are very adequate. If others are having tuning problems, it is possibly the nut or the bridge that is the culprit. A dab of vaseline will solve this problem.
With the heavier strings, my tremolo works great. It stays in tune amazingly well for a non-locking mechanism. No complaints here. I have my bridge set about 3/16" off of the body so I can bend strings both ways with the tremolo.
The switches and pots work fine. I put some silicon/graphite powder lubricant on the 5-way switch from time to time.
The only complaint is the vintage style bridge. It works fine and sets up well, but the protruding screws really thrash the edge of my right palm. I am going to replace this part soon. I have an expensive Gibson Les Paul that has sharp edges on the bridge as well--so this is not a feature that is exclusive to an inexpensive guitar!
I replaced the stock pickguard with a custom figured maple pickguard made by some guy in Los Angeles. I finished it to match the light colored maple headstock, with just enough color to make the flame show up. The maple is laminated on a flexible nylon backing that has a superior sheilding system. I was amazed at how it changed the sound of the guitar. The maple--which is about 1/16" thick--warmed up the sound of the guitar so that it sounds truly vintage!
I replaced the white plastic parts with Fender black plastic parts (knobs, switches, backplate cover, etc.). With the maple pickguard, black knobs, and midnight blue finish, this guitar is ready to go out on the town!

I have played this guitar for a year now. I have a weekly gig, plus I play at least two hours per day. It slammed down on its face once during a show. Fortunately, the stage was carpeted. I picked it up expecting at least a bent selector switch, but there was no damage whatsoever. In fact, it stayed perfectly in tune.

I have dealt with Fender several times over the years (not for this guitar). They are great, and will bend over backwards if you ever have a problem.
Last year just before Christmas, I was visiting family in Southern California. I wanted to purchase some gifts from the Fender Museum Gift Shop in Corona. I was disappointed to find that they were only open on Fridays, and since both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve fell on Friday I would miss my opportunity. I called on the Tuesday before Christmas and the receptionist said that if I wanted to drive up to Corona, she would open the gift shop for me when I arrived. I was so impressed. She even gave me a quick tour of the education center. Things like this really speak volumes about a company's customer relations.
In an unrelated incident, my '52 tele reissue was missing the ash tray and the six piece bridge when I purchased it 15 years ago. I called Fender, and the overnighted me the parts--no charge, no questions (I think that I gave them my serial #). Perhaps the dark days of CBS are still fresh in their minds!

I have been playing for 32 years and have accumulated alot of stuff. I own a Les Paul Classic, Rickenbacker 360, and Fender Tele '52 reissue. In addition to the Deluxe and JCM 2000 listed above, I have a '74 Vibro Champ and a couple of other cheap tube amps from the '60s.
This is certainly not a top-of-the-line guitar like my Ric and Gibson; but there is no way that you will find a better new guitar deal anywhere than the Standard Strat. It is solid, feels great, sounds good, and has all kinds of great customizing possiblilities. I would definitely buy this guitar again! In fact, I may purchase another one and set it up with a humbucker in the bridge position and a Fishman Power Bridge. For the money, I would give it a 10. When compared with the other guitars that I own--all of which retail for more than five times what this guitar costs--I give it a solid 8.

This guitar is made in Mexico. It has 22 frets. It has 3 (controls, Volume, Tone, Tone). I don't know the wood of the cody but I do know that the neck is rosewood. My color of my guitar is Midnight Blue.

I play grunge music and it has been overall pretty descent. It is nothing special but it does not sound bad that much. It isn't very noisy in my mind. I use quite a bit of effects ( distortion, delay, flanger, phaser, chorus, wah, and octave ) and it seems to lose some of it's sound when I use the wah. I just got the wah though and are still working on working in the sound. The guitar has a very straight forward sound, nothing more, nothing less.

I did have one problem with it and it still goes on today. It seems to have a loose screw where I plug in my guitar at. It seems to be falling apart there.

I don't know whether it would stand live playing because I'am not a proffesional but I suppose it would since many artists have used it in the past. The hardware does not seem like it will last. I seems like it will have apart one day. There is a question here that I know I can answer, Are the strap buttons solid.... oh lord no! They are terrible. One I have had to supper glue back on! I can depend on it to play in the garage.I would not use it on a gig unless I hade a back up. I don't trust it.

No I have not gotten it repaired. The problems I can fix myself. It is supposibly liftime warranty.

I would like to not that I bought this guitar as a package deal because I'am kind of new at playing. I have been playing for about a year and I would like to say that is has been a fine guitar to learn on. I think though that I would look at other brands of guitars before buying another Fender again though. I would like to say too that I wish I had gotten the Brown Burst color instead of the Midnight Blue color instead. The midnight blue color is actually purple!

This is the default (made in Mexico) strat. It has a poplar body, maple neck, terrible tremolo, low-quality tuners, and three (extremely noisy) single coil pickups. There are also two tone pots, one volume pot, and a five-way switch to select pickup configuration.
Nothing special here, but that should come as no surprise considering the price.

Sounds like a Strat, but noisier than a higher quality/priced model. I play a little bit of everything, and this guitar is reasonably versatile.

The guitar was setup fine from the factory. The pickups did require a little positional modifications, but that could very well be the case with any guitar. The finish is average. Nothing too exceptional, but not bad either. I have a sunburst model and the wood is not the highest of quality (looks wise), but acceptable. Neck is not finished terribly well, but I can accept the feel of it. The original pickup selector switch was very noisy and problematic out of the shop. The store replaced it for me the next day, no charge (this is why I virtually never buy a guitar via mail-order - I have broken this rule only once). Tuners are very low-quality and certainly nothing to brag about. The stock tremolo is terrible. Won't hold a tune for anything. I blocked mine and converted it to a hardtail since I don't have a need for a tremolo on this particular guitar. Your mileage may vary. All in all, a mostly average guitar for the price range.

The electronics suck, but I don't see them going out any time soon. Keep in mind that my selector switch was a piece of crap from the beginning. After a quick replacement, I have had no problems. Concerning the finish, it looks to be fine. I haven't been able to damage it at all, but then again, I haven't dropped the sucker either. Strap buttons seem solid, but you'll want to replace those anyway if you're the paranoid type. I think I could depend on this thing to not spontaneously fall apart, but if you gig, always carry a backup if at all possible. Even something as simple as a broken string can sideline you.

Never had to deal with Fender, so I really have no opinion. The support from the shop was great.

This is a low-cost guitar, so I can't expect too much quality. It does have a noisier version of the strat sound which can be alleviated if you shield the body and replace the pickups. Still, I think you can get more bang for the buck with other brands of instruments. Rest assured that you are paying a premium for the Fender name.

My Strat is a 1993 Standard strat assembled in Mexico, it has 21 frets on it.. Its a regular strat by fender and everyone knows whats on it. Only thing I change that was electronic were the pickups. I just installed Texas Specials into the guitar, and now it sounds way better than before (standard strats pickups are a no good.)

I use a fender sidekick 65 reverb, and with the combination of Boss Blues driver pedal, texas special pickups, and the reverb active, the guitar gives a good sound. The strat can give almost any sound you want, just depends on the amps and pedals you are running it through.

Well after a little over 7 years of playing, the action went bad, but when I first bought it, it was in great condition. has a great finish (Crimison Metalic). I adjust the pickups myself, cause almost all the guitar techs and musicians I've talked to said "pickup height is really all up to you"

This guitar has been played for over 7 years, and its a sturdy guitar, the finish has a few scars that I put in but the finish looks as god as the day I bought it, but I know I can depend on it. of course the frets has been worn down and the setup needs to be adjusted, but thats because it hasn't been adjusted for years.

from what I heard, they are good... never had to deal with them

I, myself, love this guitar. Its my favorite guitar out of my collection. I also own a Taylor 414, a Ovation Legend, and a American Standard Telecastor. But my standard strat is the one I love. I've altered the guitar, where I've put on American standard sting guides and stap buttons, and will be putting a a White Pearl pickguard (which doesn't fit because its made for american standard strats, all I have to do is fill the holes and redrill new ones, a simple job, if you know what you are doing.) I've also put in Texas Special Pickups which made a big difference. but since the guitar is alitte worn down, I just brought it to my guitar repairman, to get refreted with Dunlop 6100 frets (the frets on the strat are tiny don't give a lot of sustain) and to get resetup and won't be getting it back for 2 weeks. I can't wait to get it back. All in all if this guitar got stolen, I'd cry my eyes out, but I'd probably buy and american standard and hotrod that guitar up. I like the standard guitar, it is my first guitar and my favorite. Price doesn't matter (since my other guitar range from 800 to 1400 dollars and this guitar cost 299).

I have a Mexican Standard Stratocaster, it's never been modified in any way, as I am still learning how to play. It's black with a White/Black/White pickguard. It has a tremelo which works well.

I intend to play blues (Stevie Ray Vaughan style), and the Strat is the only guitar that you can get that Texas Blues sound with. I would like a better sound out of it, it needs to be deeper and fuller, but overall I'm very pleased. It is only a Mexican Strat and so won't have the sound an American will give you, but I think it's well worth the money if you can't afford an American Standard (like me).

The fit and finish on my Strat is very good, the black finish looks miles deep and shines nicely, the neck and frets feel good to the touch, and it doesn't have a scratch on it yet. I've found no flaws in it so far.

My strat is very reliable, I haven't had a single problem with it yet, and if I ever did play a gig, I wouldn't hesitate to take it without a backup. Everything on the guitar seems very sold and built to last, as can be expected from Fender.

I haven't had to call Fender yet, and I don't see calling them in the future, as the Strat seems to be an extremely well made guitar.

I've only been playing about 6 months and the only other gear I own is my Peavey amp. If it were stolen, I'd try to save up enough money to get an SRV Signature Strat, but only because that's a better sounding guitar. What I love about the Strat is that its contours fit to your body perfectly and the design allows easy access to all the frets. I chose the Strat because that's what Stevie Ray played, and I just love the sound a Strat makes.

Its pretty much a Standard Mexican Strat. Its got a few high points.. A Rosewood fret board and Nicer tuner hardware... These tuners are like the american series, not the squier. It has standard pickups. Its pretty much a beginer guitar. If you have any refined opinions about electronics... don't get a mexican strat. It seems like a pretty nice paint job. It hasn't chipped or diged yet and I've banged it pretty hard. I bought it from a local music store that threw a gig bag in for free.

I have a small Fender 15 watt w/ reverb and it has quite a bit of hum. I also use a Zoom 505. Even with effects it still hums if you aren't playing. The sound in general is good. I actually plug up through an acoustic amp and it sounds very similar to an acoustic. There si not much variety as far as the pick ups go... the neck and middle are nice a warm.. you can play with the tune and change them.. and the bridge is more tenny... Again if you're particular at all about sounds DON'T GET A MEXICAN STRAT!!!

When I got it the action was nice. The music store I brought it from probably changed the action. The pick ups were fine if you really don't know what you're doing... but I can't say this enough... IF YOU HAVE ANY PREFERENCES DON'T GET A MEXICAN STRAT!!!!!!

Fender does have a few good points... it feels very solid. The tuners keep a tune unless you use the wammy bar alot. The electronics aren't so reliable. I don't think Mexicans getting $2/ hour do the same job as american labor. Don't try to take off your pick guard. some of the soder joints won't hold and you have to know what you're doing to put it back on. But over all its pretty good.

Never delt with Fender directly... I think the warranty is around one year on defects.

I probably wouldn't buy another Fender Mexican Strat if It got stolen. The Danelectros look nice. I hate the placement of the pick up selector. It gets in the way when you strum. I compared it to a few squires... Fender is much better feeling...

Standard Mexican Strat with maple fb - you know the routine, so I won't waste your time giving you specs....After shopping models for over a month, I kept coming back to the MIM Strat, even after playing MIA models. My opinion, best ax for the money.

Replaced stock pickups with Texas Specials...SWEEEEET! I play through a Line 6 Spider amp (fantastic amp), and am amazed at the playability and clarity of the MIM strat. Been playing for 9 years, this guitar is quickly becoming my favorite. Great sound from SRV to ZZTop to Metallica (Line 6 digital modeling helps).

Played every MIM they had in stock until I found the one I wanted. Factory set-up on most seemed to be ok. I did not notice too much variation in action among the guitars - probably because most of them had just been unboxed and set up on display -- they had not been hammered on by Eddie Van Halen want-to-be's. Finish on my guitar is deep red metallic (I think they call it crimson or wine). The finish is flawless -- just as good or better than most MIA models I saw.

Just got it, but don't anticipate any problems.

Haven't needed them yet.

As I stated before, been playing for several years, and I am very impressed with the MIM strat. I own several other guitars, including LP Special, a Jackson Soloist and a LP Emperor, but the Strat is getting more play now. No complaints....best guitar for the money. If you buy this one, definately change out pups asap to get best sound. Buy a MIM, change out pups and tuners, and you'll still end up spending hundreds less than you would on a MIA, with just as good sound and playability.

You can read the features on previous posts. Made in Mexico. Arctic white. Nice finish. The neck is a fat C contour neck.

Let me tell you... this sounds nice.... until you compare it with a cheaper, lighter & more comfortable, slimmer necked Yamaha Pacifica 112. Fender take a hike.

I tried dropping the action to where I would like it to be... can't without some fret work. Disappointment.

It's built. But I wouldn't play it. It lives in a case.

The worst. The web site has no email address. I had to call a local store to get the 1-800. B.S. Wouldn't/couldn't help me on that fat neck. I offered to buy a slimmer neck. Said I could sand it down. B.S. I didn't come on as an angry consumer. I actually believed that everything would work out well. Surprise! I am angry now.

Totally useless to me with the fat neck. Gave me a case of tendonitis. Mom and pop store wouldn't take it back or give full credit on something else... only had it seven days and knew it wouldn't do. Fender told me I was out of luck with regard to another neck, even though I offered to pay for one. I have found out since that they have had, all along, a v-contour neck that would do the job. I have played Fender since '76. Never again, as it stands. Yamaha for me in the slab category. The Pacifica 112 has a nicer neck, more sounds, more life, and an email address. Kids, don't get sapped into the Fender "mystique"... The company isn't what it used to be and you would be better served looking elsewhere. To be frank, I am considering sending it to a Fender exec with an unkind yet honest note. It's been such a bitter experience, I'm not even interested in selling it... Send it back, chalk it up to experience (a bad one), and detox.

it's a standard mexi strat, not sure when it was made, but i got it for Christmas and it was new. 21 frets, supposed to be midnight blue but looks more purple-ish to me, but it has a nice glossy finish. 1 volume, 2 tone and a 5 way pickup selector switch. maple neck, 3 single coil pickups (cheap).

i am just a beginner, since i got it for Christmas, so i haven't really developed a style yet. i use it with a peavy audition 110, and it sounds good. no i'm satisfied with the sound, except for an annoying buzz. it goes away whenever i touch any metal part on the guitar, so i'm suspecting it has something to do with the grounding of the wires. but i'm planning on getting better pickups for it anyway cause the pickups that the standard mexi strat comes with aren't the best to begin with. so far i have played some smashing pumpkins, black sabbath, and barenaked ladies stuff, and for my purposes it works fine. it can create a nice variety of sounds with the different pickup selections and eq on my amp, although i'm planning on getting some effect pedals or an effect processor for it.

the finish is nice, but i do have to clean it off whenever i'm done playing cause i smudge it up, but i guess that's normal. the action is pretty nice, although occasionally the strings vibrate against the fretboard. everything else seems to be good, except for the buzz.

this is a pretty sturdy guitar. seems like it will last a good while. the strap has come off twice, but i was putting the guitar on, so luckily it didn't fall. i have banged it on things numerous times, but it doesn't have any noticable dents or blemishes. i think i'd probably want to have a back up no matter what guitar i use, but this one is pretty good. i have taken it completely apart and put it back together and it still holds up fine.

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my best friend has the exact same guitar, but a different color, and without the annoying buzz. it is overall a good guitar and i would recomend it for your first guitar. if you've got a lot of money to spend you might want to spring for the american made strat, because it is made with better parts. but this one is definately worth the money.

unknown year make but the standard strat 22 frets, 5 way pickup selector, midnight blue finish maple neck on mine whammy bar, I know my hands are not that big but the frets seemed a lot smaller on this model than on the ones I played in the store. Bought from musicians friend

I play mainly blues and some rock and roll and the guitar did seem suited to those styles of music perfectly. I was playing through a vox pathfinder with no effects. I probably will get a crybaby or one of those blues driver effects when I get some more mone to blow also may put on some texas specials. I also dont seem to have as much buzz as some people have on positions 1,3, and 5 maybe the supervisor was watching as they made this one.

This is where I got totally pissed the action was nice and low, but I had to go to a shop (total beginner) and get everything else adjusted pickups bridge etc. in fact instead of going through all that I returned it and am going to buy one in the store instead of through the mail like I did. Otherwise it was a pretty midnight blue color with a nice finish. So I will give a four for the nice finish, The shop also could not get the thing tuned either I am sure that would have cost more too.

really did not have it long enough to make an opinion but it did seem like you could beat someone with it and not make a scratch or dent in the finish

I have been playing an acoustic for a while and decided to get an electric and can only say that I must have got a dud it seemed to have problems if I do decide to buy another strat I will place an updated feedback column for it.

It was made in Mexico, 1999. It has 21 frets, 1 volume, 2 tone knobs, a 5-way selector switch. A basic Strat.

This guitar mads the worst twangy noise on the high E string. Then some of the other strings started buzzing. it was THE WORST. it sounds ok when plugged in but still.

The Action was horrible. it was soo high above the neck. the pickups were fine. the neck was bad and so was the saddle. The only plua was that it looked so nice, 3-tone sunburst.

I dont know about reliability, but a got this a few months ago and with all the promblems it hd i dont know. the guitar itself holds up pretty well though

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Ive been playing for awhile now and I expected soooo much more for this guitar, I mean its a Fender. *PLEASE REMEMBER* the standard strat is made in Mexico WITH CHEAP PARTS and not like the American ones. If your going to get a fender please save up for the American, its really worth it.

Same as all the 2000 Mexican Fender Standard Strats. I decided on a Rosewood fretboard, came with a whammy bar, picks, strings.

Like all Fenders its got a twangy hendrixy bluesy tone, it sounds really great, even with the cheap pickups it has on it. I don't even play it through an amp, just my Sound Blaster Live! --> Dobly Digital Reciever, but planning on getting an amp soon. (Any opinions on what kind of amp for this guitar would be appreciated. It has a slight buzz on 1,3 and 5th selection, 2 and 4 its silent.

It is a beautiful black, not a dent in it, it feels like an extension of my body. Not a mark on it, and that Fender styling that can't be beat. Hats off to the magical mexican elves, I really should have paid more for this.

Its a Fender, everything on it is dependable. The whole thing feels like its one solid piece, shiny finsh, only 1 tiny 1/1000 of a milimeter scratch on the white part. (YOU GET A NINE NOW)

Big company bullshit. However the Fender has a lifetime warranty, and they stand behind it... after a few hours on the phone i'm sure (never actually dealt with them however)

I'm a beginner guitarist. I did a heck of alot of research before I decided on picking up this badboy, to save any beginers the trouble BUY IT, BEST GUITAR, really cheap at musicians friend. Anyone who wants to imitate Hendrix on a budget, this IS the guitar. The American is just another 4-500 bucks for that Fender name and some fancy wood. If it was stolen I'd buy another Fender, find the thief, and use the Fender as an axe(really)then return the blood stained one.

Everyone knows these. 1999 Mexican Strat. Midnight Blue finish. Maple neck. 3 single coil pickups. Bought it new for $299.00+ Tax at MARS. I only gave it a five, because its a standard. No bells or whistles. I've used this site for LOTS of research, so I figured I should give back. I've been playing guitar since I was 13 and I'm 34 now, so thats what?......40 years?...anyway, like a fool, I never ever bothered listening to the blues...until about 4 months ago. Now, I'm a SRV freak, and I bought the guitar for this reason alone.

The guitar sounds pretty good right out of the box. But, after playing a strat with "Texas Specials" pickups in it, I didn't know what I was missing! So, I paid about $160.00 bucks(pickups + labor) to have "Texas Specials" put in. Now,THIS THING SOUNDS AWSOME! The pickups that come with this guitar are ok but I couldn't get the SRV sound from them. The "Texas Specials" did the trick. Again, I'll rate a 5, but only because the pickups are cheap, but functional.

I've played at least a hundred strats during my life, probably mostly from picking them up off the music store shelf. The action seems to ALWAYS be way to high for me. But this wasn't too bad. I had to play all the Midnight Blue guitars that they had, and picked the action that felt the best. I then got out my allen renches and and lowered it further. Otherwise, no problem. Everything seemed to be ok...nothing loose or rattly. Keeps its tune no matter what I do. Whammy had a nice set up too. Nice and light, just like I like it. I guess I have a special bond with a guitar when I find it, becasue I can whammy a non-locking trem and come back in tune nearly every time. If I dont, I yank the G & B stirngs a bit and I'm right back in tune.(old EVHalen trick I read long ago)

You just cant kill a strat. I've read some warnings in here about strap buttons falling out, so if you play live, you should probably get them no matter what guitar you have. I would never play out with out a backup of any kind. Break a string and you're screwed. I didn't buy it because I thought the finish would last me a lifetime or anything else.

Never had to deal with them

Like I said, I've been playing forever. I have a Peavey 2X12 chorus and a VOX Pathfinder($119.00). I use a Marshall BluesBreaker II into the VOX for my distortion, because the VOX distortion stinks. With my new pickups and the BluesBreaker pedal, I am SRV finally. If the guitar were stolen, I'd buy another one and be pissed because I'd have to buy more pickups and pay for the work again. :-) Again, gave it a 5 only because I had to make all the modifications that make it sound right. But, its better than paying $800 + for a guitar with "Texas Specials"...that's just silly.

Mid nineties Mexi, not positive of the year, bought used, twenty one frets,two standard single pickups,one hot rail(bridge),not all too happy with rail pickup, switching to 3 Texas Specials,will keep you posted. Just a beginner, but a few experienced friends played my strat, and really loved it,especially at $350 was in 8.5-9 condition,extremely low action,probably will raise it. Second guitar in 2 months, Probably will never sell this one!

Seems to handle any music well, just a standard 2 channel 40 watt amp, like I said, not crazy about the thin sound of the rail in the bridge. I wish the previous owner still had the original bridge pickup, probably would like that better! Got a great deal on a set of Texas specials at E-bay!

Tobacco burst finish on this guitar is awesome, one ding on the neck(no biggie) although the polyurethane is piled on thick(evidence in the cavities) still very light in weight. Lighter than an american built it seems.

Yes I believe this thing will last, I seriously doubt the finish could ever wear off. All the solder connections are very solid. I feel it can gig without a backup, but who would be that crazy anyway?

Have never dealt direct with Fender

I`d buy it back from the clown who stole it,even at another $350.00, it seems the newer mexi`s are slightly less quality, necks are not as well finished, possibly have lower grade pos. switch. The best part has to be the feel of the neck (maple) very well finished,low action. I had owned a BC Rich warlock traded in on this.Was looking at washburns(HB30),Shecters(C-1plus),and Samicks(stratcopy), could have had any of those three brand new for around the same price!

1995 Fender Standard Stratocaster made in Mexico. Standard features: 21 frets, vintage style tremolo, 3 stock single coils, stock tuning gears, poplar body, master volume, two tone controls, and a 5 way switch. Mine is Artic White with a rosewood fretboard and has the "C" shape neck. Since recieved I have added a brown shell pickguard for vintage looks and a graphite nut to help keep in tune better (does this ever work great!)

Fits Blues, Classic rock, and Southern rock perfectly (which is what I play). I run it through a Dunlop Crybaby, Boss DS-1, Boss SD-1, Voodoo Lab MicroVibe, Boss CE-5, and Boss DD-3 into a Peavey Classic 30. Needless to say, this guitar makes some noise, but all single coil pickup guitars do. However, when playing, the volume drowns out any hum coming from the guitar so it can be easily delt with. It has the classic "strat" tone in the out of phase positions of 2 and 4 and nice body in the other positions, kind of weak unless you raise the pickups which do a nice job of bringing them out (especially with my amp settings...volume (clean channel) 6 and up, pre (gain) 10-12, post (gain channel volume) 6 and up, bass 7, middle 12 (where most of the noise comes from anyway), treble 6, reverb 3, and midboost on (another noise contributer...others with different settings might have less noise). With these settings I get semi classic strat tones on the clean channel and on the dirty channel it sounds like a Les Paul if it were a strat (don't ask me what that means but that is the best way I can describe it...maybe you will hear it one day...which would be nice for me) Has lots of variety when used with a lower gain level...can be suited for most any style depending on how it is played and what kind of amp as well as how the amp is set up. I really like how this guitar sustains and feedsback...very controllable feedback and good sustain even when played clean. Also works very well with effects...most strats do...single coil pickups work better with effects as a rule).

I don't know how the factory set this guitar up, a friend of my fathers, who worked at a store in Jacksonville Florida, toured with Lynerd Skynerd as a guitar tech and died last year of cancer, got it from Fender and set it up himself and it has played perfectly since. The pickups were fine until I put heavier strings on it and had the action raised, then they needed to be raised again but now they sound great. None of the hardware is rusting...but that is because i don't sweat onstage as much as Dad...most of his guitars have rust on them. All parts fit snuggly and the finish was flawless before it fell a couple of times because my strap didn't like the strap buttons.

This is my live guitar! I own a Fender Clapton Stratocaster, Epiphone Korina G400, and an Ephiphone Dot (335) and all these guitars do is back up duty to this strat! The hardware seems like it will last and the finish is nice and thick (I can see how thick it is when looking at the hole i put in the finish by accident...stay tuned for story). The strap buttons were fine...but my strap had worn out button holes so it fit real loose. One day the guitar just fell right off me and landed smack down on the concrete in my garage during practice...luckily I caught the neck (just in case it had landed wrong and snapped) but in the process loss a chunk of paint...so I put strap locks on to keep that from happening again. I can depend on this guitar to last a good while longer and to sound good while it lives. I would use this guitar without a backup if I didn't have a bad habit for breaking strings(which is less now mind you because of the heavier strings...but just in case because...i am not the fastest stringer in the world and just get the backup until break time when I have some time to restring).

Never dealt with Fender...seems like they would be a bunch of good people though.

I have been playing for 5 and half years. Aside from my gig guitars (listed above) I have a mid-late 80's Squier II strat that completely sucks, and a Martin Sigma series from the late 70's that has a great sound to it. If my strat were stolen? I would probably do the same as I would do if my amp were stolen...cry for a week and beat the living daylights out of the thief!!!(if found of course) Then I would either buy a new one (after I try them out...just to get one with the right feel) or go through warmoth and make one (all depends of money my freind) but I have to have a great playing strat with a rosewood fretboard (where the Clapton has a fault in my opinion). I love the way this guitar sounds (nice and fat), looks (quite vintage with the brown shell pickguard I put on it), plays (great for bending with the high action and lots of clarity even with lots of gain) and the way it stays in tune (did before well but now has a graphite nut and hasn't gone out yet!). I didn't compare this one to other guitars mainly 'cause I recieved it for Christmas...but I trust Gary Smahley's judgement. The only thing I wish it had is the 22 fret and a pop in tremolo arm...but hey...I can sacrifice that for great tone, feel, and playability. For the money...you can't get a better guitar...I don't think that an American Standard is worth the extra money just for an extra fret, slightly different hardware, different pickups, name, and building location when this one sounds so great!

You know the features. Mine is red.

I play in a metal/grunge/punk/funk/rap band. This guitar is obviously not designed for heavy music because the cheap single coil pickups on this thing are weak. In 1st, 3rd, and 5th pickup positions, you will get an aweful buzz. However, the 2nd and 4th positions on this guitar is where it sounds best for me. When playing clean funky guitar lines, it really sounds good. I don't ever use this for the metal shit, but it's my backup axe so it sounds ok for softer stuff.

I don't know if I'm the only one with this problem, but here it is: the action is nice and low near the nut and it gradually gets higher near the bridge. I've had a '93 strat and a '95 strat copy and they both did the same thing. I don't know what to do about it. Anyway, the finish is flawless, even after I bought it used.

It's solid, even for a Japanese made guitar. But it goes out of tune a lot when using the whammy bar.

no exp

I've played much better strats than this one, but it does it's backup job very well.

It has 2 tone knobs, 5-way switch, 22 frets, volume knob. Not bad although I would like if the neck was little bit tinner cause compared to some of the 60's strats neck is a little to wide.

This guitar sounds great if you have a right amp. For practice I play it on the old beat up keyboard amp in it sucks, but for gigs i use Ampeg B25 and it sounds great especially for punk, rock and alternative. With Fender Twin reverb i can get the autenthic Jimi Hendrix sound. Also I used this guitar in some jazz gigs and it sounds great.

Guitar came perfect only think i dont like it that the top part of neck is brown but thats minor detail.

It is really durable. I played with it for about a year and it never failed. I broke few strings couple of times, but thats because i am a bend freak and i push bending to the limits.

Never delt with them.

I think this is a great guitar. You can get the same sound from this one as from one that you pay 500$ or more. I have '79 Stratocaster and it sounds the same. I think that if you are on bugdet you should buy this guitar save some money and buy a good amp. I recomend Fender Twin Reverb, Marshall JCM-800 or JCM-900 also Marshall GR215, any of the Ampeg will sound good also.

Fender's low-end axe! Made in Mexico, sunbirst finish, 21 frets, 1 vol. and 2 tone switches, 5-way selector switch, 3 single coil pickups , poplar body, stratocaster body, standard synchronized tremolo, cast sealed machine heads, rosewood fingerboard, comfort contoured body (major plus!) Bought from Guitar Center of Marietta, Georgia! Only paid $300.00 smackeroos and also got a used Fender Black Tolex case w/Deluxe Interior for $50.00 ! The guys @ Guitar Center even let me choose among 4 guitars that were exactly alike! I felt like a criminal on the way out the door! HEH HEH !! :)

I play mostly rock, instrumental, and classical style music and this guitar suits my needs quite easily. I play it through a Crate GX212 120 watt amplifier and it sounds very good. I do however find the pickups to be a little noisy, although I'm sure that can be eliminated by finding some replacements for them, i.e. DiMarzio, Seymour-Duncan, EMG. I find this guitar sounds best with as little mainstream treble as possible.

This guitar was set up to average delight and I have experienced no major difiiculties with regards to any of the hardware. I am however learning everything possible about the setting up and maintenance of a guitar like this one and believe that, as a result, I will be able to resolve any future problems that may arise. I strongly suggest other Stratocaster owners to do the same, as it will enable you to obtain the maximum playibility possible from your instrument. Also, the finish looked great!

I don't play live with this guitar, so I am not able to attest to it's ability/inability to withstand live playing! Although, I will say that I believe this guitar is pretty solid and should last a long time to come.

Never dealt with Fender, forgot how long the warranty is but does have one!

I have been playing guitar since I was 15 yrs. old, now I am 23. I also own a 6-string Alvarez Acoustic which was autographed by Crosby, Stills, and Nash (Which buy the way, would be considered for sale for the right price, so fell free to E-mail me about that). If it were stolen I would probably buy an American Standard. I believe this guitar gives the biggest bang for the best buck and would highly reccomend it to anyone thinking of purchasing one, as it is highly versatile and agreat instrument to learn the basics on! So for all you folks with a low-budget this is the perfect instrument for you.

this is '94 mexican made standard strat in a beautiful candy apple red finish. this has the standard pickups the only things i've customized are the bridge saddles and cheep pastic parts( i put on chrome nobs and chrome pickup covers they make the guitar look better then the top of the line strats) i play mostly ska, surf, punk, and occassionally what i call freak music(think RadioHead, pink floyd, korn working together on a bad acid trip)

this guitar must have been a factory accident because it sounds better then any strat i've or played, if clean classic fender tone is what your looking for. this is just my opinion i've had various comments by profession and nonprofessional musicians on how amazing it sounds. i play mainly ska and surf for which this guitar was built for,and it has a crunchy punk sound too. the tone is bright punchy snappy and glassy all at the same time. i play through a fender m-80 chorus amp and peavy tnt at the same time(the tnt is great for low end punch.) i'm currently purchasing an Ampeg reverbrocket half stack though which make this guitar come alive even more. i have also played through a fender bassman which is probally the cleanest sweatest combination ever. this guitar can do metal and hardcore but no where as convincingly as a gibson can.

the finish of this guitar was perfect and the action was fine i've never had a problem playing it. iv'e pulled the pickups as high as they'll go to give me more punch and snap, sustain isn't my thing because i'm allways playing to fast. the plastic nobs were cheep and stupid so i changed them, and the bridge saddles were the worst invention i've ever seen, at one point they were snapping my strings once or twice a week, so i replaced them with string saver saddles, i'v haven't broken one since, that was two years ago and i play even harder now. the plug loosened up and needed to be replaced about a year after i bought it.

you could trash a tank with this guitar and it would still work and look great. i've gigged with it for two years now and have never needed a back up(i got new saddles before i started playing out)the frets are wearing a bit but what can you expect this guitar has atleast 5000hours of use in it. heres an example, a PA cab that weighed 80lbs fell on to it one day at a practice, the guitar was complete untouched, the guitar case it was resting on top of was busted though. a tank baby a tank! just watch out for belt buckels!

never had to deal with them

this was my first electric guitar and i would never part with it, i've been playing for 6 years and am currently in a ska/surf/punk band. i bought a ressiue jaguar fot 2.5 times the price but it still doesn't compare, i haven't played a guitar i like better yet, this guitar is my style and if it were stolen i couldn't possibly replace it, but i wouldn't buy another stock fender item because i bought this before fender went to magizine and internet sales, since then they have gone way down hill and from what i've played of new fenders i would not recommend them to anyone. only a fender custom shop could closely replace this guitar for me, but i'd get it in sparkle red. i give it an 9 because i had to tweak it out and fix a few things to get it just right but i have definetly gotten all of my money's worth out of this guitar

1999 Fender Standard Stratocaster. Midnight Blue w/ rosewood neck. Volume, two tone knobs, five way selector, 3 passive single coils, ect.

I mostly find myself playing mostly classic rock and blues. Clapton, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd are some personal favs. Strat seems to fit these styles nicely (duh). The factory pickups are, of course, a bit noisy, but tend to feed back without a lot of coaxing, which can be a plus. The sound is pretty much classic strat, with a warmer, heavier tone on the neck pickup, and a brassy sound on the bridge which seems to do well through distortion and is great for punchy sounding leads. Can't say much about the middle, its just sort of in-between, I don't use it much. The rosewood neck also contributes to the tone, making it warmer, esp. with the neck pickup. Overall it sounds really great through my Peavey Classic Chorus 220, and between the guitar and the amp you can get a lot of different sounds.

This guitar plays like a dream. I shopped forever and played a lot of guitars before buying this thing. At first I scoffed at the idea of Mexican made strats, but after careful evaluation found that for the money they have to be one of the best guitars on the planet. The factory setup was very nice with a very low action and well adjusted pickups. The tremelo arm is touchy, but you can really squeeze it and it pops right back in tune. This guitar actually plays as good or better than many of the American made ones (new and used) I have played. I have let several people play this guitar that have been playing for many years(decades)and they were surprised. This guitar is extremely fast and easy to play. The midnight blue finish is stunning, giving off different colors in different light for a very trick look. I have had lots of comments on it. The screws on the jack plate were loose, other than that it was flawless.

This guitar is perfect for gigging. I would take it out without a backup no question. Even if I end up rich and famous with lots of expensive guitars, this one will always be backstage, if not onstage! The finish seems to be very thick and durable, and the hardware is simple and built to last.

Haven't dealt with them yet. Probably won't.

I've been playing about 5 years. I own a Yahmaha acoustic also. If my Strat were stolen and I found the guy I would make him wish he were dead. If he molested my guitar in any way, he would be dead. This is a super little guitar for the money, from what I've seen, the extra $400 for the American model goes mostly for the name and the wood. The hardware can be upgraded, although other than the pickups, it may not need to be. I'm not bashing the American Standard, and I intend on owning one of those too, but for a guitar to play and to gig with instead of one to worship and show off because of its name, it can't be beat. I can't think of anything off hand I plan to change other than possibly the pickups, which aren't bad to begin with.

1999 model,mexi strat,21 frets,maple neck,midnight blue ,you should know what comes from a strat!

I run it through a Boss MT2 and a Vox pathfinder. It gives a nice sound even when unamplified.I play smashing pumpkins,and all those metal/punk stuff.Nice sound for the price.

Rubberized finish!Feels wierd.There is a little scratch in the finish in the neck but not noticeble.Wish it wasn't there.Back cover could have been better.The tremelo arm socket should be sealed at the end. pickup selector sucks!!

Solid guitar.But the wood seems to get dents easily as it is quite a soft wood and it is freakin light.I might consider gigging with it.

NEver dealt with them.

One of the best low end instruments I have seen.Could have been better if it had an alder body.

1993 Fender Standard Stratocaster (made in Mexico). 1 vol, 2 tone, 5-way switch, the usual Strat stuff :) 3 passive single coils. Poplar body, 21-fret maple neck. Finish: "Crimson Red Metallic" (a deep, bloody-red) vintage style hardware, except the tuners, which are very similar to, if not the same as, American Standard tuners from the same time.

This strat sounds cool. I guess I lucked out on this one, as it sounds almost identical to an Am. Std. strat. (I've heard of people saying they sound bad, but that just might be because they can't imagine a mexican guitar sounding great) Like all s/c pickups, they hum. the bridge/middle and neck/middle positions cancel the hum, like you might expect. I added a push-pull pot to switch on the neck pickup at any time, allowing you to get Telecaster-ish sounds (but not as much "snap") and all 3 pickups at once as well, which gives me a very powerful sound. I also changed the bridge pickup with an EMG select strat pickup, to eliminate hum when i have all 3 p/u's, or bridge only.

The guy I bought it from had it set well :) The 5-way switch gave me some problems when I got it, and ultimately, gave out. It became a 4-way, so I bought the good, vintage style, non-enclosed switch and replaced it. The pots are nice and smooth. The neck pocket could have been routed a little more accurately, but you can only see this when the pickguard is off.

Well built, but not completely industructable. I had to get a new bridge, b/c the trem arm hole stripped, due to messed up threads on the arm itself. I also needed to replace the switch. Other than that, it's stood up well to all my abuse :) With the new parts, I know I can depend on it. I also replaced the strap buttons with straploks, because I got sick of my strap letting go and seeing "my baby" go crashing to the floor. All hitting the floor ever did to it (3 times!) was put a little scuff in the finish. I would have no problems gigging with this guitar, but I'm the kind of guy who would have to have a backup just in case it decided to die, but I'm not really afraid of that.

Never needed to contact Fender, but I believe that Fender has a 5-year warranty...

I've been playing for 5 years, and I had this Strat for almost 4 of those. It's been my main guitar ever since I got it. I used to use a Peavey Rage 158 (those little ones!), but now I run it through a Marshall VS100. It sounds incredible. I also have a Danelectro Cool Cat, a Morley PWV, and a Washburn DX-2 distortion. If I needed to replace it, I would buy another Strat. They just have this familiar feel to them.

1998 Standard Stratocaster, Mexican made, 21 frets, solid poplar body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 5-way pickup selector switch, 1 volume control, 2 tone controls, three single strat pickups, passive elctronics, solid black finish, strat body style, standard tremolo bridge, non-locking tuners, simulated bone nut, white pickgaurd.

I play only metal and hardcore music (KoRn, Limp Bizkit, Metallica, and numerous other bands. ROCK ON!!). I use no pedals, only a Fender Frontman 15R amp that came with it in the Strat-Pak. It is nowhere near suited for playing hardcore of metal. I have difficulty finding the perfect sound for each band, so i have to improvise a lot. I only use the bridge pickup, as this produces twang and a slightly grungy sound. I wish it had two humbucking pickups, as the singles are difficult to find the right tone and sound with. I can't use full gain, or else I use all sound quality if unless I crank it up high enough, so I keep my amp on about 5 for gain which is enough for crunch at low volumes.

This guitar is reliable and well made, and I can see no flaws in it. It fits me well, and the strings are colse enough so that i can play relativly quickly. It's neck isn't very fast, so I cnat play full speed, but i can play well enough. I have no idea about any of this action bullshit, so I won't say anything about it.

I bang this guitar abound a lot and it has never broken any parts. However, it has two main flaws. First, it gets dented very easily. Second, the output jack is shit, and if I move the cable around slightly while in it, it produces a lound screaming/buzzing noise that pisses the hell out of me. I want to replace the ouptut jack as soon as possible. Also, dust collects on this guitar in hard to reach places and is quite difficult to take off. It stays in tune moderatly well, so that's good. Another thing, the pickgaurd gets dented and scratched easily so don't let that disapoint you. One last thing: I've opened up this guitar numerous times and there is a lot of white powder on the insides. I think it's cocaine that the Mexiacans at the factory are trying to smuggle into the country.

Never dealt with them. They'll proably rip shit at me for damaging my guitar if I have to deal with them, so I'd probably take it to a store.

I've been playing for one year and I bought this guitar in one of the old school, genuine Fender Strat-Paks that came with a Fender Standard Strat, Fender Frontman 15R amplifier, a really useful tuner, a cable, a few picks, a strap, a pack of strings, and a gig bag. Fender guitars are reliable, and so I'll probably have this guitar for a good long time. I am happy that it's not a squier (their guitars are such shit that they're not even worthy of capital letters). If you're a beginer, buying one of these is the best move you can make.

This is your typical Mexican made Strat. 3 single coil pick ups, 1 volume and 2 tone knobs, 5 way selector switch and vintage style tremelo,( the six screw type ) The finish on mine is a 2 tone brown sunburst and looks excellent. The body wood is poplar and the neck is maple. The finger board is 21 fret rosewood. It has the FENDER logo and basically looks just like an american made standard strat. The neck is thick, but not overly thick. Lets just put it this way, if you like a Jackson style thin type, you will have to adjust to this one. Everything fits and functions very well except for the warp in the pickguard which is synonimous with most non-american made Fenders and copies. My guitar came with a slight nick in the fret board, but is almost un noticeable.

For a no frills basic strat, this guitar sounds surprisingly good. I have used full shred distortion settings and clean settings as well as all the effects on my CRATE GFX 212. Single coil pick ups are thin sounding as it is yet this guitar seems to have a little beef to it. The pick ups arent as noisy as I thought they would be. High distortion settings of course bring on the noise of any pick up, but these aren't that noisy. In my opinion, this guitar sounds like a 3 single coil strat should sound.

Everything fits and functions well. I would have sent it back if it had any bad flaws. Mexican Fevders, in my opinion, are better made than the Korean Squire/Fender. Like I said before, the only flaw I could see was the warpped spot on the pickguard.

I would use this guitar for just about anything. I would always have a back up. I play several different styles from 70's rock to Death Metal. I think this guitar could withstand the road. If a strat were your main guitar, I would have a few to back it up as tremelo equipped strats go out of tune quick

Just got it, don't know.

If I lost this guitar, I would buy another one. I play your typical 2 humbucker, reverse head stock, Floyd Rose tremelo guitars ranging from ESP to Jackson. A strat is a re freshing change of pace. I use a DOD Delay, Morely Pro Series Wah and a CRATE GFX 212. You just can't compare a strat to anything else. It's a guitar in a class all it's own. I wouldn't recomend using a strat for hard core metal or detunded Pantera type stuff, but it could come close if it were all you had.

Mexican standard.. 21 fret.. 5 way selector.. you know the whole strat scoop. Mine was used, and had the bridge single coil replaced with a single coil size Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Humbucker. I have since replaced the bridge with a Floyd Rose, which actually made no difference, and I added Schaller tuners. My wiring scheme is a little different. I replaced the 5 way with a seven-way selector switch. The top single coil is wired normally, but the middle is wired in reverse. The second last position on the switch is for neck-bridge(humbucker) which gives a great tele sound without buying another guitar.

This guitar soundsgreat right out of the box, and you absolutely cannot beat the bang for the buck. If you're on a tight budget or not, this is one of the est values for the money (along side the Yamaha Pacifica 112). I use mine through a Digitech RP-7 effects unit, and into a Fender 65 Twin Reverb or my old Laney tube amp. The single coils can get a little noisy, so I suggest replacing them with either Texas Specials or Vintage Noiseless... whatever your musicial preference. With my 7-way selector, my sounds are endless... but this guitar sounds great right out of the box..no mods needed.

Even for being used, the fit and finish on mine were great, except for the nicks in the head from the moron who used it as a drumstick for cymbals. Sometimes Fenders come out of the factory with the pickups too high... watch out for this. This can magnetize your strings and make your guitar out of tune.. even when a tuner tells you that it is dead on... all in magnetic harmonics.. just trust me. Everything was properly routed and matched, and the hardware was in top notch shape. No loose controls, nut and saddle were essentially perfect, and it just looked sweet in that Lake Placid Blue finish (really cool if ya get a black marble pickguard.. or an american flag.

All i can say is I live on the road.. and this is the only guitar I take with me... ever. Enuf said.

It is just like dealing with any other big company... takes some time and yelling to get what ya want... but you can get it done if ya try hard enough. Overall not to bad.

The only other guitar I wish I had is an SRV strat. I think for playing any type of music.. a start should be the guitar of choice. It is the most versitile and very affordable.. either mexican or american. They are easily modified if you need to, but sound great right out of the box. If this guitar were ever stolen, I would beat the person over the head with my old Ibanez.. not caring if I broke it. I love this guitar.

Features? Nearly the same stuff that Leo Fender put in the original patent drawings. It's got Fender/Shaller tuners and a 5-way switch rather than the old Kluson tuners, and a 3-way switch. It's got a beautiful '60s style 3-color sunburst finish on a poplar body. A one-piece maple neck with the old '50s truss rod. Yep... skunk stripe up the back. Maple freboard. The neck has a really thin laquer on it. Nothing like the good 'ol '50s and '60s laquer, and lightyears from the foot-thick stuff on the CBS-era Fenders. 21 nickel-silver frets. Black plastic dot inlays. Volume and two tone pots. Three single coils. I bought it used for $250, and they're $320 new... damn good value.

It sounds (to me) just like the old '50s models. The middle pickup is reverse polarity, so the in-between positions are hum-cancelling like the American Standard. The pickups are the same design as the old ones. The neck pup is mellow but punchy. The middle one is a nice middle-of-the-road sound. Great for clean strumming. The bridge one is nice and bright. Not hot, mind you, but bright. Not much buzz. More on the bridge than the other two. The in-between positions are the good 'ol dark, wierd, phasy sound.

I picked it up used, and the owner had used it quite a bit. The pickguard screws were damn near completely stripped from corrosion, and had to be replaced. I had to take the bridge off and clean it... I couldn't even adjust the saddles! Therefore, I had to pretty much set it up from scratch before I was able to play it once. I've got the action pretty low. I stuck two extra springs in the tremolo, and I still think I should get a Trem-Setter, but oh well. I use heavy gague strings (11s or 12s), so I need something more than the three little screws in there.
The sunburst finish is perfect. It's nice and thick. No major problems, except for one little crack coming from the neck joint... but that was my fault =^(
All of the hardware was fitted perfectly. But, like I said, I had to replace all of the screws, so that meant the pickguard came off, and the pickups came out (in the process I replaced the plastic parts with aged white, and the pickguard with the '60s-looking aged "mint green" color giving it a nice vintagey look) so I put it all in the setup I like...

It's a Fender... c'mon. It feels as solid as a '74 Telecaster I had that fell off the luggage rack of my car... the case broke open and the thing skidded a good 200 yards. High E was a little out of tune and there was a scuff on the end of the headstock. 'Nuff said.

Again, it's Fender. These guys make some of the best stuff on Earth, and they stand behind it. I gave my cousin an early-80's Squier model. The thing spit sparks across the room about three weeks after I bought it. They replaced the whole axe. No questions asked.

I've been playing since '90, and I've had a bunch of axes. Two Strats, three Teles, and a Gibson LP Double-Cut. This is the best of the Strats. The other one is an old olympic white '76 Strat, with the huge-ass headstock, and the really thick laquer on the neck that you couldn't crack with a jackhammer. I've still got it... I threw some DiMarzio "YJM" pickups in it... and it's now actually my #1 axe again.
I pipe these babies through a Marshall JCM2000 head and a Marshall 4-12 cab. The '76er literally makes the foundation vibrate. This Std. one is a different sound. It's an SRV quack type sound. Like the old late '50s single coils.
If someone stole this thing, I'd probably go find the idiot, and beat his ass with it. It wouldn't break. If I couldn't find him, I'd buy another that's *similar* to it. Not this model. Probably a '57 reissue, or the Hendrix Voodoo Strat. I would, however, have no reservations about recommending this axe to others.
This is the first guitar I've ever named. I call her "Sarah Beth" after a *very* good friend of mine. I like how the '76 Strat plays, but "Sarah Beth" just feels perfect... kinda like... well... you'd just have to know her... =^)

Features: Well, I got it this summer direct from a an authorized Fender outlet after telling them what to order. A few weeks later, I got it. It's your basic Mexican-made strat, with a reverse-wound middle singlecoil w/ 5-way switching, 2 tone knobs, a volume knob, and an angled 1/4" output that is especially nice. I use it every week to perform at my christian school for our chapel team, and it really shines through in the clean tones department. 21 frets, solid top. I don't know waht wood it's made of, but it sounds good enough, and has a rosewood fretboard. The finish is especially cool, I asked them to order one with a Brown Sunburst finish on it, and it looks great. The pickups from hearsay aren't as good as the original Fenders', but they do fine, and replacing them would cost more than getting a new one = )

My music style is playing clean music at my school for our chapel band team, so it's pretty mellow. The sound it makes is pretty darn nice, and when i get home, i put up the gain and it sounds pretty sweet also. I've never tried another "more expensive" guitar, which supposedly have better sound and more features, but it's made of the same parts... I use a Fender Frontman 15 (which is a 15W "practice" amp using an 8" speaker), and they seem especially made for each other. At home I usually put the amp volume at 0.5, and when i play at school with all the people singing i raise it up to ~1 (that's how peppy the amp is). The Squier is kind of noisy, but only on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th switch-place-amathingies. the 2 and 4 are noise free, and are especially cool for distortion-riddled songs.

The day I went to pick up the guitar was pretty exciting, as it was my first electric guitar ever. When the people took it out of the box, they were surprised to see the quality of it. They were really blown away by the professional paint job they put on there (the brown sunburst), and it really really looks beautiful. I've had no problems with the finish, or any hardware problems. All the screws are in place, and it works. Nothing is loose, noisy, poorly fit, poor quality, or misaligned, and I'm glad.

This guitar was only $200 for me, and being the cheapest "real" guitar out there, it really is a bang for the buck. I've been taking this to school every week, and has withstood the abuse, the hardware seems like it will last. The strap buttons are as solid as any, and I would feel (considerably) safe jumping up and down, if it were necessary = ) I would definitely use it on my "gig" without a backup, and would depend on it any day. My playing friend would probably like to play mine more than his, I'm guessing = )

Never had to contact them, their product is near-perfect. They seem like a friendly bunch, I've heard a lot of positive things about them.

Overall, I think this is a pretty awesome beginner guitar, and you won't be able to distinguish right off the bat the difference between this one and a real Fender Strat without looking at the headstock and reading the label (if you're a beginner). I don't think there is anything I wish I could have asked before buying it, and I think that's what the Fender people want to hear. If I lost or stole it, I would probably get another one cuz it doesn't burn a hole in my pocket as much as a Gibson = ) One great guitar at a reasonable price. A good, solid value.

1996 stanard stratocaster, 21 frets, black finish, rosewood neck, you know the controls, and stock pickups (i replaced them with fender lace sencors) everything is stock except for the pickups. the guitar came with 3 springs on the tremolo but i added 2 more for a better tone and i took off the wammy bar. great guitar for the price.

it suits my style just fine, i play hendrix, the who, smashing pumpkins, and other rock and punk. i wouldnt own any other guitar. the pickups were a little thin and noisey so i replaced them with fender lace sensors. i use a fender princton chours amp, with a vox wha-wha, and a EH big muff pi. sounds great, no complaints.

the finish is perfect, no flaws, the action was perfect when i got it, although i did adjust the saddles a little. the only problem is one of the tone knobs was loose but that was my fault because i replaced the knobs.

im not in a band right now but, im very sure that this guitar is durable, very dependable.

never dealt with them, but i know the warranty is void because i replaced the pickups and the control knobs.

what can i say, its a fender, the greatist guitar ever! if it were stolen it chould never be replaced, but i whould get another one.

This is a Fender Standard Stratocaster. 1999 model, Sunburst finish with a maple neck and fretboard. 21 frets, 3 single coils. Pretty standard! Made in Mexico...

I've been playing for 12 years. The only other electric I'd ever had is a Steinberger. What else do you need?? But there are certain tones that you can ONLY get from a Strat. I was very suprised at the output of the singlcoils. Much louder and quiter than expected. Even the bridge was o.k. And I mostly play Rhoads type stuff...

This is where I was really impressed. I went out to buy a strat, and didn't know much about them. To be honest, I didn't even know they were made in different places. I just picked up about three different ones, and started to play. An American, that played like shit, A Hendrix, which was good, but because of the reverse body, I couldn't get any access to the upper frets, and the Mexican. I loved the feel of the Mexican neck. It felt like a friggin' baseball bat sawed in half. Very solid. Action was great, although I did adjust it a little at home to make sure everything was perfect. Neck pocket could be a little tighter. Sunburst finish is great.

I bought this guitar to basically be a back up to my Steinberger. If you really want to make a good rock/metal strat, replace the machine heads with Schaller locking heads, (about $55). Take the two outside springs from the trem, and attach them straight forward, instead if slanting inward. You will not have anymore tuning problems, and the bar will become usefull. Even though the bridge pickup was o.k., I replaced it with a Dimarzio FastTrack 2. What a friggin' difference. With the bridge pickup through a Marshall pre-amp, I can get that thing to sound just like Zakk Wylde. Flip to the neck pickup, and you get a half-ass Hendrix sound. That's pretty much what I wanted to do with this guitar, so I guess I'm happy.

Overall this is a very solid, well built guitar. If you want to get a strat to modify it, like I did, go for this one. Most the shit you pay for on the American, (machine heads, pickups, bridge) I would have ripped out anyway. I happen to think I got lucky with this one. Make sure you play the thing in the store for awhile so you know it feels right. Don't let the dickhead salesman pressure you into buying a piece of crap if you don't want it. E-mail me if you have any questions. Thanks!

Made in 1999. Mexico.21 frets, same contols as ever, 5-way selector, s/s/s stock passive pick-ups, rosewood fretboard, poplar body,Sunburst finish, thin frets.

I have been playing for 10 years now, and what else would you play city bluse with but a strat, so its great for that. I use a crate blue voodoo with a modded ts-9 and Voodoo lab Super fuzz. All single coils are noisy but are classic, so i can put up with it. The sound that comes out of this guitar is incredible. Overall the sound stock in my opinion is great but i am sure if you change the pu's it would make it better

I play with high action and relatively heavy strings. the action was right on for me, but it came with .009's so i changed them right away. And gave the truss rod a little tweaking and thats it.this guitar is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! no flaws what so ever

This guitar is a work horse period. i think the hard ware will last if it doesn't then ill fix it. the finish seems thick and it'll last. the Only probem i have ever had with this guitar is the strap buttons were loose but i fixed it. you can definitely depend on this guitar.

never dealt with them.

Like i said before i have been playin 10 years and i had to submit this for eveyone interested in a guitar to atleast give this one a serious look. If it were stolen i would nbuy an american cause this i think is better and its half the price. this guitar is so beautiful and plays as good as it looks.

Model Year 1998,there is 50th Anniversary sticker on the back of the neck, Mexi-caster. Features: you know the routine, this is a strat if you dont know what comes on it then get a life. Pickups have something to be desired. Sunburst finish, very nice fade on the sunburst. Bridge is so so. Tuners could be better but for the price of the giter who can complain. Neck is comfortable, not as silky as my "86 American strat or as fun as my 69 Tele but it is still fun to play with. I did manage to pull a fast one on the sales person and got a molded case for for free, shwing.

I play everything from Sex Pistols to Zepp to Satriani. So I needed a traveling giter that would take the bumps and scraps with the best of them. I knew I could count on fender so there was no question of what to buy. I am hard core Fender, I use a Princeton Chorus with a Mesa Boogie V-twin with an Octave Waa. I knew that the pickups were weak to begin with so as soon as I got the giter home I ripped the factory's out and put a Dimarzio HS-2 up front, HS-3 middle and did the unthinkable, routed out a space for a Humbucker. I used a Dimarzio "Fred" to file that hole. I guess I could of bought a Fat strat and got the same affect but the giter was on sale. The sound is somewhere between an Ape getting raped and an ES-355 sound. I highly recommed this pickup config. You might have to play with the phasing to get "your" sound. You wont be disappointed, thats if you can find the pickups. The heavy finish actually kills the sustain but "Fred" will help that. I gave the sound a high rating due to the modifications.

Factory setup is, well, factory. I had a giter tech slam the strings down to a buzz and then bring them up to the point where they buzz but you cant hear it through the amp. The neck needed to be tweeked to. Fit and finish of the neck and body is supurb, comparible to my '86 American. I love the deep colors of the sunburst and the bullet proof finish. I bought it brand new still in the box so no scratchs or dings. I have already added those thanks you.

This thing is a tank. The only problem is the tuners. Whats up with those things? Get strap locks. I would and will use as a backup and a travel giter.

Never had to deal with them. Heard that they are good people.

I have been playing for about 8 years and own 5 giters. The Mexi-caster, '86 American standard(My baby), 69 Tele(Original), Charvel fusion pro, and a Segull S6. I am a no nonsense player and believe in no bells and whistles, thats just more junk to break down at a gig. Thats why I bought the Mexican, it will always be there. If it was stolen I would rip the guys arms off and beat him with them. Then I would buy another Mexi-caster. The only set backs are the tuners and the pickups, but for the priced paid it is most cost effective to do the modifications. Good job Fender.

This is a basic Standard Mexi-Strat, manufactured in 1998. The features are the same as they have been for the last fifty years or so. Midnight blue finish, maple fretboard, kinda of a flame pattern on the neck, 3-ply white pickgaurd (changed it out for a pearliod p'grd- SWEET!!), no whistles or bells as it was purchased; Plenty of features for the price, but nothing noteworty. Very nice.

Sounds real good for a Mexican-made Strat. I tried all of the Standatrd Strats at Northridge, found the one I liked best, then compared it with an American Standard. It was as close as I could get to the Am. Stand. without paying the price of an Am. Stand. It wasn't as noisy as anticipated, especially for the bridge pickup. However, the bridge pickup sounds glassy when used alone. Positions 1,2,4 are the most useful. The tone is okay, but I am still tryijng to decide what kind of Tone I want (I like to play from Prince, to Kravitz, to Cult, to Horton Heat). It is very vesatile - just what the Strats are made for! It sounds quite warm even with my home practice amp. I've got high hopes for it when I get my new tube combo...

I purchased this particular guitar in part 'cause of the quality of the woodwork, the nice grain on the neck, and the finish is just beautiful! Fender does everything right with the Mexi-Strats; I feel that it is the best value available in solid body guitars today. They do scrimp on the electronics and a little on the hardware to keep the prices low, but tweeking your axe is half the fun! The woodwork done in Mexico is every bit as good as, if not better than, the woodwork on the American standards. I also changed the pickguard to a White Pearliod, and I am looking to change out the pickups and wiring. I am also looking at changing out the trem for an Am. Standard one as well....

Fenders are a sturdy breed. this isn't the brickshithouse my Tele is, but it is solid...I've owned this one for less than a year, and I have complete confidence that it will hold up well.

ZNever had to deal with em...except once I had a question that I e-mailed in...they replied in under 3 days.

This is, no question, the best value in Fender brand guitars; . The price/quality ratio is fantastic. Plus, you can upgrade pickups, some hardware, and you have a sweet, personalize custom shop Strat at way under a grand.

Is it really necessary? You really don't know? Those three things...are coils..the rod is the deluxe-detuner(fender's new, more apt name for the vibrato bar...BTW...tremolo bar is totally wrong...that refers to volume fluctuation, not pitch change...that really ticks me off when ppl get that wrong. Is it that hard? Come up with a cute mnemonic device if you can't remember it, just don't call it the damn "tremolo arm" "tremolo bar", etc.). What else? That long thing? That's the neck. The strat has one of those, free of charge. Frets are frets, tuners are tuners. I gave it a seven because i can play it without screwing with it. Some of these ppl aren't satisfied unless they spend saturday tweaking with it. Just play the damn thing. If the action's too high...get over it. Or buy a different guitar. I swear, ppl love to bellyache about how they always need to tweak with their guitars. My advice: when you go to the store, play it. if it doesn't work out, DON'T BUY IT. that simple.

My musical style is rather unique. I named it after myself...hence I refer to it as the "saul" sound. It's pretty hard to describe it, since it's so amazingly unique and ingeneous. Try to imagine ACDC meets Dave Matthews meets a Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Whitesnake meets Gloria Estefan meets Bernard Herrman, the famous hitchcock composer(psycho, vertigo, etc.). I was looking for an axe that was totally different from what most players have in order to make the Saul Sound more remarkable. I have no idea why I chose the strat. Everyone has one. And the standard is like the most basic, simple strat. Not my most brilliant stroke, I guess. But, i mean, what in the name of...everything is basically a strat clone, a tele clone, or some gibson 2x humbucker clone. I don't know how to take apart guitars and screw with them. Remember, i'm not a tinkerer. I have better things to do. But what I really want is a guitar sound that makes you think of indiana jones. rough, strong, but also lightly amusing. it is the holy grail of tone, the most desirable timbre a guitarist could ever want. i guess a strat through a cheap marshall is not the answer. as far as how this guitar sounds, it's pretty bright, with extra noise. it's like the pickups are made of gumwrapper and frisbee bits. but it could be the marshall. i think some gerbils are living inside it and they do hell to the wiring. i'll give it a 6.

i'm not going to go here. i liked it when i played it in the store, so i bought it. i didn't get out my grandpa's tool kit and screw around with it for a few hours. i don't trust ppl like that. go buy an erector set or something. you're prolly the same guy who never cuts his lawn...so go fix your lawnmower, jerk. leave the guitar alone. the best advice i can say is give your guitar a name. that way you'll feel weird whenever you mess with it. "hank, do you mind if take my screwdriver and poke around the springs?". "sarah, can i lower your action?". see what i mean? 10, because i bought it, because i was damn satisfied with it.

i just bought it. i would feel like a cretin saying whether or not it lasts. that would be blatently unhonest. but i will say this...i own a toaster, and it's lasted for 8 years. and since the strat has less moving parts and cost a lot more...i would say it will last for at least 8 years. i gave it an 8...for 8 years.

never talked to them. why? i don't fiddle with my damn guitars. therefore, i don't have a chance to screw it up. enough said.

i've been playing for two years. i'm considered a prodigy, because i don't play just led zeppelin or dave matthews. if someone stole this guitar, i would hunt them down and hit them on the head with a brick. then i would stake them out naked in the desert and put honey on certain body parts(use your imagination)...because that attracts badass army ants and assassin beetles. don't get me wrong, i don't do this for ppl over a guitar that i could steal from an 8th grader...it's the principle of it all. like walter from the big lebowski said "without a hostage there is no ransom...am i the only one that gives a @#^! about the rules?...what's mine is mine...". i think the same applies here. if you want to hear more about what i have to say, go check out my review of the GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD. it's exactly as i typed it...there are so many les pauls you'd think les paul saw a george forman commercial where all of his brat sons are on there...and decided to name all of his guitars les paul. but who cares? les pauls are a total waste of cash. if you want an interesting sound, go buy a cheapo squier and hose it down with extra strength pledge...make sure you really nail the pickups. you'll get extra shine then. serious. this guitat gets an 8 because i liked it when i played it...i didn't tinker with it, and i still like it.

This is your basic MIM Standard Strat. The features are the same as they have been for the last fifty years or so. If (for some reason)you do not know the features of a Strat, you don't get out often enough. I will say, however, that mine is finished in what Fender calls "midnight blue". Very nice.

I play everything from Skynard, Aerosmith and Vaughn to Pat Metheny and Spyro Gyra. This guitar suits me fine. The pups are not to my liking, but that's why pickup companies stay in business. I will eventually change them to SD's. That's in the future. This guitar is played through a Marshall 1987 Plexi reissue for gigging and a Fender Deluxe 112 Plus for pratice and sounds good through both every time.

Of course, the guitar was not set up from the facory so I had to do the job myself(adjust the intonation, neck, action, etc.) I still have a little bit of buzz, but it can be fixed with a little tweaking here and there. As stated above, the finish is what Fender calls "Midnight Blue". It looks like a purplish-blue color and is simply gorgeous and I get many complements on it. I also noticed that not everyone has this color, so it gets more attention. I blocked the bridge so I cannot comment on the tremelo but all other hardware seems adequate. Will eventually change the tuners, though.
Word of advice: Get Straplocks. You'll thank me later.

I play quite often so I needed a guitar that would withstand live playing, take a beating, and still respect me in the morning. Strats have been around for over fifty years, so I think that speaks for itself. I have had it for about three months now, and hasn't let me down yet.

Have never dealt with Fender. Strat has a lifetime warranty so I would assume they would honor it should something happen to it.

I have been playing for over six years now. I bought the Standard, rather than the more expensive American, because it's simple: Only in recent years has Fender expanded their line of Strats to outrageous proportions. When they started, they had just one model Strat. My point is that the Standard is just as good as all the others only cheaper. It can do everything its more expensive brothers and sisters can do, for a lot less money. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Buy what sounds good to YOU! I had the funds to buy the more expensive ones, but I bought what SOUNDED right. I'll leave it at that.

when it was brand new in my hands at the store, it was stock, but I have had my way with this wonderful guitar. i changed it to suit my needs. It is great!!!! Think about it. I love vintage, and those reissues are nowhere near vintage. When you really think about it, when Fender started out, ther was no mexican and american and deluxe and plus, there was only the stratocaster. There was only one, and it was the standard. The Mexican strats are the most vintage I have seen from Fender. Compare the old strats to the mexican ones and see the similarities. E-mail me if you want to know more or are confused by my ranting.

I changed the PU's, and the tuners, and blocked the tremelo, so it only goes down, not up, PU's were too loud in the neck position. It distorted my clean amp when I hit it hard. My distorted amp was another story. I like strats alot, and this one was just right, but I am never satisfied with standard when I know there are mods just waiting to be done.

This one is a 1997 model in Lake Placid Blue. It has a wonderful, deep finish with great color and definitin. I had the choice b/t this one and another one in the same color. I chose mine becasue of the deep rich choclatey grain of the rosewood. The other one was kind of ugly. So the choice was obvious.

This is THE guitar to own!!!!! Strats are the most durable guitars on the earth. I own an '83 SG, and i take the strat out b/c I am afraid that the SG will get broked if it falls off me, or a stand, or something.

Fender is good people. I used to have a black Mexi strat and the body had a huge crack in it and when I dropped it once it fell apart. But Fender gave me a new body for free!! THe only bad part was the guy at the store who put everything back on it was an idiot! He had no idea what he was doing, and it showed greatly. Oh well, I traded that guitar to some idiot who gave me an amp worth twice as much as the guitar.

I changed the PU's in this one to a JB Jr. in the bridge and a 57/62 RI SC in the neck, stock mid. That really brought this great guitar to life; and I haven't looked back since.

Brand new 1999 Standard (or Mexican) Strat, 21 frets, basic strat setup, 3 single coils, 1 volume and 2 tone knobs, tremlo (which I never use), maple neck, midnight wine color, a beautiful guitar.

I play everything from Eric Clapton to Rage Against the Machine, and this guitar pretty well suits all my playing needs. I play it with a Boss MT-2 Metal Zone distortion pedal and a crappy wah through a Peavy Rage 158. I find the bridge pickup hums a little, but nothing to grit your teeth over. A nice rich sound on the neck pickup, and a brigt soung on the bridge. I can change to sound on it to suit almost anything I'm playing. It's a nice change from my last guitar (a Cort strat copy I nabbed for 70$), and I really enjoy the sound of the guitar, and if I ever did replace anything, I might eventually change the pickups.

When I went to the music store, the box it was in hadn't even been opened yet, and I fell in love when I saw it. The store guy made sure it was all together and set-up, and I took it home, and as of yet have no complaints.

This, to me, appears to be a rugged guitar, and although I have yet to get into a bar fight with it, I'm sure it'd survive the ordeal. I would definetly use it without a backup at a gig.

Never had to deal with them

If it were stolen, I'd try and find it, and if I couldn't, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Made in Japan in 1996, 21 frets, maple neck. Body is vintage white with white/black/white 3-ply pickguard. Standard S/S/S pickup config w/ 2 tone pots,1 vol and 5-way switch. Standard tremolo and tuners. I bought it used with a gig bag, a strap, a cable and a stand.

I use it with a Zoom GFX-707 multieffects and a Peavey Rage 158 amp. It is very versatile and produces almost any type of sound. Using the tremolo a lot makes it go out of tune quickly. The pickups are fairly quiet, but the tone could use a little improvement.

It was in good condition and set-up when I bought it, but it was used so I'm not sure about the factory setup.

It seems very reliable. It gets bumped into various things but the finish doesn't chip or scratch easily. Hardware seems solid. I would use it on a gig, but I would probably carry a backup.

I haven't dealt with the company, and I'm not sure about the warranty...

I've been playing for less than a year. This is my only guitar. It could use some better pickups and a better tremolo, but it suits my needs for now. I just wish it would stay in tune. If it was lost or stolen, I would probably buy another one, but there are lots of other guitars out there for the same price with comparable features.

1998 mexican strat, 21 frets, etc, you should all know what a strat has.

I'm using this into a dunlop crybaby, danelectro fab tone, and peavey rage 158. If I turn off all effects, it is noisy when not using a combination of pickups. The only problem is that 2 or 3 of my strings have this real annoying string buzz when using the distortion on my amp, but the pedal seems to fix it.

everything was fine

I'd gig with this guitar without a backup, cause it's the only one I've got. I don't think I'll have any problems any time soon.

if it were stolen, I'd go steal it back, and beat the guy to death with it.

Mine's a 1998, beautiful wine-red. You can read about the features elsewhere. Made in Mexico.
Rating is for features/price. It has all the features you expect from a Strat, at the price you'd expect to pay.

Here's the deal: I owned a Strat Plus for years, same wine-red color, rosewood fingerboard. To my ears it just sounded sort of dull, even with those Lace Sensors. So one day I took it in and played it against the Mexicans, the Americans and the Deluxe Americans (vintage noiseless pickups). The Mexican's sound was brighter and had more character. So I traded DOWN. Kept my mother of toilet seat pickguard for the Mexican model. The tone is more alive, and the finish is even deeper. It doesn't stay in tune as well as the Plus model, and I miss the Sperzel locking tuners.
The bridge pickup IS somewhat bright. But for the most part I don't use this guitar for hard rock stuff, so I don't really use that pickup. I DO use the bridge/mid position A LOT, and it's wonderful, clean or overdriven. To my ears this guitar sounds more like the classic Strat sound. I may someday put nicer, vintage pickups in, at least in the bridge position. It is brittle, like people say elsewhere in here. But the other positions are great.

This was all fine. Came with 009's, and I use 010's. One great comment: my neck came with a beautiful birdseye maple, very pretty. I was totally impressed by this. The finish is just as lovely as it was on my Strat Plus. The wine red finish just rules. I wouldn't want any other color.

Great.

No experience.

This is, no question, the best value in guitars. The price/quality ratio is fantastic. Plus, if you're interested, you can upgrade pickups, some hardware, and you have a sweet, personalize custom shop Strat at way under $1000.

50th anneversary model (1996) Made in Japan. 21 frets, 1 vol. 2 tone controls w/ 3 single coils. Typical standard strat layout. Standard tremolo and a rosewooed fretboard. I give it a 7 since it is pretty much the most basic Strat (besides a squier) you can get.

I bought this guitar new 3 years ago, primarily because I am left handed and it is hard to find left-handed guitars in this area. I didn't get a chance to try it out first because I had to order it, which was a mistake. I played mostly hard rock at the time and was using a Fender Champ 25 12" w/ tube distortion. I was really dissapointed about the low quality of the pickups. They sound sharp and twangy, and the noise is unbelievable. I don't play it anymore, but if I keep this guitar, the pickups will definitely need to be changed.

When I got the guitar, it was set up terrible. 2 of the pickups are crooked because the holes are misaligned. The finish is good though. For the price paid though, I would've expected a more quality job in manufacturing it.

The guitar seems pretty reliable. Only problem I have with it in this category is the non-locking tremolo will cause it to go out of tune almost right away when using the whammy bar.

Never dealt w/ Fender, and as far as I'm concerned I never will.

I have been playing guitar for 7 years, and in my opinion, it wasn't even close to worth the money I spent on it. Fender does have some good strats, but the economy models seem to be very cheaply made and way overpriced. If this guitar was stolen, I wouldn't buy another one. Over all, the sound quality is very poor, and without decent sound you aren't left with much. At least I learned that it is always important to check out an insturment before you pay for it.

Everybody pretty much knows what comes standard on these Mex Strats, so I won't go into it...I replaced the pu's before even taking it out of the store with Texas Specials...I get a very nice SRV tone with it through a Marshall Bluesbreaker combo. Blocked the trem (never get a non-trem strat, the tone is so much better with the trem cavity) It's a beautiful Hendrix-y white, so I added a tortoise shell pickguard which gives it a nice '70s P-Bass look...rosewood fretboard as well

Has a beautiful sound through a good tube...it would suck if you kept the original shitty pu's though...i like blues tones and this delivers

The guitar was well set up by the tech at the store, because I changed pu's it was setup again...no major body flaws or neck problems

I see no reason why it wouldn't...the standard string breakage problems would be there, but I trust it a lot more than my Les Paul.

NO IDEA

I've been playing about 8 years, I also own a '72 Les Paul, a American Standard Strat, and 4 acoustics of various worth (shitty to Martin) I wouldn't play this guitar through anything but a tube, strats are too thin through solid states...If it were stolen, I would get one exactly like it.

This is a standard Fender Mexi-Strat, manufactured in 1998. Brown Sunburst finish, rosewood fretboard, no whistles or bells as it was purchased. This is a project guitar, which I bought to modify to suit my persoanl tastes. So, the rating is for the stock instrument. Plenty of features for the price, but nothing noteworty.

The stock sound was thin and weak. I purchased this particular guitar because of the fine finish and the qualty of the woodwork. I've replaced the stock pups with a Torres Engineering "Bluescaster" wiring harness and Van Zandt Blue Strat pickups. Now, this thang sangs, boys! Played through a variety of mid-powered (20-40 watt) tube amps, this cheap lil' Strat sounds like something out of the custom shop. My original intention was to make this a back up guitar, but it sounds so damn good that it's my main axe now. Shimmering, chimey highs. Clean, strong, throaty lows. MUCH improved sustain. Who says you've gotta have a set-neck? My rating is for the modified guitar. For my style of Chicago blues and blues-based rock, it fits like a glove.

The entire reason I purchased this particular guitar was the quality of the woodwork, the nice grain, and the beautiful finish. Fender's Mexi-Strats represent what I feel is the best value available in solid body guitars today. They scrimp on the electronics and a little on the hardware to keep the prices low. The woodwork done in Mexico is every bit as good as, if not better than, the woodwork on the American standards. But it's easy enough to modify these things, if you're so inclined. From what I've seen, most of the Ensenada Strats are well made, but you really should take a look at a few before choosing yours. As it came to me, the setup was decent, just a few minor tweaks to string height were needed. One of the first things I did was to block the tremelo (I don't need no stinkin' tremelo!) I also changed the pickguard to a Tortoiseshell. I've already mentioned the mods to the pickups and wiring. Now this thing not only sings like the Tabernacle Choir, but it's as purty as Bridget Fonda in a bikini, boys.

As we all know, Strats are a sturdy breed. Road tested and loved by guitarists all over the world for more than 40 years now. I've owned this one for less than a year, and I have complete confidence that it will hold up well. It's not stock, but the hardware hasn't been tinkered with and has operated flawlessly.

I've never had to deal directly with Fender concerning a guitar. The only contact I've had was to ask for info on a spec sheet for a vintage amp, and they responded well.

In addition to this Strat, I have a Nashville Tele, an Ovation acoustic - electric, and an Americam Standard Jazz bass. I own a variety of tube amps - mostly Fenders. I suppose you could say that I'm somewhat of a Fender gearhead. My overall rating for this particular strat is a reflection on its adaptability. A few fairly easy modifications transformed this thing from a ho-hum into a powerhouse. Is there anything I wish it had? Yep - a neck from a '62 custom shop reissue. But for the price, this baby is a super value.

Made in Mexico in 1998 or 1999. Not known to me for now. It is a Arctic-white poplar body with maple neck and fretboard. 21 medium frets, which is disappointing because even a Squier had 22! The rest are the same old Stratocaster stew. 3 single-coil pickups, floating bridge with 6-point tremolo. Includes manual and 2 allen keys.

Sounds abnormally good for a Mexican-made Strat. Not as noisy as anticipated, especially for the bridge pickup. However, the bridge pickup sounds glassy when used alone. Positions 1,2,4 are the most useful. You can get a Telecaster "twang" at the 4th position. The tone is okay, but they need to be constantly above 5. If lowered under 5 they sound very muddy. It is very vesatile - just what the Strats are made for! It sounds quite warm even with my home practice amp. I've got high hopes for it when I get my new tube combo...
But one big problem... VERY bassy when you use the neck pickup! Don't try the 1st position when gigging! I will definitely turn your crowd off.

Ah this is the part I like... Very good finish and painting... Even though the pickup height and intonation sucked... spent around 1 hour setting them to my preference... The finish is just so nice, man! You can't beat that for a Mexican-made!

I will assume that it can take beating, but I have seen Strats being abused and damaged beyond repair. The good advice is: Even though your gear is built for wear, TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM! To me my gear is the lifeline of my music career, so I NEVER ABUSE THEM!

Never dealt with Fender, but the guy who sold me the axe is really good. He kicked my bad impression of salespersons!

Good axe for a young and adventurous guitarist like me. I have been a Christian guitarist for a while, and this Strat cannot be beaten man! I have hopes for it, even though I will change the pickups soon. They simply are too unsatisfying... Lace sensors or Seymuer Duncan for me!

'99 made in Mexico Strat. 21 frets, poplar body, rosewood fretboard, brown sunburst finish(an upcharge-I would've bought almost any color in this series, but this was the best of the lot), typical strat features - everything I was looking for in a strat so it gets a 10.

I use this guitar for the classic strat sounds and it delivers these well. I run it either straight into my Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb or through effects pedals first(TS9Dx and/or Boss Me30). It sounds *great* through my amp - tons of bass, yet it's very bright too. It gets the quack on the in btw positions and really sings on the neck plus it has that kind of woody pluck sound in all positions. The bridge is quite bright though but that's to be expected. The Neck/middle position offers a real bell-like tone that sounds gorgeous with the tremolo and the mid/Bridge position sounds like an old telecaster. Now I compared this particular model with at least a half dozen other standards and this was the best. It played great, it stayed in tune, the neck was tight in the pocket, etc. I also compared it to a 50's mexican made (cost qiute a bit more), about three or four American Standards (2X as much $), a custom shop 54 reissue($1500+), and an American deluxe with Vintage noiseless pickups. I really wanted to make sure that it was the best for the money -- BOY WAS IT! I'm not a stratoholic but I do like the sound a lot and so I wanted to have one to cover that territory(I play a lot of different styles). Now I won't say there was no diffrence btw the high end strats and this one, I just didn't notice a big enough difference to justify the expense given my needs. One other thing- call me crazy, but the single coils on this thing just don't emit much noise - even at performance levels! I guess that's an unexpected perk.

I don't know if I played the guitar as set up at the factory or if the store I got it at had done some set up work. Judging by the some of the other ones I played, it must be this way from the factory. Like I said it was set up like I like it. Since I got it, I've noticed some sort of a ghost note that the g string gives off when unplugged but I haven't noticed it when amplified. It comes set up w/.09's but I'm gonna have .10's put on it and have a guitar tech go over everything to insure proper playing. It does have a bit of tendency to go out of tune and sometimes, when bending a string, you can hear the "clink" of a string slipping on something. But overall, one should expect to have a guitar set up after purchasing a mass produced one, and so I think for the money, it's a great guitar.

Once it's set up right with the tens and I get the few bugs worked out by the tech, I see no reason why this guitar won't last. As far as playing w/o a backup, this is just one of my guitars so I'll most likely have a backup w/me. But I can see this being a main gigging guitar for the strat sounds - just remember: strings break.

I've been playing for twenty plus years and my other main electric is a Heritage 535(handmade in Kalamazoo, MI by former Gibson guys at the old Gibson factory - KILLER GUITAR). If this guitar were stolen or lost, I'd be pretty pissed and then I'd go in search of another because for the money,(and for more!) this guitar can't be beat!!!! If you want a strat go hunt one of these guys down, you won't be disappointed. The quality does vary between them though, so compare and be picky.

I have two of them. One was built in 1994 and the other was made in 1995. Both are made in Mexico and they have three single coil pickups, five-position switches, 21 frets, maple fretboards, and white pickguards. One is painted Arctic White and the other is Lake Placid Blue. I will simply identify each guitar by its colour. Overall, they look convincing enough to be the real thing, but sometimes I feel inclined to call them 'copies' because some purists out there might say a Stratocaster is not a Stratocaster if it isn't made in the good ol' U.S.A. You also get what you pay for, and they aren't quite as well built as an American Standard Strat. But on a more serious note, whenever I play these guitars I often ask myself "Where the hell was this stuff when I started playing guitar?" Twenty-five years ago there was no so thing as beginner or intermediate model Fender Stratocaster.

I must admit, I'm caught in a narrow time warp when it comes to music. I like the heavy rock of the early 1970s, and Les Pauls, Strats, and Marshall stacks make up a good chunk of the sound I hear on all my favourite records. Each guitar is set up for a particular musical mood. I've modified both of them, but even with the stock pickups each guitar has its own distinct character. No two guitars are the same. The blue one is a little heavier and has a bright ringing sustain to it, and I especially like to use it for rhythm playing. The white one has a bit of a flat response, and I find it much better for soloing. As for the modifications, they are nothing major. The blue guitar has American Standard pickups and electronics in it while the white one has the stock pickups in the bass and middle positions and a slightly warmer sounding single coil pickup in the lead position. These guitars are ideal if you want to experiment with different pickups and electronics. I wouldn't pull apart a more expensive instrument just to modify the tone slightly. I don't use any effects other than amp distortion when I play, and I have no complaints about the sound of either guitar.

When I bought the white one I had at least a half dozen Strats to choose from, and I picked this particular guitar because it was the only one that was set up to my liking. The action was just low enough not to cause any significant fret buzz and the bridge was pulled back for non-vibrato use. I never did like vibrato arms on guitars. About the only thing I didn't like about the white guitar was that the neck slot was poorly routed, leaving a bit of a gap on either side of the heel of the neck. The blue guitar is a different story. It played like a pig when I got it, and I can't lower the action too much or the G string will buzz like crazy. I'm not too worried about it because I don't plan on playing like Carlos Santana on this guitar. The finishes on both guitars are beautiful, and for low-end instruments I was quite impressed. Not bad at all.

I'm not sure how well either guitar would hold up in an actual working band situation. The blue one feels like its more solidly built, so I suppose I could use it live. On the other hand, the white one feels a whole lot funkier. As for using either guitar without a backup, yeah I could get away with it. What else would I have for a backup but another Mexican Strat?

I've had nothing wrong with either guitar, so I really couldn't say.

Overall I would say that the Standard Stratocaster is a good buy. For four hundred bucks I can't complain. However, as I mentioned before no two guitars are the same, and the two that I have feel and play differently. The only thing I wish these guitars had were different pickup options somewhat like the American models. Perhaps Fender can introduce a slightly more expensive model with Lace Sensor pickups or something like that. I've owned several guitars over the years and this particular model of guitar is one of the better ones I've played. The only guitar it doesn't beat is a late 1970s Gibson Les Paul Standard that (like an idiot) I traded to my brother fifteen years ago. But I suppose comparing Gibsons and Fenders is like comparing apples and oranges. In closing I thought I would mention that appearance isn't everything when buying a guitar. When I bought the white guitar I had a choice of six different colours, and instead of picking my favourite colour (which happens to be blue)I picked the guitar that felt the most comfortable in my hands. I eventually got the blue one too, but it took some work to get it happening. Let the buyer beware.

1999 Model Made in Mexico. 21 Frets. 3 Stock single coil pickups. 5 way Select Switch. 2 Tone, 1 Volume controls. Tremelo arm. Poplar Body. Maple Neck. Vintage Sunburst Finish. White pickguard. Non-locking tuners. Fender standard hardshell case.

I own 3 other electric guitars with humbuckler pickups, and picked this guitar up because it has a brighter sound wich I prefer at times. There is little noise from this guitar- a slight hum when played at very high volumes. The sound is very bright, and by tweaking the knobs can produce a wide variety of sounds. But the guitar's tone overall seems thin. This is acceptable to me because all my other guitars' tones are fat. I like the guitar's brightness and dislike the lightweightedness. I also own an Ephiphone Fat T-310 (telecaster copy) and it weighs almost twice as much as the Fender Strat. It even weighs more than the original Fender Tele. When I pick up the strat it almost feels like a toy in comparison.

Before I bought this guitar I played it in the store through a Fender Deluxe 112 Plus Amp. The Guitar was set up correctly and had no visible flaws in hardware. A minor production flaw on the strap button's felt being off center. The wood was somewhat grainy so its visual effects were flawed, but did not effect the playability or sound of the guitar. I've had the guitar for a week now and it still has not gone out of tune.

In my opinion the neck of this guitar will probably not last long. It has a flat finish and also seems very lightweight. The finish should hold up well, but I may need to clean it more often than I am used to cleaning guitars. Time will tell just how good this guitar holds up.

I don't like how Fender does not let their distributors publish prices on the web.

I bought this guitar as a backup to what I already own. I do not recommend this guitar for a professional musicians main instrument, but as an inexpensive way to have a backup guitar. I was originally out to get an American Stratocaster but I did not see that the American Stratocaster was twice as good as the Standard-It was twice the price. With the money I saved I bought a Fender Deluxe 112 Plus Amp and a hardshell case.

I believe this guitar was made In '98 in Mexico. This paticular guitar has 21 frets. The controls, and pickups are basic strat controls 1 volume,and 2 tone and 3 single coils. The pickups are stock(at least for now). It has a maple neck and I think it hs a rosewood fretboard. It has non-locking fender tuners. It came with a soft case, a strap, a tuner, and a cable.

I play classic rock and blues, and I'd like to play jazz, and it suits me pretty well though it doesn't have a very good jazz tone but it can gt by. I play it through a Crate GFX-30 with no effects but I plan to get some.I like to play Hendrix,Led Zeppelin,Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Cream so most of the time I'm happy with tone. It's a quite noisy guitar(at least to me) I play mostly on the single coils so the gain can't really go past 4 or 4 1/2 or it gets annoying to me. I don't really like the hum and I'd like to get more of a lower end out of it but I can live with it.

The action seemed good but I messed it up so I'm trying to fix it to where I like it. I've move d the pickup around a bit from as close as possible to in the pickgaurd, but now I have it to just a little higher than how I got it. There are no flaws I did'nt put there(like dings and chips in the body and head). I've had to tighten tuning heads quite a lot but that's all.

This guitar is great as far as durability I think it could handle live playing. Everything looks like it will last except maybe the frets which are kind of worn.

I've been playing this for about 7 months now, I also own an Epiphone Acoustic PR-100. I probably sould have asked if they'd go any lower. I'd buy another in an instant if it were stolen, lost, or broken. I love the sound, the feel, and the range. I hate the hum from those stock single coils, and lack of sheilding. It was the on;y guitar there I wanted but even if there were others this would win. I wish it had sheilding or quieter pickups. I just really love this guitar I'm probably going to get it sheilded, eventually put new pickups in, get the bridge to hold in tune better with dive bombing from the tremolo arm, new tuning head (mot of this is probably just dreaming), and when the time comes I'll get it re-fretted. But in spite of problems I love this guitar. by the way my real rating is 7.25 but tey don't have that. Also I love this guitar.

A '99 Mexican Strat. You probably know the features of a strat. Let me just mention that the finish is sunburst, and it is absolutely gorgeous. The Mars music center had 3 or 4 mexican sunburst strats, and this one had the best finish and sounded the best unplugged. I will talk about this more later. Other than that, it has a pale maple neck w/ maple fretboard. (I highly recommend maple fretboard. It is what distinguishes the strat from all other guitars.) It came with just the whammy bar and warranty. NOT EVEN A GIG BAG! I suggest that you not go to Mars for your equipment. Their salespeople know dick and suck at giving incentives. (I did manage to weasel a cable out of the salesman.) Go to Guitar Center or your local shop instead. The strat by itself for the price should get a 10. But Mars sucks so this category is an 8.

My style is blues, classic rock, and modern rock. I have also been known to venture into jazz, metal, and punk. This guitar is well suited for all of these and more. Unplugged, the sound is incredible. Even if you don't use a whammy bar, get the tremelo equipped strat, because the cavity in the guitar with the springs in it gives the guitar a REVERB like sound. It is incredible, and relatively loud sounding. I picked the guitar that sounded the best unplugged; because electronics can be changed very easily to alter the sound but a good acoustic sound is cannot be replaced. As for the stock pickups, I don't like them very much. The neck and middle are pretty decent but the bridge is terrible. Very shrill and trebly. It could just be my amp (which is a piece of shit) so I'm replacing it. If I still don't like the sound I will replace my p.u.'s, hopefully w/ Texas Specials. Unplugged sound is beautiful, that gets a 10. As of right now, the plugged in sound gets a 5 or 6. We'll see how it shapes up later.

The factory setup was perfect for me as far as action goes. Some might consider it high, but I have been playing acoustic for 4 years and I am used to that kind of action. As for the pickup height, I'm not sure what constitutes a good setup. I do know that the sound of all 3 pu's is balanced tone and volume wise. The finish is very nice, with some of the wood grain showing through. There are some strange marks on the back of the guitar. Although the finish is smooth it appears that there are some dents and dimples in the wood. Could Fender have dented the back of the guitar and covered it with varnish? For this price, I say yes. All the controls are great. The knobs actually turn more smoothly than those on my friend's American Deluxe Strat.

I would easily use this on a gig without a backup, IF I WAS CERTAIN THAT NO STRINGS WOULD BREAK. Since this is a floating bridge, one broken string would throw the whole thing out of tune. So I will always bring my trusty acoustic/electric. (I am hoping to get an ES-335 style guitar for a graduation present. This would eliminate the string breakage problem and also give me a different sound. I have been eyeing the Epiphone Casino very seriously.) As long as tuning is an issue. This thing seems to have a problem staying in tune. While playing leads, a string bend will move the bridge and throw the other strings out of tune. Also extensive whammy bar use will make the strings shift in their vintage-style saddles and plastic nut. Possible fixes- Add 2 more springs to tremelo cavity for added stability. Replace nut with smoother graphite or ball-bearing nut. Replace saddles with more secure string holders.

Its a five year warranty, parts and labor. I don't expect any trouble. Fenders are rock-solid.

As many people have been saying, this guitar is solid bedrock to make a great custom guitar. Don't necessarily listen to all the hype of the elitists. The new guitars coming out of the Mexican factory are of great quality. They are easily upgradeable and they are an inexpensive way to make your dream guitar. Case in point: My friend bought a Mexican Strat $250, used with a nice Fender hard case. He added a new black pearl pickguard with new Seymour Duncan pickups, including a single-spaced humbucker at the bridge. He put in new saddles and blocked the tremelo. Final cost: strat & hardcase $250 plus about $200 in upgrades. That is a custom Mexi-strat with a hardcase and quality easily comparable to an American for about $300 less. The choice is simple.

dont wanna repeat it all.

i play stuff like korn, deftones, sevendust, system of a down, etc.. it works well with this kind of music, can play mellower stuff like smashing pumpkins too (even though they suck).. The pickups are average, a bit noisy... Im putting on Dimarzio's and Duncans in a month or so... playing with the clean channel is very thin until you crank the volume, which sucks if you wanna play at a lower level. i use a crybaby wah and boss flanger bf-2, they both sound great with this guitar... pretty good for $250

the action is pretty good, nice and medium to high. i got it in an awesome finish, wine red i think. nice high quality design, for the price. its a lightweight, comfortable guitar, feels nice when playing.

you could play this guitar live, definitly.. the hardware is very good, long lasting. the finish isn't cheap at all - strats have good finishes. i wouldnt use only one guitar, id take 2 or 3...

its good as a first guitar. its my first, it fits me well. if it were stolen, id probably upgrade to a different strat or ibanez, probably around 500 bucks. this is much better than other guitars in its price range, like the epiphone special 2, and ibanez gax70.. not bad at all for the price, although they coulda gave it some better pickups (what do you expect for $250 anyway?)... seriously good with mod's and crap like that

This guitar is a '95 Mexican made Strat with the basics: maple neck with 21 fret maple fretboard, bolt-on neck, 3 single coil pick ups, 1 volume/2 tone knobs, 5 way switch, etc. The finish is an amazing metallic blue that was flawless even though I bought the guitar used.

I play stuff like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, etc. and this Strat works pretty well. I play through a Peavey Blazer 158 and a Korg effects processor. The guitar can do some cool stuff with effects or straight through the amp, but the pickups are very noisy especially through lead or distorted channels. I would rate the sound much higher if the noise problem could be solved. I'm thinking about getting 2 Gold Lace Sensors and a Seymour Duncan hot rail to add a little more variety and less noise.

I'm guessing the guitar was pretty much the same as when it left the factory because the plastic pickguard cover was not peeled off. I changed the discolored pickguard so it looks as good as new. Besides this, the guitar was flawless when I bought it. The neck was barely played and the metallic and very kick @$$ blue paint didn't have a scratch. The action was perfect, making this a very easy to play guitar.

I feel this guitar will last forever. Even after dropping the guitar once or twice, the paint did not chip or dent. The guitar stays in tune pretty well. Also, I think the strap buttons will last longer than my strap will. I would depend on this guitar if necessary.

It's been problem-free, so I've never dealt with Fender.

I've been playing for over a year and this is the best of the four guitars that i've owned. I currently have a cheap and suprisingly good Vantage acoustic, but I've previously owned some cheap Westone metal-head guitar and a Peavey Raptor. Both of these electrics can't come close to my Fender. If this guitar were stolen, I would hunt down the culprit and kick the snot out of him. I'd definitely buy this guitar again, preferably in the same cool color. I'd recommend this guitar to anyone who has the money to put in some Lace Sensors.

Standard Strat - 3 Single Coil Pickups, rosewood fretboard, standard bridge, standard everything, made in mexico, Midnight Wine Colored...around 20+ frets, like i said, just a standard strat...(like it matters if it has 21 or 22 frets, how many people go up that high? and if they do, how many of them are just plain crazy?)...came in strat pack (15w amp, nylon strap, picks, set of strings, tuner...all the stuff you need to start out) it's a standard strat...need i say more?

single coils sound good, lil noisy, but good...don't like lots of low end, and i can't stand humbuckers, i use the 2&3 pickup combination with the high dialed up and the low dialed down to cancel the noise and go to the 3rd for sparkling tones like surf or for chords that just need that "shimmer"...get most sounds if you want to take the time and adjust your eq (GASP!)...great guitar except for the noise...wanting to put some Dimarzio virtual vintage pickups in it to cancel the hum in the bridge position...if not for the hum, it would be a 10

action was as low as you could possibly get, absolutely perfect for me...no string buzz, except now that summer has hit, it gets a little when the temperature rises, but that's to be expected, these things are wood, y'know? finished in midnight wine (a beautiful, deep red) no imperfections in the paint. i baby this thing and it doesn't have a mark on it...the neck fits perfectly into my hand and plays great...love this guitar....

i've never played live...i changed the tuning heads to schaller locking and put in an LSR roller nut to help with tuning problems...changed the strap buttons to strap locks right away...banged the thing into a few things and it hasn't shown yet...i guess i would use it in a gig w/out a backup for the simple reason that i can't afford another guitar at the moment...looks brand new after a year of playing...

i've had 3 strats, the 1st one i got in the strat pack, it was black...i didn't want black...the store let me use it until they got the red one in...i traded the black one in a week later and got my red one...it had a faulty pickup, and they replaced it with no problem...then the strap on the gig bag broke and it came crashing down...cracked the paint...ugh...the store called up fender and they sent me a brand new one...perty darn cool...

i've been playing for 1 1/2 years now and i've never picked up another guitar that is this comfortable...it is a good guitar for the money and i'll never part with it...i need to block up the trem because i never use it anyway...if it was stolen, i would cry and hit stuff repeatedly and then go and sell my body to buy a new one just like it, which would be a bitch because of all the customizing i've done to it and the fact that i have no money...great guitar...i'll keep it for life...and during life i'm gonna change them damn pickups...great sound, but they're too noisy...

This guitar gets a high rating in this category because it has been extensively modified. Anyone familiar with a strat knows the list of standard features. These guitars are cheaply made, which is what you would expect for the price. The bonus is that you can use it as a base for modifications. My guitar was modified by Bill Callaham of Callahan Vintage Guitars and Amps. He put in a set of Lindy Fralin pickups, a replacement vintage tremelo block (more on this latter), a base plate to fatten the tone of the bridge pickup and a pickup blender pot. The blender pot allows me to get 7 sounds instead of 5. Bill uses the second tone control to add the neck/bridge and all 3 pickup selections. He converted the first tone pot below the volume pot to master tone (including tone on the bridge pickup). When the blender pot is on "10", you get the normal strat pickup selections. Roll the blender pot to "0" and you get the two additional configurations. Otherwise the guitar has a sunburst finish and a rosewood neck.

It is amazing what some tweaking can do to improve tone. In its present configuration I get alot of compliments on this guitar such as "I have never heard a mexican strat sound this good". Without the mod's, I would rate this guitar soundwise in the 5 range and that is not bad for a guitar at this price. With the Fralin vintage hot pickups, it fits in great for playing blues and classic rock styles. These pickups have alot of character and pickup up every nuance in your technique. I have an SF Princeton Reverb and this guitar sounds great through it. I set the volume on 5 to 6 so that it breaks and then adjust the volume on my guitar to go from clean to gritty. The tremelo block that was put in is sold by Bill Callaham as an exact vintage replacement using the correct steel alloy. All I know is that it works for me. My guitar originally came with a pot metal block. This vintage replacement immediately improved the sustain and made the guitar much more acoustically alive. If you own this type of guitar, you may want to budget for this upgrade. I feel that I have tonal variety and richness of sound that is hard to find on guitars costing two to three times as much counting base price plus the cost of upgrades.

The factory setup was lousy. I had it professionally setup and that made it much more playable. I unpacked the guitar from its factory packaging, since I got it on sale, and noticed that the pickguard was not cut tightly around the neck pocket. This should have been caught by the quality control inspectors. Other than that. it arrived in good shape. The tuners work well and there were no other flaws.

The pickup selector switch died on this baby in pretty short order. It was cheap. I had a quality switch put in as a replacement and have had no problems since. You get what you pay for. Lets face it, strats will take alot of abuse and this guitar can be a workhorse but don't gig without a backup.

I understand from other reviews on HC that fender is hard to deal with on warranty issues.

I also own a Lone Star strat (loaded with a Callaham replacement tremelo block), JD Tele and a Callaham S-Type (look for my upcoming review on this baby!). I play through a SF Princeton Reverb, Hot Rod Deluxe and a Mesa Subway Blues. I used to gig regularly in my late teens to mid twenties and then stopped for about ten years while going to school etc. I took up guitar playing again as a hobby and have not looked back since. What's better than making music with your friends. Anyway, buy this guitar as a first electric (I did but boy do I wish I kept my '57 Les Paul TV Model that I had twenty years ago - OUCH!) or as a second guitar to modify to your hearts content. I would take this guitar anywhere. If it was lost or stolen I would buy another and just hope that Bill Callaham would have time to take from his busy schedule to work his magic on it again

It was made in Mexico in 1997, poplar body (strat style), 1 piece maple neck, 21 frets, 3 unknown single coil pickups, 1 volume and 2 tone controls (standard),white 3 ply pick guard, vintage tremelo bridge, 6 sealed Fender tuners and finished in lake placid blue colour. There was no gig bag or case included and I paid 345 UK pounds for it.

For me the sound of this guitar is rather too thin and sharp especially in the bridge position the sound is rather too damn sharp even when I turn the tone of the amp down to 0. The neck and the middle pickups sound rather bluesy and muddy. I think it's too muddy and pretty useless. To conclude it this guitar is mainly give out the treble sound with very little bass sound and the overall sounds are thin with a lot of noises as well. Frankly speaking I really think that it's a waste of money to buy this guitar after a year of having it I ended up changing almost all the hardwares in this guitar. The pickups were changed to be a single EMG 85 humbucker and it sounds better and quieter but still thin anyway I think it's because of the poplar body (It has been made from many pieces of poplar with 2 alder veneer at the front and the back. I used to try my EMG on my friend's modified USA strat which has got an alder body and it sounds far far better than this shitty guitar I got.

What make me buy this guitar was its neck and that's all. I was still very new when I bought it. I didn't know what the good sounding guitar was like, so I chose the guitar which suits my hand best under a certain budget which was this one. The action was set quite low when I bought it and it was all right to play on. The other worst thing about this guitar is its finish. yeah, it looks glossy and well finished but if u look at it closely the paint is at least 1 or 2 mm. thick I mean it's really thick which is not a sign for good guitar at all. It's just like when u got a piece of shit and u cover it sup with a really really thick paint til u don't know that it's shit. I think it's really disappointing. The weight of this guitar is also really heavy u can compare it to a LesPaul easily and it just hurts yr shoulder when u strap it on. I also changed the bridge saddles to be the graphtech's one the set which came with the guitar just ate strings!!! (crap) but the graphtech saddles never break any strings after I changed them good stuff!!!

yea!! it's reliable when I have changed all the hardwares and pickups not with the standard stuff they are just a bunch of rubbish. I used it live when it was modified already and it was ok, but before it was modified I had to have at least 2 high E strings in my gig bag for spares. I think the finish is gonna last long because it's damn thick it's upto people to think whether they want a "good guitar" or a crap guitar which has got a long lasting finish. I think if I got some money I 'll just throw away it's old body and buy a new decent one it's not really worth keep it at all.....

I bought it from a shop in England for #345 pounds which was really expersive. I think this same guitar will cost less that half the price I bought in USA. It didn't even have a tremelo bar included when I bought it, I had to buy it separate and it was annoying. There was a kind of "1 year warranty" for it from the shop but when I went to the shop, people there just said "no, there is nothing we can do about it" and that was so f**king helpful.

I don't know what other people think about this guitar, but if people come and ask me that "I'm gonna buy a Mexican standard strat, what do u think?" I'll just say to them "if u don't get it free or found it in the bin somewhere, just don't get it it's crap!!" and one more thing I learned was "never buy guitar in UK u will be ripped off!!" I think for the same price I can buy 2 or 3 of the same guitar in America, so what else can u call the UK price ???? Now the price has fallen down to 2 hundred something pounds, but u can still get 2 identical guitars in USA anyway!!!!!!

It's a Japanese stratocaster, in Candy Apple Red. Just a standard stratocaster that's been a little customized. Now, it features a top lock and extra heavy tremmolo. With that, I can bend the hell out of it, but it won't de-tune. I also put some active EMG-pick's in it. EMG, to me, stands for a defininte killer-sound.

I play everything from Rock to Metal. The guitar handles it pretty well. A stratocaster should be able to pull through in any style! With the EMG-picks in it, it sounds great to me!

After I customized it, it sounded much better than the standard factory set-up. But the original Fender Strat tone and feel are still here!

Never died on me or anything. The paint-work isn't as durable as I thought. The color to fix it is hard to come by. Candy Apple Red isn't available in the Netherlands...

Poplar body; Maple neck and fingerboard; moderately wide neck; medium thickness; small, fairly thin frets; made in Mexico; I bought it used, and the guy who had it before put a Dimarzio humbucker in the bridge, a Dimarzio rail in the neck, and an EMG select in the middle along with two coil taps. I've removed those and put in some Dimarzio Virtual Vintage pickups and Graphtech String Saddles. A great guitar for modifications. I haven't had to replace the tuners or the nut, they seem pretty sturdy, which is surprising for the price range.

I can't speak for the stock sound, but it sounds great with the Dimarzio pickups. The guitar itself resonates very well. I often play it unplugged just because it sounds so good that way. Very lively and very wonderful for a guitar in its price range.

When I got the guitar it had 8's on it, or at least it felt that way. I had 10-52 gauge strings put on, and the action raised, which made a world of difference. It plays wonderfully! I can't find any real flaws on the guitar. The paint job is great, and a very pretty blood red. I can see the area where the two pieces of wood which make up the body join, but that's a minor complaint.

This thing will last. I've dropped it a couple of times, and it hasn't even chipped the paint. I'd gig with only that guitar on any night. Very dependable

Haven't had to call, haven't had any problems.

I own one other cheap, modified guitar, but I have access to a lot of other guitars through friends, and I play a lot of guitars at music stores. This Strat is great. I'm always getting comments from friends about what a great guitar it is. The only guitars which compare in the price range are the new Danolectros. This is a great guitar to buy and then mod to fit your needs.

I have a 1998 Fender Standard Stratocaster. 3 single coils, 5 way switching, 21 frets, and a poplar body. I personally have a rosewood neck

The guitar sounds nice for the price. I play modern rock music and run my guitar with a Frontman amp. The single coils provide enough "noise" to suit me. The sound is full and rich but can also be crisp.

The guitar is well built. The finish is perfect with no flaws. The pickups are what I expected and nothing is wrong.

This guitar could easily be used for a gig without a backup. Its sturdy body is solid as a rock. Unfortunately, it weighs like a rock and can be uncomfortable, so I'm just lucky the strap buttons are strong.

Never got it repaired. Mine has a 5 year warranty.

I've been playing for quite a while. I also own a Boss XT-2 Xtortion pedal which works well with the strat. The guitar is not a bad purchase for the price, but isn't fancy. If it got stolen I'd be very upset, but instead of buying another, I'd purchase a Danelectro U-3 or a Fender California Stratocaster because they are lighter in weight. Overall, the guitar is a great buy for the money but if you can afford better, pay the extra. Its worth it.

1998 Mexican standard Strat, 21 fret, Solid top, 1 volume, 2 tone 5-way selector. Three single coil pickups. Candy apple red color, Tremelo. Basic strat features Great for $279

I play a lot of Aerosmith and it suits it perfecly, it sound almost identicle to Joe Perry's Les Paul on recordings. I use a Polytone Tiny Brute 2 amp and a Marshall VS. There is minimal feedback and not very noisy at all. The sound is nice and bright, and all effects and genre types sound great, from Metallica to Jewel. This is just as good as the American Standards I have played that cost up to 5 times as much

The guitar was setup perfectly from the factory. I have not needed to make any changes to the guitar. The pickups are greatly positioned as well. The pickup selector doesnt even make a noise when m,aking selections. Great

The guitar has withstood live performances, and the hardware seems forever young. The finish is Mexican so it has more lead in the paint which means it will last longer without fading slightly. The strap buttons are solid, but strap locks are needed. This guitars is as reliable as an old baseball glove. This is the only guitar that i have used without a backup because it is very hard to break strings on it because of the low amount of pressure put on them. But a backup is always nice to have

Never called but it does have a limited lifetime warranty.

Ive been playing for 3 years and this is the best guitar I could find at the store, I tried the Strats American, Jap, and Mexican, the Les Pauls, and of course the Ibanez's, and this Mexican made guitar was the best for me. I love everything about this guitar.I would buy this guitar a hundred times over then I'd Relize Joe Perry has a signature guitar. I do wish however it did have a string lock for the tremelo. Yet everything is great. And ill give it a 9 overall because it is Mexican, but if it were American it would get a 5 because The Mexican one was Better.

Mexican made 21 frets. 1 volume and 2 tone controls 5 way pickup selector 3 single coil pickups poplar body string-thru-body tremolo non-locking turners great neck mines rosewood, but it comes in maple also

Great sound. Wonderful sound played clean. Great matchbox20 type of sound. Not really impressed with the distorted sound. It's not very puncy enough for me when I play metallica stuff. It may just be my peavey amp though. Overall its sound is pretty goood.

Came from the factory in great condition. Wonderful action. Pickups were ajusted fine. It has a great finish that hasn't scratched easily. Mine's black but it also comes in many other colors.

Very durable guitar that I hope to keep forever. Unlike other guitars I've owened this one has large strap buttons that won't allow the guitar to fall off.

Haven't had to contact Fender yet, but i doubt i will ever have to.

I've owned this guitar for about a year and it is wonderful. I play it through a peavey amp but plan to buy a fender chorus. If it were ever stolen I would either buy a new one or another more expensive strat now that i know how good they are. My favorite feature of this guitar is the tunning machines. They turn really smoothly. The only thing I wished this guitar had that it dosen's already is a dark blue color.

1998 Mexcio. It has 1 volume and 2 tone controls. 21 frets. Rosewood finish.

Plays all kinds of sound. Rock, blues, country you name it. sounds great. Especially with a kick-ass amp.

everything is great. I couldn't think of any flaws!!

This will last a hell of a long time. I dropped it a couple times, and it didn't pick up any damage.

Never talked to them.

This was my first guitar and it helped me a lot. I still use it sometimes. It souds great and feels awesome. Recommended for beginners to advanced players. The price is incredible for the actual guitar. With a good amp, you won't be disappointed.

My Strat is a Mexico one, just a vintage Design, 5way switch, volume knob and 2 tone knobs. It has common pickups, nothing special, but this is the way I like it (why did Hendrix eg. play this guitar!) It is really the one comes to your mind mentioning Stratocaster at all!

I love the blues and try to play it most of my time. Therefor I use my Strat with a Laney VC30 with 12" speaker and a 2*10" box connected. This gives you a great clean sound, fat but sweet.You can generate, using only the pickup switch and the tone knobs, various styles,from vintage to modern blues and jazz. My only FX is a CryBaby, which also is great if you leave it in one position, then the sound becomes really changing! The guitar has the great sound of all the vintage strat, but it is noisy like all these too. I fourtunately could choose my one out of more than fourty Mexico strats, and chose the really best of these. At all, if you know how a strat sounds and you love this sound, this guitar is for you.

The strat was not that great adjusted from factory, but if you do this, it is as playable as any Fender strat. I use 011 strings, and so I need a high bridge, but the sound is so much greater!! At all, the action is not comparable to Paulas or HighGain Strats, it is more like working on the guitar than flying over it, but this I like!

This is a Fender Strat, so I this point answers itself. It is really wonderful, will never need no support and I trust this guitar will be playable many years, using it every day!

Never needed any support and sure never will

This is my greatest guitar although I have a Gibson Custom Paula and a Ibanez Luthie Guitar!! It wasn't expensive, but it is much more worth than I payed! I originally wanted to buy a American Deluxe Strat, but this one was better!
Take this guitar!!!!

A '92 or '93 Mexican Strat. Typical strat hardware and styling. 3 ceraminc single coil pickups. 21 "vintage" frets (in otherwords - thin). Rosewood fretboard. When I bought it all they had was 3 colors: black, red and white with only a rosewood board.

I generally play blues, hard rock and classic rock. Nothing special, just jam with friends in the basement. This guitar is pretty versatile except that the bridge p/up is overly bright. The neck and mid p/up along with notch positions give a pretty typical strat sound. Through light distortion, the neck pickup handles good. The bridge is too shrill except maybe for allman bros type slide. All in all for $300, what more can you ask for a bang around guitar. I play this through a Fender Automatic SE amp and it satisfy's me pretty good now. I have played this through various solid state and tube amps and the sound is basically the same. Although through an old pignose as a preamp, it gets pretty dirty. Considered changing the pickups, but too much out there to make a good guess. I recently got a snarling dogs very-tone pedal and I can coax some pretty decent other sounds out the guitar. I recommend this pedal.

I had the guitar set up for 10's, the tremolo 'blocked', got rid of the whammy bar and set for a mdeium action. More of a nuisance than anything. Although with Fender bullet strings they stay in tune alot better than the D'addarios. I have dropped this guitar and spilled various beverages on it on numerous occasions and it still sounds the same. Minor chip here and there but the neck is incredibly smooth. The guitar itself is pretty light but after rolling around on the floor with a few beers in me, it helps. The controls are pretty noisy. Always crackling when turned. I sprayed wd-40 to loosen up but the crackling returns. I recently looked at a '98 standard strat and the controls were a mess. Very cheap looking with a cheap feel. But since I am only playing as a hobby, it's not too much of a bother.

After dropping it and spilling alcohol and soda all over it, it is pretty good. I don't play live and no interest to, so I cannot say. Although the strap buttons are a little cheesy. Wondering if I should take the p/ups off and soak them in my urine to give them more balls. You never know. It worked for Strativarius' finish. It's pretty dependable instrument but I would never make it my only one if I had to play live.

I called them a few times and they seemed ok. The last time the guy was a little gruff but that's the way it goes with ego inflated over priced companies.

If it were stolen, I'd look into 3 p/u equipped tele's. I like their bridge sound better but love the strat quack. I also like their fixed bridge but aI haven't gotten around to getting one yet. Overall i would recommend this over an American Std strat. It gets the sound and most people don't play straight guitar/amp anymore so, really, who's gonna know. I think people listen and read too much about sound rather than trying to create it for themselves. Be yerself man and make it flow.

Made in Mexico but don't know what year. It has 21 frets, with one volume and two tone controls. Has a 5-way selector and 3 single-coil pickups. Maple neck, maple fretboard, poplar style body. Included a gig bag, strap, cable and whammy bar.

This was my first electric guitar and I found it to be extremely versatile. (For a beginner anyway). I play rock, blues, and jazz mostly and it plays all of them well. I am now using it with a Peavey Triumph 60 tube amp which kicks ass. The guitar has a pretty bright and punchy sound, but can be changed easily with the tone controls and the 5-way selector. (What else would you expect from a strat?) Pickups are kind of noisy though. The sound is also nowhere near that of an American-made Stra,t or any Les Paul for that matter.

The bridge bends back and forth too easily, the pickup selector is a little noisy when using distortion, and the guitar goes out of tune too much. Whammy bar doesn't put it out of tune though. Pickups and everything else are fine.

This guitar belonged to my dad before I started playing, so its about 7 1/2 years old. Since then it has withstood everything without any additional hardware problems. The finish hasn't worn off at all and I think it would withstand any live performance.

Never had to deal with Fender. Don't remember how long the warranty was.

I have only been playing for about a year and until a few months from now, it will be my only electric guitar. If it were stolen I would never buy a guitar this cheap because I'm getting much better. I love the versatility but the sound quality is so-so. Goes out of tune a lot, but, surprisingly, a whammy bar doesn't put it out of tune.

A Mexican Strat built around 1992-93. 22 frets with all the standard Stratocastor features. The guitar came with three single-coil pickups of which I had the bridge pickup replaced last year with a Lace Sensor Humbucking pickup. (Red I think...) Cream body with a maple-neck, it resembles the color scheme of the strat Hendrix played at Woodstock. Fender brand tuners and a real cheeze-whiz bridge. I got the guitar with a hardshell Fender case thrown in for 420 bucks.

I play mainly blues-oriented rock along the lines of Dave Gilmour and Jimmy Page. I also have enough Joe Strummer in me to keep things interesting. ;) This guitar is perfectly suited to the blues that I play. The sound, particularly on the bridge pickup is very bright and has a lot of punch when you kick in the distortion.
I play through a Fender Performer 650 amp with a DOD stereo chorus as my main effect. I stick to a pretty bare-bones sound, prefering medium distortion with a lot of echo and reverb.
The pickup configurations still escape me at times. I have replaced the original single-coil bridge pickup with a Lace Sensor Humbucking pickup, which greatly improved the sound of the guitar. Played clean, the bright tone of the guitar can be a little too tinny around the bridge pickup. I try to stick to the setting just below the neck when I play without distortion. When I'm playing distorted leads, however, it is only the bridge-pickup setting for me. I have to get my money's worth out of that humbucker. ;)
The guitar is noisy as hell, particularly on the neck-pickup position. Before I replaced the single-coil at the bridge, it was also a real hiss-monster. The shielding on this guitar is nonexistent, so there is a lot of snapping when you switch pickup configurations. I've gotten in the habit of leaving that swtich alone when we playing songs with the boys.
Overall, this guitar has a great sound. It was pretty muddy with the original pickups, the the humbucker made a world of difference. Very bright when played clean...nice punch distorted. The sustain is weak, of course, but overall the sound is better than I deserve for the price payed.

The action of the guitar was fine from the factory. The pickups were really cock-eyed, however, slanted heavily towards the thicker strings. This made the guitar sound way too dark. A quick adjustment witha screwdriver corrected this problem, however. The shielding on this instrument must have been non-existent due to the troublesome hiss and pop. The jack for the power-cable has a chronically loose nut that still gives me problems.
The finish on the guitar was fine. Only a small flaw was evident on the back of the guitar near the bolt-on location of the neck. The neck is a really pretty maple...a nice deep color, unlike some of the lighter shades of the newer Mexican strats. After six years, the finish has a few scratches from being dropkicked around college dorm rooms, but has held up great.
All of the tuning pegs have held up fine and the volume knobs and slector switch have given me no problems.

After my initial adjustments, the guitar has been very sturdy. I've dropped it, scratched it, had it chilling in the trunk of my car for days on end...no problems. I've worn down some of the frets now, but it hasn't been too big of a problem. The strap buttons are fine and drops have always been a result of my own clumsiness rather than a strap-malfunction. I'm not a giggin player at the moment, so I have no opinion on that aspect of the guitar.

Never talked to the people at Fender. No need, really.

I've been playing the guitar for six years. This was my first electric and it has grown along with my playing ability. Although it had a lot of small, annoying defects (due to its affordable price) it was a wonderful platform. I've made enough modifications now (with more to come...I need to replace that bridge and some of the the fret wire) that the guitar really sounds nice. Its got the Strat look and (now) has a wonderful voice to suit its legacy.
I've noticed that these Mexi-Strats are unbelievably variable in quality. I have never picked up a recent Strat that has the same weight and sound that my guitar has, however. It has aged well and if it got stolen I would be very upset. For the money, this guitar was a steal. I got VERY lucky because I was extremely inexperienced when I bought this axe. I just grabbed the one that had the right paint-job and plunked down my money. Although i plan on eventually buying some top-of-the-line guitars, this will always be a part of my working inventory.

1998 Mexican made, 21 fret solidbody. 1 volume, 2 tone, 5-way selector, normal fender s/s/s passive pickups (immediatly changed to Dmarzio Fast Track 1 in neck, Pro Track in bridge). Poplar body, maple neck w/rosewood fingerboard. Wine red finish. 6 screw tremolo bridge, non-locking sealed tuners. 25.5" scale, average neck, small/medium frets. Came with fender gig bag, and 2 Dimarzio pickups w/ the trade I made..

I play shred/thrash through a Crate BV120 head and 4-12 cab with an Rp-1 in the effects loop.. I didn't play it through an amp with the original pickups, but w/Dimarzios the guitar screams.. The origal middle single-coil is very noisy, but other than that the guitar is quiet. The sound is still very bright in all the positions except the bridge, which has a fatter/bassier tone.. This setup is very vercital, I can get anywhere from bluesy leads to Slayer/Megadeth type rhythms. I like the overall tone of the guitar, but will probably replace the middle pickup with another single coil sized humbucker..

I got the guitar used, although the first owner didn' play it much. Set up was ok for a beginner, but I had to lowerthe action quite a bit. I adjusted the pickup after putting them in, so no comment on the factory pickup height. The only flaw can find is the bridge saddle screws, when lowered for better action, stick up very high, and dig into my hand during fast rhythms (plan to correct this by getting StringSaver saddles).

It seems very durable, and has been used in a few jams sessions without problems.. The hrdware is ok, I have the bridge tightened down and don't use it as a tremolo.. The tuners aren't great, and sometimes hard to keep in tune... The finish looks very thick, and could probably take a beating.. Strap buttons are in there, I haven't dropped it yet... Yes I can depend on the guitar, but no one should gig without some type of backup (this is my backup guitar)...

N/A

I've been playing for 8yrs and own an Ibanez RG750 as my other guitar.. I've had an Epi. Les Paul, Charvel 750XL, and a Ibanez RR V copy.. Somehow I just like strat-shaped guitars best, and end up going back to them... If it was lost/stolen, I would probably get an American Fender strat instead, but the same pickups. I love the finish (the wine red looks more like black cherry, very dark), weight, and style of it, but the tuners and bridge saddles are a pain in the ass.. The main reason I got it was the fender was much lighter than my Charvel, and the guitar setup real easily.. I wish it had better bridge saddles, and maybe some more stable tuners.. If you're looking for a strat type guitar, that you've going to modify with pickups, this is a great bargan compared to a US made strat...

Made in 1997, this american stratocaster has 22 frets..solidtos..and alos laminated. a 5 way selectror with 2 tone selector and a volume to.
Featuring 3 single coilpickup with passive elctronic weel placed in a maple body and a maple neck its come with a beautiful case and a tremolo:O)

I play rock............. and witrh a fender guit and a fender amp it sound pretty cool. Noisy..... not very but a bright sound that's very goood!
Thios guit cna make a lot of sound styles..but you decide wich ones....
I like the feeling of it...

Everything is fine

This is like rock....
builfd ot last...

Cust=umer support...
you pay..they support you...

This is a very, very goosd guitar that will sound good with avout everything.....
Better than a gibson.....

buy one

1993 made in Mexico from US-supplied parts. Solid poplar body with ash front and back veneers, finished in "brown sunburst" (medium orange to black) polyurethene; very thick, transparent and glossy. Vintage-style tremelo with slightly narrower string spacing than vintage Strats. 21-fret bolt on (4-bolts) 1-piece maple neck with satin finish and medium frets. Truss rod adjusts at the headstock end. 25.5-inch scale, 9.5-inch fingerboard radius.
Since purchasing the instrument I have made the following modifications: 1. Rewired pickguard, adding a TBX tone control for the bridge pickup, a push-pull pot to turn the neck pickup on independent of the 5-way switch, rewired the middle and neck pickups to the middle (tone) control. 2. Replaced the stock pickups with Lindy Fralin VH pickups. 3. Replaced the center tremelo spring with a Hip-Shot Trem Setter. 4. Replaced the 1/8-inch nut with a custom-made 1/4-inch nut, moving the string release point 1/8-inch closer to the first fret (and re-intonating the bridges to compensate).
Rating for the instrument is for the stock instrument. As modified, it is a "10"

I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH THE DIFFERENCE THE FRALIN PICKUPS MADE IN THIS INSTRUMENT! The stock (ceramic magnet) pickups were somewhat noisy, harsh, and lacked character. After putting the Fralins in the instrument I compared it to a friend's original 1960 Strat, and it nailed the sound. The Fralins are very 3-dimensional sounding, with beautiful sparkle and definition. I've tried lots of Strat pickups (including the new Fender noiseless pickups), and while there are a lot of good ones out there the Fralins are simply the best IMO. I do recommend the base plate on the bridge pickup. I primarily use a Line 6 Flextone (though I have played the guitar through a lot of amps), and I haven't found any settings/models the instrument doesn't like. It really shines, though, on the Blackface and Matchless models(and the real things!).
As modified, it is a "10". Rating shown is for the stock instrument.

The two main reasons I bought the instrument (aside from the price) are the body color/finish and the neck. My philosophy on Fender electrics is that since they are modular and there are so many aftermarket parts available, get the neck and body right and replace whatever else you need to. I especially like the smaller (medium verses jumbo) frets used on the Standard Strat, as I don't feel like I'm fighting the frets like I do sometimes with jumbo frets. While it would have been nice to have a 22-fret neck, I like the way the Standard Strat plays more than the American Standard. The neck is also almost an exact match for my Taylor 712 - my main acoustic guitar - making switching between the two very easy.
On all of the long-scale electrics I've had fits with intonation, especially of the g string. After researching and finding that many luthiers are now setting the nut 1/16 to 1/8 inch closer to the first fret for intonation, I decided to try that. I didn't feel like rerouting the nut slot, so I radiused one 1/8-inch nut blank to match the fingerboard radius, glued it to another 1/8-inch nut blank matched to the existing nut slot, then shaped it into a new nut (looks like an upside-down "L" in cross section, with the foot extending toward the first fret). After adjusting the bridge to re-intonate the guitar at the 12th fret, I found the guitar plays beautifully in tune all the way up the neck. Since I use capos a lot, that makes a big difference.
The Trem-Setter is simply something I knew I wanted to add even when I bought the guitar, so I can't comment on the stock tremelo system.
As a part-time luthier I do my own setups. The best setup I have found for Strats was done by the technician at The Pied Piper in Huntington WV, so I had him do the initial setup in June 1994 and I simply measured what he did and have kept the instrument there. When I switched to medium gage strings (I use Dean Markley nickel mediums, which are .011/.013/.020w/.030w/.042w/.052w) I had to tweak it a bit, but I like the sound and feel of a slightly heavier gage string on the instrument.
The stock (no-name) tuners have been a pleasant surprise: they work fine, with no backlash or slop or slippage.
The finish has been very durable - no complaints.
As modified the guitar is a "10". The rating listed is for the stock instrument as I purchased it.

I play and record primarily contemporary Christian music, which covers all styles. Except for specialized sounds (like a 12-string electric) this guitar can cover pretty much any style I want. It is extremely versatile. This guitar *is* my main live guitar, and I generally do use it without a backup electric guitar. I can depend on it.
As modified, the guitar is a "10". Since I didn't use it much before modifying it, no rating is given.

I have never dealt with Fender, so I can't comment. However, any competent luthier can adjust or repair Strats, and replacement parts are plentiful.

I have been playing 30 years and own 4 other electrics (custom-built Tele, '85 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard, '97 Rickenbacker 33012, and late '80s Yamaha SA2000) and two Taylor acoustics (555,712). I play the electrics through a Line 6 Flextone. This was my first electric guitar in many years after taking a long break from electric playing, and after looking at a lot of electrics I settled on a Strat. I narrowed it down to the Standard Stratocaster based on price and playability almost exclusively (I was prepared to pay more if it made a difference in how it played and felt). I then went into buying this guitar with my eyes open, knowing there were some things I wanted to add or modify, and as modified the instrument is exactly what I want in a Strat. I want to stress again that the modified nut and the Fralins have turned this instrument from a "kinda nice" instrument into an outstanding one.
The rating is once again for the unmodified instrument. As modified, it is a solid "10".

1996 Standard Strat, made in mexico. 3 single coil pickups, 3 piece poplar body, strat contours, vintage style bridge--vintage string saddles and 6 hole trem, 21 frets, rosewood fretboard, standard tuners, hefty strap buttons, etc. Strat's are among the most versatile and classic guitars available.

First let me say that I love fender strats. I tried a Carvin bolt, but it just didn't do it. The Carvin was a better guitar in most respects than the standard strat--better built, better sound (didn't like it more, but yes truer, better sound), better fit, better wood, better parts, made in usa (not that this matters though), etc. But it wasn't a fender strat. I'll take a cheap fender strat to any strat copy, no matter how high quality, any day. Only fenders have that exact feel, the feel my hands are so used to--the only other guitar that even comes close is a fender telecaster. It's just the way it sits on your gut, feels in your hands, and plays with your fingers, it can't be duplicated except with a fender.
Anyway, I had been searching for a strat to play at live shows instead of my strat plus, a guitar I've grown up with and have become extremely sentimental about. I need something that if scratched or stolen wouldn't break my heart and make me weep like a little baby.
As I said, I tried the Carvin, but hated it. So for less money, I got the standard strat used for $225. As it came, it wasn't a very good guitar. It wouldn't stay in tune for a chord--hence the tuners suck. The bridge saddles (vintage style) just plain feel and look stupid. The pickups were surpisingly decent though, they sounded great clean and with a little overdrive. With high gain, they sucked. This guitar I give a 5.
However, I customized my strat. As others have stated, this is the way to go--buy a cheap mexican strat, and customize. You'll get a great custom player. The previous owner had started the cusomtization with a fender black pearloid pickgaurd, and had upgraded the knobs to american standard strat knobs, not those funky looking mexican ones. Yeah, I thought the black pearloid pickguards were the cheesiest, but on my red metallic guitar it looks pretty darn good.
I continued by replacing the crappy bridge saddles with some modern heavy chrome ones, swapping the tuners for locking sperzels, putting 11's on the guitar, and replacing the pu's with lace sensors--a silver for neck and a red for the bridge.
Now the guitar rocks, sings, and punches out thick chords, clean and distorted. It has a distinct low mid character not at all like my brighter sounding strat plus, but it still doesn't get muddy. The sustain is nothing to brag about, but it still kicks ass!
Also, this guitar is over 2 years old, and was obviously played a lot by the previous owner, hence the rosewood fretboard has turned dark brown, not the orange color of the new stock model standard strats' fretboards. Cool!

Finish is nice, but is really thick, adding to that low mid sound coming from the guitar, but cramping sustain. Still, can take a real beating. My strat plus is brighter in sound, but has a real thin vintage style sunburst finish, which has easily been cut through with small dings.
Neck didn't fit, ie there is a small gap on both treb/bass sides. However, the placement of the neck was straight despite this, and is directly in the center. How'd they do that?
Action is alright, but I couldn't get it as low as I'd like.
Body is clearly a three piece--forgiveable for the price. However, I have heard about and even seen with my own eyes American Standards that have three-piece bodies. For the price of those, it is NOT forgiveable.

Highly durable. Screws holding the strap buttons in must be 6 inches long...

na, bought used...

Been playing for 6 years and in bands for 3 years. Owned lots of better and worse crap--mostly amps but also 6 guitars total. For the money of a new or used one and the parts required to customize, you can get a superior guitar out of fender standards, especially considering the alternative--the American Standard, which can be real pieces of shit.
One final note: the mexican standards are highly variable--try all the standards you can find. If you get a bad one, it's going to be REAL bad. But there are lots of good ones too; and if you find one you'll love it.

Thids guitar was made in mexico in 1998, it's got 21 frets, it has one volume control, two tone controls and a 5-way selector switch. it has a s/s/s pickup config, and the stock middle and bridge picups will be changed to gold and red fender fls lace sensors. the body is made of poplar, and mine has difficult to find (in my case) maple neck/fretboard combination. it has just a regular tremolo type bridge, and fender tuners.

this guitar suits my music style just perfect. it's noisy on the 1, 3, and 5 pickup settings, like most inexpensive strats. the tone varies throughout the pickups wildly, and can deliver a rich, meaty sound, or a loud, raunchy sound with the flip of a switch, literally!

setup from the factory / music store was just exactly the way i like it.the pickupws were a little lopsided, but i fixed that with a quick twist of a screwdriver. no paint / design flaws at all.

seems like a real brick. i'd take it on the road anytime without a backup. the only thing is, is that i wouldn't use a whammy with the bridge. it seems unseccured for some reason. strap buttons seem fine. larger than normal, i think. i'd go with a straplock just to be sure.

never dealt with them, but like they say, "it's a fender".

great value for the money. if it got stolen, sure, i'd buy another. i use it with an aray of efects pedals, and old univox solid state amps. i've always wanted a white/white/maple/maple (finish/pickguard/neck/fretboard) and i've finally found a quality one! as i stated before, i wish it came with better picups, so i'm changing them to a gold fls in teh middle, and a red fls in the bridge. i'm also putting on a white pearloid pickguard. all in all a great value!

this is just the plain old strat with all the standard features. it was made in mexico and has everything i need and want. 21 frets, 3 knobs (volume,tone, tone) poplar body with maple neck (and fretboard, it's one piece) standard trem bridge (which i'm going "convert" to a fixed bridge with the help of a couple of springs and some scraps of wood), standard tuners, and standard single coil pickups (tex-mex, however i did change them, more on that later). if i missed anything just read any of the other 100 or so reviews and you should get more specs than you could want. therefore i give it a 9 because for me it has everything i need. my only complaint was the pickups, which i can no longer complain about anymore

as far as a clean sound goes, it's real nice, but i don't play w/o effects that often. the stock tex-mex pickups were a little thin and tinny, but not that bad. still, i changed them out after about 8 months to texas specials and they're great. i run it through a zoom 1010 to a rage 158 15 watt amp. on a clean patch with reverb, the sound is quite impressive, great for jazz or blues. as far as distortion goes, it is also nice. although it doesn't exactly sound like SRV (as texas special p/u's are claimed to, but i never expected or even hoped them to anyway), one of his songs came on the radio the other day (don't know the name, but it was instrumental), i was surpised how good my guitar sounded. i mean it was pretty darn close to his sound. so as far as sound or tone, i love it. i can get pretty much any sound out of this as i want. hum isn't even really much of a problem either. sure there is some, but what can i expect when i'm standing in a room with a computer, stereo, tv, and other electric devices. considering all of that, i'd say the amount of hum i get is acceptable and not a problem for what i do. overall it's an 8

everything was great out of the box. i have no complaints. finish is flawless as far as i can see. i've had this thing for a little under a year and have hit it against a few things (man was i upset) accidently and there wasn't even a scratch. seems very solid. the only visible imperfection (and a very small one at that) is that there is a little smudge of paint on the 1st fret. you can't even tell that it's paint unless you look closly (it looks like something in the wood). i just think it adds character. i mean it's pretty good when the only visible flaw (and as far as i can tell, the only flaw) is a tiny smudge of paint that doesn't even look like paint. a solid 9

it's as solid as i could want it to be. everything feels like it would last for quite a long time.

never dealt with them, and hopefully never will (at least i don't anticipate it)

i've only been playing with this (my 1st guitar) for a litte under a year (although i've been playing for a little longer than that). it suits my needs and wants perfectly. great for the beginner, and maybe even someone who's been playing a for a little while. definatly good value for the money. i knew i wanted a strat and this was the cheapest one. i've tried other models of strats but couldn't really tell the difference due to my inexperience, but i'm happy with this one and am glad i got it. maybe in a little bit, when i'm better and my ear is more trained i'll sit down and compare higher priced models, but even if they do sound better, who cares, i like this one and won't need a new and better one unless i go professional, which i don't anticpiate happening.

I bought this thing brand new in 98. Its brown burst made in mexico (Which I think is suposse to mean something?!?!) When I got it home I sat and looked at it for about an hour. But who knows may been longer, time flys when your having fun. I could not then, nor can I now find a deffect in this guitar the things perfect. All I recived with it was an allen wrench and a whammy bar.

I just started playing about 6 months ago. I play classic rock (or try like hell). I run it threw a Crate gx15r amp and it sound awesome. I can change the sound alot with just the five way selector. With a zoom 505 it sound even better. Although I notice with the 505 if you turn the volume an the guitar down below 8 the effects no longer noticeable. But this could be a few things I haven`t pinpointed it yet.

As I said this thing is flawless. I think magic mexican elves made this guitar.

This is a fender who cares where its made it has there name on it. I could probably use it to hammer in nails and it would still out live me and YOU. This thing will last forever. The finish is like looking threw a pain of glass. The wood color is awesome.

N/A

If this thing was stolen Id buy another one. If your considering buying this guitar. All I can say is what are you waiting for? Most people biggest hang up is were this guitar was made. Are you most people? Is everything else you own for your guitar american made? If so then pay 2x the amount. As for me Im happy and will remain that way for a while.

Made in Mexico Stratocaster with 21 frets. It's got volume and two tone controls, and a 5-way selector...just like every other Strat on the planet. S/S/S pickup configuration with Standard Strat pickups. Body is poplar, neck is maple with rosewood fretboard. It's got a really awesome brown sunburst finish, with crome hardware. Also has some nice Fender tuners. I give it a 9 in this catagory. It's got more features than my old Epiphone Les Paul had.

I never realized how much I loved the way Stratocasters sounded until I got this guitar. It is classic Strat. Punchy, bright, and its got the signature Strat quack. I use it with a Marshall Artist 3203 (tube/transistor amp). The only effects I really use are the Marshall distortion and reverb, and a Big Muff Pi that was modded by SustainPunch (http://www.smashing-pumpkins.org/sustainpunch). It sounds good for rock/pop which is mostly what I play, and it is PERFECT for blues, which I'm starting to get more into now.

I don't know how the guitar was set up at the factory. I traded my old Epiphone Les Paul for this guitar. The pickups were adjusted fine, but once again, the previous owner could have set them up custom. No visible flaws. Finish looks great, everything is screwed on right, so I have no complaints.

I haven't gigged this guitar yet, but I see no reason that it wouldn't stand up to the test. It seems very solid. The finish seems fine, like all guitars, it will dent if you hit it against something, and it'll scratch if you scrape it. I'd gig it without a backup as long as I had some extra strings with me.

Haven't had to deal with Fender. Hopefully I never will!

Overall, I'd have to say this is the best guitar I've ever owned. I liked my Epiphone Les Paul, but I wanted a change. I bought a Fender Jaguar last summer (June 1998?) and it became my main guitar. I liked that Fender so much, I wanted a Strat to back up the Jag. When I got this guitar, I liked it so much that it has pretty much become my main guitar. I haven't taken out the Jaguar since I bought it. Nothing against the Jaguar, but the Strat is made better, and it feels better to me. This guitar has made me a Strat player for life. If it were stolen, I'd be really upset. I'd probably go out and try to find one exactly like it (might play one with a maple fretboard first though to see if I like it better). If you are debating getting a Strat, and aren't quite sure, go play one of the Fender Standard Stratocasters. They are really nice, and by far the best deal for the price.

Made in Mexico (that made me gag, but I've since recanted), 21 frets, poplar body, maple neck (drool), black finish, vintage tremalo (it's a vibrato, Leo) bridge, passive electronics -- you know, the original stuff. This is a plain jane Strat, me hearties. And that's about as classic as a Model T Ford. From the standpoint of features, I should give it a 5, but THIS IS WHAT I ASKED FOR, and since it delivered so nicely on that, I'll give it a nine.

I haven't found anything that it can't do. I play blues and jazz and classic rock (lots of surf) and this handles it all. I can even keep up with my Dad when he plays bluegrass on the flattop. I love the Fender quack and the twangy banjo-like sound on the high strings. I don't care for bass-heavy sound, although I can get that, too. And it has the hollow mid-range that just reeks of Chicago. I'm getting lots of fret rattle, but the bridge needs to be tuned. I tested this against the American Standard Strat, and frankly, I couldn't tell the difference between the poplar body of the Standard and the alder of the AS, except the price and the MADE in USA label.

The action as it came from Thoroughbred was low, which made it good for me as I was transitioning from a flattop to an electric. Now, I'm getting fret rattle, so I need to raise it. Pickups are fine. The finish is a nice glossy black -- contrasts wonderfully to that maple neck and the white pick guard. Knobs are solidly in place. The bridge seems stiff, but it needs to be tuned, and I can handle that.

It's a Fender! Look at some of the beat up things Muddy Waters and Stevie Ray Vaughan played, and that worn out thang in Kenny Wayne Shepard's hands -- then ask me about reliability. Would I gig without a backup? For now, because I don't have tons of money. Later, I do plan on buying a second one, mostly from the standpoint of changing strings in the middle of a gig, and the fact that my guitar is a Christmas present from my wife, so I don't want any drunken morons to hit it with a beer bottle.

I never had to deal with Fender. I'd probably start with Thoroughbred if the guitar ever had a serious problem, then go to Fender only to complain about their dealers. I prefer to work local.

I'm in love. If it were stolen, I'd hire thugs to track down the thief and remove his fingers with wire cutters -- this was a gift from my wife. This does everything I want it to. I went with the Strat by listening to CD's and finding the sounds I wanted, then finding out what guitar made those sounds. By and large, it was an unadorned Strat (the Tele came in second). It doesn't sound like a rock guitar (like a Les Paul) but Jimi stands as testimony to how well it can be used in that capacity. Sure, you can get the Dick Dale signature model for $ 2,000, but for $300, you can get this -- and get the same sound. Heck, he started on one of these. It could use a more solid vibrato, and for a few dollars more I could have had the Floyd Rose. I also wish it had a seven way switch - there's no way to use all three pickups at the same time, or the bridge and neck only at the same time. Maybe when I can afford a Custom Shop guitar ...

My Strat is a 98 Standard Strat, and it's no different than all the others; that's a GOOD thing. Standard strats are all stock, all tried tested and true. Poplar body, chrome plated hardware, 1 piece maple neck. Coulda used some additional features, but damn good value.

You better believe it, the Strat can do anything: rock, blues, jazz, swing, funk, pop, ska, ANYTHING! A little bit of hum, but I'll take that over humbuckers anyday. Good for rhythym and lead.
You get the Fender quack! What more can I say?

Action is great, the finish is hard as hell. Pickups were not properly adjusted, tilted slighty forward, but that was easily fixed. Properly routed, well rounded frets, solid hardware. Tuning pegs good and tight, no problems with the pots.

After WWIII, when we're all be dead, my guitar will be there!

I'm on a roll, so i give it a 10 to keep the streak. Never had to deal with em.

Best guitar, period. Better than an American Strat, because they are practically the same, with the Standard being a much better value. If it were stolen, I'd shoot the motherf***er then go buy it again. There's nothing I hate, it's all good.

21 Frets, Solid top. 5-way selector switch. 2 tone, 1 volume. medium jumbo frets. maple neck and fretboard. solid finish.

It sounds great, but now it sounds better. i put in seymour duncan jb jr. in the bridge. and then i put lil' 59s in the neck and middle. i also put in a floyd rose tremolo. again it sounds great.

plays well, feels good. GREAT!!!!!!!!!

I haven't had it too long, but yeah, its pretty good.

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Two Words: Buy one!!!!!!!!!!!

This is your basic Mexican Strat... 21 fret, 3 single coils (stock), 5 way swicth, master volume, two tones (middle and neck), standard trem and tuners. Got mine in a beautiful sunburst, with maple neck because I think it felt better than having the extra piece of wood there. Nothing really special, but the standard features are good on their own.

I play just about everything you can think of (I also have an acoustic guitar and a banjo), and I use this mostly for rock. Sounds *great* for clean stuff, I don't really even get any hum. Distortion is a little bit weaker than clean, but still sounds great, espically with the bridge pickup, although the hum is a lot more noticible the more distortion you use (I play with the gain on the amp anywhere from 0 to 10, depending on what I'm playing). The reason I gave it a 9 instead of a 10 is that when you use distortion the middle and espicially the bridge get a little muddy, but if you adjust playing style a little, it's not that bad. You can really play anything on this guitar, from the neck which is a very warm sound, to the bridge, which is very bright. I love just about everything about it, except the muddiness, but even that isin't too bad.

Came just great right out of the box! Action was good, finish was perfect, pickups were good. No complaints here!

I don't see any real problems with any of the hardware, strap buttons seem solid, finish is good, I don't see any reason why you couldn't use it live, although I personally haven't. Not to say anything bad about the guitar, but a backup is always a good idea, never know what could happen.

Never dealt with them.

I just love this guitar! Feels great, sounds great, no hardware problems... what more could I ask for? I've only been playing about 2 1/2 years, and this is my third instrument besides the acoustic and the banjo (I learn really quick). If it were stolen I would have to get another one right away. You just can't get those kind of sounds out of an acoustic! One more thing... don't even think about getting a Squier, I compared the two head on and this one absolutly blew it away, and it was only another $40!

My Standard Strat was made in 1996 in Mexico. It is a very good quality guitar. It has a poplar body with a sunburst finish and a maple neck. Regular, everyday, Fender single coil pickups with a 5-way selector switch. Although the bridge pickup does emit some hum like single coil pickups normally do. But it is not too bothersome. It has the Fender Vintage tremelo, which I don't use, if at all. I had a 92 Telecaster that I traded in to get the Strat (somehow I feel I should have hung on to the Tele and still got the Strat). I already had a Fender case, since I had the Tele. I have tons of straps, cables, tools, anyway - so I didn't need much.

The Strat suits my music style perfectly. It is exactly what I was looking for. See, when I had the Tele, I LOVED the old Tele sound. But, yet I was searching for the special Strat tone (bridge/middle pickup combination), and I couldn't get it with the Tele. I have an mid 80's all tube Fender Super 60 1x12 amp and DOD pedals. The Fender Strat can do country, folk, jazz, rock, blues, you name it! I have been playing guitar for over 25 years and can make the Strat play very sweet or I can make it scream with the howling Hendrix/Clapton/SRV tone. It is a guitar for all seasons. It covers all the bases. 'Nuff said.

When I picked up the Strat at my local music store, I loved the finish and the tone. At first I didn't want to part with my Tele, but when I doodled around with all the different sounds, and the overall feel of the Strat - I had to get it. At first, the guitar was not quite in true intonation. So, I brought it back after a week or two and had it all setup. This Strat does not have any flaws.

This guitar will stand up to anything - it's a FENDER!!!! Everything is build solid and durable. If and when I have the time to get back into gigging with a band, the Strat will be right there with me. I would like to have a backup - possibly another Strat equipped with Lace Sensors or something, or maybe another Tele.

Never had to call Fender for anything. Visited their web site hundreds of times to read up on the latest happening stuff.

I have been playing over 25 years. I play all styles. I routinely go from playing "Green River" by CCR to "Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC to a country tune by Alabama. With "Crossroads" by Cream and "Voodoo Chile" by Jimi Hendrix thrown in for good measure! The Strat fits all these styles of music. My other gear is an old, beat up Yamaha 6 string acoustic, an Ibanez Mandolin, a drum machine, etc.. Too much to mention! Oh yeah... you bet I compared it to other guitars. When I picked it up at the music store, I tried out all the other Strats. First, I place the guitar right up tight to my ear and strummed it acoustically - and carefully listened. My Strat was the one that rang out clear and sustained the longest out of the bunch!

Good stuff, for the rice range. Good, solid, durable body. I dropped it when my strap gave out and it only got a tiny dent on the headstock. It has 21 frets, 3 single coil pick-ups, 1 volume and 2 tone knobs, Maple one-piece neck, Poplar Body, Fender Tremolo, came with some wrenches and the whammy bar. I'd rather have a double-locking tremolo like Floyd Rose.

I play only rock and metal, like Megadeth, Metallica (Play a lot of Metallica), Jimi Hendirx, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath. I dont use any effects yet, but I'll probably get a pedal or two soon. It's noisy when you use one pick-up at a time. Cool sound, I like the pickups because i can keep the guitar's volume down to play songs that start out clean like Fight Fire with Fire, Battery, and Embryo, but then i can turn it up and get the distorted sound back (it's sorta like a distorion pedal)

I got it in great condition, but the only problem was the output plug came loose. It's noisy when you use one pick-up at a time.

I don't do gigs now, might play live shows in a year or two. I will probably have a backup if i start, because you're a moron if you don't have a backup. I used duct tape on the strap near the hole to make them smaller, and now it won't fall. I got a little dent when the strap came off, but the klnobs that hold it on are solid.

Never talked to them.

I love it.

My strat is a 1996. It was made entirely in Mexico. It has 21 small frets; not that this is a bad thing. It is just different from the medium jumbos available on many other models. It has the popular body. I am sure that it is not a solid piece of wood. It is painted a metalic red; the new ones are wine red. Wish I had waited! This one has a rosewood fret board on a maple kneck. I am partial to the rosewood neck for sound and playability. It is a typical strat set-up - 3 standard single coils. One volume (master) and two tone (neck and middle) knobs). The bridge is your standard vintage Fender bridge. It has standard fender tuners as well. They are not Schallers but they are pretty good. This thing does not go out of tune.

I am in a band that plays a variety of rock styles. It is great for the blues-based music that we do. For hard rock, it is okay but a guitar with humbuckers would be better. It also works well for clean sounds, very sweet classic "stat" tones. I use it with a Laney HC50. It sounds really good through this amp for the sounds that it was made for. It noisy in the first and fifth positions (single coils, that's what they do!!). I can get a variety of tones with this guitar by playing around with the tone knobs and selector switches. I think that this guitar has more of a strat sound than many of the American Standard and California Strats that I have played. By upgrading pickup I feel that Fender has made hotter pickups that sacrifice that true stat tone. Not so with this guitar. It's true Fender Strat.

The set-up from the factory was pretty good. I had to work with it a little, but very little. ( Fender guitars come with a handy little manual to help you set it up. Get a 6 inch ruler that goes to 64ths of an inch and do it yourself instead of paying someone $45 an hour to do it.) The action and the pickups required little set-up. The frets where pretty good on the guitar. The finish is pretty nice. I is a nice guitar.

I have a couple of friends who gig with Fender Standard similar to mine and they have great luck with them. I have never had problems with this guitar. It stays in tune and hold up well. I take good care of my guitars, that probably helps. I is a guitar that I plan to use gigging for a long time. I believe that the finish is holding up nicely. I move around a lot and sing a lot. I am always sweating when we play out. No problems so far. Stap buttons-had a bad experience with strap buttons long ago, will not go without strap-locks again. I will be getting a backup guitar in the near future. Mostly because I want a guitar with humbuckers as well, but also because of string breakage - Not because I don't think the guitar can handle it. It can

Never had to deal with them. I have a friend how used to be a Fender dealer. He did not have much good to say. I always go through my dealer for repairs work anyways. He always takes care of things for me.

I have been playing for quite a while-7 years (I have been primarily a vocalist until recently) . I have owned many guitars from Ibenez to Charvel, for my style nothing beats the classic Fender and Gibson stuff. For the money it is a great guitar. If it was stolen I would buy another one. I have played several of the standards, many of them are different. I would advise to anyone thinking of getting one, try them out and if you are mail-ordering, be sure you can return it if you do not like it to try another one. I had a sunburst with a maple neck (otherwise the same model) It was not a sturdy or as nice sounding as this one. Try them out!! I love that it sounds like a strat. I don't really hate anything about it. I am not trying to get Gibson sounds out of it. Again, for the money, a great guitar. Probably the best.

My stratocaster was built in Mexico. I'm really not sure of the year. 21 Frets on a maple neck (no rosewood fretboard...). Lake placid blue with white pickguard. Its a standard strat with no real modifications so I'm sure we're all familiar with its features.

This guitar is extremely versatile. My band and I play pretty much everything... Ska, punk, metal, industrial, alternative, blues, and slide country. (Odd mix huh?) Anyway, my strat can hack just about anything. I don't use many effects with it, just overdrive and reverb. It seems to be able to achieve most musical styles by itself. Its noise depends entirely on the day and conditions. It is equipped with those three trusty single coils, so it will always be noisier than humbuckers. If there are a lot of electronics in the room and it the air is dry and static-filled then any one of the single coils alone buzzes. However select positions 2 or 4 and you cut nearly all of the humming out. The pickups go from smooth and mellow at the neck get brighter and punchier as you go back. That is partially due to an American Standard bridge pickup but the Mexican one that was in there originally was just as good. (more on that story later) There is not much to dislike with the sound of this guitar. Position 2 (bridge/mid pickups together) sounds really screwy. There is no bass whatsoever in that position. That is due to the replacement of the aforementioned bridge pickup. It doesn't bother me though. And before I had the work done it worked just fine.

The guitars factory setup was good. Its been almost two years since I got it, and I don't remember anything bad about it. Everything seemed to be adjusted well and everything worked correctly so, no complaints. I noticed no flaw in the guitar at all when I bought it and it has none now... except for those that I accidentally put there... Recently I equipped 12 guage strings and the nut was a little bit tight but not horribly so. It just took a little more finesse to tune it. I will add this. The finish is the toughest I've seen on ANY guitar. The body has withstood hellish beatings and its still going strong.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is one of those old, faithful guitars that you fondly describe to your grandchildren as your eyes tear up. I've (accidentally) kicked, punched, knocked over, slammed, dropped, and thrashed this guitar and it has always stood by me. I've taken one small chunk out of the finish between the second and third frets. Other than that the finish is pristine. Occasionally the upper strap button wiggles loose, but I always check it and tighten it down. (My Jag-Stang has conditioned me to check this item frequently.) The only thing I have yet to do is set fire to this guitar and even then I'm pretty sure it would still work. :-) I would use this guitar without backup -- No questions asked.
The only problem I had with this guitar occurred about two months after buying it. A defective bridge pickup was diagnosed as the problem. It was under warranty so they fixed it for free. And since they were gutting an American standard Strat at the time, they cannibalized it and put the bridge pickup from it into my strat.

I've never dealt with Fender directly, but the people at Farrow's Music Store have always set it up without hassle. I have a feeling that its just the people at Farrows who are so good at customer service as opposed to those at Fender... damn big business

I've been playing for two years and somehow have managed to collect an assortment of equipment. I own the strat, a 1996 Fender Jag-Stang, a Fender P-Bass, a Fender DG-16SB acoustic and an assortment of fender amps... what can I say? I like fender stuff! This is the only guitar I own that makes me feel all warm and toasty inside when I think about it. No one feature stands out on it, its just the overall charm and grace of the machine that makes it so appealing. If it were stolen it would definitly be replaced. I love the look, the feel, the sound and... well, tradition that goes with this guitar. I've played Les Pauls (too heavy) Gibson SG's (too thin and wirey) and a few Ibanezes (feel was all wrong). You know what? Not one even comes close to my run-of-the-mill, stock stratocaster. It is all a matter of taste and personal preference and I'm sure I'll get flamed for criticizing those Gibsons. Except in cases of death, dismemberment or apocalypse, I will not part with my ordinary, plain little Fender Stratocaster.

Standard Strat assembled in Mexico in 1991. Standard pick-ups (later changed), poplar body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, standard trem, standard tuners, all standard. Black finish, white pickguard. I give it a 7 for features. At this price you can't expect miracles. I would say the weakest feature are the tuners.

I played it stock for about 5 years. Rock and Blues, mostly. Then I began to gradually make imporovements to it as budget permitted. I blocked the tremelo which helped it stay in tune. (No cost). I changed the tuners to Sperzel locking tuners. ($50) The Holy Grail of tuners. It is now The Tunemeister. Changed the pick-ups to Texas Specials ($120) which made a big difference. I sheilded all cavities of it: under the pickguard, under the jack, in the trem cavity. The guitar is now totally quiet. Any dislikes I had, I gradually took care of.

Factory set-up was fine. Great action, no buzzes. The only flaw the guitar had on it was a small nick in the finish on the neck behind the nut, which buffed out easily. Everything else was fine.

I've read in many places that Strats are the most rock solid guitars made and I must agree. With common sense care, it will last for generations. I don't think the stock tuners would last forever, but that was a reason behind changing them. Strap buttons are fine. And, yes, I have used it gigging without a back-up. A 9 here, only because of the cheap stock tuners.

Have had no contact with Fender. By the sound of the many Fender reviews I've read on this site, I think I'd rather not have contact with them.

For a first guitar that you can gradually transform into a better guitar, I think it's great. I own a more expensive ($800 list) Strat and a Rickenbacker 330 ($1250 list) and guess what? I play my little improved cheapo Strat the most. I love it. My first electric was a 1976 LP Custom, which I gave to my brother. (The weight of a Les Paul was too much for me). I think a Strat is a very comfortable guitar to play for hours on end. I only wish this model had a fatter neck.

mexican strat with maple fretboard, three single coil pickups, maple neck, nice red finish, good standard trem. Poplar body, but you can't tell.I've had it for 8 months.

I play stuff like clapton, and more classic rock. The strat is great for this,and i plan to get a deluxe amp which really rocks. The single coils make quite a bright sound, but if you use the neck/middle pickups together, the sound is quite like a humbucker.however, the pickups can hiss a bit, and i'll probably replace the bridge pickup.As it is, it is still very versitille, and great for my style. It is very near 10, but the hiss just stops it.

Here the guitar was fine. The metallic red finish was flawless, and none of the parts made any unpleasant noises, exept that the low E buzzed for the first week or so. Then it stopped,and everything was fine.The action is perfect,making fast playing easy, but not too close to the fretboard.

I don't play live, but I haven't had any problems with it so far, the finish and hardware seem very sturdy.

I have a warranty, but i don't know how long it is. Everyone says fender customer service is shit, but i haven't dealt with them.

This guitar looks fantastic, and the combination of finish and fender nametag has made my mates very jealous. It's worth buying new pickups, but i havn't got the money.I compared it to a yamaha pacifica 312 and this is much better.I've tried lots of similar guitars since, and this is still the best. The poplar body is quite surprising for this price, as i would have expected alder, but it still sounds great, and there isn't much difference between it and the usa standard.If it was stolen I would buy one again, after crying for weeks.

A 1996 made in Mexico guitar with maple neck and fingerboard with 21 frets. One piece solid poplar in awesome black: very shinny. Has standard 5-way switch with V/T/T and three passive single coil p/u's. Has the standard tremolo with non-locking die-cast tuners.

I went to a local retailer, I live in Puerto Rico with the intention of trying this Mexican standard and compare to the American Standard. When I did, I just fell in love with the Mexican. To be honest the neck felt much better in the Mexican than the American, and the pickups although cosmetically poor (polepieces are not smooth and diameters are not uniform) sounded way, way better than the American Standard Delta tones and were much hotter. They are single coil so each p/u alone is very noisy but with the middle p/u, since it has reversed polarity and winding, it is very quiet. The pots and switch are the same as in the American Standard. I play punk and was looking for a Strat to complete my line-up, I have 2 Jag-Stangs, a Jaguar re-issue, Ventures Jazzmaster, Epi Les Paul, Washburn P2 and Squier Venus and Supersonic. Was looking for the single coil tone and found it in the Mexican Standard. Being used to the humbucker sound I really don't like the bridge p/u, it is thin, and the combination of bridge and middle is not of my favor. Changed the bridge p/u for a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails, and the middle for a Razor stacked p/u. Now it really rocks.

The guitar's set-up was quite good except the tremolo was too high. Over the measurement Fender recommends. The action, with the high trem was pretty good, but the neck was perfect: just the right amount of relief. The pick-ups were a little low. The finish is flawless and the neck's maple wood is just beautiful: no glossy finish only satin. The routing is very well made although there is some sort of hole in the body to the left of the neck pick-up. The meaning of this hole just eludes me. The wood is poplar which is comparable to alder in tone although softer and hence lighter. Very easy to cary this guitar around your neck for hours.

It's a real Fender. My other Fenders have withstood years of abuse. I don't see why this one shouldn't. I never carry only one guitar and always change the strap buttons to Schaller strap-locks.

I've dealt with Fender for other matters and they have been very helpful. I am really rating customer consideration. With the purchase of this guitar I had something happen to me I just have to share. I was planning to purchase the Mexican Standard from Musician's Friend. When I called to order they told me that they could no longer sell Fender products to Puerto Rico or Canada. Seems that some asshole retailers from Canada and Puerto Rico, I live in P.R., complained that M.F. offers great prices and payment options. So I had to buy from the local retailer who are a bunch of fucking thieves and do not carry all the Fender line. Originally I wanted this guitar in Arctic white with the maple neck. The black is beautiful but I really wanted the white. Had to spend 1 1/2 hrs. haggling with the salesman for they were selling it for $390.00 and Musicians Friend sells for $280.00.

I am a Fender man. I own two other guitars which are not Fender but bought them because they were really good values. This Mexican Standard Strat is the best value for a genuine Fender Strat. I did own an American Standard about a year ago. Sold it because the neck was very sensitive to string changes, the bi-flex truss rod sucks, it was too heavy to jump around for two hours, the saddles, changed twice with stock Am. Std. saddles, kept breaking the strings and the much celebrated Delta Tone pickups are shit. I went and compared a very beautiful Inca Silver maple fingerboard Am. Std. with the Mex. Std. When I played the Am.Std. I remembered why I sold the previous and was just mesmerized with the Mexican. I really wanted to buy a Fender Stratocaster which was worth the money, had great tone and flexibility, with expense not being a factor. I found it in the Mex. Std. and at one third the price of the Am Std. If you steal it I'll hunt you down and kick your ass. if I can't find you I'll buy another one.

My standard strat has single coil pickups as well as the same configuration as listed above. It was manufactured in Mexico, has a sunburst finish (very nice), poplar body, rosewood fretboard, and 21 thin frets.

I like to play blues and classic rock, so it naturally suits my playing style since it's a single coil strat. I only have a small Peavy Rage amp, so I really can't do the guitar justice. Although I have played it through a much larger Peavy and it sounded great. I would really love to play it through a Fender Twin. The only effect I use is a Wah peddle. It sounds pretty good combined with my guitar. I tend to use the bridge pickup the most just because I get a muffled sound when using the neck pickup (only due to the quality of my amp, though). You can always find a way to make different sounds with a strat, given the right equipment. Sometimes I switch to the neck,middle pickup combination when I get tired of listening to the humming. Although I could just turn down the volume. Nobody notices the buzzing when they're playing anyway. Overall it has the basic strat sound that probably doesn't very a great deal from most other strats with standard or even American standard pickups.

The factory settings weren't incredibly bad. I like high action on the strings, so I raised them. The factory strings were way too light. A strat only sounds great with great big strings. The neck seems to be firmly mounted and I have had no problems with the tuners, controls, tremolo, or pickups. I do wish the frets were larger, but hey, you get what you pay for. However, when trying to change the strings for the first time, the nut broke in two when removing the low E string. I simply glued it back together and it hasn't ever given me problems again. The finish is beautiful, the wood grain shows through the sunburst finish nicely. I think I would rather have an alder body, but like I said earlier, you get what you pay for.

This guitar would hold up great in a live gig. The hardware will, in all probability, last forever. The finish will not wear down like the older finishes would. I can't tell if it has a thin finish or not. I imagine if I would put it through hell, it might wear down. I did replace the strap buttons with strap locks. I dipped the ends of the screws in some regular Elmer's glue and they have never came loose (Hint). The only reason I would gig with it without a backup is if I happened to break a string, which I probably wouldn't do anyway. Or fear of something going catastrophically wrong, such as the stage set collapsing (Hey, if Stevie Ray were still among us, he would tell you that it can happen). In all seriousness, it's a very dependable guitar.

Never dealt with Fender, but I hear they're really stingy.

Overall, the standard (Mexican) strat is a good buy, compared to retail prices of the American Standards. Leo did a good thing when he invented the telecaster, and an even better thing when he invented the stratocaster, which was way ahead of its time. A smar man, that Leo Fender was. I regret not bargaining with the salesman more, although he did throw in a free case. I think I could have probably gotten a higher quality guitar for around the same price that I paid for this one. If it were stolen, I would choose a different guitar, if I had the money. Only because I would like to have an American made guitar or maybe a vintage reissue (American). I wish I would have did a little more comparative shopping. I believe that you should never pay the list price for a guitar. They're so overpriced, it's ridiculous. The little music stores probably make double the money from the sale of certain guitars. It's a good guitar, but if you have a couple hundred extra dollars and plan on keeping the guitar for a lifetime, use the money and get a higher quality Stratocaster. They are the most comfortable guitars to play.

I love this guitar. It was a Mexican made model, which doesn't bother me a bit. It features 21 frets, Volume and 2 tone controls, S/S/S pickup config, 5-way pickup switch, Passive electrics, Standard Tremolo, Non-Locking Fender tuners and Standard neck. I got it as a Strat Pack, and it came with a Fender Frontman 15R amp, a gig bag, some picks, a tuner, a cable and a strap. It's color is Lake Placid Blue.

I play all kinds of music, but focus on modern rock type, i.e.; Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters (My favorite!), Blink 182, Local-H, etc. etc. I run it through a Fender Frontman 15R amp with no effects, although I want to get some pedals. It has an array of sounds, from bright on the bridge pickup, to full, deep tone with the neck. I usually use the bridge pickup or the bridge/mid pickup combination. It's got great harmonics, and can do all kinds of noises with distortion. I've played a few other guitars, and my Strat is my favorite. I have a Harmony Rocket semi-hollow from about the '60s and had a Acoustic. I love my Strat most.

It was perfect from the factory. Pickups were perfect, tuning was great, intonation was perfect (Although I have to readjust it since I went from .09 high string to .10 high). There wasn't any flaws other than one Pick guard screw was loose and the glue from the pick guard protector didn't come off when I removed it, but otherwise it's perfect.

I think that this guitar could withstand live playing. It's very sturdy, even though it's not Fender's top model. The hardware seems like it'll last for along time, and so does the finish. The strap buttons are solid, and well screwed in. I could definitly say that I could use it at a gig without a backup. It's the only guitar I use nowadays!

I've been playing for about 5 years now, and I have a Harmony Rocket semi-hollow from about the '60s. I also have a Fender Frontman 15R Amplifier.

this one is made in mexico.i think it's made in 1996.it has 21 frets and a maple fretboard.non-locking tuners.2 tone buttons and a volume button.the same as the other ones i guess.

it suits my needs.i play grunge,alternative etc. and this guitar can do them all.i'm using this axe with boss pedals mostly. the neck and mid pickups are good but i changed the bridge pu with a dimarzio paf pro. it's not noisy at all.this axe can do any sound but it also depends who's playing it.

very good.excellent condition.

you could play this guitar without a backup for sure.

this guitar is my first guitar and i like it.the sound is good enough for me.and the price is very cheap for a guitar like this

Mexican made,Pretty basic,5 way pick-up, standard tremolo,21 frets, poplar body, non-locking die-cast tuning keys, 3 single coil pickups

Great sound, can get nice range of sounds through pickups. Haven't really tried any other guitars, but this one measures up to the sound I am looking for.

Came to me in perfect condition. Bought it through Musicians Friend. Got a great deal on it...

If I ever played a gig, I wouldn't need a backup. This guitar Is one tough piece of shit.

Never Needed to deal with the company. I may have a warranty, but it doesn't matter because this thing won't be coming apart anytime soon

If you bought this guitar I would reccomend getting some pedals, but I would recomend that with any guitar. If It got stolen, I would probably Buy another one, and kick the persons ass who stole it from me. I wish it came with better pickups, but that can be fixed. Great guitar for price

1997 Mexican Standard strat. Paid $35 extra for _the_ most beautiful brown sunbursting I've ever seen, even on other Fenders. It has a rosewood fingerboard and I've swapped out the white pu covers and pickguard for a shell pickguard and black pu covers and knobs. Poplar body, 3 Fender SCs, vintage trem bridge. One thing drives me nuts, though: until I changed the pickguard on the thing, I still had bits of plastic sticking out from screws and pots from that idiot plastic cover Fender sticks on the pickguard. It's going to get scratched up anyway..

I play mostly blues and rock and this guitar is perfect. The pickups sound great through my Epi SC-210 amp. I almost always use a combination of the neck and mid pickups and it gives a nice warm, rich tone. The only time I use the bridge/mid pickups is for bottleneck and it does quite nicely for that. All the pickups are plenty hot for me.. the volume never goes past 7 or 8. Any of the pickups selected alone are too noisy to use, so there are really only two usable positions.

The action was set high - I lowered it myself. That's a Musician's Friend problem, though, It's not as low now as some other guitars I've played (my friend's Carvin come to mind) but I can't keep it too too low anyway because bottlenecking would be almost impossible. The pickups were setup just fine, but I lowered the middle one into the body just a bit because it kept getting in the way of my fingers. The rosewood-covered neck plays beautifully. The sunburst finish was perfect. I need to have the trem blocked because I don't use it and it tends to cause problems.

I've knocked this guitar about quite a bit just in the past 6 months and it's taken all the abuse just fine. No problems except a few chips of paint missing. The finish seems a bit thin. That's the only complaint I've got about the Strat. I wouldn't play without a backup, but I'd NEVER play without a backup because of straings breaking, etc. I keep different guitars (something with humbuckers) around for different songa anyway. This is a very solid, very dependable guitar.

Never had to deal with Fender..

I've been playing for a few years now. I own the Strat, an Epi Acoustic, a flying V, a Samick Electric/Acoustic, and an Epiphone SC-210 amp. I'm about to buy a white Standard Tele and a cherry Epiphone Dot. This is my favorite guitar (the V is very nice but just looks too stupid.. it was free:) and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. If it got stolen I'd buy another one, but this time probably in white. :) I wish Fender sold Strats with pearl block inlays.. I've seen them on custom job Strats and it's just beautiful. Oh well. It's an absolutely wonderful guitar.

Made in Mexico. 21 frets. S/S/S, Volume/Tone/Tone, 5-way switch. Made of different pieces of solid Poplar. Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Frets are vintage or medium. Body color is black with white 3-ply pickguard.

I was looking for a cheap strat style guitar for home, rehearsal abuse and as a backup and wanted to check out a Yamaha Pacifica or something in this category. The salesman in the musicstore told me he had a bunch of this Mexican Fenders in stock and gave it to me to check it out. I didn't expect much but to my surprise, this cheapo guitars sounded surprisingly good. I also tried some Pacificas 112, but I liked the neck of the Fenders better. Just for comparison I also tried some US Standard models, but if you belive it or not, I liked the Mexicans better. The PU's sounded even hotter than the ones of the US model. Neck PU was fat and full sounding, in-between positions had sparkle, the bridge PU was bright and agressive.

The guitar was set-up really good. No string buzz, low action. Neck-joint was tight. Neck was straight and the fretwork was flawless. Pickups were adjusted like they should be. I really couldn't find any flaws. OK, the used standard tremolo is not the most expensive, but we're talking $$ 279 here. For this price you normally won't even get a decent neck.

Solid piece of wood. Stays in tune. No problems.

No need

I play since 19 years. I also own a Schecter Strat and a CustomShop Tele. For what I paid, this guitar is great and I would buy it again. This isn't my main guitar, but I played some small gigs with it and I really can't complain about nothing.

Made in 1998 in Mexico. 22 frets. Basic strat setup. It's black and shiny. The next seems very thin, thinner than a normal strat(It's perfect!) No other accessories.

The guitar is extremely versatile! It's sound can go from bassy, bluesy sound with the neck pickup to a perfect Pumpkins/Catherine growl with the bridge/middle pickup combo! I'll admit the bridge pickup alone is a little thin, but it's easy to deal with.

I bought it out of the box, so I was kind of worried I would have to do major work with the action and intonation. It turned out that the guitar was real solid and the only reason I had to change anything was because I use hybrid strings (.009-.046) instead of .009s like the guitar was setup for. The guitar is very easy to work on.

I love everything about this guitar except for the tuners and the tremolo. They're both die cast, so they seem kinda plastic and cheap, so i'm going to replace them with schaller pegs and block the tremolo. Otherwise, i don't see why this guitar couldn't handle live playing.

Never dealed with them. I think it came with a limited lifetime warranty.

I use this guitar with a Peavy Bandit(100 watts) and a Yamaha cabinet. With the fender and a boss DS-1, I can get any sound I want, even very tube-like sounds. For the price this guitar is very hard to beat. PERSONAL NOTE: If you're thinking of buying a Squire, don't do it unless you can find one from the 80s. The new Squire's are pretty cheaply made, and for only 100 dollars more you can get the Fender Standard Strat, which, in my opinion, rawks!!

1998 Fender Standard Strat made in Mexico. The body is made of poplar, a relatively soft wood. I chose the maple fretboard and Arctic White finish. Simple guitar, with 9.5" neck radius (pretty standard for Strats), Standard tuners and bridge, 5-way selector, 21 frets.

My style is strictly blues, and it does the job quite well for a "cheapie" guitar. I run it straight into a Fender Hot Rod De Ville 2x12 and it sounds nice. I occasionally run it through a Danelectro Daddy-O overdrive. Pickup settings have the usual passive single coil hum in settings 1,3, and 5, but that's normal. I'm impressed by the full sound this guitar makes. Typical Strat. I've been playing many years, mostly on an Epiphone Sheraton (with 2 humbuckers), and got the "Strat itch" but was quite reluctant to drop $1,000 on a US-made one. My rating it a "9" is due to the fact that it really does sound good!

The set up and action at the store were fine, but I'm sure 99.9% of all guitarists like to tweak it to their own satisfaction. I can fit my pick (which is medium gauge) into the gap between the body and neck. I checked out 4 US-made Strats and none of their necks were perfect either. What made my mind up about purchasing the guitar was the neck. I feels great and was even better finished that the Clapton signature they had in the store. No kidding. I'm wondering if Fender USA's quality control has slipped a little, because there's NO WAY a US-made Strat is worth more than double this Mexican Strat. Please understand that I've tried MANY. I'm in no way bashing the US-made stuff, but c'mon, Fender should clean up their act.

I've brought this guitar on several gigs mainly as a backup. It's a pretty simple design that shouldn't cause any problems. Remember people, all guitars need regular maintenance. Keeping things in good shape should prevent most simple problems that occur. The finish will probably last forever, and I immediately put in Shaeller strap locks. I wouldn't EVER gig without a backup, just for the fact that strings do break now and then! It gets an "8" in this category due to the fact that it's made of Poplar, thus not as solid as alder or ash.

I've been playing the blues semi-professionally for the past 10 years and have played several different guitars. As mentioned above, my main squeeze is an Epiphone Sheraton and I just needed to fill my Strat craving. I tried several different ones at the store and kept going back to this one due to its great neck. If it were stolen, I'd consider looking around for another. If it were lost, well, I guess I'd be an idiot! How the hell do you lose a guitar? Seriously, I love the color (Arctic White) and neck. As I mentioned I compared it side by side with 4 US-made Strats and in no way did I find that they were worth the extra $600. I'll give it a "10" in this category, just because I feel I got a real Strat sound at a fraction of the cost.

It's a Strat, what more could I say? Vintage trem, standard tuners, 3 single coils, V/T/T controls, five-way pickup selector, maple neck and fingerboard, and an alder body. I felt that I needed something more, so I ditched the tuners for Sperzel locking tuners, put in Blue/Silver/Red Fender Lace Sensors, and after dropping it and smashing up the alder body, purchased a swamp ash replacement. I'm also going to replace the cheap vintage bridge with a Wilkenson VSV. The above rating of "6" applies to the stock version; after upgrades, it gets an "8".

I don't remember what the orignial pickups sounded like, and I played them through a cheap Peavey 15W amp anyway. With the mods mentioned above, this puppy rocks! I play through a variety of amps, from a solid state Crate 90W to a all tube Peavey 30W amp. The Lace Sensors can pull off single and humbucker tones with minimal noise. The volume and tone knobs are perfectly set so that I can gradually roll off distortion from the guitar itself. I custom-wired the 5th position of the selector swith to be a combo of bridge and neck pickups, and even if you don't want the Lace Sensors, you should try this. It gives off a real powerful tone without being to bright, and picks up some beastly harmonics.

This guitar was made in Mexico, so it doesn't quite live up to the standards of Fender's American Standard series. The most glaring signs of low quality standards showed up in the form of a poor fret job (sharp corners) and a scary soddering job. The threads on my tremelo arm also stripped, but I'm not sure that I can blame that on abuse or cheap material. Once again, the mods made for improvements in all areas. The ash body was high quality, and I think that Sperzel's tuners are among the world's best. One note on the Lace Sensors: depending on the height, you can change the tone. Fender recommends putting them as high as possible, and that gives the classic single coil bite, but I backed them off some, and it smoothed out nicely. Experiment to find what you like.

The original alder body was quite soft, and the strap buttons would pull out of their holes. I had to fill and retap them to keep the strap buttons in place. I can't blame Fender for my dropping the guitar, but it held up well aside from a huge gash in the wood. The ash on my replacement body is some tough stuff, and their ain't no way the strap buttons are coming off. The tremelo got slightly bent around the pivot holes at some time, but it doesn't affect the range of motion at all.

I did all of the repairs and mods on my own. Never had to contact Fender.

I've been playing on this guitar solely for 3 years now, and it's feeling like a custom-fit glove. Even considering the poor fret job, I love the neck. It's nicely worn-in, and I prefer it over Fender's more expensive models or anything else out there. I recommend the locking tuners because they increase the tuning stability exponentially. I'm still not crazy about the bridge, so if anyone knows where I can get a Wilkenson VSV, send me an e-mail. One other recommendation: Get strap locks! I could've saved myself some serious cash if I would've done so, but instead my guitar jumped from my strap resulting in the gouge in the body. In conclusion, this Strat is pretty good for a beginner, and with a couple hundred bucks in mods, you can have a serious high-caliber guitar.

It's a 1998 Mexican made standard Stratocaster with 21 frets awesome midnight wine finish, maple neck, s/s/s pickups , Alder body

I play a lot of alt. rock, Pearl Jam and such. This guitar is actually my second guitar, but the first that I have actually purchased ( I started learning on an old electric my parents had lying around) . It's sounds great. You can get almost a nasal sound using the bridge position, which is great for things like Nirvana's Teen spirit intro. As you move towards the neck you get a deeper, richer sound, IT has a decent soundrange although you're not gonna get a real fat tone like a Les Paul.

The action was the reason for the purchase, It has a really nice feel, and everyone that has played it has complemented me on it's feel. Everything was set up nicely, except the tremlo screws weren't in enough and the bridge came up some. The music store fixed it just by tightening some screws. The finish is beautiful!! I have a friend who has been playing for 3 years and he has a Peavey Predator. He wanted to trade me after seeing and playing the strat!

I haven't used it on a gig yet, but I have moved a few times and It has held up well. Seems to be a very stable quality guitar.

NO

I have been playing for about half a year and love this guitar. If it were ever stolen or lost I would probably save buy another. I love the look and feel of this guitar. One of my friends remarked that it's rare to find a guitar under $500 that has this great a feel. Even another guitar shop commented on how good of a feel it has.

cette guitare est fabriquee au mexique. je crois que le body est fait en peuplier et le manche est en erable. le tremolo et les cle sont standard

je trouve que le son de cette fender made in mexico est incroyable. le feeling est absolument fantastique et les pick up quoique standar ont un son tres bon. je possede un vieille strat et une g&l assat et le son de la fender mexico est de tres bonne qualite. ou il y a une difference c'est au niveau de la resonance harmonique. le sustain naturel du bois est vite etouffe et ca n'a rien avoir avec les pick up. mais en general le son est excellant. le tremolo et les cles sont comparable aux vieille fender des annees 70

le bois utilise est du peuplier, je crois que c'est la nouvelle mode pour ne pas dire plywood. mais le son se raproche a seluit d'un bois dur. la finition est tres bien et meme comparable a une american standard. le manche est pas mal identique a une american standard aussi. la difference est au niveau du bois utilise et des cles. a noter que les cles ne detune pas. pour le prix cette guitare est une merveille.

cette guitare est tres solide et bonne pour longtemps.

j'ai essayer plusieur us strat et des japan strat et si vous avez 1000,00 a depenser pour une guitare essayer la mexicaine elle est surprenante et ce quoique le monde disent a propos des made in mexico. il vous restera environs 600,00 pour vous acheter un bon ampli. ou vous paye un bon lunch

I own a 98 mexican stratocaster with a maple fretboard. This thing has a vintage tremlo, three standard single coils, and die cast tuners. No gig bag or case with purchase. Basically this is the bare bone strat.

This guitar serves me well in the music I play. Stuff like Smashing Pumpkins, ska, and light alternative. Compared to an Ibanez with humbucker this has a lighter crisper tone. It can get a little noisy in the 1, 3, and 5 positions but otherwise its pretty quite. This is a good guitar for lighter stuff but Im really looking for a guitar that has the bottom end of a gibson SG and the top end of a strat sound to get the maximum range. Maybe I should add some lace sensors.

The action was a little too high for my tastes but that was quickly corrected. The pickups were the perfect hight. Nothing seemed loose and it had an excellent setup.

Fenders are rocks that can never be broken. Ive played with this live and it holds up just fine. I especially put it to the test when I throw the guitar down and slam back on the strings as hard as I possibly can. The finish seems good enough but only time will tell. Besides a little wear and tear shows that you are a real guitar player. The strap buttons are solind but I screwed it all to hell when installing straplocks. Always have a backup though espially if you break strings alot.

Ive been playing for two years and own an Ibanez RG 270 and a epi strat. I would not buy it again if it were stolen. I save my money for a big apple strat. That would give me the perfect sound. I love the comfortable feel of the srat and the awesome look of the head. It makes me feel secure that Im playing a fender and I can really pound and slam this thing. I dont hate anything but better quality tuners would have been nice. I strongly recomend this for your first electric. You should buy one of those packages with amp. Its indestructable, good sounding, and feels good when your playing it. Im ready for a step up now and its time to say farewell to this black beauty.

It's a 1995 Mexican-made Strat. Stock - 25.5" scale, 9.25" radius, 21 frets, 5-way switch, yeallowish-white body, rosewood fingerboard, etc. The only alterations are: a) a sanded neck (will get to it later), b) Jethro Tull autographs on the scratchplate. :-) Bought it used, it didn't come with any other accessories. It doesn't have any fancy switching (not like i need it), so I give it an 8.

I love the way it sounds. Single coils have the famous Strat "quack", in-between positions have bell-like tones. I must add, I'm one of those weiroes who actually......like single coil pickups! :-) I play mostly prog rock, psychedelic stuff, and metal. Works well for pretty much all of those. Single coils aren't really made for metal, but I can get a decent enough sound. I play it though a 25W Squier Champ, BTW. The bridge pickup is bright (maybe too bright for some), midle is a bit fatter and warmer, neck is, obviously, even fatter. The bridge and middle sound nice with distortion and clean. The neck pickup sounds nice when clean (a-la intro to Shine On You Crazy Diamond), but with distortion it's a tad nascal and "hollow". I'll probably replace it with a Hot Rails pickup to get a proper metal sound. I don't use it too much anyway. In the positions 1, 3, and 5 the pickups are noisy. I can't say how bad they are compared to the American ones, though. The in-between position illiminate the hum, so I'm not too worried about the noise. The neck is narrow and neither too thick nor thin. I wish it were thicker, though. I sanded it because my hads sweat a lot and stick to it after long playing. I carefully sealed it with lemon oil and stained it with light maple stain. I like the tall thin frets - I was never comfortable with wide, Gibson-style frets (and Gibson-style necks in general). The hardware is OK - the vintage-style bridge, Fender-style tuners. No problems with either. I also put in a graphite nut as a replacement for my own, which was destroed by a poor set-up in aguitar shop. I have very few tuning problems even with the whammy bar use - I'm not too violent with it, though.

The original set-up was fine, untill I changed the strings to lighter ones. I was a novice and knew nothing about action or intonation. :-) The guitar shop filed down my nut slots way too deep (why???), so I had to replace the nut. I set it up myself and it's been fine. Recently I went fot the medium gauge strings again, adjusted the intonation, and it plays like a dream. I like the higher action for the sake of sound and sustain, so I don't know how well it would suit those who like low action. I found no flaws with the construction, except one of the screws on of the bridge saddles rusted, so it's hard to turn now (bummer!). I'll probably get a new one. Finish is a bit beat up - it's got some chips and dents. It's my first guitar and I didn't realise at first that banging it into solid objects chips it (moron! ;-).

It doesn't seem to have anything that might brake in the next 10-20 years. Strap butons are solid. I'm not too sure about the tuners - they are still OK, but they are cheap. I'll probably buy locking tuners later on.

No idea.

I've been playing for a year and a half and so far I love this axe. It's my only one, BTW. If it were lost or stolen, I'll probably check the 50's Jap re-isues first, ONLY because they've got thicker, "V" shaped necks. It's not a high-end guitar, but it's a good value for money if you like its sound. I never had a chance to compare it to other Strats, because they all are well above my price range. Compared to Gibsons, it sounds different. Not better or worse, just different. Great beginners' Strat-style guitar - cheap, but made better then Squiers. Love it to pieces.

I believe this is a 1994 standard strat. I bought it in 1995. I won't go into it's 'featurs' as many other posters have. It's a regular strat - no special switching. It's an old design that hasn't been updated much, so I give it a 7, because it's alefty.

The original pickups were horrible. They were noisy, dull and LOW output. I put a set of Texas Specials in, and it's better now. I play it with mostly a blackface bassman and occasionally a ts9/808. The single coils are a little noisy, but that is to be expected. It's a lot brighter than my Les Paul. The 7.5" radius makes it a little easier to play complex chords than the Gibson, but bending is a little more challenging. It's a nice sounding guitar. It gets really quacky in the 2 and 4 positions (which the original pickups didn't do).

Horrible set up.. action was too low. The neck/body pocket seemed a tad bigger than the neck itself. After a setup, everything was better. What can you do about a neck joint like this?

This guitar has taken a beating and survived. I've had it for 2 or three years, and everything is still ok. I wouldn't gig without a backup with ANY guitar until they make unbreakable strings. :)

never had to call them.

I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard, this guitar and a few teles (all of which are lefties). If it were stolen, I would probably look for something else. It's not my favorite guitar.

From Mexico - within past 2 years or so. Bought new. Fret/Neck nice, Nice finish/Blonde neck, Deep purple/blue body.

I love the sound. As an acoustic guitar player for 20+ years, this is my first electric!!! And I am jazzed! I am having a blast. PERFECT for Blues and Surf Music ( 2 favs of mine) Fun!

The guitar is BEAUTIFUL!!!! She is a purple/blue and her name is "Bonnie" :)

Yes!
and always have a back up... ya never know !

5 year warranty

A traditional and true-blue acoustic player for 20+ years....I LOVE THIS THING!!!! I found the electric to be easier. I do need a bit of practice on style and rythmm etc. Trying to learn style on my own HOWEVER...
As an acoustic guitarist I have a habit of hammering the bridge area, long full strums, etc.( I play a lot like Melissa Etheridge) On an electric it can be difficult, because it causes the bridge to warp (as if with a whammy bar) How can I play cleaner ? Habit/style not congruent. Always looking for suggestions.....

Strats are awesome electric guitars if you want a good guitar with quality tone, but you don't want to spend tons of money. Mine is a Mexican Strat which is sunburst colored. I recieved a hard case which as done very well in serving its purpose of protecting my baby! I think this guitar will last me a long time and I don't think I will wear it out in many years to come.

This guitar is perfect for my type of music in which I play everything from Blues to Rockabilly to Classic Rock. The tunes of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Chuck Berry, the Eagles, Lynard Skynard, Buddy Holly, Eric Clapton, and many others are most often heard from this guitar. This guitar can get everyhting from a loud, grunge noise (which I don't use too often) to a full, rich tone (which I use more often). The amp I have been playing through for a while is a Fender Frontman, but I recently purchased a Fender Blues Deluxe tube amplifier which gives me the edge as far as sound goes. It absolutely rocks! I have a Cool Cat pedal by Danelectro that gives me some great effects with which to solo.

The action on this guitar is excellent, however, the action by my hands is what needs to be improved upon! : ) Seriously, I thought the company did an excellent job making this guitar which lives up to the Fender name. I had it worked on at a Bench Check a few months ago which helped it sound just a little bit better, and I am planning on getting it worked on more often in the future.

If I was on a gig, i would definately use this thing; it hasn't failed on me yet! I think this guitar is VERY reliable and will last me foe many years in the future!

I really can't say much about Fender's customer support, I mainly associate with the local dealer.

I think this guitar is very versatile and excellent all around. I will probably keep it for a long time, and I hope that I can build around it with other equipment. If I do get a new guitar, I'd like to keep this one; it has been an excellent guitar for so long. You have to like the Strat Style to be a Fender Stratocaster lover, but if you like the way it sounds and plays and you are looking for a new guitar, I say to definately go for it; you'll probably be glad you did. I know that I sure am.

This is a Japanese made Fender Standard Stratocaster. It has standard stock pickups (S/S/S), with a 5 way selector. Positions 2 and 4 are excellent for a bluesy sound. Position 1 (bridge) is good for leads, though it can occasionally be a bit too "trebly" when played clean, but EQ can fix that. The body is made of poplar, with a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. The body had a black finish, nothing special, but it looks good. The neck is thin and it is easy to play fast on. It is satin finished, so it doesn't get sticky when your hands sweat like glossy necks can. The fingerboard is nice, no defects, very smooth. The tuners are stock Fenders, nothing special, but very functional, they keep tune as long as you don't go crazy with the whammy. I never use the whammy bar, but this guitar comes with one. This is an excellent workhorse/utilitarian/beginning guitar.

I play blues, hard rock, proto-metal, and classic rock. This guitar can cut it for all of them. It's a Strat, one of THE classic guitars. It will never sound as fat as a humbucker guitar (I have a PRS for comparison), but the neck pickup is very nice is you need a thick sound. I use it with a Marshall 30th Anniversary Amp and a Fender Stage 112SE (and the venerable Crate 15GX), and it produces excellent blues and rock tones from these amps (maybe not the Crate, but for a beginning amp, its the best around :)). The sound is full, not too fat or too thin, very Strat-like. The in-between positions sound "glassy" and bluesy. Decent SRV tone. The neck pickup can work for playing Sabbath type tunes that require a darker sound. The bridge pickup is good for leads, but as I said before, it can get a little high on clean, not all the time, but sometimes. Once again, this is a very functional guitar.

This guitar came with 9's installed and that's what I play with. It came setup so I could do upbends with the whammy, but since I don't use it, I adjusted it and it wreaked havoc upon my high E string, so I adjusted it again and everything was fine, except for a little buzzing, but that's my fault not Fender's (gotta fix that). Also, the output jack has become disconnected a couple of times. I don't know if this was my fault, but it is a very easy fix with a soldering iron. Overall, this guitar plays very fast, and everything fits together nicely.

I have adjusted this guitar several times to fit my personal style, and I have had mixed results. I admit that I am not the best at adjusting the action, so I occasionally get buzzy strings, but that's not Fender's fault. This guitar is rock solid. It has fallen out of its gig bag onto a tile floor with no damage. I never worry about it falling apart. The hardware seems solid, and has been solid for 2 years now. The strap buttons are kind of small, I should probably put on some Strap-Loks becuase the strap slips off every now and then, but it's not a heavy guitar, so catching it is easy. I have been using it continuously for 2 years now, and it still looks good. The finish is scratched, not visibly, but those darned scratches you get from strumming, but since you can't see them, and they're not real damage, I don't mind. This is one durable guitar.

I haven't dealt with Fender directly. I've dealt with their local certified repair people (for amps), and that was a nasty experience. They didn't get my amp fixed for a month. I haven't dealt with their local guitar people, who are different from the amp people. I also do most of the minor repairs at home, and since this is a simple guitar, I don't expect to need factory support for it, so I can't say how good it is.

I love this guitar. It was my first guitar, and it looks as if it will last a very long time. It plays fast and sounds great. For the price ($270), it can't be beat. It does everything a Strat should. If it was stolen, I would hunt down the offender and get it back. Despite its low price, this guitar works, and it works well. It is a great beginning guitar, and I use it still in company with my PRS. It may not be an American Standard or a Custom Shop, but for its price, you can't beat it.

My guitar is actually a Mexican Standard. It has 21 jumbo frets on a maple neck. Three single coil pickups ( i replaced the bridge position pickup with a DiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker ), volume and tone knobs, 5 way selector swith, etc...

I love the sound of the neck pos. pickup! Very bluesy sound. Also very good for Dave Gilmour type solos. I wanted a meaner sound, so I had the afformentioned Super Distortion humbucker in. I now get a WIDE variety of sounds out of it. I shortened the trem bar on it ( a trick a la Gilmour ), so I can hold the bar and pick the strings at the same time. I don't use the wang bar all that much, but it can make some wicked vibrato sounds with the bar. This guitar was my 2nd. My first was a piece-o-crap Squier strat. NOTE: Stay away from Squier guitars. They are the biggest pieces of crap ever!

I liked the pickups, for their bluesy sound. I did have to adjust the action on my high e and b strings. They were kinda low, so I fixed that. I am the guitar's second owner. There was a chip on the body ( probably from the first owner ). Other than that, it was in good cond.

Not had it too long. Seems reliable and durable, though.

Haven't needed to call 'em.

I really really like this guitar a lot.