Fender

The American Elite Series

by
Index - American Elite Stratocaster

The Fender American Elite Stratocaster, launched at the 2016 Winter NAMM Show, succeeded the American Deluxe Series as Fender’s top-tier U.S.-made guitar line. With over two years of research and development, it was promoted as Fender’s most advanced series yet, tailored to meet the demands of modern players. Priced at $1,799–$1,899, it introduced bold finishes like Autumn Blaze Metallic and came with a TSA-approved molded case.

One of the key innovations was the 4th Generation Noiseless pickups, built from scratch with new bobbins, magnets, and staggered AlNiCo 5 pole pieces for smoother, more balanced response. While inspired by vintage tones, they delivered a modern sound with reduced noise, aided by shielded wiring and visual markers like the silver “NOISELESS” logo.

The guitar also featured expanded electronics, including the S-1 switch for alternative wiring configurations and a No-Load tone control for greater clarity. HSS models added a Shawbucker and a Passing Lane button to bypass tone and volume controls entirely.

The neck was redesigned with a compound “C-to-D” profile and a 9.5″–14″ compound-radius fingerboard for improved playability, plus a new asymmetrical heel for better upper fret access. Originally available with maple or rosewood boards, Fender shifted to streaked ebony in 2017 due to CITES restrictions, promoting its sustainability and tonal brightness.

Additional upgrades included a wheel-style truss rod (replacing Micro-Tilt), a two-point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo with a copper-infused block, locking tuners, soft-touch knobs, and redesigned strap locks. The gloss headstock bore a silver “Spaghetti” logo and a modern string tree.

The launch was supported by the “Built for the Pursuit” campaign, which spotlighted working musicians striving to perfect their sound. Featuring artists like John 5 and Ryan Merchant, the campaign emphasized Fender’s commitment to innovation and the evolving needs of today’s players—honoring not just tradition, but the drive for progress.

The Fender Select Series

by
Index - Fender Select

Launched at NAMM 2012, the Fender Select Series represented a major step forward in Fender’s production lineup. These U.S.-made guitars and basses were crafted as premium instruments for players seeking top-tier quality without entering Custom Shop territory. The series combined select tonewoods, elegant finishes, and refined details to deliver visually striking and sonically rich instruments that sat at the pinnacle of Fender’s regular production models.

The guitars featured figured maple tops, compound-radius fretboards, and quartersawn or bird’s-eye maple necks. A distinctive Fender Select medallion was embedded in the back of each headstock. Electronics included specially voiced Fender Select pickups, derived from popular Custom Shop sets like the Fat ’50s and Broadcaster, but refined for more balanced and expressive tone. Advanced features like the BiFlex truss rod and no-load tone control ensured stability and tonal clarity.

The Select Stratocaster debuted in a Dark Cherry Burst finish with natural binding, a flame maple top, a satin-lacquered flame maple neck, and high-end hardware. The HSS version included a humbucker at the bridge and finishes like Antique Burst with a rosewood fretboard.

In 2013, Fender introduced channel-bound necks, where the fretboard was inlaid directly into the neck. This created a smoother feel and improved resonance, offering the aesthetic benefits of binding without sharp edges.

According to Fender’s Justin Norvell, the Select Series was designed for those who walked into a shop and asked, “What’s the best one?” These guitars answered that call, blending modern innovation with Fender’s 60+ years of craftsmanship.

Though limited in production, each year brought new woods and designs, making the Select Series not only highly playable but also collectible. It stood as a bold restatement of Fender’s heritage—and future direction.

The American Deluxe Series and the Noiseless Pickups

by
Index - American Deluxe Series

The American Deluxe Series and the First Noiseless Pickups
The Fender American Deluxe Series, introduced in July 1998, marked a significant evolution in Fender’s lineup, replacing the Plus Series as the company’s premier American-made production model. This series aimed to enhance the Stratocaster’s sound and playability without altering its iconic design.

Design and Features

Fender revisited the original 1950s Stratocaster blueprints to ensure the body contours closely resembled the classic design. The bodies were crafted from high-quality alder or ash, often showcasing transparent finishes that highlighted the wood grain. To complement the visual appeal, Fender introduced features like rolled neck edges, a modern “C” neck profile, and staggered locking tuners, all contributing to improved comfort and playability.

Cosmetic enhancements included abalone dot markers, aged plastic parts, and a new raised silver “Appliqué” logo. The hardware was polished chrome, and the tremolo system was the Fender Deluxe 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with a pop-in arm. Notably, the American Deluxe Stratocaster was among the first to feature Fender’s Noiseless pickups, aiming to deliver the classic Strat tone without the hum associated with traditional single-coil pickups.

The First Noiseless Pickups: Vintage Noiseless and Hot Noiseless

The introduction of Noiseless pickups was a response to the demand for single-coil tones without the unwanted hum. The first-generation Noiseless pickups, known as Vintage Noiseless, were designed to replicate the traditional Strat sound while minimizing noise. These pickups were well-received for their clarity and vintage character.

In subsequent years, Fender introduced the Hot Noiseless pickups, which offered a higher output and a more modern tone. These pickups were designed to provide a more powerful sound while maintaining the noiseless operation, catering to players seeking a more robust Stratocaster tone.

The Second Series: SCN Pickups and the S-1 Switch

In the early 2000s, Fender introduced the Samarium Cobalt Noiseless (SCN) pickups, which utilized rare-earth magnets to achieve a quieter operation and a more balanced tone. The SCN pickups were designed to provide a more traditional Stratocaster sound with reduced noise.

Additionally, Fender incorporated the S-1 switching system, allowing players to access a wider range of tonal options by engaging a secondary set of pickup combinations. This innovation expanded the versatility of the American Deluxe Stratocaster, catering to a broader spectrum of musical styles.

The Third Series: N3 Noiseless Pickups and Other Upgrades

The final iteration of the American Deluxe Series featured the N3 Noiseless pickups, which combined Alnico III, II, and V magnets to achieve a more balanced and dynamic tone. These pickups were designed to provide a more powerful sound while maintaining the noiseless operation, catering to players seeking a more robust Stratocaster tone.

Other upgrades in this series included enhanced fretwork, improved neck profiles, and refined hardware, all contributing to the overall playability and tonal quality of the instrument.

Conclusion

The American Deluxe Stratocaster series represents Fender’s commitment to innovation while respecting the classic Stratocaster design. By integrating modern features and the Noiseless pickups, Fender enhanced the playability and versatility of the Stratocaster, making it more appealing to contemporary musicians. The evolution of the Noiseless pickups further underscores Fender’s dedication to providing high-quality instruments that meet the demands of modern guitarists.

The Plus Series

by
Index - Plus Series

Introduced in 1987, the Fender Strat Plus was one of the first American-made Stratocasters launched after the company’s corporate restructuring under new ownership in the mid-1980s. Designed as a high-end model within the regular production line, the Strat Plus series offered modern upgrades while retaining the essential look and feel of a classic Stratocaster. It quickly became a popular choice among professionals and serious players looking for improved performance and reliability without sacrificing vintage appeal.

The most notable feature of the Strat Plus was its use of Lace Sensor pickups. Developed in collaboration with Don Lace, these pickups aimed to eliminate the 60-cycle hum typical of traditional single-coils while maintaining tonal clarity and dynamics. The standard configuration included Gold Lace Sensors in the neck, middle, and bridge positions, which produced a warm, balanced tone with a slight compression ideal for studio and stage use. Some later models experimented with different combinations, such as Blue, Silver, or Red Lace Sensors, offering more tonal variation.

Another significant innovation was the LSR roller nut (initially Wilkinson Roller Nut on early models), which, along with locking tuners (usually Schaller), greatly enhanced tuning stability—especially when using the tremolo. These hardware upgrades allowed players to perform aggressive vibrato techniques without the guitar going out of tune, a long-standing issue with traditional Strat bridges and nuts.

The Strat Plus featured a two-point synchronized tremolo system, which provided smoother action and less friction compared to the vintage six-screw design. It also came with staggered tuning posts, eliminating the need for string trees on some models and contributing further to tuning stability.

Cosmetically, the Strat Plus retained the iconic Stratocaster shape and pickguard design, but was offered in a wide variety of finishes, from classic sunbursts to bold, metallic colors typical of the late ’80s and early ’90s. The necks were usually modern “C” shapes with 22 medium jumbo frets and a 9.5″ radius, catering to players who preferred a flatter fingerboard for bending and faster playing styles.

Production of the original Strat Plus continued until the late 1990s, gradually evolving into the Strat Plus Deluxe and Ultra models, which introduced more electronics options like the TBX tone circuit and mini-switches for coil-tapping or series/parallel wiring. Eventually, the line was phased out around 1999 as Fender updated its American Standard line and introduced new models.

The Strat Plus remains a sought-after instrument on the used market. It represents a unique blend of traditional Fender craftsmanship and forward-thinking engineering, appealing to players who want a reliable, high-quality guitar with vintage looks and modern performance. Many artists used Strat Plus models on stage and in the studio during its heyday, further cementing its status as a significant part of Fender’s post-CBS legacy.

Lace Sensor Pickups

by
Index - Lace Sensor 2

Lace Sensor pickups, developed by Don Lace Sr. in the early 1980s, revolutionized single-coil guitar technology by significantly reducing 60-cycle hum while maintaining clarity and dynamic response. Using his background in magnetics and solenoid design, Lace created a pickup with metal shielding and multiple magnetic sensing fields that offered a wider tonal range and lower noise. Fender embraced the innovation in 1986, incorporating Lace Sensors into iconic models like the Strat Plus and signature guitars for Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. The article traces the full history of the Lace family’s work, from their garage startup to their partnership with Fender, and details the unique design elements that made Lace Sensors stand out—such as the Radiant Field Barrier and Micro Matrix Combs. It also explains the technical specs of the different Sensor models (Gold, Silver, Blue, and Red), their evolution over time, and their lasting legacy among vintage guitar enthusiasts and collectors.

The American Professional Stratocaster

by
Index - American Professional

The American Professional Stratocaster was more than a cosmetic update of the American Standard—it introduced meaningful changes aimed at modern players. Key features included a new “Deep C” neck profile for better grip and comfort, narrow-tall frets that enhanced note clarity and bending, improved staggered tuners with a higher gear ratio, and a pop-in tremolo arm. A treble-bleed circuit helped maintain clarity at lower volumes, while a fresh case and new color options added aesthetic appeal. Tonally, the most important innovations were the V-Mod pickups and Shawbuckers, both designed by Tim Shaw. V-Mod single coils used a unique blend of Alnico magnets for each position, enhancing tone and clarity without sacrificing vintage character. Shawbuckers, featured in HSS and HH models, were unpotted for openness and transparency, using Alnico 2 magnets to balance warmth and definition. Together, these upgrades offered a more versatile and expressive Stratocaster experience.