Stratocaster History

The American Elite Series

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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

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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 Plus Series

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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.