Fender American Special Stratocaster Hss Review Music Musicradar
Review: Fender's American Performer Stratocaster HSS and Telecaster deliver iconic sounds and incredible attention to particular
Fender's newest Strats and Teles may not be equally heady or revolutionary equally Chevy's new Corvette (which has been around about the same amount of time), but I'm nonetheless incredibly impressed how Fender manages to provide a fresh spin on those electric guitars every few years or so. And they manage to practice this without sacrificing the essence of those models too, so they entreatment to modern players and vintage purists alike.
The new American Performer serial is a swell example of how they approach this, providing performance upgrades that expand the tonal versatility of classic models similar the Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster and Mustang, while keeping original features that got it right from the beginning.
These models are designed with the needs of gigging guitarists in listen, from playability and versatility to libation-than-usual styling
The American Performer line is true to its proper name. The guitars are made at Fender's Corona, California, manufactory and are designed with the needs of gigging guitarists in mind, from playability and versatility to libation-than-usual styling.
Even better for working musicians in today'due south challenging industry conditions, the models are all impressively competitively priced, even though they offer a multitude of custom upgrades that about competitors would sell for a pretty penny extra.
Here, we exam the American Performer Telecaster and the American Performer Stratocaster HSS to see if their operation delivers.
Features
Each American Performer Stratocaster HSS and Telecaster is offered with a choice of four end options that are unique to each model.
Selections for the Stratocaster HSS consist of iii-Color Sunburst, Aubergine (both with rosewood fingerboards), Black and Satin Surf Dark-green (both with maple fingerboards), while the Telecaster comes in Honey Burst, Satin Sonic Blue (both with rosewood fingerboards), Vintage White and the incredibly cool shiny copper Penny (both with maple fingerboards).
The real beauty of these instruments lies deeper than their striking looks
The existent dazzler of these instruments lies deeper than their striking looks. Both feature newly designed Yosemite single-coil pickups that alloy Alnico 2, 4 or 5 magnets in various installation positions, which are shellac-dipped (every bit is the instance with many '60s Fender pickups) for open up-sounding tone, and wound to provide optimum tone for their respective positions.
The Stratocaster HSS has a Double Tap humbucking pickup at the bridge with a curlicue-splitting function that is engaged via the lower tone knob'due south push/pull pot. Both models are equipped with a Greasebucket tone circuit that maintains proceeds and clarity when you lot dorsum down the Tele's chief tone or the Strat HSS's bridge tone controls.
Playability and operation upgrades to both models include 22 jumbo frets installed on the necks, which have a 'Modern C'-shaped profile, nine.5-inch radius and satin terminate. New ClassicGear tuners provide an ultra-accurate 18:1 ratio and super-smooth feel.
Purists and perfections will particularly appreciate the elements Fender didn't change. The American Performer Telecaster has a vintage-style 'ashtray' bridge with 3 contumely barrel saddles, which Tele enthusiasts insist is essential for definitive Tele tone.
The American Performer Stratocaster HSS has a six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, and the tardily-'60s/'70s-style oversized headstock is a welcome detail for discriminating tone connoisseurs - just ask Jimi, Ritchie or Yngwie. Both models feature alder bodies also.
Functioning
Fender chose the right name for this new series of guitars as they are true performers in every sense of the give-and-take. The Yosemite single-ringlet pickups deliver 'bucket list' Strat and Tele tones better than anything Fender has produced for their sub-$2,000 guitars in the last decade or and so.
The tones are ballsy and full-bodied, hitting the amp's front-end with Manny Pacquiao punch and singing with Freddie Mercury sweet. The coolest aspect about the Strat HSS's pickups is that the output is perfectly counterbalanced betwixt the humbucker'southward dual-and split-coil settings likewise between the total humbucker and middle/neck pickups.
While the jumbo frets certainly measure meatier than typical medium-jumbo frets, they don't feel overly big under the fingertips, providing satisfying fast and smooth activeness and maintaining body and sustain when pushing aptitude notes to the limit. The 'Modernistic C' cervix profile is slim only feels substantial and solid in the player'southward hands. These are some of the well-nigh comfy stock Strat and Tele necks I've always played.
The overall construction quality is immaculate and flawless. The necks fit super-snug into the body pockets, every spiral is perfectly installed and the overall attention to item is shockingly good for guitars in this toll range - and beyond! Whether you're looking for a first Strat or Tele or considering an upgrade, the American Performer series models are very worthy contenders.
STREET Price: $one,099.99
MANUFACTURER: Fender, fender.com
- New Yosemite single-roll pickups are individually voiced to each model and installation position.
- The Greasebucket tone arrangement maintains clarity and consistent gain no matter where the tone knobs are positioned.
- The Stratocaster HSS has a DoubleTap humbucking pickup at the span with a coil-carve up function accessible via the lower push/pull tone knob.
- The Telecaster has a vintage-style 'ashtray' span with iii brass barrel saddles that evangelize classic Tele twang.
THE Lesser LINE: Fender's American Performer solidbody guitars offering gigging guitarists incredible value for a Us-built musical instrument with upgraded features and classic essentials that discriminating players need.
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Source: https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/review-fenders-american-performer-stratocaster-hss-and-telecaster-deliver-iconic-sounds-and-incredible-attention-to-detail
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