“Sharper attack, extended sustain and a warmer tone”: Could brass saddles supercharge your Strat tone? By Phil Weller published 8 May 24 AxLabs Hardware certainly thinks so – its String Surfer brass saddles promise to improve Stratocaster tone and reduce string breakages
“These won’t last long!” Fender issues surprise limited-edition semi-hollow guitar drop, bringing the Telecaster Thinline to the American Professional II Series and reviving the Stratocaster Thinline By Michael Astley-Brown published 8 May 24 Kitted out in four transparent pastel finishes, the new limited-edition releases rank among Fender’s most enticing launches this year
“A solid and luxurious look”: Fender Japan’s new Sandblast range is the firm’s tamest release in ages – but, thanks to a quirky finishing technique, also one of its most desirable By Matt Owen published 18 April 24 Limited-edition Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazz Bass models have been unveiled, each of which are treated to a nifty sandblast finish
“During Covid I took an Olympic Pearl White body, took apart one of my signatures, and made the first prototype”: Fender honors influential worship guitarist Lincoln Brewster with a new-look signature Strat – and it’s even more desirable than his first By Matt Owen published 9 April 24 Brewster was told his desired Olympic Pearl White finish had never been done in nitrocellulose lacquer before – but it became a reality for his second signature Stratocaster
“People think ’70s Fenders are bad, but that’s not correct”: Guitarists often knock CBS-era Strats – but Yngwie Malmsteen knows how to find a good one By Phil Weller published 30 March 24 The Stratocaster’s CBS era may be remembered as one of the instrument's lowest points, but the Swedish virtuoso has pinpointed a key fact regarding the first decade of CBS's ownership of Fender
“A series that is worthy of being called a ‘hybrid’”: Fender Japan’s latest Hybrid II models bring modernistic quilted tops and never-before-seen finishes to the Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster and Jazz Bass By Matt Parker published 28 March 24 If you’ve ever wanted one of electric guitar’s classic outlines with a fresh quilted maple look, well, Fender Japan has answered your prayers...
“It doesn’t take a million dollars. You take this to any studio or venue, and you’re Band of Gypsys”: Joe Bonamassa attempts to recreate Jimi Hendrix’s iconic live rig on a budget – with a $319 Squier Strat and Peavey Classic By Phil Weller published 20 March 24 The gear guru is challenged to capture Hendrix’s legendary live tones with two vastly different budgets – and reveals some Hendrix tricks along the way
“When I first went to England, there was Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton sleeping in a van. They all bought Strats after they saw me play”: Buddy Guy reflects on his relationship with the Strat during a jam with Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram By Phil Weller published 20 March 24 In Fender's new Strat Sessions series, the two blues greats come together for a stripped-back take on a Willie Dixon classic – and to discuss the enduring influence of the Stratocaster
“Furthering Fortnite’s commitment to working with forward-thinking music brands”: Fender teams up with Fornite to bring its Stratocaster and Precision Bass to the digital realm By Phil Weller published 15 March 24 Fender’s collaboration with one of the world’s biggest video games brings the two timeless models to Fortnite’s 221 million players
“To me, those are blues machines”: Joe Bonamassa picks his three quintessential guitars for playing the blues – and names his “Les Paul killers” By Matt Owen published 11 March 24 Bonamassa has one of the most expansive guitar collections around, but if he had to choose, which models would he select as the best bits of kit for playing blues?
“Forever ahead of its time”: Fender kicks off the Strat’s 70th anniversary party with star-studded Voodoo Child (Slight Return) mega-jam – featuring Tom Morello, Nile Rodgers, Mateus Asato, Ari O'Neal and Rei By Matt Parker published 5 March 24 The fiery, tag-teamed take on the Hendrix classic is designed to showcase the Strat’s enduring legacy – and tonal flexibility
Stratocaster vs Telecaster: What’s the difference between these legendary guitar siblings? By Connor Godfrey published 19 January 24 Two seminal guitars from the same manufacturer; what are their similarities and differences, and which is right for you?
“When that first one came off the line, I grabbed it… and it was terrible”: The first Fender Stratocaster builds had to be junked due to their horrendous tremolos By Matt Parker published 5 January 24 Guitar historian Tony Bacon has told Reverb the story of the ill-fated first Strats to come off Fender’s production line
“I had to drive several hours through snow to get to him. He told me this was one of the first Stratocasters, and there were some things I noticed immediately”: This 1954 Fender Stratocaster is one of the most unusual Fender builds in history By David Davidson published 4 December 23 David Davidson of Well Strung Guitars explains what makes this uniquely preserved vintage Strat so unique – starting with control pots from a TV set
I’ve lost count of the players who told me they got their start on a Squier Stratocaster – now Fender is offering them for under $150, a huge 40% discount on the go-to learner guitar By Matt Parker published 27 November 23 For a limited time you can pick up a Surf Green Affinity Strat for just $149
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT review – Fender's classic beginner electric guitar just got better By Matt Owen published 23 November 23 Squier's new entry-level Strat brings Leo Fender's most famous creation to the masses and begs the question: is there a better beginner electric guitar on the market?
“Jim Root 182”: The Fender Tom DeLonge Stratocaster is getting a (nearly) all-black metal makeover for Black Friday – but you’ll have to be quick to get one By Matt Parker published 22 November 23 The highly limited blacked-out blink-182 instruments go on sale this Friday (November 24)
“Playing a guitar like this back in 1963 must have been truly mind-blowing”: Meet the 1963 Stratocaster with one of Fender’s rarest-ever finishes, Blue Metallic Flake By Huw Price published 17 November 23 With a super-rare custom color finish that serves as a reminder of the influence Fender took from the motor industry, and in pristine condition, this is a collector’s item for the ages
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT H review – single-humbucker Tom DeLonge vibe for under $200 By Matt Owen published 9 November 23 Fender's new entry-level Squiers have been rebranded and refreshed as the Sonic Series, but is this hardtail humbucker-equipped Strat still the go-to electric for beginners?
“An instrument with class that could still appeal to the most technically driven shredders”: Bruno Mars’ signature Fender Strat tips the cap to his six-string icons Jimi Hendrix and Prince – and it’s one of the finest artist builds we’ve seen By Matt Parker published 7 November 23 Featuring Fender’s all-new Heirloom aging process, virtuoso-friendly playability and a choice of two pickguards, Mars’ take on the Strat will surprise you