| Fender's American Stratocaster and Telecaster | | | | giving it a much smoother feel. The neck front, |
| remain the best-selling musical instruments in the | | | | by contrast, has a gloss finish, giving the |
| company's line, which is saying something, given | | | | instrument a really professional look. |
| the rich history this company has had over the | | | | They also wisely resolved to refine the bridge |
| past decades. Though Leo Fender is long gone, | | | | design, incorporating beloved elements from |
| the newest American-made instruments that bear | | | | vintage-style tremolo bridges. It has a higher |
| his name are a substantial testimonial to his | | | | mass design, which results in much improved |
| guitar-building legacy. The present-day crop of | | | | sustain. |
| instruments combines the best of the of the new | | | | The recent design also includes vintage-style bent |
| and the old. | | | | steel saddles, which aid in capturing the classic |
| Never ones to rest on the past, Fender has | | | | vintage Strat tone. From Buddy Holly to Jimi |
| actively interviewed a wide variety of players to | | | | Hendrix, it's all here. |
| see how Fender could build even better musical | | | | While the stock Fender bridge doesn't supply the |
| instruments. Leo Fender would indeed be proud, | | | | same level of tuning security that a locking |
| since he was perpetually concerned with the | | | | system does, for all but the most outrageous |
| requirements of real working musicians as he built | | | | whammying the Fender system is amazingly |
| his products. | | | | stable. |
| Fender sagely chose to retain the ingredients of | | | | Likewise, the Telecaster experienced superb |
| their instruments that plainly didn't need changing. | | | | upgrades as well, including a redesigned bridge. |
| Let's use the Stratocaster as our first example. | | | | The Tele includes a brass plate that, when |
| Still present are the Micro-Tilt neck, two point | | | | coupled with the steel saddles, provides obvious |
| vibrato (honestly, a vast improvement over | | | | Telecaster twang! |
| vintage designs), the four-bolt neck, 22 fret | | | | Both guitars include a world-class TSA |
| necks, 9.5" fretboard radius, and DeltaTone circuit. | | | | lock-equipped SKB case that makes airport travel |
| So, if these elements are still present, how is the | | | | a picnic, and the case is very well-designed and |
| time-honored Stratocaster new? | | | | could take quite a punch, we bet. |
| One of the best new features is a thinner paint | | | | With street prices under $1,200, the Fender |
| undercoat, which actually results in clearer tone | | | | American Standard series is a fine choice for |
| since the wood can breathe a bit more. The neck | | | | those searching for the merger of old and new. |
| is better as well, with a satin finish on the back, | | | | |