Fender Limited Edition American Professional Stratocaster Ebony Fingerboard 50's Burst

Often copied, but never surpassed, the Stratocaster is arguably the world’s most-loved electric guitar. Electrifying the music world since its debut in 1954, its natural, versatile sound made the Stratocaster the benchmark for exceptional guitar tones. The American Professional Stratocaster isn’t a re-imagining of the classic design; it’s the authentic original model, evolved.

The choice of musical legends since its release, the Stratocaster feel and sound set the world on fire, powering music movements from electric blues to EDM, and everything in-between. In your hands this Strat is ready to navigate the creative twists and turns of your music, inspiring you to express yourself in new ways through your playing.

Developed by pickup master Tim Shaw, the brand-new V-Mod single-coil pickups are voiced specifically for each position, mixing alnico magnet types to produce powerful, nuanced tones with original Fender sonic DNA. Retain high end clarity when adjusting the volume controls, thanks to the new treble-bleed tone circuit that lets your tone shine through in all its glory.

The new modern “Deep C”-shaped neck profile feels just right in your hand while the narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend strings accurately and play perfectly intonated chords. This stunning Limited Edition model is uniquely appointed with Ebony Fingerboard for The best of yesterday and today, the American Professional Stratocaster is the latest form of electric inspiration from Fender. Step up and stake your claim to a legend.

Key features
• Rescued ebony fingerboard; exclusive ‘50s Burst finish
• Three V-Mod single-coil Stratocaster pickups
• 9.5 in.-radius fingerboard; 22 narrow tall frets
• Two-point synchronized tremolo bridge with bent steel saddles and pop-in tremolo arm
• Treble-bleed circuit; five-way pickup switching
• Includes hardshell case

Rescued Ebony Fretboard
There’s a story behind this wood. Basically, the MI industry, while looking for perfectly black Ebony fretboards, has been leaving 9 out of 10 trees unused and left behind on the forest floor. This has decimated the Ebony forests because the trees left behind don’t allow for natural reforestation. Fender is supporting an initiative to have guitar manufacturers and consumers get past this need for purely black ebony and get used to, even appreciate, striped, variegated, and multi-colored Ebony. The goal is to use every tree cut down, not just one of ten.

Body Body shape: Double cutaway Body type: Solid body Body material: Solid wood Top wood: Not applicable Body wood: Alder Body finish: Gloss Orientation: Right handed Neck Neck shape: Modern deep C Neck wood: Maple Joint: Bolt-on Scale length: 25.5 in. Truss rod: Standard Neck finish: Gloss Fretboard Material: Rescued ebony Radius: 9.5 in. Fret size: Narrow tall Number of frets: 22 Inlays: Dot Nut width: 1.687 in. (42.8 mm) Pickups Configuration: SSS Neck: V-Mod Single-Coil Strat Middle: V-Mod Single-Coil Strat Bridge: V-Mod Single-Coil Strat Brand: Fender Active or passive pickups: Passive Series or parallel: Series Piezo: No Active EQ: No Special electronics: None Controls Control layout: Master volume with Treble-Bleed, tone 1, tone 2 Pickup switch: 3-way Coil tap or split: No Kill switch: No Hardware Bridge type: Tremolo/Vibrato Bridge design: 2-point synchronized with Bent Steel Saddles and Pop-In Tailpiece: Not applicable Tuning machines: Die-cast sealed Color: Nickel/chrome Other Number of strings: 6-string Special features: Tonewoods Case: Hardshell case Accessories: None Country of origin: United States

If you love ebony, order today.

Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear

*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.

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I wasn't sure what to expect from a "rescued" ebony fretboard. I'd imagine there's some variation from one guitar to the next, but what I received was nearly flawless. There is just a bit of a lighter tone showing through if you look carefully, but it is nearly indistinguishable from the ebony fretboard on my Les Paul. The "50's burst" color, with its darker black edges, looks great along side the ebony.

The fretboard, paired with the new neck shape and taller frets, makes for a smooth, easy to play guitar. The pop-in tremolo arm is a nice improvement as well - it has just enough tension to not flop around, but it's not hard to move out of the way. The pickups seem to have a bit more distinction between them than previous models - the neck is mellow but not muted, and the bridge is bright but not too harsh.

The only change I think I'll make on this one is swapping out for locking machines (it needs them).

This is a great instrument. It has just enough character to give it a story, while still being a legit Strat.
Fender Limited Edition American Professional Stratocaster Ebony Fingerboard 50's Burst
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