The three single-coil pickups and staggered Alnico magnet pole pieces give you the look and the sound, the vibe of the ’50s!
This guitar epitomizes the vibe of the ’50s! The color selection alone—Surf Green, Daphne Blue and Dakota Red—takes you back to the era of diners, Ike and cars with fins, the birth rock ‘n’ roll. With a maple fingerboard, tinted neck, single-ply pickguard and aged plastic parts, the ’50s Fender classic Stratocaster guitar is awesomely retro, and the three single-coil pickups and staggered Alnico magnet pole pieces give you the look and the sound, the real feel of the Buddy Holly-era Strat.
I agreed to consider a trade for a Classic 50s Surf Green Strat, even though I thought that I wouldn't like the color. However, when I saw the guitar I thought it was one of the best looking guitars that I had seen. The only thing that I plan to change on it is the pickguard. The solid white pickguard just doesn't match the beauty of the guitar. I have another MIM strat and a USA made Hwy1 [upgrade]strat and this one is my favorite. It looks great, sounds great, and plays great.
Musical Background:
30+/- yrs
Musical Style:
Contemporary Christian, Blues, Rock, Jazz
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Submitted June 9, 2014 by Matthew � in st Catharines, ON
"Amazing Guitar"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I purchased the Daphne blue 50s strat and I absolutely love this thing. i will never sell this guitar I am absolutely completely satisfied with this product and if you are considering buying it buy it it is totally worth it
Musical Background:
Amateur performing Band [bass and lead guitar]
Musical Style:
Blues, Classic Rock, and the black keys
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Submitted April 23, 2012 by cas ruiz in midland, TX
"Great player!!!!!"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
its been awhile that i been after one of these....and i finaly got it. this thing is sweet.. great tone,feel, neck is perfect,color is great and on the money. this is my 5th guitar and this is just as good as the ones i have. this one is a keeper for shur.
Musical Background:
guitar, jam at home with friends
Musical Style:
blues and rock
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Submitted February 8, 2014 by Humberto Gonzalez in Pharr, TX
"My Main AXE!!"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I've been in the market for a versatile guitar, something that I would feel proud not only because of the look, but because of its sound. Im very selective on my guitars, but this guitar definately sound INCREDIBLE!! the pickups and the whole circuitry its awesome I cant believe this thing is a Made in Mexico [I dont have a problem with that] In fact I've seen that the Ensenada Shop in Mexico are coming with a GREAT sounding guitars over this past 3 or so years and this guitar pff!! its JUST AWESOME and for the price, just click the button and buy it you will NEVER regret it
Musical Background:
I've been a musician since Im 12 [now Im 25] half of my life! Im a Studio recording artist and I play professionally
Musical Style:
Blues, Classic Rock, Spanish International!
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Submitted August 3, 2018 by a customer from msn.com
"Better Than the Some of the American Models"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
It plays better than the American Special I returned. This is by far the best Strat I’ve owned in the last 20 years. I think years down the road this series is going to be one of the most sought of the Fender new vintage guitars. I really don’t notice a huge difference between the MIM Fenders vs. the US ones, usaully better electronics but with this guitar I don’t see it. If someone didin’t know I don’t believe they could tell the difference either. Great guitar and a great value, I just wish the would have came with a case but I will just buy one.
Sound
Vintage but versatile
Features
Wide range of tones.
Ease of Use
Neck is smooth as silk.
Quality
Very well, Better than some MIA models.
Value
Better value if it came with a hard case.
Manufacturer Support
Fender is always great.
The Wow Factor
Surf green tinted neck- need I say more
Musical Background:
35 years professionally
Musical Style:
A little bit of everythong.
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Submitted August 17, 2017 by Michael G in san jose, CA
"2ND ONE"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
WISH THE NECK WERE TINTED MORE AND THE PICKUPS A LITTLE LESS TINNY. BUILT VERY WELL. LOOKS GREAT, FEELS GREAT. SOUNDS LIKE IT IS DESIGNED TO SOUND BUT THAT IS TOO TINNY FOR ME. THE QUALITY IS FANTASTIC. THE PRICE IS GOOD BUT SHOULD COME WITH HARDSHELL CASE.
Musical Background:
RETIRED PARTTIME PRO 50 YRS
Musical Style:
MOSTLY CLASSIC ROCK...BUT EVERYTHING.
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Submitted September 18, 2019 by Jim D in Charlotte, NC
"One of the Best 50's MIM Strats I have ever acquired"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Not expecting much more than a standard quality 50's MIM Strat, I was very impressed with the fit and build quality of this guitar. The finish was gorgeous although it would have been nice to find a Daphne Blue model.The neck clearly had room in the body pocket and was close to the legendary "soft v" profile. The alder body was relatively lightweight and and pickups sounded very authentic. The only negative was the tuners. Thanks zZounds for a great guitar!
Musical Background:
Amateur guitar and bass player for 30+ years with some piano experience.
Musical Style:
Blues rock
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Submitted March 7, 2009 by a customer from gmail.com
"an honest review"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This guitar is very good overall. It's not perfect, but no one expects perfection out of an $800 guitar. I do not plan on replacing it at this time, however I am planning several upgrades to it. That is why I bought it. I will probably, over time, end up changing all of the hardware on the guitar with aged pieces. It is highly likely that I will rewire it [i really want the tone controls to only affect the neck and bridge pickups, the middle one can stay wide open all the time]. When I rewire it, I will probably change out the tone pots, and even put in a push/pull pot so I can have the neck/bridge combination. I may even go nuts someday and change the pickups [but right now I really dig them so maybe not], but I bought this guitar to last a long time, and I expect it to be my main guitar for quite some time. If it were lost or stolen I would definitely look for another one like this, but I would also compare it to the Classic Player 50s strat because that one has a larger v neck. I would compare the two and then make my decision, but barring any unforseen circumstances this one will last me many good years.
Sound
This guitar sounds like a strat is supposed to sound. everything resonates well, the sounds are bright and crisp. You can go from country twang all the way to creamy overdrive tones with a flip of the switch. the pickups hum a little, but i'll take that to have alnico pickups. It amazes me when people complain about pickup hum, because all of our favorite "classic" songs recorded by artists using single coils were recorded on pickups that hum. the hum is the vintage sound we long for. Also let me throw in that the pickups really work well together. They blend well, and if you are a person who likes to change pickups in the middle of a song for expression purposes, this guitar would sound great for that. My signal chain is as follows: strat - fulltone fulldrive 2 [older version with comp cut] - keeley bluesdriver - danelectro transparent overdrive [the best overdrive deal available] - danelectro cool cat chorus [9v] - Boss dd-5 - jim dunlop tvp-1 [trem/volume] - boss tuner - blackheart little giant with a weber blue dog 12" speaker mic'ed with a audix i-5. This setup allows me to push my amp, but not blow out the room when i play.
Features
feature wise, the guitar gets a 9, but the fact that it comes with a gag bag, i mean gig bag, knocks it down to a 7. The vintage tuners work well if you know how to use them [mine are holding tune great!]. The trem works just fine [of course i'm usually a hardtail kinda guy, so take that fwiw]. the pickups sound good, and at least it includes some sort of protection [even if it is a gagbag].
Ease of Use
It's a guitar. It SHOULD take you some time to get the tones you want from it, but once you find the tones you like it is a harmonious symphony at your fingertips. I especially like positions 2 and 4 with the middle pickup tone rolled almost all the way off.
Quality
it's made pretty well. The finish on mine had a couple small dips, and the neck had some small scratching, but nothing major since i'll probably sand the neck down a little anyway. the biggest frustration on it, however, is the fact that a couple of frets are rough on the ends, but a quick file should take care of that as well. I'm not worrying about the guitar "lasting" any amount of time. I take care of my stuff and it lasts. I gig every weekend, and haven't lost one yet.
Value
it's probably a little overpriced [especially considering the recent fender price increase], but what isn't anymore.
Manufacturer Support
haven't needed it, but hopefully zzounds will be good, and fender will be great.
The Wow Factor
it's foam green [yeah baby], and it has a tinted maple neck. What's not to love there. The aged [read beige] pickup covers and knobs are really ugly in person though, and they will be among the first things to go from this guitar. Also it is begging me to buy it a pearloid pickguard and I think I must oblige. I do wish the metal on it was aged nickel, but hey, I can do that myself as I upgrade one component at a time. Also the neck needs to be slightly larger [but if you have female hands it might be perfect...my wife loves it]
Musical Background:
active paid musician
Musical Style:
alternative/experimental rock
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Submitted September 30, 2007 by ampeg810kings
"The best guitar in the world"
This guitar not going anywhere. I'll never sell it.I have lots of guitars and this one like no other.
Sound
This guitar melts in my hands.The only upgrade I did is replace the bridge pickup. I put a hot rail pickup in it. Now its like a old hotrod with whitewall tires with a big block hemi.
Features
It came with a gig bag and wammy bar
Ease of Use
Very easy to get any great tone.
Quality
Very good quality.
Value
Best guitar for the money.
The Wow Factor
The surf geen color is great. The neck and hardware looking aged is so cool and sexy.
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
Hard rock and Metal
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Submitted May 18, 2014 by Terry F in Charleston, SC
"Fender Classic 50s Stratocaster - Maple"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Surf green is awesome, plays great, as good as a couple Americans I tried. Electronics kind of dull but not horrible.
Musical Background:
Part time professional [real part time]
Musical Style:
Rock blues alternative originals
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Submitted October 8, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
"THE BEST THERE IS"
Its all i need everything else seems dull in comparison
Sound
good sound for classic rock and blues. It is also a pretty good metal guitar. The most versitile guitar ive ever played.
Features
It has everything you need. The only down side on this guitar is i'd like more than 21 frets but oh well if its this good i dont really care
Ease of Use
The fretboard is like butter the BEST fretboard.
Quality
Its built like a rock mines taken a couple spills from traveling and it hasnt put a scratch on it. The pickups are amazing. The aged parts look cool too.
Value
THIS IS THE BEST GUITAR FOR UNDER $1000 bucks. In my opinion it can only be beat by an american strat
Manufacturer Support
It has a lifetime warranty but ive never had the slightest problem with it.
The Wow Factor
It looks awesome the finish is impeccable. The aged parts look great too.
Musical Background:
distortion abusing kid
Musical Style:
classic rock and metal
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Submitted June 15, 2005 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Its very nice!"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I will be satisfied forever! Great Guitar.
Sound
The guitar has a great sound....especailly great for barre chords!
Features
Tremelo is nice.
Quality
Great quality...I dropped it and not a single blemish occured.
Value
Great for the price.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't dealt w/ Fender yet but I hear great things.
The Wow Factor
Nothing like the Surf Green!
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Blues, Jazz, Rock
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Submitted May 27, 2008 by a customer from stevenchappelle.com
"Buy it!"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Great guitar, especially for the price. Can't see myself being without a great Strat in the arsenal, and this one fits the bill. Mine doesn't have the whammy bar...but who cares really? No biggie.
Sound
It's a Strat...and though it's a MIM, I'd put it up against any American Strat out there. Awesome guitar.
Features
It has the 5 position switch, which gives you tones of tone.
Ease of Use
I love a maple neck. I'm going to buy a '52 Tele reissue because it's a Tele, and it has the maple neck. So slick...so fast.
Quality
No problems at all with this guitar. Rock solid.
Value
For the $600+ I paid for it...it's a steal.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to use them. But I'll give them the benefit of the doubt as I've heard great things about Fender.
The Wow Factor
It's surf green...it sounds great...and that maple neck is fabulous...very shagadelic, baby...yeah.
Musical Background:
Active band member...
Musical Style:
Classic Rock
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Submitted March 19, 2010 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Mine was a big disappointment!"
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
I don't know I didn't plug it in.
Features
It really needs to come with a hard case for the price.
Quality
I was so looking forward to this guitar. I did all the research and was waiting anxiously for it. I feel the quality of this guitar is a big let down and I'm surprised Fender would let this out of their shop,even in Mexico. Around the neck pocket not only is it sloppy with large gaps on both sides there are actually globs of touch up paint around the neck pocket as well. I couldn't believe it. For 700 dollars this was completely unacceptable. I can get an American Hwy 1 for that price and with a little more I can get an Am Standard. I took out my two American Strats and set it next the the Mexico 50's classic and the neck pockets were tight not sloppy. I've had this guitar for one hour and it's already back in the box. I tried to tune it and the tremolo starting raising off the body and wouldn't hold a tune. I never even plugged it in. That being said I'm calling ZZounds tomorrow to have them send me a replacement and I'm hoping this was just a fluke. Why? Because I did like the neck felt in my hands.
Value
I do feel the price is steep for what you get.
Manufacturer Support
none
Musical Background:
Player
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Submitted September 7, 2005 by a customer from qldnet.com.au
"THE BEST SERIES GUITAR EVER MADE"
UNTIL I PASS ON. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY WITH MY GUITARS I TRYED THEM ALL BUT ALWAYS CAME BACK TO IN MY MIND THE BEST GUITAR EVER MADE
Sound
LEAVE IT AS IT IS IT HAS THE SOUND THAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE YOU WILL ONLY GET BETTER IF YOU HAVE THE REAL THING WHICH I HAVE. A 1957 LAKE PLACID BLUE L/SERIES AND IT STILL SOUNDS GREAT.THE GUITAR IS ALMOST AS OLD AS ME BUT STILL HAS IT'S GREAT LOOKS. THE REISSUE SERIES ARE WELL MADE GUITARS THAT YOU CAN BUY WITH CONFERDANCE
Features
I WOULD'NT CHANGE ANY FEATURES OR ADD ANYTHING TO THIS GUITAR
Quality
MOST THESE MODALS I FOUND TO BE MADE WELL SOME MEX. MODELS ARE BETTER THAN THE U.S. MODELS, THEY LAST AND THAT IS GOOD MY 57 STILL LOOKS NEW [WELL FADED A BIT]BUT STILL RELIABLE I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL PICKPS IN MY 57 AS A MATTER OF FACT I CAN ONLY REMEMBER REPLACING THE TONE POTS.
Manufacturer Support
I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF MY FENDER GUITARS OVER THE YEARS BECAUSE I ALWAYS BUY THE BEST MODELS MAYBE THE ODD ONE HARD TO TUNE RIGHT BUT THATS ALL. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHEAP JAPAN/CHINA /AND KORIAN FENDERS AND HAVE TROUBLE WITH PARTS BREAKING DOWN .
The Wow Factor
I DON'T LUST FOR A GUITAR OR FEEL IN ANY WAY THAT IT'S SEXY BUT IF IT.S THE RIGHT COLOR IT CAN TURN YOU ON
Who plays a 50s Strat?
Ike Turner championed the Stratocaster early on with dramatically swooping tremolo use that prefigured Jimi Hendrix by a decade. Pee Wee Crayton, Ritchie Valens and Carl Perkins played Strats in the 1950s, as did Cliff Gallup's successors in Gene Vincent and his Blue Caps, Johnny Meeks and Howard Reed.
What was the best year for the Stratocaster?
The Best Year for the Stratocaster While certain years for the Stratocaster stand out, 1962 stands above all of them. Compared to other years, there were more changes made to the Stratocaster that year than usual. The Brazilian rosewood used for the fretboard of the neck was made thinner to bring out a brighter tone.
What were 50s Strats made of?
'50s StratsAsh was the wood of choice to make the body and it was an all-maple affair for the neck and fingerboard. One of the early features unique to the fifties Strat was its “V” shaped neck, which a deep middle section and narrow shoulders.
Where are Fender Classic players made?
All Fender Classic Series guitars and basses are made in Ensenada, Mexico.