In the big scheme of things Fender’s venerable Stratocaster line has really changed very little over the years––sure, they’ve tweaked the neck profile, experimented with different body contours, and have certainly messed with the hardware quite a bit (perhaps most notably the incredibly cool S-1 Switching System,) but overall the guitar is pretty much the same instrument it was 50 years ago… only more refined.
Of course, every once in a while Fender tries something a bit more radical (Aerodyne Telecaster anyone?) but in the end it would seem that it’s the truly classic Fender designs that tend to prevail––I mean why fix it if it ain’t broke, right?
The company’s latest attempt at pushing the envelope is the recent release of the Fender Strat-O-Sonic – a guitar that pushes the Strat out into new territory with a lightweight chambered body (yep, a semi-hollowbody Stratocaster,) and what Fender has dubbed its Tech-Tonic bridge; which apparently allows for fine-tuning of the Strat-O-Sonic’s intonation, and easy adjustment of bridge & saddle height.
The guitar also switches things up a bit with a pair of “hot” top-less DE-9000 Black Dove humbuckers, a hardtail bridge, single volume & tone knobs, contemporary pickguard shape, painted black headstock, and a body of Honduran Mahogany.
The Fender Strat-O-Sonic Features–
- Chambered Honduran Mahogany Body
- Maple Neck (Modern C-Shape)
- 24 3/4-inch Scale Length
- Rosewood Fretboard With 22 MJ Frets
- Dual DE-9000 Black Dove Humbuckers
- Master Volume & Tone Controls
- 3-Way Pickup Switching
- Fender Tech-Tonic Bridge
- 6-Saddle Locking Bridge (Low Profile)
- Fender/Schaller Straplocks
- Fender/Schaller Deluxe Tuners
- Chrome Hardware
- Five Tone Chambers
Comes with a molded case, and is available in three finishes: Crimson Red Transparent, Brown Sunburst (my personal favorite,) and Butterscotch Blonde Rosewood. Anybody have any experience with the Strat-O-Sonic? We’d love to hear your thoughts…
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April 2nd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I bought a Strat-O-Sonic a couple ofweeks ago and am blown away by it. I love my american standard strat & tele, and this is a welcomed tweaking on a classic. The neck pickup is really good and chimey, but the bridge could use some juice, maybe a duncan JB or something. If anyone has modded one of these please let me know. Otherwise a great guitar.
May 21st, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I’ve owned a butterscotch stratosonic for about a year now and I love it!!! I replaced the pickups with a custom set made by Jason Lollar of Lollar Guitars. WOW!!! What a difference, the original p-90’s are ok but man these new Lollars rock. This thing has more tonal possibilities than you could imagine. I’ve been playing 24 years now and have gigged a few times in my life and this guitar has all of the versatility needed for a great gigging guitar. I’ve owned Strats, Tele’s, LP’s and a few Ibanez’s and none seem to feel as good as this baby does. It just feels perfect, like a well fitted glove. If you get the opportunity to get one do it, you wont be disappointed.