Stratocaster American
The Fender Stratocaster
An icon in the musical industry and one of the big 3 enduring guitars models, the Fender Strat was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares in 1954 and has been manufactured since The Stratocaster is noted for its bright, clean and ‘twangy’ sounds. The neck pickup has a mellower, fuller and louder sound compared to the brighter and sharper tone of the bridge pickup. The Fender Strat’s design was radically sleek and its contoured body shape marked a significant difference to the more solid design of the Telecaster. With Double cutaways it allowed players easier access to higher positions on the neck, combined with a single knob to control the volume on all 3 pickups it allowed for easier sound manipulation with the right hand whilst playing. Early finishes on the guitar on generally sunburst however in during the 70’s there was a switch towards more natural finishes on the guitar.
The Strat features 3 single coil pickups, the output was originally selected by a 3-way switch, however guitarists were quick to discover that if you jammed the switch between the first and second position the bridge and middle pickups could be selected, and similarly, the middle and neck pickups could be selected between the 2nd and 3rd position. As this trick became widespread responded with their own 5 way pickup selector that has now been a standard feature since 1977.
Buddy Holly was one of the first users of the Strat and used it in almost all of his songs with The Crickets. During Peggy Sue Crickets rhythm guitarist Niki Sullivan wasn’t required so he would stand by Buddy and switch the selector switch from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup for the guitar solo.
Since 1998, many high-end US-made Fender Stratocasters such as the American Deluxe, American, Hot Rodded American, American Special and American Standard series came with an HSH pickup rout instead of a “swimming pool” (or “bath tub”) cavity to increase the total amount of wood that actually can resonate, producing a more complex tone.
When Fender was taken over by CBS in 1965 players noted a loss in quality of the guitars and they fell out of fashion for a period, however blues-influenced artists of the late 60’s adopted the Stratocaster as their main instrument which helped to revive the guitars popularity. In recent times, some Stratocasters manufactured from 1954 to 1958 have sold for more than US$175,000.
Since 2007 Fender has offered a wide line of Stratocasters alongside vintage re-issues, as well as maintaining a custom shop that allows you to build custom guitars to order, but if you’re looking for something sooner why no take a look at our collection of Strats here.
Also if you’re looking for an interesting read on the Fender Strat we recommend this book called ‘The Fender Stratocaster’ it can be found at Google books by following this link if not come in to the Guitar Lounge for a free coffee and bit of a play.
About the Author
The Guitar Lounge is a specialist guitar store in Sydney stocking only Fender, it’s a Fender players paradise.
1982 Fender American Vintage ‘57 Reissue Stratocaster V000559 Video Tour
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Fender 1986 (Corona) USA 62 Stratocaster American Vintage Reissue $3,499.00 |
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1982 Fender Stratocaster “The Strat” Walnut Dan Smith Era USA American $2,895.00 |
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1978 Fender Stratocaster Lefty Left Handed Time Capsule USA American $2,395.00 |
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Fender John Mayer Stratocaster, Rare, Gold w/Red Stripe, USA, American Strat $2,250.00 |
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1982 Fender American Vintage Reissue 1957 Stratocaster Sunburst!USA,Strat!w/OHSC $2,179.00 |
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Fender American Select Stratocaster Strat HSS Antique Burst Guitar $2,049.99 |
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Fender Select Stratocaster® Electric Guitar – USA – Strat – American – 2012 $2,049.99 |
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Fender American Select Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Flame Maple Top – Dark Cher $2,049.99 |
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Fender American Select Stratocaster Strat Dark Cherry Sunburst Guitar $2,049.99 |
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Fender Select Stratocaster Dark Cherry Burst American Strat Electric Guitar New $2,049.99 |
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Fender Select Stratocaster HSS Antique Burst American Strat Electric Guitar New $2,049.99 |
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Fender American Select Stratocaster Flame Maple Top Dark Cherry Burst $2,049.99 |
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Fender American Select Stratocaster Electric Guitar Dark Cherry Burst NEW! $2,049.99 |
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Fender American Select Stratocaster HSS Strat Guitar Antique burst $2,049.00 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Reissue in Black $1,815.00 |
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Fender Stratocaster American-made 1982 $1,750.00 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod 62 Stratocaster 3TS $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Olympic Pearl Rosewood $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Strat Ash Aged Cherry Sunburst Maple $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage 57 Stratocaster Surf Green 1957 Strat Electric Guitar $1,699.99 |
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2001 Fender American USA Stratocaster ‘57 Reissue Mint Unused Strat Match Head $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Sunset Metallic Rosewood $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster (Tobacco Sunburst) $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster – Tobacco Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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NEW Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘62 Stratocaster $1,699.99 |
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Fender FSR American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster Reissue – Tropical Turquoise $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage 62 Stratocaster 3 Tone Sunburst Strat Electric Guitar $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Amber Rosewood $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster,Ash Body,Rosewood Fretboard-Wine Transparent $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS, Rosewood Fretboard – 3-Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster,Ash Body,Rosewood Fretboard-Tobacco Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Reissue, Maple Fretboard – Black $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Reissue,Maple Fretboard-Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster Reissue,Rosewood Fretboard-Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar 2 Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘62 Stratocaster Reissue in Olympic White, NEW! $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar 3Color Sunburst Rosewood $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘62 Stratocaster Electric Guitar 3 Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Surf Green Electric Guitar $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Tobacco Sunburst Strat Electric Guitar $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Aged Cherry Sunburst Strat Guitar New $1,699.99 |
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NEW Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash-Tobacco Sunburst-Rosewood Neck Strat $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod 57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Strat 1957 New! $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash AgdChryBrst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Electric Guitar Aged Cherry Burst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Electric Guitar Wine Transparent $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Wine Transparent Strat w Hard Shell Case $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Wine Transparent Strat w Hard Shell Case $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage 57 Stratocaster 2 Tone Sunburst Strat Electric Guitar $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod 57 Stratocaster Candy Apple Red Strat Guitar New $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster 2-Color Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Hot Rod ‘62 Stratocaster Olym Wht $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster – 3-Color Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster – Surf Green $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster (3-Color Sunburst) $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster (Surf Green) $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘62 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Olympic White $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Reissue, Maple Fretboard – Black $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster Reissue, Rosewood Fretboard – 3CSB $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Set-Ash Body,Rosewood Fretboard,Wine Trans $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Reissue, Maple Fretboard – 2CSB $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS, Rosewood Fretboard – 3-Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Ash Body, Rosewood Fretboard – TBSB $1,699.99 |
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FENDER AMERICAN VINTAGE HOT ROD ‘62 STRATOCASTER WHITE $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Tungsten Rosewood $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Surf Green $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster Electric Guitar 3-Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Elec Guitar 3-Color Sunburst Maple Neck $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Candy Apple Red $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Candy Apple Red $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage 62 Stratocaster LH 3TS/Rosewood $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage 62 Stratocaster Left-Handed Electric Guitar 3-Tone $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar – Black $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar-2-Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod 57 Stratocaster Guitar $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash body RW Neck +Case Aged Cherry Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage 57 Stratocaster Reissue, Maple Fretboard – Surf Green $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster (3-Color Sunburst) $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster (2-Color Sunburst) $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar 2 Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Amber Maple Neck $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Surf Green $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Tungsten Rosewood $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Electric Guitar Tobacco Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘62 Stratocaster Electric Guitar 3-Tone Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Tungsten Maple Neck $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar 3-Color Sunburst Maple $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Sunset Metallic Maple $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash Electric Guitar Wine Transparent $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Olympic Pearl Maple Neck $1,699.99 |
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New Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar (Surf Green) $1,699.99 |
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Fender American Vintage ‘57 Stratocaster – 2-Color Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender® American Deluxe Stratocaster Strat Ash Electric RW in Tobacco Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender® American Deluxe Stratocaster Strat Ash RW Electric Aged Cherry Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender® American Deluxe Stratocaster Strat Ash RW Electric in Wine Transparent $1,699.99 |
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Fender® American Deluxe Stratocaster Strat Ash Electric Maple, Tobacco Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender® American Deluxe Stratocaster Strat Ash Maple in Aged Cherry Sunburst $1,699.99 |
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Fender® American Deluxe Stratocaster Strat Ash Electric Maple, Wine Transparent $1,699.99 |
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The Strat Pack: Live in Concert $14.98 STRAT PACK:LIVE IN CONCERT – DVD Movie… |
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The Fender Stratocaster Handbook: How To Buy, Maintain, Set Up, Troubleshoot, and Modify Your Strat $15.36 There are six million out there–from Eric Claptons million-dollar “Blackie” to your treasured hand-me-down–and still the world cant get enough of the Fender Stratocaster, the legendary electric guitar-of-choice for players and dreamers from pioneers like Buddy Holly to todays garage-band heroes. This is the worlds first hands-on, how-to manual for the Strat, taking the mystery out of maintaining… |
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The Fender Telecaster Handbook: How To Buy, Maintain, Set Up, Troubleshoot, and Modify Your Tele $15.25 This is the first hands-on how-to manual devoted to the Telecaster. This guidebook shows owners and dreamers the basics of selecting and buying Telecasters. It covers maintenance and repairs such as tuning, setting intonation, tremolo alignment, fret repairs, bridge and nut adjustments, electrics troubleshooting; spur-of-the-moment stageside fixes; and some basic performance enhancements like … |
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The Stratocaster Chronicles: Celebrating 50 Years of the Fender Strat $28.00 The world’s most famous guitar has a golden anniversary in 2004, and this official, authorized book/CD package offers the best photos, quotes, facts, and sounds to properly celebrate this achievement. From Buddy Holly to Jimi Hendrix to today’s hottest players, the Fender Stratocaster defines rock ‘n’ roll for generations of fans and players.Special features include exclusive photos of the world’s… |
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Fender FSR Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar Natural Ash Rosewood Fretboard … |