Fender - American Ultra Luxe '50s Stratocaster SSS MN 3-Color Sunburst + Etui

The Stratocaster shape needs no introduction, but this Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s version from Fender adds another layer of design intelligence.
The Heirloom finish in nitrocellulose varnish, applied to a carefully sculpted alder body, immediately gives the impression of an instrument you've known all your life. And yet, underneath its old-friend looks, this guitar hides its game well, with refinements to the luthier's craft that make it formidably up to date.

The Modern D-style quartersawn maple neck doesn't try to make life difficult for you - quite the opposite, in fact. With its rounded edges and Ultra satin finish, it fits your hand naturally and without strain, like a well-cut pair of old jeans. The bevelled heel gives you easy access to the high frequencies, so you can climb the last few notches as if nothing had happened. Even after a few hours, your fingers will remember it for all the right reasons.

When it comes to playing comfort, Fender hasn't done things by halves. The progressive shift from 10 to 14 inches on the maple fingerboard promotes a supple attack near the nut and perfect stability for your bends and vibratos at the top of the neck. And if you're used to losing your bearings on stage, the Luminlay dots will keep your eyes peeled even in the dark.
The three Pure Vintage '57 pickups don't try to sound like they're from the '50s: they actually do it.
Surfing sounds, velvety leads or dry slaps on a nervous funk, the spectrum is wide and controlled. The 5-position selector covers the essentials, but the S-1 electronics give you access to other combinations that pique your curiosity - such as activating the neck pickup even in the bridge position.

The Ultra Deluxe 2-point synchronised vibrato does exactly what you want it to, no more, no less. With its polished stainless steel bridges, cold-rolled steel block and adjustable pop-in arm, it responds with precision and keeps the strings in their place. Whether you like a clean attack or a finer nuance, this system is there to follow you without fuss.

Add to that a Graph Tech TUSQ saddle, locking tuners and stainless steel frets, and nothing moves. String changes become anecdotal, the tuning remains faithful even after a few dives into vibrato, and the glide of the fingers never loses its effectiveness. This is an instrument designed to accompany hands that don't like wasting time.