Guitar Tricks Insider November / December Issue | Page 53

GEAR REVIEWS
and players are demanding more from
their instruments. Outward appearance
says this is an everyday Strat, but a
quick peak behind the curtain reveals a
reworked adaption pumped full of modern
upgrades in a never-ending pursuit for
perfection. Traditionalists (and hum
lovers) may disagree that the American
Elite is an improvement on a time-tested
design, and rightfully so, but Fender has
a good argument here. American Elite
delivers a variety of ear pleasing ‘Strato-
licious’ tones and looks every bit a Strat
as the originals from 1954, albeit with a
new paint job and shiny new hardware.
So, what could be done to improve upon
this time-tested masterpiece? Plenty! A
heap of advancements will pique your
curiosity, so roll up your sleeves and let’s
dive in.
The American Elite Strat is unquestionably
one of Fenders finest accomplishments.
Hip new appointments include 4th
generation noiseless (stacked) pickups
that reproduce classic vintage tones with
noise-free performance while erupting
with tons of muscle power, plus the
low-profile ‘S-1’ button (recessed in the
top of the volume knob) for parallel
and in series pickup configurations that
delivers a broader pallet of tones than
a traditional Strat, and proves to be a
lethal combination. The 5-position toggle
switch in conjunction with the ‘S-1’ button
delivers a plethora of sound options from
Red Hot Chili Peppers funk and Vaughan
inspired Texas blues swagger to delicate
chordal stylings of Hendrix and massive
Herculean distorted tones. Oh, and heads
up jazz aficionados. With the ‘S-1’ button
engaged, toggle switch in position 5 or 4,
and tone tucked back slightly the guitar
tip toes tonally, dare I say, on the fringes
of a beefy jazz box.
American Elite feels and plays great the
moment your paws wrap around its neck.
The designed for speed compound neck
is a successful merging of two worlds,
beginning with a ‘C’ shape at the nut
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
DIGITAL EDITION
GUITAR TRICKS INSIDER
53