Fender American Original 50s Stratocaster Inca Silver

This guitar is simply a dream to hear and play. If you like classic fender tones from say Clapton or Hendrix to Mayfield or Rodgers, you will enjoy this! I have fallen in love with the feel and look aswell as tones. Tones plural, because the guitar sounds amazing! I've owned others, 2016 American standard and a mid nineties model, but nothing sounds as good as this!

I've owned quite a few strats over the years but I'd have to say this one tops them all including a custom shop model. The neck on it is a perfect chunky soft v and I'm really enjoying the vintage tall frets. The fret work and nut are both excellent, the pickups have that vintage strat tone and nothing beats a nitro finish imo. I picked up the white blonde ash and it came in at a perfectly balanced 7lbs 4oz. If you're looking for a new strat do yourself a favor and check out the original series. Just like most new guitars I've purchased it needed a proper setup and some fresh strings.

THIS WAS A ‘BLEMISHED’ DISCOUNTED GUITAR. TO THE PERSON THAT RETURNED IT, I UNDERSTAND, A $2000 AMERICAN MADE FENDER SHOULD NOT HAVE LOOSE SCREWS, WOOD CHIPS UNDER THE PICKGUARD OR A BENT TUNING PEG SHAFT! THE GOOD NEWS: AMS FAIRLY PRICED THIS AT $1449. THE NECK IS JUST WHAT I LIKE 50S CHUNKY, THE PUPS ARE AWESOME AND THIS GUITAR IS LITE @ 8 LBS. FRET WORK IS PERFECT. I COMPLETELY DIS-ASSEMBLED THE GUITAR AND EVERYTHING ELSE MET VINTAGE REISSUE STANDARDS. TONE, WEIGHT AND THE NECK THICKNESS MAKE THIS ONE PERFECT. IMHO. AMS REALLY DOES ROCK (EXCEPT THEY NOW HAVE TO CHARGE SALES TAX) SHIPPING IS STILL FREE!

A class guitar

The American original is a cracking series of guitars that I would recommend to anyone. This one needed a little bit of relief adding to the neck but other than that it is perfect. The fret work is spot on. Prompt delivery from PMT. All in all I'm incredibly happy with this guitar. Classic Strat sounds in every pickup position.

Authentic Vintage Vibe

I bought the Fender American Original 50's Stratocaster because I wanted more vintage tone than what my existing Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster (with Fender Noiseless pickups) delivers. I got exactly the vintage tone I was looking for. This guitar looks and plays great. I'm able to duplicate, for example, the tone Stevie Ray Vaughan got from his Strats equipped with '59 pickups. It's true that the E strings are a bit close to the edges of the neck as other reviewers have mentioned, but I'm assuming this is the way Strats were made in the 50's. I appreciate that Fender widened the fretboard radius to make soloing easier. Mine did arrive with the neck somewhat out of alignment, meaning the high E string was even closer to the edge of the fretboard and tended to ... MoreI bought the Fender American Original 50's Stratocaster because I wanted more vintage tone than what my existing Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster (with Fender Noiseless pickups) delivers. I got exactly the vintage tone I was looking for. This guitar looks and plays great. I'm able to duplicate, for example, the tone Stevie Ray Vaughan got from his Strats equipped with '59 pickups. It's true that the E strings are a bit close to the edges of the neck as other reviewers have mentioned, but I'm assuming this is the way Strats were made in the 50's. I appreciate that Fender widened the fretboard radius to make soloing easier. Mine did arrive with the neck somewhat out of alignment, meaning the high E string was even closer to the edge of the fretboard and tended to slide off, but I was able to straighten the neck myself. I'm going to also take it for a professional setup, just to make sure everything is perfect.

Awesome feeling neck

Finally a soft V neck that is more period accurate (it really is a soft V and not that skinny mess on the road worn 50's strat or that so called, soft V neck that Fender sells). I really enjoyed playing this guitar...it has great tone an excellent fret board with tall frets (yaaaay no 7.5 raduis) and typical fender good looks. I would have given this guitar 4 stars save for the price and two other items.The two things I was upset about was, one.... the pick-guard was made with that thin cheap plastic and it does not look or feel right on this pretty guitar (and yes i know it was modeled after a 50's guitar... but come on... let's change the things that need to be changed and leave the "original" type strats in the reissue catagory for those purists). Number two, at ... MoreFinally a soft V neck that is more period accurate (it really is a soft V and not that skinny mess on the road worn 50's strat or that so called, soft V neck that Fender sells). I really enjoyed playing this guitar...it has great tone an excellent fret board with tall frets (yaaaay no 7.5 raduis) and typical fender good looks. I would have given this guitar 4 stars save for the price and two other items.The two things I was upset about was, one.... the pick-guard was made with that thin cheap plastic and it does not look or feel right on this pretty guitar (and yes i know it was modeled after a 50's guitar... but come on... let's change the things that need to be changed and leave the "original" type strats in the reissue catagory for those purists). Number two, at this price point I would like some weight to my strat (my john mayer strat is very heavy and I love it) a heavy alder or ash please...I don't know why there is such a push to make guitars lighter, When I am on stage i want to feel like I am actually playing a nice piece of wood not some light balsa or plastic I also feel it's more resonant. I digress, the weight on this guitar is not bad nor a major deterrent. All in all save the items I have mentioned it is a decent looking and playing guitar. But IMO the price should not be much above 1k. Thank you Fender for at least not having a 7.5 radius on this piece. Anyway, for the most part I have to say... good job Fender.

Don't Fear the Frets!

If you are used to medium jumbos, as I am; and you hate the big jumbo frets Fender uses now, as I do, you don't worry about these "vintage tall" frets. I like them. My fingers don't drag on the fret board like they do with regular vintage frets. These are good for bending strings. But they don't feel like railroad ties either. The fret board is still smooth and comfortable to play. I knew I would like everything else about this guitar; my on reservation was the "tall" frets. And I was presently surprised. Medium jumbos are still my favorites but vintage tall are great too!

Excellent Purchase

Sold out everywhere but managed to scoop one up at Adorama. This is basically a custom shop guitar without the custom shop price. The Pure Vintage ’59 single-coils are definitely up there with some of the best Strat pickups made available in years. The ash body is what really elevates the tone of this guitar to new heights even when compared to the alder versions. To my ears the ash gives it a comparably rounder and slightly mellower tone with chiming highs that aren't too bright. So If you want that bell like vintage Strat sound, look no further than this guitar….but good luck trying to find one though. Besides that, shipping was incredible fast, customer service was excellent and arrived in perfect condition.

Right guitar and tone

I bought this guitar two years ago and I'm happy I did. I've recorded several records with this guy so far and it sounds fantastic. I could see how some might be taken aback by the E strings. My low E string is close to the edge of the neck but I have done my research and found other professional reviews of this guitar with photos that match the same Nut string spacing as mine. What does this mean? Consistency.Also, I would rather look at my own playing than blame the guitar strings popping off the edge of the neck. I would recommend this guitar for anyone who wants a 50s build, sound and feel of the Strat. Do the research and if you like this guitar you won't be disappointed.

The BEST sounding Guitar I have ever heard/played....period!

Quite simply the single best sounding guitar I have ever heard in my life. I have some really great guitars, and this sounds unlike any of them. Its so Bright and clear and just the right amount of everything special!The neck is super smooth and wonderful. Nice rounded over edges! I wouldn't mind if it were a little thinner, its on the thicker side, But no worries... Ill get used to it just fine.Not quite sure why when bending the strings, it feels like I'm dragging and fighting the Fret board or the Frets or something.. Hopefully that will wear in while I play it over the years. But I wouldn't trade it for that reason.. The sound trumps all!!