2018 Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS Black, Maple Neck (Made in USA)

2018 Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS Black, Maple Neck (Made in USA)

A versatile American-made take on the Stratocaster platform, the American Special Stratocaster HSS combines familiar Fender styling with a hotter, more contemporary pickup configuration and player-focused specifications. Built in Corona, California in 2018, this example features a solid alder body finished in classic black, paired with a contrasting black pickguard and one-piece maple neck. The HSS configuration gives the guitar a more muscular appearance and broader tonal range than a traditional three-single-coil Stratocaster, while retaining the unmistakable contours and ergonomics of Fender’s original design. At 3.7kg, it feels substantial and well balanced in the hands.

The one-piece maple neck features black dot inlays and Fender’s comfortable Modern C profile, offering a slimmer and more contemporary feel than the chunkier profiles associated with vintage-spec Stratocasters. A traditional 25.5" scale length is paired with a 9.5" fingerboard radius and 43mm synthetic bone nut, providing a familiar Fender playing platform with a flatter, more forgiving radius for lead work and string bending. The 22 jumbo nickel silver frets further emphasise the American Special’s modern playability, while the satin urethane neck finish provides a smooth, fast feel in the hand. Fret life is solid at about 95% with minor signs of wear.

Electronics consist of two Fender Texas Special single coils in the neck and middle positions, measuring 5.7kOhms and 5.9kOhms respectively, paired with a Fender Atomic humbucker in the bridge measuring 8.1kOhms. The Texas Specials provide the punchy midrange, clarity and characteristic Stratocaster chime for which the design is known, with the neck offering warm, rounded cleans and the middle delivering plenty of bite and articulation. The Atomic humbucker adds considerably more body and output at the bridge, producing a thicker, more powerful voice particularly well suited to driven rock tones while retaining enough definition for cleaner applications. Together, the HSS configuration makes for an exceptionally versatile instrument capable of covering everything from traditional Strat cleans through to heavier overdriven sounds.

Presented in good used condition, this example displays general cosmetic wear consistent with age and use, including surface marks and hardware ageing throughout, giving the guitar a nicely played-in appearance without detracting from its functionality. The guitar has been professionally set up with D’Addario 10-46s and plays beautifully with comfortable low action, excellent intonation and stable tuning throughout. Combining American construction with a highly practical HSS pickup layout, jumbo frets and a comfortable Modern C neck, the American Special Stratocaster HSS offers a particularly capable interpretation of the classic Stratocaster formula, equally at home delivering familiar Fender sparkle or the added power of a bridge humbucker.

Specifications:

Make: Fender

Model: American Special Stratocaster HSS

Origin: Corona, California, USA, 2018

Body: Alder

Neck: One-Piece Maple

Fingerboard: Maple w/ Black Dot Inlays

Pickups: 2 x Fender Texas Special Single Coils (Neck/Middle), 1 x Fender Atomic Humbucker (Bridge), Neck: 5.7kOhms, Middle: 5.9kOhms, Bridge: 8.1kOhms

Neck Profile: 25.5" Scale, Modern C Profile, Satin Urethane Finish, 9.5" Radius, 43mm Nut Width (Synthetic Bone)

Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver Frets

Finish: Black

Weight: 3.7kg

Shipping & Returns:

Domestic AU Shipping (Insured) - $Free

International Shipping (Insured) - $199.99

Local Pickup/Click & Collect - 135 New Canterbury Road, Lewisham 2049

The item is sold as is - if it is broken or damaged on arrival, we will offer you a return/refund. We cannot accept returns for change of mind or offer any warranty on used/vintage items.