What is the primary body wood of this Stratocaster?

The body is made of ash, a traditional Fender tonewood known for its grain patterns and balanced resonance.

What type of finish is used on the White Blonde model?

It uses a thin 'Heirloom' nitrocellulose lacquer finish, designed to enhance resonance and age more naturally than polyurethane.

What is the benefit of a quartersawn maple neck?

Quartersawn maple is cut so that the grain is vertical, making the neck significantly stronger and less prone to warping or twisting over time.

How does the compound-radius fingerboard work?

The radius changes from 10 inches at the nut to 14 inches at the higher frets, making it easier to play chords low down and perform bends without 'choking' higher up.

What are the advantages of stainless steel frets?

Stainless steel is much harder than traditional nickel-silver, meaning the frets will last much longer before needing a level or crown, and they offer a slicker feel for vibrato.

What pickups are installed in this model?

The guitar is equipped with three Fender Pure Vintage '57 single-coil pickups, designed for authentic 1950s era tones.

What does the S-1 switch do on this guitar?

The S-1 switch, integrated into the volume pot, modifies the pickup wiring to provide additional tonal combinations not available on a standard five-way Stratocaster switch.

What is the neck profile of the American Ultra Luxe?

It features a 'Modern D' neck profile, which is slightly fuller than a standard 'C' but remains contemporary and fast for different playing styles.

Does this model have a traditional neck heel?

No, it features a tapered neck heel and Ultra body contours to provide better hand access to the highest frets.

How does this compare to a standard American Ultra model?

The 'Luxe' version adds premium features such as stainless steel frets and, in this specific vintage model, the nitrocellulose lacquer finish and ash body.

What kind of hardware ensures tuning stability?

The guitar includes Fender deluxe locking tuning machines, which lock the strings in place for faster changes and improved stability.

What is the typical price for this instrument?

In the United Kingdom, this model typically retails for approximately GBP 2599.

Gear article

Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage 50s Stratocaster

The Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage 50s Stratocaster is a high-performance electric guitar that blends traditional 1950s aesthetics with modern technical appointments. It features an ash body with a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, a compound-radius fingerboard, and stainless steel frets to provide contemporary playability within a heritage design framework.

See live prices

Background and Design

The American Ultra Luxe series represents the pinnacle of Fender’s production line, designed for players who require precision performance without sacrificing the visual identity of the company's golden-era instruments. The Vintage 50s Stratocaster in White Blonde specifically references the mid-1950s period with its ash body and maple fingerboard, but updates the platform with 'Luxe' features such as the 'Modern D' neck profile and advanced hardware.

Construction and Playability

The instrument is built around an ash body finished in a thin 'Heirloom' nitrocellulose lacquer, a choice intended to enhance the tonal resonance of the wood over time. For ergonomics, the guitar includes 'Ultra' body contours and a tapered neck heel, allowing for easier access to the upper registers of the fretboard.

The neck is crafted from quartersawn maple, providing superior stability compared to standard flat-sawn cuts. It features a 10"-14" compound-radius fingerboard, which transitions from a rounder shape near the nut for comfortable chording to a flatter surface at the higher frets for easier string bending. The addition of stainless steel frets ensures long-term durability and a smooth playing surface.

Electronics and Hardware

This model is equipped with a trio of Pure Vintage '57 pickups, voiced to replicate the clarity and 'snap' associated with early Stratocasters. It incorporates Fender’s S-1 switching system, which allows the player to access additional wiring configurations beyond the standard five-way switch for increased tonal variety. The hardware includes deluxe locking tuners and a high-quality bridge system to maintain tuning stability under demanding performance conditions.

Target Audience and Comparison

The American Ultra Luxe 50s Stratocaster is suited for professional musicians and advanced enthusiasts who find standard vintage reissues too restrictive but find modern 'Super-Strats' too removed from the classic aesthetic.

Compared to the American Professional II Stratocaster, which often uses Roasted Pine or Alder, this model offers premium ash construction and stainless steel frets. While the Eric Clapton Stratocaster shares a vintage aesthetic, the Ultra Luxe provides a flatter compound radius and modern ergonomics that the Clapton 'Soft V' profile lacks. For those seeking even higher levels of period-correct detail, the Fender Custom Shop remains the alternative, though the Ultra Luxe offers modern technical reliability at a production-line price point.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary body wood of this Stratocaster?: The body is made of ash, a traditional Fender tonewood known for its grain patterns and balanced resonance.
What type of finish is used on the White Blonde model?: It uses a thin 'Heirloom' nitrocellulose lacquer finish, designed to enhance resonance and age more naturally than polyurethane.
What is the benefit of a quartersawn maple neck?: Quartersawn maple is cut so that the grain is vertical, making the neck significantly stronger and less prone to warping or twisting over time.
How does the compound-radius fingerboard work?: The radius changes from 10 inches at the nut to 14 inches at the higher frets, making it easier to play chords low down and perform bends without 'choking' higher up.
What are the advantages of stainless steel frets?: Stainless steel is much harder than traditional nickel-silver, meaning the frets will last much longer before needing a level or crown, and they offer a slicker feel for vibrato.
What pickups are installed in this model?: The guitar is equipped with three Fender Pure Vintage '57 single-coil pickups, designed for authentic 1950s era tones.
What does the S-1 switch do on this guitar?: The S-1 switch, integrated into the volume pot, modifies the pickup wiring to provide additional tonal combinations not available on a standard five-way Stratocaster switch.
What is the neck profile of the American Ultra Luxe?: It features a 'Modern D' neck profile, which is slightly fuller than a standard 'C' but remains contemporary and fast for different playing styles.
Does this model have a traditional neck heel?: No, it features a tapered neck heel and Ultra body contours to provide better hand access to the highest frets.
How does this compare to a standard American Ultra model?: The 'Luxe' version adds premium features such as stainless steel frets and, in this specific vintage model, the nitrocellulose lacquer finish and ash body.
What kind of hardware ensures tuning stability?: The guitar includes Fender deluxe locking tuning machines, which lock the strings in place for faster changes and improved stability.
What is the typical price for this instrument?: In the United Kingdom, this model typically retails for approximately GBP 2599.