A Timeline History of Fender Strats '54-Today: What's The Difference?

The Fender Stratocaster has been in production for over 70 years, and yielded hundreds of models and variations. In this video, we take a look at many of the most important variations through the years.
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[@gordonray3091]

Wow, that was mind-boggling. I love Stratocasters. I didn't know their history is so complicated. Reverb, thank you for the history lesson.

[@josephetherton]

Any chance of a Telecaster vid like this? Us Tele lovers would love it.

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

Just what I was gonna say!

[@suminshizzles6951]

Telecasters.....another failed experiment. You like fucking around with intonation all the time or what?

[@grantandrews4826]

Search 'five watt world telecaster' :)

[@josephetherton]

@@grantandrews4826 Will do! thanks man 👍

[@donttalktome4696]

I imagine they will do this with all the "main" styles of guitar.

[@b411z]

1977, first year of the 5 way pickup selector. 70s strats are a part of history and have their place whether snobs like it or not.

[@zealsoijun]

honestly prefer the big headstock and bullet truss rod

[@caiusmadison2996]

The 70's strats are fine. People where playing the "My Fender is more authentic than your CBS Fender." game. Thry where a different take, to say the quality was totally off, nah, thats just not true. Fact is, I've never played a 70's Fender i didn't mojo with immediately. These "terrible" ones must have all been long since smashed, cause I can't find one to prove the point for the naysayers, and been playing em off and on for 30 years.

[@fuzzyeah4770]

Missed the Hot Rod Series! Becoming more and more sought after the last 4-5 years. 2007-2013 Vintage specs sonically, but some modern features that increase playability.

[@rollblackcoal2996]

I bought one of these, it’s awesome!!

[@wiggledixbubsy98]

Super interesting video! This would be great to see for the offset models

[@JonNewquist]

Okay, I learned about a model I didn't know about, but have wished exists. Thanks Joe & Reverb. My watch list is full again.

[@Mooseboy08]

As I sit here watching this, a slight turn of my head brings my 1965 "L" series Stratocaster into view. I've owned her since 1969.

[@tobiascree6799]

Attention; this video is way better than most.

[@caiusmadison2996]

Missed both of the Lone Star series. Both are awesome.

[@geirthieussbimkravahl]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the Fender Blacktop Strats. There was the Blacktop HH and the Blacktop HSH. The Blacktop HSH was basically a super Strat with the chrome pickup covers and an all-black body and black pick guard, with the incredibly gorgeous white edge highlight around the pick guard. I consider the black colour Blacktop HSH Strat the coolest looking Strat ever made, even much cooler looking than David Gilmour's "Black Strat".

[@victorespinosa2805]

Back when they where doing risky moves and innovation through the Ensenada plant.

[@JohnGadzaJr.]

Oh man. I love Fender Stratocaster electric guitars. They are definitely number one for everything music.

[@caiusmadison2996]

One major forget in the video on the American 90's models. The Lone Star Stratocaster, was American first. From 95' to 99', best alternate version American Standard. Had a Pearly Gates Plus in the bridge, 2 Texas specials(the originals). There was an a singles Texas Specials version as well. Otherwise, these had only deluxe pick guard materials, such as tortoise shell and a lot of pearloid variants. Anyways, this model was definitely what you where aiming for in Stratville, circa mid 90's. The pickups alone, where a major bonus. TBX control still on board, better colors. Same features as American Standard at the time.

[@chrisburch3808]

Fender needs to make more hard tail variations in the US and Mexican lines.

[@davidcarlin3850]

You completely missed the MIJ early 80s Squire Strat series that were as good if not better than were better than American strats at the time and modeled after 1970s era Large headstock models

[@dennismullins4930]

I have a 1985 E - series Fender branded MIJ Strat with the system - 1 locking trim that I bought new in '86. It's one of my favorite guitars.

[@TheSavagederek]

My 99 US Standard is the best guitar I've ever owned . I bought it new in early 2000 . The neck is stamped Sept 99 and the body Oct 99 . It features the Delta tone pot which is fab , and the 2 point trem with solid steel blocks . It weighs just under 7 and a half pounds and sounds incredible . It also features the hand rolled fingerboard edges , which we now take for granted in better instruments . The satin neck and contours , just make the whole playing experience, brilliant . I'd highly recommend anyone looking to get into the US Fender market , to get a mid to late 90s to early 2000s Standard model as it really was a special time for US Fender made guitars .

[@beyondreamtime420]

I have a 97

[@BigBoss1292]

Besides the addition of the 5 way switch in the late 70s, the guitar was basically perfectly designed all the way back in 54…sure the movement of the truss rod adjustment to the headstock makes it easier to adjust on the fly, but overall Leo and his team hit it out of the park right from the start basically

[@michaelsnydermusic]

Agreed. While I’m not a big Strat guy (I do have a Performer that I enjoy) they did get it right along with the Tele right off the bat. Whereas Gibson came out with the Les Paul which is an incredible guitar but it’s biggest flaws (resulting in awful tuning stability) still plague the guitar.

[@ToneShapers]

Correct. 1950: Broadcaster. 1951: P-Bass. 1954: Strat. In a five-year period, Leo Fender changed the world forever, no other guitar builder in history has been so prolific or influential in such a short time span (not even Martin). Ted McCarty and others sneered, but during the 1950s, Gibson designed one solidbody sales dud after another: Les Paul, Flying V, Explorer. (335 not so much) These guitars are iconic now, but the view in 1960 would have been that the upstarts from Orange County had wiped the floor with the Old Guard in terms of progress. And in terms of sales volume the numbers spoke for themselves - Gibson was simply demolished by Fender. Take that!

[@masatanida9119]

Very cool video. I think the American Select series was a short-lived but notable one that wasn't mentioned here. I interpreted it as Fender's response to boutique builders like Tom Anderson and Suhr.

[@debieaves4788]

I wish there had been some mention of my MIM Stratocaster Noventa w/ 2 P-90 pickups. The whole guitar resonates when I play this thing!! It’s ALIVE! 🎸❤️

[@michaelsnydermusic]

I’d like to see a Music Man sig series.

[@theoversouls]

No wonder I've been confused for so many years about these models. My eyes were crossing at the 2/3 mark.

[@Doowopsid]

Great job and thank you for posting this very informative and interesting video of this iconic guitar.

[@larrypower8659]

Important to note: 1) Until 1959, Strat necks were one piece maple like the early Telecasters. No maple or rosewood fretboards on the maple neck itself. 1959 saw Fender move to rosewood fretboards on Strats and Teles, and a maple fretboard was an option. Maple “caps” were set on top of the maple necks, like the rosewood boards. 2) Four bolt necks joints (and plates) were the original configuration. In the early ‘70s Fender went to three bolt necks on both electric guitars and basses.

[@austinknowlton1783]

There were 8 screw pickguard Strats with rosewood slab fretboard made in late 58. Idk how many but I've played one. I know that this video is an overview but like a lot of what I've read it makes it sound like transition took place in 59 when it started earlier and they tried doing both for a bit . Hence you have 58 slab boards and 59 maple necks.

[@Nick-qq2nq]

I like how it just casually says “$18,000+ on reverb” when talking about the 50s strats

[@jw_au]

I was like “I wonder what that is in AUD” 😆

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

The same price as a roast chicken at a resteraunt on the north shore

[@doomslayerplushie6662]

These instrument history videos make me realize why I love music always get all giddied up when they are uploaded

[@maksmars]

Fender Player Series replaced Fender Standard (MIM) Series, not "the Classic Series" 11:12

[@Astro_touches_children]

I would like to see a video on the Ovation/Applause guitars detailing their evolution ( for instance, when did they stop using aluminum necks and fretboards, the electronics and so on and so forth). I recently bought an '87 applause from reverb and I love it. I would like to know more about it and the entire line. Thanks.

[@brosettastone7520]

Reverb out here embracing our sicknesses.... ''go ahead, just add it to your watch list, no ones looking'' xD

[@paolospadaro]

Great video, more of this please!!!

[@matthewpaluch777]

No mention of the first 3 Signature strats in 1988. Y.J. Malmsteen, Eric Clapton & Maestro Alex Gregory (the first 7string strat!)

[@jamesjeager129]

I have never own a Fender Stratocaster guitar before and I want one of those and my favorite guitar players use Stratocaster like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck and Eric Johnson. The one guitar player that really got me into the Stratocaster was Rory Gallagher.

[@garyb1036]

I have the 2021 mim player series strat and i love it, the build quality is perfect, sounds amazing

[@pa4tim]

I bought mine (made in USA ) new in 1989, these were in the same brochure as de version with lace pickups. It has a different tone circuit. The most down tone pot has a mid position. You can make the sound much brighter as with normal pots or lower like the normal tone circuits. I forgot the name, I still have the brochure somewhere.

[@paristhalheimer]

This video has some accuracy issues (e.g. the Strat Plus dates) and missed out on giving more details (e.g.barely mentioned the upgrade information on the Strat Plus and American Standard, and didn't even go into the changes of American Series).

[@jbert7289]

I enjoyed listening to the history of the most beloved Stratocaster. Could you do the same thing with the telecaster?

[@craigusselman546]

They have a really complicated but fascinating history of their own.

[@matthewwillis4892]

Correction; Basswood like Seabass. not basewood

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Thank you for calling it a vibrato arm. Too many people don't know that it's not a tremolo.

[@thesjkexperience]

The Strat was the THIRD electric solidbody. The Precision Bass was second and in every way just as influential as the Strat and in some ways more appreciated only later.

[@BluefishFriends]

Interesting - you moved along very quickly, but I believe that you missed the VG Stratocaster, Do you know how many were made?

[@davidjames7778]

Have a go at Squiers.

[@spyalex]

But what about the "Squier" line of strats?

[@howardjones543]

Interesting video, but why is it raining in half the gear shots?

[@sollyharr]

You forgot the American Traditional Series..around 99..😉👍

[@somestupidwithaflaregun7149]

Stratocaster. 'Nuff said.

[@trumpy850]

I have the texas special strat . I believe made around 2003 its in sienna sunburst . Maple neck ash body and texas special single coils. I also have the tweed hotrod delux amp 40 watts , sounds and plays fantastic .

[@DonaldMerrit]

I wish you had included the 2016 Fender Elite Stratocaster not to be confused with the 80s Elite Stratocaster

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

Great video! I like the yellow one.

[@FSTgod60]

lmao

[@endoalley680]

How about the Custom Shop Stratocasters? And the FSR Stratocasters?

[@AllSpace]

they maybe more variations than the stars in the sky...definitely well said

[@donsmart5923]

I didn't see the American made Lone Star Strat mentioned ...any thoughts on the quality and value of these?

[@fumeinayuza]

I almost thought you'd leave out the original Acoustasonic 😄

[@Santillana]

What about the Fender Stratocaster MIM Squier Series?

[@julianburmeister9489]

Crazy detailed video! But what it looks like from the comments you still missed a ton of lines.

[@ned_erdy]

My Band Leader has a Smith era two-knob Strat, & has had since 81 or so

[@donttalktome4696]

So cool!

[@336Bmx]

Great video, but didn't touch bases on the 80's (MIK) contemporary strats. And the mik's that didn't have a pick guard.

[@Whitewolf76802]

My heads melted, trying to keep up.

[@andresarielgarcia]

Does anyone know who the music at the beginning of the video is?

[@NHfiddle]

Back in the day(1982)I purchased a brand new "reissue" series 57 strat. It was tobacco two colored sunburst with a maple neck. Serial #V003596. I played that guitar from September of '83 to June of '18. It didn't stand the test of time and it got worse as the years went by, so I sold it for what I had paid for it, $600. Now these things are not worth much at all and that's a shame.

[@davidkastin4240]

No mention of Bullet Strats?

[@Daddysboys75]

The difference is...strats where designed and played with out using foot pedals originally.

[@Andreas_Straub]

Good overview, but the background music was highly distracting ...

[@Stratocus]

How about the Fender California Series Strat? Made an assembled in the US, painted in Mexico.

[@NathanielBlank]

You didn't talk about the modern Elite series!

[@marcmayou1422]

I have to Chinese knock off's An Grote and an Indio They both play good enough for me. Strats style is a good guitar

[@Ottophil]

I got my american standard 2012 strat for 750$ used so saying they are worth 800+ makes me happy

[@russshaber8071]

Frankenstrat vs Partscaster: Which is cheaper/better?

[@TestarossaRocks]

BC Rich, especially the gunslinger era.

[@leonalexandre1451]

I thought radiuses would’ve been talked about

[@StBod]

Nice! What about “thin skin” ?

[@kkrsnn5632]

Stratocaster it will be 😁

[@blindbonesrumble3935]

70's fender strats, undesirable until people started paying 10 GRAND for them on reverb lol

[@wiggledixbubsy98]

Blame Mac DeMarco

[@blindbonesrumble3935]

@@wiggledixbubsy98 yeah man, it shows that we choose the value of a lot of these instruments

[@wiggledixbubsy98]

@@blindbonesrumble3935 100% man. Watch. The Squier J Mascis model is gonna be insane one day thanks to how many musicians use them

[@ileutur6863]

@@blindbonesrumble3935 guitarists are slow. Bassists have known that 70s fenders are amazing for years

[@blindbonesrumble3935]

@@ileutur6863 bassists haven’t had as many options as guitarists for years. Great point though

[@nasticanasta]

I prefer the bullet truss rods

[@LightSnackProductions]

tell me all about the 1959 strat

[@Hexspa]

Note to audio person: I find the stereo transition audio to be too rumbly and distracting. Maybe better mono and high passed to maybe 200Hz. Thanks 🙏

[@Ottophil]

You know so much, you are the only one who could unplug your subwoofer lmao

[@Hexspa]

@@Ottophil Yes but airpods have no such function.

[@DangerAmbrose]

The Fender American Professional I is the greatest strat ever made. Fight me.

[@dinosaursr]

MIJ 62 reissue Strat foto flame!

[@buhroccobama4688]

Forgot the starcaster

[@killroy123]

The Gibson Les Paul version of this video is probably 5 hours long.

[@grishukov_t]

Where is American Elite that was before the Ultra?🤷‍♂️

[@FrankSugrue]

Turn the fucking background music down so we can hear the guy! Jeez.

[@codyreynolds6333]

Gretsch would be cool

[@tomsalter4156]

Background music is overwhelming...

[@grahamt33]

Simple answer - THE PRICE ! That's it !

[@CocoKoi321]

How would a strat trem stay in tune? They cant

[@albertmorgan9021]

I have a 2002 mim fender graffiti yellow power house stratocaster and it's as cool 🤓👍as can be though I customized it just a tad had to make it mine and it's just what the psychiatrist prescribed 🤣 bought it off reverb paid a little too much had a fret job done but as you know if you want it you'll not be disappointed 😉 and I'm a happy camper . My wife is my Honey Baby ,my strats my honey baby 2 😆 🤣 😂

[@alexandergavrilov8019]

70s!

[@cesargonzalez8260]

TELECASTER!!!!!

[@kendo4242]

Fellas, be sure to delete this video from your search history before the wife sees it. Just a headsup.

[@tangyorange6509]

Or my husband lol

[@johnduval482]

LOL…who could possibly keep up/ keep track of all these models and attendant refinements. Ridiculous

[@whatabouttheearth]

"there may be as many variations of stratocasters as stars in the sky" 😂😂😂 such bullshit 😂

[@suminshizzles6951]

The strat is the same old faulty wooden neck design. Ned Steinberger was on the right track with his guitars. Too many purists are pushing old tradtions when i bet %95 of them could not tell the difference between a wooden neck or a graphite one. If you think a wooden one sustains more you are incorrect. How many even know that on pink floyds song sorrow that a carbon fiber guitar was used? How many even care? All i know is that wooden necks warp on their own without environmental infuences. Wood is a failed engineering choice when it comes to guitar necks.

[@Gottrahmen]

and porcelain is a failed engineering choice for dinnerware because it chips and breaks, yet I still like it more than plastic.

[@DonaldMerrit]

I have a Martin acoustic guitar with a composite neck and it feels just like a regular wooden neck to me oh yeah and it doesn't Warp

[@Ottophil]

I like wood. I play in a room that never changed tempature or humidity more than a small percentage

[@oneox958]

The text at 2:16 suggesting someone could maybe touch a 65 Strat for $2,000...hmm feels a little misleading? Also, how did you just blanket 65-81 all together as if no specs or models changed at all? There are mammoth differences there - mainly a zero or two on the asking price. Reverb has the money and recognition to become THE digital source of guitar and music information. Instead it just feels like every other big company who joins youtube - give em enough to make em happy, but dont forget to sell sell sell! EDIT: In hindsight, I should have known this would not be thorough. A timeline of Strats from 54-today, 68 years and ENDLESS tinkering and changes from Leo, yet you only manage a 14 minute video to cover 68 YEARS OF WHAT YOU YOURSELF SAID IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT IN HISTORY! UHH HELLO??????