Sometimes I get asked about the Hot Rod Red Stratocaster that sits in the Guitar Repair NYC shop. When I mention that it is a 2000 “American Series” Stratocaster, some become confused. So what’s the deal with the American Series? Sometime in the middle of the year 2000, Fender released an update to the American Standard Series. The new guitar was called the “American Series Stratocaster”. It featured block saddles and introduced rolled fingerboard edges, delta tone knob, rounder body contours, and staggered tuners to the standard American Fender line. In terms of aesthetics, the 2000-20008 American Series featured parchment pickguard as well as pickup and tone knobs. Now, on to my personal American Series Stratocaster.

The guitar that sticks out in the shop is a year 2000 in Hot Rod Red with a rosewood fretboard. It’s in near mint condition and even still has the original factory sticker on the backplate.  Needless to say, it’s been very well looked after and taken care of. The color is a unique red that Fender no longer offers on standard models outside of the custom shop. It is a throwback to early Fender Stratocasters in the U.K. the first of which showed up in a similar color. It’s the same red you’ll see on the Mark Knopfler signature Stratocaster. This guitar also came with strap locks installed at the factory.

The bottom line is the American Series Stratocasters produced by Fender from mid-2000 to mid-2008 are uniquely bad ass. The low output pickups offer that Stratocaster twang – that bell like chime yet handle gain quite well in positions 2 & 4. The fit & finish is fantastic. The one pictured below is a 2-piece alder body. In 2008, Fender went back to the name American Standard Series reverting back to stamped bent steel saddles and removing the strap locks and a few other features.

I’ve attached some pictures below. In case you are wondering, the guitar isn’t for sale but feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about this awesome Stratocaster.

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