Fender American Elite Strat HSS Shawbucker Olympic Pearl RW

General

Fender Stratocasters already have a great sound, but with a Shawbucker pickup in the bridge position, the American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker models now sound even better. This Olympic Pearl model is from the new Elite series, which is the successor to the Deluxe series. The Elite series has added a number of fantastic new innovations without altering the classic Strat design. Naturally, it has a comfortable neck with easy access to the highest frets and a body designed to fit yours as closely as possible. It also has a truss rod that can be adjusted using your finger, noiseless pickups, an improved case, and of course, a Shawbucker pickup at the bridge.

American Elite Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Olympic Pearl: output

Thanks to the new 4th Generation Noiseless single-coil pickups, the HSS configuration of this American Elite Strat is rather unique. In terms of sound, they're similar to the classic alnico pickups but without the undesirable interference. Where this model really differs though, is with the Shawbucker pickup designed by Tim Shaw. It's the ingenious design of this pickup's tone circuit that has an optimal resistance of 500k compared to the single coil's 250k. And, with a push/pull switch on the tone knob, the tone circuit can be bypassed for an even higher output with improved high tones.

Painless to play and adjust

Over the course of time, the neck on your instrument can become bent out of shape. Fixing this is no problem using the clever spoke wheel found just above the neck pickup to adjust the truss rod. The Elite series models also have improved necks with a compound radius that goes from a rounded, modern C to the more oval, flatter D. This makes playing chords or solos even easier. Finally, the flattened heel ensures that it doesn't get in the way when you're playing the highest frets. This model even comes with the new Fender case so that you can keep your beloved instrument safe.