Fender 378002506 Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most iconic and influential electric guitar models in the world. First introduced in 1954, the Stratocaster design pioneered the double cutaway body shape with contoured edges for comfort as well as the tremolo arm for vibrato effects.

With its sleek contours, classic three single-coil pickup configuration, and versatile sound, the Stratocaster has become a popular choice among countless guitarists across all genres of music. From Buddy Holly in the 1950s to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s to contemporary players like John Mayer, the Strat continues to captivate musicians over half a century since its debut.

This review will take an in-depth look at the key features of the classic Fender Stratocaster model and explore why it remains such a legendary instrument decades after its inception. We'll examine the Strat's body style and design, neck and fretboard, electronics and hardware, sound and tone, playability, pros, and cons. Whether you're a player looking for a thorough evaluation or simply a guitar enthusiast, read on to learn all about this groundbreaking electric guitar.

Body Style and Design

The Fender Stratocaster features the iconic double cutaway body shape that Fender is known for. The body is made from alder wood, which helps produce a balanced, well-rounded tone.

The double cutaway design allows easy access to the upper frets, making it comfortable to play solos and reach those high notes. The contoured body edges and curves hug the player's body for maximum comfort during long practice or gigging sessions.

Overall, the Stratocaster body is lightweight, ergonomic, and designed for versatility across many music genres. Players appreciate the familiar and timeless Stratocaster silhouette, with its sleek curves and pointed cutaways. The alder wood construction delivers a pleasing, balanced tonal response when unplugged or amplified.

The Stratocaster's body shape and design set the standard for many other electric guitars that would follow. Its comfortable contours and double cutaway form has been widely copied and emulated. Though many guitars have similar shapes and cutaways, the Stratocaster remains the original and iconic model.

The smooth curves and lightweight build make the Stratocaster an extremely comfortable guitar to play. It hugs the body nicely and allows easy access to even the highest notes on the fretboard. For guitarists who like to play solos and reach those screaming high tones, the Stratocaster's shape and cutaways are ideal.

The Stratocaster's sleek, elegant body design projects the perfect rockstar image on stage. Its stylish silhouette is recognizable even in the distant back rows of an arena. The Stratocaster simply looks like a guitar made for virtuoso soloing and rocking out.

While the Gayetana Guitars ATTO A77-C has some similarities in body style, it does not quite match the pure elegance and balance of the Stratocaster shape. The ATTO's angular cutaways and exaggerated horns give it a more aggressive, modern look compared to the flowing, vintage vibe of the Strat body.

Overall, Fender nailed the body style and design of the Stratocaster. Its smooth contours, sleek cutaways, lightweight build, and gorgeous silhouette make it one of the most comfortable and iconic guitar shapes ever made. The Stratocaster set the standard that many other guitar companies still try to emulate over 60 years later.

Neck and Fretboard

The Fender Stratocaster features a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Maple is a dense, hardwood that provides stability and sustain, while the rosewood fretboard is known for its warm, rounded tone.

The neck has a modern "C" profile that is comfortable to grip and easy to play. It uses a 25.5" scale length, with narrow-tall frets for bending strings. The fretwork from Fender is very good, with smoothly finished frets.

The rosewood fingerboard has a 9.5” radius which strikes a balance between vintage curvy and modern flat profiles. This allows for comfortable chording as well as low action for lead playing. The combination of maple and rosewood produces a smooth, fast feel that makes it enjoyable to play.

Overall, the neck and fretboard enable great playability while still retaining the distinctive Strat tone. The quality components produce clear notes with a balanced warmth and brightness. The Fender Stratocaster's neck and fretboard are designed for versatility across many playing styles. Musicians appreciate the comfortable feel and iconic tone.

Fender also makes the Fender FA-115 acoustic guitar, which features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The smaller concert body style produces balanced tone and is comfortable for playing. It has a maple neck and rosewood fretboard for smooth playability. The Fishman electronics have volume and tone controls for amplifying the guitar's natural acoustic sound. The Fender FA-115 is an excellent choice for an affordable, quality acoustic-electric guitar.

Pickups and Electronics

The Fender Stratocaster features 3 single coil pickups configured in the classic Strat layout with a bridge pickup, middle pickup, and neck pickup.

This allows for a wide variety of tones since each pickup has its own distinct sound. The bridge pickup produces a bright, biting tone, while the middle pickup has a quacky, funky sound. The neck pickup delivers a warm, round tone perfect for jazz and blues.

The guitar uses a 5-way pickup selector switch which allows you to activate the bridge pickup alone, the bridge and middle pickups together, the middle pickup alone, the middle and neck pickups, or the neck pickup alone. This gives you tons of tonal flexibility from the combined use of the 3 single coils.

With the 5-way switching there are many possible pickup combinations to sculpt your tone. From aggressive rock and metal with the bridge pickup to smooth jazz with the neck pickup, this Strat can handle it all. The pickups and electronics design make this a very versatile electric guitar.

Hardware

The Fender Stratocaster features classic Strat hardware that provides stable tuning and great tone. It comes equipped with a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, which allows for expressive pitch bending effects and great sustain.

The bridge has six solid steel saddles for reliable intonation and tuning stability. The vintage-style bent steel tremolo block enhances resonance and harmonics. The tremolo arm gives you great control over dips, dives and vibrato effects.

It also has vintage-style tuning machines with bent steel blades. The tuning keys keep the strings locked at pitch for optimal tuning stability. The vintage look complements the classic Strat design.

Overall, the hardware supports the Strat's bell-like tone and singing sustain. The vintage-style components allow you to perform pitch bends, expressive vibratos and big bend drops while staying in tune. The hardware is smooth, solid and road-worthy for gigging guitarists.

Sound and Tone

The Fender Stratocaster produces the bright, snappy tone that Stratocasters are known for. The three single-coil pickups provide a crisp, biting tone that cuts through a mix nicely. This clear tone works great for rock, blues, funk, pop, country, and more.

The bridge pickup has plenty of treble bite for lead lines that need to poke through a band. The neck pickup delivers a smooth, rounded tone for jazzier lead sounds. The middle pickup offers a nice balance of clarity and warmth. Together, the pickups provide a diverse tonal palette.

When the 5-way pickup selector is set to positions 2 or 4, you get a quacky, hollow tone thanks to the neck and middle pickups being wired out of phase. This unique in-between tone is fun for funky rhythms or warbly chords.

Overall, the Fender Stratocaster 378002506 produces classic Strat tones ranging from sparkly and spanky to smooth and sweet. The versatile sound options allow guitarists to dial in the perfect bright tone for any style of music.

Playability

The Fender Stratocaster features a fast and comfortable neck for excellent playability. It utilizes a modern "C"-shaped neck profile that is thinner than vintage Fender necks. This provides a slimmer, more contoured feel that allows for fast lead playing and comfortable chording.

The fretboard is outfitted with medium jumbo frets. At .04" tall and .103" wide, the jumbo frets give you more metal to work with when bending strings. This allows for greater fretting ease and control when playing lead lines or complex chords. The edges of the jumbo frets are nicely rounded and polished for a smooth feel that won't chew up your hands during long practice or gigging sessions.

Overall, the thin neck carve and medium jumbo frets come together to offer a fast, slick playing feel ideal for a wide range of musical styles. It's built for speed but retains the comfortable ergonomics that Stratocasters are revered for. This enhances your playing comfort and stamina when practicing or performing.

Pros

The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most iconic electric guitars ever made, known for its versatile sound across many genres. The Stratocaster's contoured double cutaway body provides excellent access to higher frets, and the smooth back allows it to sit comfortably against the player's body.

The Stratocaster's legendary playability comes from its 25.5" scale maple neck and fretboard. The neck has a modern "C" profile that feels fast and smooth. Many players appreciate how the Stratocaster neck feels both comfortable and familiar. The guitar's 6-saddle vintage-style tremolo bridge also provides superb tuning stability even during aggressive playing.

Overall, the Stratocaster's versatile design, iconic body shape, and excellent playability make it one of the most popular guitars for guitarists at all skill levels. Its comfortable feel and dynamic tone cater to everything from rock and blues to country and jazz. For over 60 years, the Strat has remained a staple instrument for countless guitar legends. Both pros and beginners continue to rely on its smooth playability and inspiring sound.

Cons

Fender Stratocasters are excellent guitars, but they do have some drawbacks to consider.

• Single coil pickups can buzz - The Strat uses single coil pickups which are known for their classic bell-like tone. However, single coils tend to pick up interference from nearby electronics, which can lead to audible hum or buzz. This is part of their natural character, but it may require noise suppressing accessories.

• Floating bridge needs setup - The vintage-style tremolo bridge floats and needs to be set up properly to avoid tuning and intonation issues. New strings also require several tunings as they stretch and settle. This can frustrate beginners. Proper setup is important for optimal performance.

• Bright tone isn't for everyone - With their crisp highs and scooped mids, the Strat sound isn't the most warm or rounded. The tone can be perceived as thin or harsh by some, especially in cheaper models. This may be less ideal for certain styles like hard rock and metal.

Conclusion

Overall, the Fender Stratocaster is an excellent and iconic electric guitar that is highly recommended for a wide variety of players and genres.

The Stratocaster's versatile sound, smooth playability, and timeless design have made it one of the most popular electric guitars for over 60 years. From blues to rock to pop and more, the Strat can handle it all.

The combination of the comfortable contoured body, fast slim neck, and triple single-coil pickups allow guitarists to play chords, licks, solos, and riffs with ease. It's an extremely responsive guitar that is built to inspire creativity.

While not without some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of a locking tremolo, the Fender Stratocaster's pros far outweigh its cons for most players.

Its smooth neck, dynamic pickups, and articulated controls offer a tremendous variety of tones perfect for rocking out or chilling out.

For any guitarist looking for their first serious electric or a reliable workhorse, the Stratocaster is a top-tier choice. Its versatility, playability, and iconic vibe make it a true classic.