Fender's top-selling American guitars get a full refresh for 2026, reaching the pickups, the bridge, the electronics and the neck heel. On the Stratocaster that means three new V-Mod III single-coils with magnet combinations Fender tuned for this model, and pole pieces staggered to follow the 9.5" fingerboard radius. Fender's aim is better balance from string to string and clearer chords once you add gain.
The two-point tremolo now sits on a cold-rolled steel block. The new ClassicGear Radial bent-steel saddles keep their screws below the surface, so nothing catches the side of your hand when you rest it on the bridge. A treble bleed holds the top end as you roll the volume back, and a push-push tone control adds the neck pickup, which gets you neck and bridge together and all three at once.
The neck is Fender's Deep "C" with rolled fingerboard edges and a satin back, on a reshaped heel for easier reach up the neck. Twelve finishes on rosewood or maple. Natural and Aged Cherry Burst are ash bodies; the rest are alder.
This is the Strat for a player who wants the classic three-single-coil layout with a few modern switching options built in. For a humbucker in the bridge, look at the Stratocaster HSS. If it's the Strat's middle pickup you're after but you'd rather play a Tele, the Hotshot Telecaster puts one between two Tele pickups.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: Alder (Ash on Natural and Aged Cherry Burst)
Body Finish: Polyurethane
Body Shape: Stratocaster
Pickguard: By finish, as shown
NECK
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: "Super-Natural" Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Neck Shape: Deep "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood or Maple, by finish
Position Inlays: White Dot (Rosewood), Black Dot (Maple)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Narrow Tall
Nut: Bone, 1.685" (42.8 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration: SSS
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Auxiliary Switching: Push-Push Tone Control Adds Neck Pickup
Treble Bleed: Yes
Potentiometers: ClassicGear Precision
HARDWARE
Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with ClassicGear Radial Bent Steel Saddles, Pop-In Tremolo Arm and Cold-Rolled Steel Block
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Asymmetrical with Micro-Tilt Adjustment
Pickup Covers: Aged White (Parchment on Natural)
Control Knobs: Aged White
Strings: Fender USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges)
CASE
Case: Deluxe Molded Case (included)
