Over a dozen new innovations, like fourth-generation noiseless pickups and high-mass, full-sustain saddles, conspire to make the American Elite Stratocaster one of the best modern Strats for the money. The classic tone cocktail of an alder body and maple neck provides the same punch, bite, and twang that built Fender’s empire, but the expanded 10-way S-1 pickup switching system and onboard Shawbucker humbucker with Passing Lane boost will give even veteran Strat players reason to upgrade. Fender’s tremolo system is also better than ever for the American Elite, with a smoother response and a copper-infused bridge plate to help fight tuning slippage.Fender Stratocaster: the look and sound of rock ‘n’ rollThe Fender Stratocaster has helped shape the sound of rock ‘n’ roll for the past 60 years, from psychedelia and surf rock to punk rock and metal. The Fender American Elite carries on that tradition today with the classic build players love – a comfortable, lightweight alder body and fast maple neck for superior tone and playability – with over a dozen new innovations to continue to inspire great music for the next generation.Two noiseless single-coils plus a Shawbucker humbucker for versatile tone optionsFourth-generation noiseless single-coils give the American Elite the classic Strat sound without the hum and buzz. And for a gutsier tone, the onboard Shawbucker bridge humbucker, created by Fender pickup guru Tim Shaw, delivers vintage-inspired heft and thickness. The American Elite’s S-1 switching gives you 10 total pickup options – which include running all three pickups in series – with the push of a button. And when you need a boost, a Passing Lane button near the tone pot connects the Shawbucker directly to the output jack for mind-melting leads.No-slip tremolo bridge adds texture to chords and leadsThe quintessential Fender tremolo is now even better. The American Elite moves from shimmery chords to distinct vibrato and beyond with a natural response that won’t strain your hand. You can dive-bomb confidently thanks to a set of locking tuners on one end and a high-mass, copper-infused bridge plate on the other to help fight tuning slippage.Fender American Elite Stratocaster HSS Features: