Full name: Fender Mexican Standard Series Stratocaster (2009 upgrade)
Colour Purchased: Arctic White
Fretboard: Maple
Price Paid: £350

For any guitarist, Fender is one of the most iconic names in the music industry. Backed by a whole list of famously skilled and admired guitarists the Fender Stratocaster series most of us would love to own. I have always loved the body shape that Stratocaster provides and sought the quality offered by a world renounced brand.

Physical Impressions: 10 out of 10

The Stratocaster shape is used widely by different companies especially for building cheaper and beginner grade guitars. When you look at the retail pictures of the Stratocaster online it does absolutely no justice to the way the guitar looks in person. As my first electric guitar was an encore (Stratocaster body copy), I can say first hand that there is just something different about a real Fender it looks smooth and very iconic.

I chose an Arctic white colour for my guitar as I felt it would add to how impressionable it is, coupled with a maple fretboard the guitar seems to flow seamlessly. After some light research I also found out that the Mexican standard shape is slightly closer to the original Stratocaster than its USA and Japanese made versions.

Features and Finish: 9 out of 10

- 21 frets with a maple fretboard
- Chrome hardware
- Master volume control
- 2 tonal controls
- 5-way pick up switch
- 3 standard single coil pick-ups (ceramic magnets)
- Synchronised tremolo

When purchasing a guitar with a maple fretboard you have to be prepared to take extra care of it. Maple wood is less resistant to oils that are released from your fingers during play compared to its rosewood counterparts, despite offering a more stylish look. The hardware arrived in pristine condition with little plastic left over any of hard to reach parts, although I still had some trouble removing it from under the tonal controllers. The pick-up switch and the controls have a good build quality and move freely whilst not being too loose. The tuning pegs were also just tight enough, which makes tuning the guitar very easy, especially when you are trying to achieve the slightest changes in tone.