FENDER AMERICAN ACOUSTASONIC STRATOCASTER

95
MAY 2020 GUITARIST
reviewFENDER AMERICAN ACOUSTASONIC STRATOCASTER
3. More like a sound port,
the patented Stringed
Instrument Resonance
System (SIRS), aka the
‘doughnut’, is key to the
acoustic sound of the
Acoustasonic Strat
4. It might be mahogany
rather than maple, but
the modern ‘deep C’
profile is the same as the
American Professional
range. Another change
is that the fingerboard
is ebony with a 305mm
(12-inch) radius,
slightly flatter that the
Professional’s 241mm
(9.5-inch) radius
We initially plug in via our acoustic
pedalboard to an AER combo and from
the off it’s game on. In terms of playability,
you’ll have to get used to a tougher feel if
you’re coming from your regular Strat,
because it ships with Fender Dura-Tone
coated phosphor bronze 0.011 to 0.052-
gauge strings. But the ‘deep C’ neck profile
is exactly the same as Fender’s Professional
series, except it has a slightly flatter
fingerboard radius. Setup on our sample
was pretty much bang on 1.6mm on treble
and bass sides. Gauge and string type aside,
you’re playing an electric guitar here.
Plugged in, it’s a different, mainly acoustic
world. In positions 5 and 4 you really should
be able to find a sound whether you’re
strumming hard where those dreadnoughts
do their thing or losing your pick for some
mellower fingerstyle on the smaller-body
voicings, which don’t sound ‘small’ at all if
we’re honest. The addition of the top pickup
in position 3 adds a touch of ambience to
the sound as well as making the top livelier
if percussion is part of your style; simple
rhythm taps sound very natural. Okay, the
4
3
For the creative
musician, or simply
someone who wants
quality acoustic sounds
in a very ergonomic
package, there’s
nothing quite like this
GIT458.rev_strat.indd 95 19/03/2020 17:12