Acoustic-electric guitar Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster

Leo Fender once said that all artists were angels, and it was his, “job to give them wings to fly.” Now, nearly seven decades since Leo Fender debuted his first amps and guitars, the company is proud to carry on his vision–inspiring artists around the world and giving new players the tools they need to start their musical legacy.

In 1954, following the success of the Telecaster, Fender unveiled a guitar that would set the standard for generations to come: the Stratocaster. Named by Fender sales and marketing guru Don Randall, the sleek, Space Age-inspired model incorporated a host of innovations designed to make life easier for modern musicians. The guitar’s contoured body and double cutaway design provided greater comfort and playability, making it easier to access the higher frets and explore a new range of sounds. The guitar also featured the Fender synchronized tremolo (or “vibrato”) bridge, a new innovation that allowed guitarists to bend strings more easily, thus achieving the pedal steel-like sound that was popular among country artists of the day. Essentially unchanged since its debut, the Stratocaster remains the most popular and influential electric guitar ever made, and players across all genres continue to prize its sound, style and versatility.

An infinitely versatile instrument, the hybrid acoustic-electric guitar boasts a wide range of sound, from the full-sounding tones found in a dreadnought to the growling sounds of a Stratocaster that musicians have loved for more than six decades. This design marvel has already won fans among artists around the world, from Billie Eilish songwriter/producer Finneas to rock legend Jack White. Now Fender looks forward to seeing what other musicians can do when they pick up an Acoustasonic Stratocaster.

Unlimited expression

The American Acoustasonic Stratocaster continues to embody the spirit of purposeful innovation that drives Fender guitars. The power of the Fender and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine is sure to deliver true inspiration. From acoustic shapeshifting to electric rhythm tones, this extremely versatile guitar creates a brand-new lane on the sonic highway.

At Once Familiar and Novel

At a quick glance, the Acoustasonic Stratocaster seems familiar and iconic, with its offset double cutaway and forearm and back contours. But a closer look reveals some unique features. Unlike a classic Strat, the Acoustasonic is not a solidbody but a semi-hollow guitar, with a chambered mahogany body and solid Sitka spruce soundboard. On the guitar’s top, acoustic elements are seen in the sculpted sound port and traditional belly bridge, while the electric components include a magnetic pickup, twin control knobs, and a five-way selector switch.

Flip the instrument over and you’ll find two black metal plates, for access to the pickups and controls. On the neck heel, a recessed plate with a small hole allows for the neck angle to be adjusted. There’s an instrument jack that also contains a USB Mini-A input on the lower bout. Unlike on a typical acoustic-electric guitar, there’s no 9-volt battery power; the Acoustasonic is charged just like your smartphone, only you get 20 hours of use per full charge. Slick. And sorry, no internet or GPS.

Each position of the five-way selector switch lets you access two different tones, A and B, a completely different set from the Telecaster version. Starting with the fifth position, which is closest to the neck, the sounds are as follows:

Position 5: Core Acoustics
A: Sitka Spruce/Mahogany Dreadnought
B: Sitka Spruce/Rosewood Concert with Slotted Headstock

Position 4: Alternative Acoustics
A: Sitka Spruce/Walnut Small-Body Short Scale
B: Sitka Spruce/Mahogany Americana Dreadnought

Position 3: Percussion & Enhanced Harmonics Acoustic
A: Sitka Spruce/Rosewood Auditorium
B: Adds body pickup to Voice A

Position 2: Acoustic and Electric Blend
A: Engelmann Spruce/Rosewood Dreadnought
B: Fender Electric Clean

Position 1: Electric
A: Fender Electric Fat/Semi-Clean
B: Fender Electric Dirty

Played unplugged, the Acoustasonic Stratocaster has an appreciable resonance — not a ton of bass or volume, but surprisingly enough to make for a great practice instrument without an amplifier. This is apparently owing to the sound port, part of Fender’s patented Stringed Instrument Resonance System (SIRS), which acts like a speaker horn.

Features

• cutting-edge acoustic-electric guitar
• acoustic Engine delivers new body style and tone wood combinations
• blend knob selects and blends voices
• patented Stringed Instrument Resonance System (SIRS)
• three pickup systems: Fishman Under-Saddle Transducer; Fishman Acoustasonic Enhancer; Fender Acoustasonic Noiseless magnetic pickup
• integrated forearm and back contour, and mahogany neck

Video: demonstration of the game on the Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster