Fender American Professional Stratocaster HSS RW Aged Cherry Burst Electric guitar

American Professional Stratocaster HSS RW — Classic Tone, Modern Versatility

The American Professional Stratocaster HSS RW Aged Cherry Burst is a US-made electric guitar that pairs the iconic Stratocaster silhouette with the tonal flexibility of an HSS pickup layout. This model is designed for players who want the bell-like clarity and punchy mids of a traditional Stratocaster, plus the added warmth and output of a bridge humbucker for heavier genres. The Aged Cherry Burst finish highlights the natural grain of the ash body, giving each guitar a unique visual character. Built to Fender's American Professional specifications, this instrument delivers professional-grade playability and tone for stage, studio, and everything in between.

What Sets This Stratocaster Apart

The combination of an ash body and HSS pickup configuration is relatively uncommon in the Stratocaster lineup, making this model a distinctive choice for players seeking a unique tonal palette. A polyurethane finish provides a durable, stage-ready surface that protects the ash body while allowing the wood's natural resonance to come through. Adding the rosewood fingerboard brings warmth to the overall tone, complementing the bright character of the single-coil pickups with a slightly rounder attack.

Body Construction — Lightweight Ash with Durable Finish

The body material and finish work together to define both the visual character and tonal response of this guitar. Ash is known for its balanced tonal properties, offering clear highs, defined mids, and tight lows that suit a wide range of playing styles.

• Body Material: Ash — balanced tonal response with clear articulation
• Finish: Polyurethane — durable, stage-ready protective coating
• Color: Aged Cherry Burst — vintage-inspired finish that highlights ash grain

Neck and Fingerboard — Maple Neck with Rosewood Playing Surface

The maple neck provides stability and a bright tonal foundation, while the rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and a smooth playing feel. This combination is a classic Fender pairing used on many iconic American-made models. The 25.5" (648 mm) scale length delivers the tight, focused response that Stratocaster players expect, while the 9.5" (241 mm) fingerboard radius facilitates fluid lead playing and comfortable string bending.

• Neck Material: Maple — stable, bright tonal foundation
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood — warm tonal character with smooth playability
• Scale Length: 648 mm — classic Stratocaster tension and response
• Fingerboard Radius: 241 mm — comfortable for both chord work and lead playing
• Number of Frets: 22 — extended range for lead playing and bends

Electronics and Hardware — HSS Pickup Configuration

The HSS pickup layout gives players access to both classic Stratocaster tones and the heavier output of a bridge humbucker. This versatility makes the guitar suitable for genres ranging from blues and country to rock and metal. The 2-point synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles provides smooth vibrato action and reliable tuning stability.

• Pickup Configuration: HSS — humbucker bridge with single-coil middle and neck
• Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles — smooth vibrato and tuning stability
• Type: Stratocaster — iconic double-cutaway body shape
• Dexterity: Right-Hand — standard orientation for right-handed players

Who Should Play This Guitar

This model is the right choice for working musicians who need a versatile US-made guitar that can cover multiple genres without switching instruments. Players who primarily use a Stratocaster but occasionally need humbucker tones for heavier styles will appreciate the HSS configuration. The ash body and rosewood fingerboard combination appeals to those seeking a slightly warmer alternative to the more common alder/maple Stratocaster builds. Intermediate to advanced players who want professional-grade quality and are willing to invest in a Made-in-USA instrument will find this guitar well suited to their needs.

Fender and the Stratocaster Legacy

Fender's Stratocaster is one of the most recognized electric guitar designs in the world, known for its iconic double-cutaway body shape and versatile tonal capabilities. The American Professional series continues this tradition with US-made instruments designed for working musicians. This particular model, with its HSS pickup configuration and ash body, represents an evolution of the classic Stratocaster formula, offering players expanded tonal options while maintaining the feel and playability that have made the Stratocaster a studio and stage staple for decades.