A Classic Strat That's Been Played and Loved
There's something about a black Stratocaster with a maple neck that just looks right. This 1998 Fender Standard Stratocaster — made in Fender's Ensenada, Mexico factory — is a genuine piece of Strat history from the era before the model underwent its major redesign in 2006. It's got the contoured double-cutaway body you know, a trio of single-coil pickups, and that bolt-on maple neck that makes Strats feel fast and familiar. The white three-ply pickguard against the black gloss finish is a timeless combo.
This Fender Standard Stratocaster is in Good condition. The guitar is fully functional and will go through a full tech set up prior to shipping. It has a light striation noted in finish on top, this does not show in photos, small dents noted, minor play scratches noted, larger dent on side, very small finish crack at heel. Please review the photos carefully for full condition.
Maple Neck and Fretboard
The neck is maple with a Modern "C" profile — comfortable, not chunky, with a satin urethane finish on the back that keeps your hand moving freely up and down the neck. The maple fretboard runs at a 9.5" radius, which is a touch flatter than vintage Strat spec and makes chord work and single-note soloing both feel natural. With 21 frets and a 25.5" scale length, this is full-spec Stratocaster territory.
The nut comes in at 1.650" wide — a classic Strat measurement that sits comfortably between narrow and wide. Black dot position markers on the maple board keep the vintage aesthetic intact, and the matching maple headstock carries Fender's '70s-style logo that was standard on this era of MIM guitars.
Three Single-Coil Pickups and Five-Way Switching
Three standard Fender single-coil Strat pickups with ceramic magnets cover the classic range of Strat tones: bright and glassy at the bridge, warm and round at the neck, and that signature quacky out-of-phase tone in positions 2 and 4. The 5-position blade switch gives you all five configurations, with master volume and two tone controls rounding out the electronics.
The middle pickup is reverse-wound/reverse-polarity, which means positions 2 and 4 are hum-canceling — a practical detail that players who gig under stage lighting tend to really appreciate. It's a genuinely versatile pickup setup that handles clean, crunch, and light overdrive equally well.
Body, Hardware, and Build
The body is poplar — Fender's choice for the MIM Standard Stratocaster prior to the mid-2002 switch to alder — finished in a gloss polyester coat that gives the black finish its depth. The synchronized tremolo bridge provides pitch-bend capability and the classic floating spring setup, and the chrome hardware throughout keeps the look clean and consistent with the era.
Fender and Ping cast/sealed tuning machines hold pitch reliably. The neck joins the body via a bolt-on joint, keeping in line with traditional Stratocaster construction. The guitar has shielded body cavities, and all electronics are original as-received.
Product Features:
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Body: Poplar with gloss polyester finish, contoured Stratocaster shape
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Neck: Maple, Modern "C" profile, satin urethane finish
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Fretboard: Maple, 9.5" radius, 21 frets, black dot inlays
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Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
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Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm), synthetic bone nut
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Pickups: 3 Standard single-coil Strat pickups with ceramic magnets
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Controls: Master volume, 2 tone controls, 5-position blade switch
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Bridge: Synchronized tremolo
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Hardware: Chrome, Fender/Ping cast/sealed tuning machines
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Pickguard: 3-ply white
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Country of Origin: Made in Mexico (Ensenada factory), 1998
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Serial Number: MN8300844
This is a used guitar from our inventory. Pictures are of the actual item you will receive.
All used gear is sold AS IS.
Brand: Fender
Model: Standard Stratocaster
SKU: U-0134602506|MN8300844
Condition: Used
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