The Fender Stratocaster Handbook: How To Buy, Maintain, Set Up, Troubleshoot, and Modify Your Strat
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Sunday, Jul 27
Description
There are six million out there--from Eric Claptons million-dollar "Blackie" to your treasured hand-me-down--and still the world cant get enough of the Fender Stratocaster, the legendary electric guitar-of-choice for players and dreamers from pioneers like Buddy Holly to todays garage-band heroes. This is the worlds first hands-on, how-to manual for the Strat, taking the mystery out of maintaining and modifying what is really a relatively simple instrument (two boards, some wires, some pickups). It shows you how to make the most of your Stratocaster--and how to make it truly your own. With clear text and colorful illustrations, this guidebook takes readers through the basics of selecting and buying Strats; maintenance and repairs such as tuning, setting intonation, tremolo alignment, fret repairs, bridge and nut adjustments, electrics troubleshooting; spur-of-the-moment stageside fixes; and some basic performance enhancements like adding "hot rod" Fender and aftermarket pickups, locking-tremolo nuts, and more. Read more
Publisher : Voyageur Press
Publication date : February 15, 2007
Edition : First Edition
Language : English
Print length : 192 pages
ISBN-10 : 2
ISBN-13 : 32
Item Weight : 1.75 pounds
Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches
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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Sunday, Jul 27
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Hardcover
Bought this to learn more about the history of my new Fender Strat. Very entertaining and informative.
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2025 by MichaelZ28
Format: Hardcover
I wanted to give a more in-depth review of this book than what's currently on here now. First, about myself. As of the writing of this review I'm 38 and have been playing for over 20 years. I have been setting up, modifying and tinkering with guitars all along. So trust me when I say that this book is a must-have if you want to work on your Fender Strat. Or, if you just want to know more about what makes a strat sound and play the way it does, this book serves that purpose as well. If you are already familair with setting up your strat then this book won't tell you anything new, but it's still an enjoyable read. The book is 176 glossy pages with rich, beautiful professional photos throughout the entire book. The text is very easy to read even for those that aren't entirely familiar with the intricate working and electronics of guitars in general and therefore provides for an enjoyable read even for the casual reader. What the book is not: Althought it touches on repair, t's not a repair manual. The information on repair is not comprehensive enough to actually do it yourself. It's not a compendium of Strats from year to year giving comprehensive differences and when things changed. This information is already available from other sources. It's not simply a picture book or coffee table book even though the size and Hard Cover format might suggest. What it is: A comprehensive breakdown of how to set-up your Fender Stratocaster. And it does this in a fashion that allows the new tinkerer to get in there and do the work themselves. Very much in the same vein as Dan Earlwine's books. The book goes over specific bridge designs and how to adjust string height, trem settings, etc. It explains how to adjust the truss rod on the various styles (bullet, vintage at the heel, at the peghead, etc.). It shows you how to set up the pickup heights, string heights, etc. Also explains some weaknesses inherent in specific designs such as vintage tuners, saddles, etc. The book also has a great set of appendices that explains Fender neck profiles, body woods, what specific screws are used where (great for knowing what to order if you lost one), and a few other tidbits. Of note there is a good part of the book dedicated to examining a few specific models of guitars and their specs. They are: 54' Custom Shop, US 57 RI, Chinese Squier, Mexican Fat Strat, Indonesian 'Standard' Squier, Custom Shop Clapton, US 74' reissue, Japanese 50th Anniversary, US Am Series 2005, Chinese Standard Squier. These "case studies" examine the actual guitar in the author's hands, not just the model in generic terms. This information isn't terribly useful, but it is fun to read an offers some insight to the variances of some models. Lastly, there is a small section devoted to some of the Strat's most famous players and it examine's a famous strat that they used. Again, the information contained is not "defining" to me, but it's fun to read. In conclusion, the reason to buy the book is for the clearly-written step-by-step instructions on how to set up your Stratocaster. The rest of the information can be found in other places, and probably in better detail, but it's nice to have it all contained in one book. I think a book like this is long overdue. Without this book the tinkerer would have to spend a few weeks asking Q&A at various guitar forums. And even then you have to figure out who's right and who's wrong. I can say from my own experiences over the years in setting guitars up that this book is an excellent resource for the would-be do-it-yourselfer that wants to learn basic maintenance on his/her Fender Stratocaster. The book is a joy to read too. If you don't have a Strat and are thinking of buying one...this book will put you over the edge and send you running off to buy one. Cheers!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2007 by Glen M.
Format: Hardcover
Glad I bought this book. Although I like Gibson Les Paul's, I still like Stratocasters & always have. The book is a treasure trove, full of helpful information. I know that there's a Kindle Edition but in order to get the full view of the many photo's, you'll want the Hard Bound book. Mine came from a Dallas Library. Not in the best of condition outside, the inside still looks new. Like I mentioned earlier, there's a lot of information in this book. Although with YouTube & all the forums out there where you can get answers to your questions or see what that certain year Strat should look like, it's great to have books on the guitars you like, or need information on. I decided on this one after I read it on a Strat Forum & from a guy who can put the serial number on the Neck Plate. Some like it to have the serial number added, usually for bragging rights but remember, there's always the chance that the added serial number was just that, an added serial number. I keep folders on every guitar I own. The year I bought it, the age of the guitar, if I change something, I'll make a note of it & take plenty of pictures. That is a must for insurance reasons but it does help if you wanted to show it off, show someone who's looking for the same finish, or if you're selling your Strat. I've been able to buy parts for the vintage Strat's I own & every bit of knowledge helps. I've been burned a lot simply because I didn't know what I was buying. Not everyone is as passionate as you may be, or as honest as you may be. That is why knowledge is power. It's one of the things you'll want to have in your own toolbox before you go guitar hunting. If you're a Parts Caster guy like I am, it really helps to have books to fall back on. If it's something as simple as the correct Saddles, or needing to know if the 8 digit code on the Neck is even correct & how to know if it is. 0902... Strat w/Maple Neck. That was easy & typical 1970's fender Neck Codes but believe me, if you're even at a garage sale [And there's been a lot of money to be made at one] looking at a Neck or other Fender Strat parts, knowledge wins every time. And remember this, ''Never argue with an Idiot. All they'll do is pull you down to their level & win the battle through all their experience.'' If you buy this book, you'll be a wiser person, that's for sure. It'll pay off sooner than later, plus whenever you know what you're talking about, people listen to you & that can be a great place to be.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2019 by D. Monty Jennings
Format: Hardcover
I bought this book with the intention of learning about how to do basic repairs and set ups on fender strats since I own a couple. I did not have any technical knowledge on the subject before buying this book. While I will say that this book could be useful if you already have prior knowledge, it is not to helpful if you are just beginning to learn about the inner workings of the guitar. Within a few mintues of reading the book, I was lost in all the adjustments and technical details that were presented. Bottom line, if you have prior knowledge about how guitars work this book would provide good information to take your fix-it and set-ups skills to the next level. But, if you are just trying to begin to learn about this topic, there are probably better books out there for your money.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2010 by M. P.
Format: Hardcover
I had a copy of this book before but it was thrown out by mistake. I scooped this up as a used copy in excellent condition, it's hard to find a copy of this book today so get one if you are a fan of Fender guitars. I have a telecaster I bought new in 1997 (California series) and a strat I bought 2 years ago (American standard). This book really helped me set up and maintain my guitars. Loaded with in depth photos and easy to follow instructions. I am by no means a "guitar guy" so this book broke everything down for me with a logical how to approach. I highly recommend getting this book if you want to know how to maintain your Fender guitar. Can't say enough good things about it.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022 by J. L. Sturgeon