Fender Lite Ash Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Birdseye Maple neck and fingerboard. Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro2 pickups. 2-point synchronized tremolo.
Overall User Ratings (based on 58 ratings)
Submitted October 5, 2012 by Claas D in New York, NY
"bargain!"
I read a few good reviews and decided to give it a try (2nd hand), especially as they go for rather little money. boy what a pleasant surprise. beautiful instrument. very resonant. nice bidseye maple neck and fretboard, neck feels great with smooth satin finish, soft v-shape. transparent 2 piece ash body. build quality is immaculate. lots of sustain for strat standards, very nice action and playability. seymour duncans sure pack a punch, matter of taste, but seem to fit the ash body very well. strong attack.
I got some 10 guitars around here and this is the cheapo of the bunch, but it actually grew on me and is one of the most played guitars by now. I sold 2 more "reputable" strats (american standard, '91 and 84) recently as the lite ash felt more satisfying to me.
highly recommended, especially for the bargain money it goes for. no brainer.
Musical Background:
20y
Musical Style:
Rock, Jazz, Electronic
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Submitted February 10, 2018 by Gary N in Streetsboro, OH
"Amazing Guitar"
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I picked this up, second hand for a steal. It has now morphed into my favorite guitar (out of 6) It's got tone to spare and fantastic build quality. Easily worth 4 times the price. I buy, sell & trade guitars frequently, but this natural finish Strat isn't going anywhere. It's my most played guitar.
Musical Background:
30 years
Musical Style:
Blues, Psychedelic, rock
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Submitted November 15, 2022 by Ale R in Berlin, NA
"Great guitar"
I was lucky to find this 2nd hand for 290€ incl. shipping as I was considering buying a Squier Classic Vibe. Sound and playability are just amazing, it became my favourite guitar (out of 7 - excluding my first beloved Jackson Superstrat) in no time as it fits to an almost endless variety of styles and it's extremely comfortable to play, even for someone like me used to play a shredder guitar with very low action. I'm no specialist about the construction, the only needed replacement imo ist a new saddle as the thin plastic piece ist very cheap, strings get stucked in it. Many reviewers online mean it doesn't sound "classic" because of then PUs. If you tweak a little with volume & tone you will get the "classic" tone as well. It seems this guitar was projected by the Japanese Fender Custom Shop with high quality standards for the korean factories. Buy one if you find a good deal, you will never regret it.
Musical Background:
Guitarist - Singer
Musical Style:
Alternative RockMetalProgressive RockPsychedelic Rock
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Submitted December 16, 2012 by Clive V
"Fender lite ash"
What a guitar. Can't tell the difference between this and the expensive high end.Had it three years and given it some stick.Rarely goes out of tune and has never let me down 10 out of 10
Musical Background:
Guitar, piano
Musical Style:
Any thing but prefer blues jazz
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Submitted March 16, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Best deal for a stratocaster ever."
If someone stole this guitar from me, I would murder them. I should have bought two so I'd have one to gig with and one to keep in a air sealed chamber.
Sound
Great tone out of the ash body, it's hefty, it's got a ton of sustain for a strat, and it's warm. When you play this guitar unplugged you can tell the difference the body makes. I've played a lot of strats over the years and this is one of the most pleasing tones I've ever come across.
Features
For the money, are you kidding me? Seymour Duncans, synchronized bridge, and the gorgeous neck/fretboard. This guitar is such a good deal it's almost unbelievable. Everything feels solid and top notch, from the input jack to the controls, to the strap buttons.
Ease of Use
The action is great on this guitar, and it's very easy to play. If I had one criticism it would be that the seymours can be a little thin on certain amps. But they ARE single coils right? Other than that, it plays like a dream.
Quality
This guitar is perfect from the factory. I compared it back to back with American strats, and the only difference was the stamp on the headstock. If they made this guitar in america, you'd better believe they'd be charging over 2 grand for it. I've never seen birds eye maple used in a neck or a fretboard before, but its gorgeous and they certainly did it justice. I can't believe how stupid fender is not to sell this guitar for double the price, but I guess that's their loss.
Value
Hands down the best deal you can get if you are looking for a stratocaster. Mexican strats can't even compare. American strats would be jealous. This is champagne taste for beer money.
Manufacturer Support
Never had any problems.
The Wow Factor
One of the most beautiful strats out there, in my opinion. I want to stick it in a glass case and show off the fretboard to all the guitarists I know.
Musical Background:
casual guitarist
Musical Style:
classic rock, blues
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Submitted September 3, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
"A perfect Strat"
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No complaints. I couldn't be more pleased. Absolutely everything about this guitar is superb. I dare you to play one and not want it. Please search it out and see what I mean. I would not sell or trade this beauty for any reason (well, unless someone offered me an insane amount of money, then I might consider it).
Sound
Man oh man, this lite ash strat has tons of that unmistakeable strat sound! The birdseye maple neck and maple fretboard are not only beautiful, they play like a dream! The stock Seymour Duncan pickups lend a bite and sustain that I have heard from no other stock Strat (including American made - all lite ash Strats are made in Korea - but don't let that put you off, it's a marvelous instrument!). If you're looking for a Fender Strat, the Standard (MIM) is fine, the American made are expensive - this Korean made lite ash, with the unusual look, mid-price and stock Seymour Duncan pickups is THE way to go - absolute best look, sound and value.
Features
Comes w stock Strat features all around, except for the ash body and Duncan pickups, which make this beauty a super Strat! The set up is perfect, so easy to play. I own the natural finish w black pickguard, and of the eight guitars I own, only my Rickenbacker 360 12 string comes close in the "absolutely beautiful" looks competition. This is one beautiful guitar! And one of the best looking I have ever seen. The sexy smooth lines, the fit and finish - truly breath-taking.
Ease of Use
As the saying goes, it plays like butter! The V-neck, for me, is easier to play than the more common C-neck guitars. (This is the only V-neck I own.) Although I have no problem playing either neck, the V-neck is my preference.
Quality
Perfect right out of the box. Fit, finish, neck, frets, intonation, elecronics...you name it. Man, this is as close to the perfect 6-string electric guitar of any make that I have ever played, and I've been around for quite a few years. Simply put, the quality is superb! If you want that Gibson sound, go for it. If you want the Strat sound, this is THE guitar to buy.
Value
We all know that American made Strats are expensive. I would put this Korean made guitar up against any American made Strat any day, and mine would still be my preference. There is simply nothing wrong about this guitar, and everything right! And for the price, it truly is a steal. If I had played this and not known its price, I would have easily guessed twice the price that is being asked.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to deal w it, so no opinion.
The Wow Factor
This guitar is one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen, if not perhaps the most beautiful. The lines, body shape, birdseye maple neck, maple fretboard and natural wood-grain finish and black pickguard all add up to a strikingly beautiful piece of art. And, again, the playability is sublime.
Musical Background:
pro, studio, hobby
Musical Style:
anything but rap/hip-hop
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Submitted May 17, 2010 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Unbelievable value"
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I have no desire to part with this guitar!
Sound
This guitar was the most pleasant surprise I have had throughout my bout with G.A.S.! The fit and finish are way beyond the price tag. I have several American Strats and this is every bit as refined - plus the soft "V" neck is a delight to play. I changed the stock SD PUs in favor of DiMarzios and that really brough this guitar to life for me - not a necessary upgrade, just personal preference.
Features
It is a Strat with 5-way switching etc...nothing out of the ordinary but that combination has withstood the test of time.
Ease of Use
The ash body is very resonant!
Quality
I can't believe the attention to detail for the $ - and I am somewhat of a guitar snob
Value
I would recommend it without reservation!
Manufacturer Support
Have not needed Fender Support but have dealt with them on a custom piece and their staff is top notch.
Musical Background:
Musician
Musical Style:
Blues, Classic Rock
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Submitted March 22, 2007 by a customer from puresimplicity.net
"Awesome!"
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I'm 100% satisfied with this product! I came back to Fender for a Showmaster HH since I wanted "one of each" strat and LP type setup, and was again satisfied with Fender products! This thing helps me meet my musical goals (Active Christian Musician playing lead guitar at a local church), and there's almost nothing I can't play on it. If it was lost or stolen, I'd immeditely call and buy another just like it! In fact, maybe some day Fender will make me a signature model of this same guitar!
Sound
This thing is #1 best Stratocaster sound I have EVER heard! The Swamp Ash body is very resonant, and the alnico ii pro staggered Seymour Duncan pickups mean you don't have to modify the guitar after you buy: it's already perfect! They deliver nice, smooth creamy single coil goodness for an excellent price! They're extremely responsive to pick attack and playing nuances without being overly hot. Didn't hardly have to do a thing to get excellent sound. I have used this guitar through a Peavey Delta Blues, a Stagemaster 1000, and a '72 Fender Twin Reverb. No hum, and excellent vintage tone. It can handle metal with the right amp (Marshall, etc), but it's not going to have a nu-metal rip-your-face-off tight bass. I also use this guitar through a Boss ME-50 and it's definitely versatile. You can't improve the sound: it's already excellent.
Features
Comes like a stratocaster should. If you're a purist, you'll love the guitar. That being said, I'll give it a 9, only because I upgraded to Schaller strap locks, roller string trees, locking tuners, graphtech saddles, added vibrato springs, and will upgrade the string nut to a graphite model (Earvana probably).
Ease of Use
If you can't use a Strat, you're definitely the minority. It's very easy and straightforward to use. The volume and tone controls have been the same for decades, and they're arranged very well, so that you can even grab the volume knob with your pinky, and the vibrato arm is well positioned too. The two tone knobs and 5-way switch make it easy to play with versatility. The manual is very clear and easy to understand. As for playable, it's very playable, although the only thing I could ask for is that the back of the body where the neck bolts to the body be contoured for easier access to the higher frets, or that the guitar be set neck like a Showmaster.
Quality
Impeccable quality! Fender is the industry standard. Not a single problem that I can find, and in fact, mine was $200 off because it was a scratch/dent item, yet it took me a week to find the location of the scratch (and it didn't affect anything anyways). For $400, this guitar was almost a crime! The finish is beautiful, black body with maple neck. The neck is also very beautiful. I'm not worried about this thing breaking at all: it's my main axe. It's very road appropriate. As for the "worst aspect of quality", I can't really find one at all. I think it will last a very long time.
Value
Excellent value for someone who wants excellent vintage-ish tone and Seymour Duncan pickups! I'd buy another one at full price without question, and recommend it without reservation!
Manufacturer Support
Fender support is the best! I called their line to find the locking tuners part # for the Showmaster Blackout so that I could retrofit my guitar to locking tuners without having to drill holes or go with an out-of-place color, and they found what I needed. Superb! I've never needed their support for anything else, as I've had no problems at all.
The Wow Factor
This thing is ultra-sexy! Vintage tone, excellent pickups, resonant body! It's comfortable and has beautiful lines. The "Seymour Duncan" on the pickups made me want it, much less the beautiful neck wood (birdseye maple) and sexy gloss black body make it very attractive!
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
everything
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Submitted December 19, 2021 by a customer from outlook.com
"Fender Lite Ash Stratocaster - Amazing for the price"
So I have had the Lite Ash Tele for 13 years and it has proven to compete with the Fender American performers in my collection, different tone with thw Seymour Duncan but was my main tele since purchase. I wanted to complete the collection with the Strat.I got the Lite Ash Strat at auction at c400 GBP and gave it the once over to make to clean and fresh. Once I had done all the maintenance and plugged it in I wasn't surprised at all. It was just as well built and sounded as great as my Tele. Again it has 3 single coil Seymour Duncan and do sound quite different to American Strats but it is by far the best Strat I gave owned outside the Professional/Customer Shop strats I have hadnover the years. It peforms in both clean and Crunch very well and I get tone from it that I have wanted out of a strat for years. The Birdseye Maple neck is beautiful and thw natural finish with the Ash is lovely. Downsides of the strat is that it does sound very different to a standard strat and it may not be the tone you are looking for.The bridge is good with a heavy brass block but the saddles were replaced quickly with some brass ones as it made it sounds better for me. The saddles are ok but not the best.The logo on the neck also is a weird one. When I have taken it out and to record people think it is a partscaster or a fake. It gets annoying everyone you meet asks and you have to tell them the story every time.It doesn't have the wow factor like custom shop or professional but when you plug in and play you are never disappointed.
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Submitted February 19, 2006 by a customer from verizon.net
"( TH ) The Best"
this is a must buy
Sound
sounds like an american but half the price. trie it on a vox
Features
get the natural ash it sounds great and looks it to
Ease of Use
so simple great for any type of player
Quality
greatest strat for the price
Value
its a fair price if you buy at store trie to get a lil off it
The Wow Factor
the ash looks great its shiny and light
Musical Background:
" Hobbyist"
Musical Style:
Rock
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Submitted August 25, 2005 by a customer from msn.com
"love at first feel"
i hope this strat will last my life time if something happened to it i would die a miserable man
Sound
I love how bright of sound this thing can make.iplay it through my line 6. another thing is a tube screamer . it sounds amazing
Features
i think it is the same as an american becouse i compared them as far as specs go there is one big difference.... about $500.00 also i really like the medium jumbo frets it kills a mexican strat
Quality
over the past 6 yaers i have owned close to 40 guitars and i would not give up this one for any thing so far ive had no problems other than changing the pickguard to a rose motto 3ply pick guard it is very tight undernieth the neck but it sure does bring color to it
Value
the best price i think that fender has to offer
Manufacturer Support
no
The Wow Factor
even though angus played an sg it was love at first feel,but as far as looks i baught knowing that i was going to change the pick guard becouse i dont like that black one that came with it plus i am thinking of changing over hardware to gold.
Musical Background:
just a jammer
Musical Style:
blues and rock
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Submitted April 9, 2009
Fender Lite Ash Strat Customer Review
Sound
amzazing warm tones for a strat. probably the best sounding guitar on clean that i have seen for such a price.
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