Fender American Professional HSS Shawbucker Stratocaster Review

Don Carr presents the Fender American Professional HSS Shawbucker Stratocaster. It's been crafted to give you the best design elements from classic vintage Strats and the most popular modern features in one gig-ready instrument. Tim Shaw designed the Shawbucker humbucker and the two V-Mod single-coil pickups for a vintage voice that is balanced across all of the switch positions. Fender's popular neck carve has been enhanced to a Deep-C profile that fits your hand comfortably. The Fender American Professional Stratocaster has all the elements that make Fender guitars legendary, and much more.
Special thanks to Nick D'Virgilio for sharing his exceptional drumming skills for this video!
Buy the Fender American Professional HSS Shawbucker Stratocaster here: www.sweetwater...

[@jorgiewtf]

I’m usually a Gibson guy but when I played this bad-boy at guitar center a few months ago, I knew it was gonna he my next guitar. My birthday is in a few weeks and “it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine”!

[@seanyiscubsfan1]

I just got one of these Strats on Friday in the HSS configuration with 3 tone sunburst and a rosewood board. You’re in for a real treat.

[@ferpirata76]

Hi. I,m thinking of buying this guitar. There are so many strat models that's difficult to choose. It's a little out of my reach but I don't want to waste my money on something that is not totally worth it in order to save a few bucks. Do you recommend it? Thanks a lot for your time

[@stevengarvey5782]

I'm so happy we had the opportunity to see Don play last Saturday night. Rocking the Embassy Theater with the Sweetwater All Stars, opening for the remarkable Tower of Power. Great set, Don.

[@tjnugent62]

I am thinking about upgrading my Squier CV 50's Stat 2 tone sunburst maple neck with a drop-in Shawbucker pickguard with the above combination HSS. They way Fender wires these pickups they play very well with each other. The tone is amazing, though I must give more than 50% of the credit to Don's impeccable playing. So hard, I have not heard any better combination of pickups for the upgrade. These also available for the low price of $239 online. I am sure I could spend a lot more going boutique, but I am impressed with these. Thanks, Don!

[@randylahey3909]

that intro is very Selkies: The Endless Obsession

[@alwan1414]

I thought it’s just me lol

[@alisafa8634]

I love those new stratocasTOR

[@blkjakk]

I love me some Don Carr

[@gmmakesmehurl]

Blkjakk He's awesome. Love watching his demonstrations as well as Mitch Gallagher! Great job, guys. First class.

[@ajmee9664]

Awesome demo, Don!

[@xaviermatsufuji8170]

3:59 Paco de Lucía ?

[@Zackathor]

Does the humbucker effect the tone of the second pickup position or would you say its comparable to a SSS strat? Also, how exactly does the humbucker split with the middle pickup in the second position? Looking to buy an hss but dont want to sacrifice anything tonally

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Zackathor. On that specific Strat, you are getting the full humbucker and the middle single-coil pickup together in the second position. Some models will combine just the top or bottom of the humbucker with the middle single coil pickup, but in this case, it is the whole humbucker mixed with the middle single coil. If you are looking for a true single-coil sound, you will probably want to stick with a single coil in the bridge position. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. Thanks for the interest!
Chris Arnold, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1709, [e-mail]

[@henryocq]

Omg the op & ed remind me of contra 🤘🏼This is best demo of hss strat so far 🤘🏼

[@tjnugent62]

7estat, I totally agree with you. Don is really good at bringing the true essence of whatever he's using at the time.

[@bobbyberetta4206]

Kobie does a great setups for Sweetwater! Raise for Kobie!

[@egelu3]

I do own standard shawbucker strat. The tone of the shawbucker its absolutely fantastic fell in love immediately There's one down side of it tho. Shawbucker cannot handle a good distortion. Talking about massive microphonic feedback. Add Cry baby on the top of that good gig volume on the amp and the squeal is unbearable. I've tried noise gates etc. Nothing helped and I did have to wax pot mine. The tone didn't get affected at all and the microphonic feedback is forever gone. Keeping Shawbucker unpotted doesn't make this pickup versatile at all. I really don't know how they tested it.

[@sinnertrain7405]

I just bought one of these Strats new. I don't use distortion per se, but heavy overdrive. If the Shawbucker produces micorphonic feed back as you say, I'll find out at band practice today. I usually play my American Dlx HSS Strats.

[@gregmatty6393]

@@sinnertrain7405 Any problems with the distortion/overdrive? I really need a hum bucker to be able to play hard rock and I think means distortion and a fair amount of it? Not sure how the Shawbucker wouldn't be able to handle it.

[@lfsberaldo]

In Portuguese, stratocastor = stratobeaver. That´s whal I´ll call my next strat!

[@Southsidebum]

Gawdayum that sounds good

[@light487]

What string setup is on this? I’ve heard the springs are a bit light for heavier strings? Is this true?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, light487. This guitar comes strung with 9-42 strings. The springs are the same as any other Strat, and with the right adjustments can handle any string gauge. The guitar is set up for light strings, but we can put on heavier strings and set it up to accommodate those, also.
Thanks for your interest!
Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1320, [e-mail]

[@NicholasDickinson]

Is that Nick D'Virgilio on drums for the backing track?!

[@sweetwater]

Nicholas Dickinson-yes it most certainly is! When I wrote this piece, I knew NDV would slay it...and he did! Good ear and thanks for your question!
Don Carr