Fender Standard Stratocaster Rosewood in Black, 1988

By 1988, the Fender Standard Stratocaster had appeared and was being built in Corona, CA by the “new” Fender company following its sale by CBS.

CBS had purchased the Fender company in January of 1965 for $13 million. In March of 1985, a management group originally brought in from Yamaha to turn things around purchased the company – but not the plant, machinery or many of the patents – for $12.5 million. By this time, Fender quality had been noticeably declining and without a plant, the new management group shifted production to Japan. US production did not resume until 1987 with the opening of the new and current plant in Corona, California.

Here we’re looking at a Fender Standard Stratocaster, built during 1988 in Corona, California – an early example of the ‘new’ US built Strats. This example features an black-finished Ash body paired with a Rosewood-fingerboard Maple neck. This guitar has had a number of changes and upgrades, including new and very good Fender locking tuners, a Gotoh two-point trem bridge, and a set of Kinman Noiseless pickups. Additionally, a previous owner has partially ‘reliced’ the finish, with wear to the lower treble edge, the lower edge of the arm bevel, and various marks to the top.

This Fender Standard Stratocaster is in good playing condition, looks good, and sounds great. It is sold with a gig bag.