Fender American Standard Stratocaster Left-Handed 1989 Torino Red

Fender

Fender American Standard Stratocaster Left-Handed 1989 Torino Red

£1,175.00

Additional information

Condition	Excellent

1 in stock

Fender American Standard Stratocaster 1989 Torino Red. Excellent Condition 8.75/10.

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Weight: X.Xlb

A fantastic example of Fender’s early post-CBS American Standard Stratocaster, and a particularly desirable one thanks to the striking Torino Red finish. This is the classic late-’80s American Standard specification, representing Fender’s return to a thoroughly modern, professionally focused Stratocaster while retaining everything that makes the design such an enduring icon.

This particular example is in excellent shape with a single minuscule minor impression to the corner of the body and some strap marks to the back of the body (see images, both only visible in direct light). There is also some typical Fender lacquer shrinking to the neck and very small mark to the back of the neck, these cannot be felt when playing, are quite typical of a 37 year old guitar and again only visible to us in direct light. Aside from these exceptionally minor issues the guitar is in great shape throughout and works exactly as it should. The guitar comes with all its original documentation as well as an upgraded 60’s style G&G hardcase.

The American Standard had been introduced in the second half of the 1980s as Fender’s new flagship production Stratocaster, bringing a number of significant updates to the traditional formula. The 2-point tremolo, 9.5″ fingerboard radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, Bi-Flex truss rod and modern C-shaped neck gave players a more contemporary instrument without losing the unmistakable Strat character.

Torino Red was a short-lived finish on the American Standard only available until June 1989, making an early-1989 example particularly appealing. From July 1989 Fender moved to Frost Red, so Torino Red is very much a first-half-’89 specification.

The alder body is finished in Fender’s durable polyurethane finish and is paired with a maple neck carrying the period-correct Modern/C profile, 9.5″ radius and 22 medium-jumbo frets. The satin polyurethane neck finish used during this period gives these early American Standards a particularly comfortable feel in hand.

Electronics are the classic American Standard SSS setup, with three flat-pole Strat pickups and a reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup. The five-way selector gives the familiar range of Strat sounds, while the TBX tone control on the middle and bridge positions provides additional tonal range.

The hardware is equally characteristic of the model: Fender’s 2-point American Standard tremolo with powdered stainless-steel block saddles, Fender/Deluxe Schaller cast and sealed tuners, chrome hardware and the modern 11-screw three-ply white pickguard. The four-bolt neck plate incorporates Fender’s Micro-Tilt adjustment system, while the neck uses the distinctive Bi-Flex truss rod.

These early American Standards are fascinating guitars historically as well as musically. They marked a new chapter for Fender and were designed to bring the familiar Stratocaster concept into line with the demands of contemporary players – more precise, more stable and more practical for stage and studio use, whilst remaining unmistakably a Stratocaster. The 1989 Torino Red American Standard is therefore a particularly cool combination of specification and colour: a genuine early American Standard, a short-lived finish and one of the defining Fender models of the late 1980s.

Specification:

Fender American Standard Stratocaster

Year: 1989

Finish: Torino Red (Colour 558)

Body: Alder

Body Finish: Polyurethane

Body Routing: Swimming Pool

Neck: Maple

Neck Shape: Modern “C”

Neck Finish: Satin Polyurethane

Scale Length: 25.5″ / 648 mm

Fingerboard: Maple