The 1983 Fender Standard Stratocaster in Black with maple fingerboard is one of the most distinctive USA Stratocasters from Fender's late-CBS, Dan Smith era. Produced during a brief transitional period, this version introduced the unusual two-control layout, pickguard-mounted output jack and Fender Freeflyte tremolo.

Three Fender single-coil pickups and five-way switching retain the versatile Stratocaster voice, while the master volume and master tone arrangement gives this model an instantly recognisable specification that separates it from both earlier Stratocasters and the American Standard models that followed.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional. Serial number E325340. A hardcase is included.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Fender
Model	Standard Stratocaster 2-Knob
Year	1983
Era	Dan Smith Era / Late CBS
Finish	Black
Fingerboard	Maple
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition
Serial Number	E325340
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Short-lived USA Stratocaster specification from Fender's early-'80s transition
Best For	Vintage Fender enthusiasts, blues, rock, indie, funk and collectors

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This 1983 Fender Standard Stratocaster is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar displays some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

At more than four decades old, this is an appealing example for someone looking for genuine early-1980s Fender character rather than a modern recreation.

What's Included?

✔ 1983 Fender Standard Stratocaster Black
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

The guitar displays cosmetic signs of previous use consistent with its Very Good condition grading.

No specific faults, repairs or modifications are recorded.

Serial Number: E325340

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Fender Stratocaster has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• All three single-coil pickups tested
• 5-way selector checked
• Master volume tested
• Master tone control checked
• Pickguard-mounted output jack tested
• Neck condition assessed
• Maple fingerboard inspected
• Frets checked
• Tuning machines assessed
• Freeflyte tremolo checked
• Bridge and saddles inspected
• Hardware assessed
• General playability checked
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Freeflyte tremolo operation
• Hardware
• General playability

Wooden instruments can naturally respond to changes in temperature and humidity during transportation, so minor setup adjustment may occasionally be desirable.

What Makes The 1983 Fender Standard Stratocaster Special?

The 1983 Standard Stratocaster represents one of Fender's most unusual attempts to rethink its flagship electric guitar. Instead of the familiar three-knob layout and recessed output jack, Fender used just master volume and master tone controls, mounting the jack directly onto the pickguard and pairing the design with the distinctive Freeflyte tremolo system.

Its brief production run and unmistakable early-'80s specification give it considerable appeal today. This Black example with maple fingerboard combines that unusual design with classic SSS Stratocaster versatility, making it equally interesting as a working vintage Fender and as an instrument from an important transitional period in the company's history.

Key Features & Benefits

Two-Knob Control Layout

Master volume and master tone controls replace the conventional three-knob Stratocaster arrangement, creating a simpler control layout while leaving tonal adjustment available across the instrument.

Fender Freeflyte Tremolo

The Freeflyte tremolo is one of the defining features of this generation. Its mechanism differs significantly from the traditional rear-routed Stratocaster tremolo and helps make the 1983 Standard immediately identifiable.

Three Single-Coil Pickups

The SSS pickup configuration retains the broad tonal range expected from a Stratocaster, covering rounded neck sounds, articulate bridge tones and the distinctive intermediate pickup combinations.

Maple Neck And Fingerboard

The maple-board configuration gives this Black example a particularly classic Fender appearance while offering the direct playing feel associated with one-piece-style maple Stratocaster necks.

Bi-Flex Truss Rod

Fender's Bi-Flex truss rod system allows adjustment in both directions, forming part of the more contemporary engineering approach introduced across Fender's professional instruments during this period.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

1983 Standard 2-Knob vs 1981-83 Dan Smith Stratocaster

The earlier model commonly called the Dan Smith Stratocaster retained three controls, a conventional output-jack plate and a more traditional tremolo arrangement. This later 1983 Standard belongs to the same Dan Smith-led transitional era but uses the radically redesigned two-knob layout and Freeflyte bridge, making it a distinctly different model.

1983 Standard Stratocaster vs American Standard Stratocaster

The later American Standard introduced in the 1980s returned to a more familiar three-control Stratocaster arrangement and became Fender's long-running professional USA model. The 1983 Standard is considerably more unusual and appeals particularly to players and collectors interested in Fender's short-lived transitional designs.

1983 Fender Standard vs Vintage-Style Stratocaster

A vintage-style Strat generally concentrates on reproducing traditional 1950s or 1960s specifications. The 1983 Standard does the opposite, capturing a period when Fender was actively experimenting with the Stratocaster formula and introducing new hardware and control concepts.

Who Is It For?

Vintage Fender enthusiasts – A fascinating model for anyone interested in the less conventional chapters of Stratocaster history.

Stratocaster players – Despite its unusual hardware and controls, the SSS electronics retain the fundamental versatility of the Strat design.

Blues and rock musicians – The responsive single coils work naturally with clean, crunch and overdriven amplifier tones.

Indie and alternative players – Its unusual specification and early-'80s character make it particularly appealing to players looking beyond conventional vintage reissues.

Collectors of transitional Fender instruments – The short production period gives the 2-Knob Standard a distinctive place in Fender's USA catalogue.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Classic rock
• Rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Funk
• Soul
• Pop
• New wave
• Post-punk
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Clean rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Pedal-based rigs

Why Choose An Early-'80s Fender Stratocaster?

The early 1980s were a fascinating period for Fender. Under the influence of Dan Smith and his team, the company was reassessing its instruments and experimenting with ways to improve its professional USA range.

The 1983 Standard is particularly interesting because Fender did not simply recreate an older Stratocaster. The Freeflyte bridge, Bi-Flex truss rod and simplified electronics represented an attempt to modernise the design for contemporary musicians.

That makes these guitars very different from today's historically inspired models. They capture a specific moment when Fender was actively changing direction, giving surviving examples an identity all their own.

Story & Context

By the beginning of the 1980s, Fender was working to revitalise the quality and reputation of its American-made instruments. Dan Smith became one of the important figures in this process, helping move Fender towards more traditional construction standards while also developing new ideas.

In 1983, Fender introduced a heavily revised Standard Stratocaster with only two controls. The traditional recessed jack plate disappeared, with the output jack relocated to the pickguard, while the conventional rear-routed tremolo was replaced by the unusual Freeflyte system.

The design lasted only through a relatively brief 1983-84 period before Fender's ownership and manufacturing structure changed significantly.

Today, these guitars are frequently described as Dan Smith-era Stratocasters, although the 2-Knob Standard is technically distinct from the earlier three-knob model popularly known specifically as the “Dan Smith Strat.”

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Fender
Model	Standard Stratocaster 2-Knob
Year	1983
Era	Dan Smith Era / Late CBS
Serial Number	E325340
Country of Manufacture	USA
Finish	Black
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Scale Length	25.5"
Number of Frets	21
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Pickups	3 Fender Single-Coil Pickups
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Selector	5-Way Blade
Output Jack	Pickguard-Mounted
Truss Rod	Fender Bi-Flex
Bridge	Fender Freeflyte Tremolo
String Configuration	6-String
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good Condition

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The three single-coil pickups and control circuit are completely passive and connect to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 1983 Fender Standard Stratocaster in Black with maple fingerboard is one of the more interesting vintage USA Stratocasters for players who want something genuinely different from the familiar '50s and '60s formulas.

Its short-lived two-knob layout, Freeflyte tremolo and Dan Smith-era heritage give it genuine historical interest, while the SSS electronics and 25.5" Fender scale retain enough classic Strat DNA to make it a versatile working guitar.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, this is an appealing example for both vintage Fender enthusiasts and players looking for an unusual American Stratocaster from an important period in Fender history.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Older Fender guitars are individual instruments, and condition, functionality and history matter every bit as much as the catalogue specification.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed before sale, helping customers buy with a clear understanding of the instrument they are purchasing.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new, pre-owned and vintage musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with Fender and vintage guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing gear could help towards the cost of this vintage Fender.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current gear could be worth towards this 1983 Fender Standard Stratocaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the Fender model commonly called the Dan Smith Stratocaster?

This guitar comes from the Dan Smith era, but it is specifically the later 1983 Standard 2-Knob Stratocaster. The earlier guitar commonly referred to simply as the Dan Smith Strat retained the traditional three-control layout.

Why does this Stratocaster only have two knobs?

The two-control layout was a factory design introduced by Fender in 1983. It uses a master volume and master tone instead of the traditional volume and two-tone arrangement.

Why is the output jack on the pickguard?

Fender relocated the jack to the pickguard as part of the 1983 redesign, taking the position normally occupied by the second tone control.

What is the Fender Freeflyte tremolo?

The Freeflyte is a distinctive surface-mounted tremolo system used on Fender instruments during this period. Unlike a conventional Stratocaster bridge, it does not use the familiar large rear tremolo cavity.

What pickups does it use?

The Standard Stratocaster uses three Fender single-coil pickups with a five-position selector.

What is the Bi-Flex truss rod?

Fender's Bi-Flex system allows the truss rod to adjust the neck in either direction, providing greater control over neck relief than a conventional single-action rod.

How many frets does this Stratocaster have?

It has 21 frets, consistent with the Fender Standard specification of the period.

Is this guitar made in the USA?

Yes. The 1983 Standard Stratocaster was an American-made Fender produced during the final years of CBS-era USA manufacturing.

What does serial number E325340 indicate?

The E3-prefix serial number is consistent with Fender USA serial numbering used during the early 1980s and this guitar's 1983 production period.

Does the guitar require a battery?

No. Its single-coil pickups and electronics are entirely passive.

Does it come with a hardcase?

Yes. A hardcase is included with this pre-owned guitar.

Is the 1983 Standard suitable for regular playing?

Yes. Despite its historical interest, this remains a functional Stratocaster designed for playing, with conventional SSS pickup versatility and a familiar Fender scale length.

Is this model particularly collectible?

Its short production period, unusual Freeflyte bridge and two-knob layout give it considerably more historical interest than many conventional Standard Stratocasters, particularly among collectors of transitional and CBS-era Fender instruments.

Can I request a closer look at this individual guitar?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is particularly useful for vintage instruments if you would like to see its individual condition and features in greater detail before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.