The Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster HSH in Vintage Natural combines classic Stratocaster styling with a considerably more versatile modern electronics package.

Two Hybrid II Custom Voiced humbuckers surround a single-coil middle pickup, giving this guitar everything from full-bodied neck and bridge humbucker sounds to brighter Strat-style combinations. A push/pull coil-split function expands the available tones further, while vintage-style locking tuners and a two-point tremolo make the guitar practical for regular live and studio use.

Serial JD23027398 identifies this individual guitar as 2023 Japanese production, while the model itself belongs to Fender’s limited 2024 Collection.

This Pre-Owned example is offered in Excellent condition and includes a hardcase.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Excellent Condition

This Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster HSH Vintage Natural is offered in Excellent condition.

Excellent condition reflects a carefully owned Pre-Owned instrument showing only very light evidence of previous use while remaining particularly well presented and ready for regular stage, studio or home playing.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ Fender MIJ Hybrid II Stratocaster HSH Vintage Natural
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This Hybrid II Stratocaster has been graded Excellent, making it a particularly attractive choice for someone looking for a clean example of this limited-production HSH model.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Fender Hybrid II Stratocaster has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• Neck, middle and bridge pickups tested
• Five-way selector checked
• Push/pull coil-split function tested
• Master volume checked
• Both tone controls tested
• Output socket checked
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard assessed
• Neck condition checked
• Vintage-style locking tuners inspected
• Two-point tremolo operation assessed
• Bridge and saddles checked
• Hardware inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Overall playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes action, neck relief, fret condition, intonation, tuning stability, electronics, pickup output, tremolo setup, hardware and overall playability.

Please note that guitar setup can shift slightly during delivery because temperature and humidity changes can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Fender Hybrid II Stratocaster HSH?

Genuinely Versatile HSH Pickup Layout

The neck and bridge humbuckers provide more power and body than a conventional SSS Stratocaster, while the middle single-coil retains the brighter attack associated with Fender’s traditional pickup format.

Push/Pull Coil Splitting

The additional coil-split function gives the humbuckers a leaner, brighter response when required, considerably expanding the number of useful tones available without adding complicated switching.

Modern “C” Neck

The maple neck uses Fender’s familiar Modern “C” profile with a satin-finished back, providing a smooth contemporary feel that suits both rhythm and lead playing.

9.5" Rosewood Fingerboard

A 9.5" radius offers a useful middle ground between vintage Fender curvature and flatter modern designs, making it comfortable for chords while accommodating clean bends and lead playing.

Vintage Looks With Modern Hardware

The vintage-inspired aesthetic is paired with a two-point tremolo and locking tuners, giving the Hybrid II a more practical stage specification than a strict historical recreation.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Hybrid II HSH vs Standard Hybrid II SSS Stratocaster

The regular SSS Hybrid II focuses on traditional Stratocaster single-coil sounds, while the HSH model offers considerably more power at the neck and bridge and is better suited to players regularly using overdrive or higher-gain amplification.

Hybrid II HSH vs Hybrid II HSS Stratocaster

The HSS version keeps a traditional single-coil neck sound while adding a bridge humbucker. The HSH version is the stronger option for players who also want a fuller neck pickup for lead work and heavier rhythm tones.

Hybrid II HSH vs Fender American Professional II Stratocaster

The American Professional II offers Fender’s USA professional specification and a more conventional pickup format, while the Japanese HSH Hybrid II provides a distinctive combination of humbuckers, coil splitting and Japanese production.

Hybrid II HSH vs Ibanez AZ

Both are versatile modern instruments built around familiar double-cut ergonomics. The Ibanez leans more strongly towards contemporary performance-guitar design, while the Hybrid II retains a more recognisably traditional Fender appearance and feel.

Who Is It For?

Rock Guitarists

The two humbuckers provide the extra output and midrange needed for overdriven rhythm and lead work while retaining access to brighter sounds through the middle pickup and coil splitting.

Session Players

HSH switching makes this a particularly useful studio instrument because one guitar can cover fuller humbucker parts and cleaner Strat-inspired textures.

Fusion And Progressive Players

The combination of comfortable modern neck dimensions, 22 frets, two-point tremolo and broad electronics makes the Hybrid II well suited to technically varied material.

Pop And Function Musicians

Players covering several styles during one set can benefit from having such a wide range of pickup sounds available without changing guitars.

Fender Players Wanting More Output

If you enjoy Stratocaster ergonomics but find a traditional SSS setup too lean for your main playing style, the HSH Hybrid II is a very logical alternative.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Rock
• Hard rock
• Blues rock
• Fusion
• Pop
• Alternative
• Indie
• Progressive rock
• Funk
• Modern worship
• Session work
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Modelling rigs

HSH vs HSS vs SSS Stratocaster: Which Is Right For You?

An SSS Stratocaster gives the most traditional Fender pickup layout, while HSS adds extra bridge-pickup power without changing the familiar neck and middle positions. HSH goes one step further by adding a neck humbucker as well, making it particularly useful for players who want fuller lead sounds at both ends of the five-way selector.

The coil-split function on this Hybrid II helps bridge the gap between those formats. You can use the full humbuckers when you need weight and output, then switch to a leaner split sound when cleaner articulation is more important.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender Hybrid II, HSH Stratocaster or Made in Japan electric guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Fender Made In Japan Hybrid II HSH

Fender’s Japanese production has played an important role in the company’s history since the early 1980s, building a particularly strong reputation among players looking for well-made interpretations of classic Fender designs.

The Hybrid II concept was developed around combining familiar vintage-inspired Fender looks with practical modern specifications rather than recreating one historical year. Features such as locking tuners, 9.5" radius fingerboards and two-point tremolos illustrate that approach.

For the limited 2024 Collection, Fender expanded the idea with an HSH Stratocaster, fitting newly designed Hybrid II Custom Voiced humbuckers at the neck and bridge around a Hybrid II single-coil middle pickup.

Interestingly, serial JD23027398 dates this individual instrument to 2023 manufacture, showing that production began before the model’s designation and release as part of Fender’s 2024 Collection.

Technical Specifications

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the guitar’s passive electronics or coil-split function.

Connect it to a suitable amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or recording interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned can be an excellent way to access limited Fender Japan models after their original production run has finished.

This HSH Hybrid II is particularly interesting because it was a limited 2024 Collection specification rather than part of the standard long-term Hybrid II Stratocaster range.

At Fair Deal Music, our Pre-Owned guitars are individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy discontinued, limited and Japanese-made instruments with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster HSH Vintage Natural is one of the more versatile recent Japanese Fender Stratocasters.

The dual humbuckers give it enough power for serious rock and lead work, while the middle single-coil and coil-split function stop it becoming a one-dimensional high-output guitar. Add the locking tuners, two-point tremolo and comfortable Modern “C” neck and it becomes a very capable all-round stage or studio instrument.

Best suited for: Rock, fusion, pop and session players who want Stratocaster ergonomics with greater pickup versatility.

Customers usually upgrade from: Fender Player Stratocasters, conventional HSS guitars and more affordable Japanese or Mexican Fender models.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, amp modellers, overdrive, distortion, compressor, delay and modulation effects.

Our tip: Use the full bridge humbucker for heavier rhythm and lead work, then experiment with the coil split and middle pickup when you need more space and definition in a mix.

Showroom feedback: The HSH arrangement gives this Hybrid II noticeably more range than a traditional Strat while retaining enough Fender character to remain familiar under the hands.

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.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players find the right equipment whether they're purchasing their first serious instrument, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something distinctive within the Pre-Owned market.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a 2023 or 2024 Fender?

The serial number identifies the guitar as manufactured in 2023, while Fender marketed this exact HSH specification as part of its limited 2024 Collection. Both details are therefore relevant.

Can the humbuckers be coil split?

Yes. A push/pull function on Tone 2 provides coil-splitting capability for the HSH electronics.

How does HSH compare with a normal Stratocaster?

The neck and bridge humbuckers provide more output and fuller mids than conventional Strat single-coils, while the middle pickup and split options retain access to brighter sounds.

Are the tuners locking?

Yes. Fender fitted this model with vintage-style locking tuners, which make restringing quicker and minimise unnecessary wraps around the tuning posts.

Is the 9.5" radius suitable for lead guitar?

Yes. It is flatter than a vintage 7.25" Fender radius and works well for string bending while remaining comfortable for rhythm and chord playing.

Can the guitar handle higher-gain sounds?

Yes. The full neck and bridge humbuckers make the HSH Hybrid II considerably better suited to higher-gain amplification than a conventional SSS Stratocaster.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo option is useful if you would like to see and hear this individual Pre-Owned Hybrid II HSH in greater detail before purchasing.