Fender American Professional Stratocaster®, Maple Fingerboard, Natural

Quick Product Summary

The Fender American Professional Stratocaster® in Natural with Maple Fingerboard combines one of the world's most recognisable electric guitar designs with modern refinements aimed squarely at serious working players.

This particular version stands out with its ash body and Natural polyurethane finish, allowing the grain of the wood to become an important part of the guitar's appearance. A maple fingerboard, black dot position markers and 3-ply black pickguard complete a clean, distinctive specification.

Three V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat® pickups provide the familiar versatility of an SSS Stratocaster, while a push-push tone control adds the neck pickup for extra switching combinations. The Deep "C" maple neck, rolled fingerboard edges, 9.5" radius and 22 Narrow Tall frets deliver a comfortable contemporary playing platform.

An upgraded 2-point synchronized tremolo with ClassicGear™ Radial™ bent-steel saddles, cold-rolled steel block and pop-in arm completes a guitar designed for demanding live, studio and everyday use.

A Fender Deluxe Molded Case is included.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Professional
Model	American Professional Stratocaster®
Model Number	0111112721
Finish	Natural
Body	Ash
Fingerboard	Maple
Neck Profile	Deep "C"
Pickups	Three V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat® pickups
Configuration	SSS
Bridge	2-Point Synchronized Tremolo
Pickguard	3-Ply Black
Country of Origin	USA
Included Case	Deluxe Molded Case
Best For	Gigging, recording, sessions and versatile professional use

What's Included?

✔ Fender American Professional Stratocaster®, Natural, Maple Fingerboard
✔ Fender Deluxe Molded Case
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Why Choose The Fender American Professional Stratocaster?

Three V-Mod III Strat Pickups

Three V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat pickups give the American Professional the classic neck, middle and bridge pickup arrangement that makes an SSS Stratocaster such a versatile working instrument.

The familiar five-way selector lets you move quickly between warmer neck sounds, distinctive combined-pickup positions and the more focused attack of the bridge pickup.

Extra Switching Without Extra Complication

A push-push tone control adds the neck pickup to expand the conventional Stratocaster switching system.

It is a useful addition for players who want more tonal options without replacing the familiar five-way selector or adding a bank of additional switches to the guitar.

Deep "C" Neck With Rolled Edges

The maple neck uses Fender's Deep "C" profile, paired with a maple fingerboard, 9.5" radius and 22 Narrow Tall frets.

Smooth rolled fingerboard edges give the neck a comfortable feel, while the “Super-Natural” satin urethane finish on the back is designed to remain smooth during long rehearsals, sessions and gigs.

A sculpted neck heel also helps improve upper-fret access.

Natural Ash Body

This version is particularly distinctive because it uses an ash body beneath the Natural polyurethane finish.

Rather than hiding the body beneath an opaque colour, the Natural finish allows the grain pattern to form part of the instrument's visual character. Combined with the maple fingerboard and black pickguard, it gives this American Professional Strat a clean look that is very different from a conventional Sunburst or solid-colour Stratocaster.

Upgraded 2-Point Tremolo

The 2-point synchronized tremolo features ClassicGear™ Radial™ bent-steel saddles, a cold-rolled steel block and a pop-in tremolo arm.

It maintains the expressive vibrato capability central to the Stratocaster design while providing a modern platform for action and intonation adjustment.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

American Professional Stratocaster vs Telecaster

A Telecaster generally offers a simpler two-pickup layout and fixed-style bridge arrangement, making it ideal for players who favour direct controls and a strong, immediate attack.

The American Professional Stratocaster gives you three pickups, five-way switching, additional neck-pickup switching and tremolo. Choose the Strat if tonal variety and expressive pitch control are priorities.

American Professional Stratocaster vs Vintage-Style Stratocaster

A vintage-inspired Strat normally prioritises period-style neck dimensions, fret sizes, radii and hardware.

The American Professional takes a more contemporary working-player approach with its 9.5" radius, Narrow Tall frets, rolled fingerboard edges, Deep "C" neck, sculpted heel and 2-point tremolo.

It is better suited to players who want classic Stratocaster fundamentals with modern playability.

American Professional Stratocaster vs HSS Stratocaster

An HSS Stratocaster substitutes a bridge humbucker for the traditional bridge single coil, providing additional output and thickness for heavier overdriven sounds.

This American Professional retains the classic SSS configuration, making it the stronger choice if Strat-style single-coil clarity, chime and the traditional positions 2 and 4 sounds are central to your playing.

American Professional Stratocaster vs Intermediate Strat

An intermediate Fender can be an excellent gigging guitar, but the American Professional is aimed at players looking for a premium USA-made Stratocaster with refined neck detailing, V-Mod III pickups, upgraded bridge hardware and a Deluxe Molded Case included.

For an experienced Strat player looking for a serious long-term instrument, it represents a natural professional-level step up.

Who Is It For?

The Fender American Professional Stratocaster is particularly well suited to:

• Professional and semi-professional guitarists

• Regularly gigging musicians

• Studio and session players

• Existing Stratocaster owners looking to upgrade

• Players buying their first USA-made Fender

• Guitarists who favour an SSS pickup configuration

• Musicians who regularly use tremolo

• Players who prefer a maple fingerboard

• Guitarists looking for a Natural-finish ash-body Strat

• Serious home players investing in a long-term instrument

Its familiar controls also make it straightforward to use even if this is your first premium Stratocaster.

Playing Styles & Applications

Few electric guitar formats cover as much ground as an SSS Stratocaster.

The American Professional is well suited to blues, rock, funk, pop, soul, indie, country, alternative, ambient, studio recording, session work and live performance.

The neck pickup provides a strong foundation for warmer cleans and lead sounds, the bridge offers additional bite and definition, while positions 2 and 4 provide the combined-pickup textures strongly associated with Strat-style guitars.

The additional push-push switching further expands those options, making this particularly useful for players who need one guitar to cover several different roles.

Why Choose A Natural Ash Stratocaster With A Maple Fingerboard?

The combination of an ash body and Natural finish makes the appearance of the timber a major part of this particular guitar's identity.

Because the finish does not conceal the body beneath a solid colour, the natural grain remains visible. The maple fingerboard continues that lighter wood aesthetic, while black position markers and the black pickguard create strong visual contrast.

For players who want the familiar shape and versatility of a professional Stratocaster but something visually different from traditional Sunburst, black or white finishes, the Natural configuration is a particularly attractive option.

How Does The Push-Push Neck Pickup Switching Work?

The standard five-way selector provides:

• Position 1: Bridge Pickup

• Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickups

• Position 3: Middle Pickup

• Position 4: Middle and Neck Pickups

• Position 5: Neck Pickup

The push-push tone control adds the neck pickup, extending the sounds available beyond those conventional five settings.

For a gigging or recording guitarist, the benefit is simple: you gain additional pickup combinations while the standard Stratocaster control layout remains familiar and easy to navigate.

Compatibility & Recommended Essentials

The Fender American Professional Stratocaster uses the established 25.5" Fender scale length and comes fitted with Fender USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel strings in .009-.042 gauges.

Useful additions include:

• Quality electric guitar amplifier

• Standard 1/4" instrument cable

• Comfortable guitar strap

• Chromatic tuner

• Spare .009-.042 strings

• Guitar stand

• Strap locks if preferred

• Overdrive or distortion pedals

• Delay and reverb

• Modulation effects

• Compressor or boost pedal

A Deluxe Molded Case is already included, so there is no immediate need to purchase a separate hard case.

Looking for advice on choosing the right amplifier, effects, strings or accessories for your Fender Stratocaster? Our experienced Fair Deal Music team can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context

The Fender Stratocaster was introduced in 1954, combining a contoured double-cutaway body, three pickups and an integrated vibrato bridge into a design that would become one of the most recognisable electric guitars ever produced.

Its three-pickup layout proved particularly adaptable, while the body contours and tremolo system gave players practical and expressive features that distinguished the Stratocaster from earlier solid-body electric guitars.

The American Professional interpretation keeps those fundamentals intact while refining the details modern players interact with every day. The Deep "C" neck, rolled fingerboard edges, sculpted heel, V-Mod III pickups and updated tremolo are all intended to develop the Stratocaster as a professional working instrument rather than simply recreate an earlier specification.

The Natural ash-body and maple-fingerboard configuration also connects that modern specification with a finish that lets the instrument's wood grain become a central part of its appearance.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Professional
Model	American Professional Stratocaster®
Model Number	0111112721
Formatted Model Number	011-1112-721
UPC	885978989584
Product Type	Electric Guitar
Country Of Origin	USA
Orientation	Right-Handed
Finish	Natural
Body Shape	Stratocaster®
Body Material	Ash
Body Finish	Polyurethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Deep "C"
Neck Finish	“Super-Natural” Satin Urethane Finish on Back with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number Of Frets	22
Fret Size	Narrow Tall
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.685" / 42.8 mm
Bridge Pickup	V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat®
Middle Pickup	V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat®
Neck Pickup	V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat®
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Controls	Master Volume, Tone 1 – Neck/Middle Pickups, Tone 2 – Bridge Pickup
Pickup Switching	5-Position Blade
Auxiliary Switching	Push-Push Tone Control Adds Neck Pickup
Bridge	2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with ClassicGear™ Radial™ Bent Steel Saddles, Pop-In Tremolo Arm and Cold-Rolled Steel Block
Tuning Machines	Fender® Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard	3-Ply Black
Strings	Fender® USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel, .009-.042
Case / Gig Bag	Deluxe Molded Case included

Power Requirements

The Fender American Professional Stratocaster uses passive single-coil pickups and electronics, so no battery is required for normal operation.

Connect the guitar to an amplifier, audio interface, pedalboard or compatible recording equipment using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender American Professional Stratocaster in Natural with Maple Fingerboard is a particularly appealing version of the professional Strat formula, combining the versatility of an SSS Strat with a distinctive ash-body Natural finish.

The Deep "C" neck, rolled fingerboard edges and modern 9.5" radius make it comfortable for serious everyday playing, while the V-Mod III pickups and additional neck-pickup switching add practical flexibility without making the controls unnecessarily complicated.

For us, the standout feature of this particular version is the combination of the Natural ash body, maple fingerboard and black appointments. It gives the guitar an individual appearance while retaining the playing and tonal versatility that makes the Stratocaster such a dependable professional instrument.

Best suited for: Gigging, studio and serious players wanting a versatile USA-made SSS Stratocaster

Customers usually upgrade from: Entry-level and intermediate Stratocaster-style guitars

Most commonly paired with: A responsive guitar amplifier, quality instrument cable and versatile effects setup

Our tip: Explore the push-push neck-pickup function alongside the traditional five-way selector — it gives you extra sounds while keeping the Stratocaster familiar and intuitive.

Showroom feedback: The Deep "C" neck, rolled edges and maple fingerboard make this a very approachable professional specification, while the Natural ash body gives this particular version a noticeably different visual character from a conventional solid-colour Strat.

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 customers choose the right instruments and equipment for their playing style, experience and budget.

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

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Decades of experience helping musicians choose the right gear

Whether you're moving up to your first USA-made Fender, replacing an existing Strat or adding another professional guitar to your collection, our team can help you choose the right instrument and complete your setup.

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, bass, 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 the Natural American Professional Stratocaster made from ash?

Yes. This specific Natural / Maple Fingerboard model 0111112721 uses an ash body with a polyurethane finish.

Is the fingerboard also maple?

Yes. Both the neck and fingerboard are maple, with contrasting black dot position markers.

What pickups are fitted?

The guitar uses three V-Mod III Single-Coil Strat pickups in an SSS configuration.

What does the push-push tone control do?

It adds the neck pickup to the active pickup combination, expanding the tonal options available beyond the conventional five-way Strat selector.

What neck profile does it have?

The maple neck uses Fender's Deep "C" profile with rolled fingerboard edges.

What fingerboard radius does it use?

The maple fingerboard has a 9.5" / 241 mm radius.

Is this a standard Fender scale length?

Yes. It uses Fender's familiar 25.5" / 648 mm scale length.

Is the bridge suitable for vibrato effects?

Yes. The 2-point synchronized tremolo is designed for expressive pitch movement and uses a pop-in tremolo arm.

Can I fit heavier strings?

Yes, but changing substantially from the factory .009-.042 gauge can affect neck relief, intonation, nut fit and tremolo balance. A setup is advisable after a significant gauge change.

How should I care for the maple fingerboard?

Because the maple fingerboard has a finish, it should not be treated with the same oils commonly used on unfinished rosewood. Clean it using products suitable for a finished maple fingerboard.

Is this suitable for professional recording?

Yes. Three pickups, five-way switching and the additional neck-pickup function give you a broad range of usable sounds for different recording arrangements.

Is a hard case included?

Yes. A Fender Deluxe Molded Case is included.