The Fender Stratocaster Handbook, 2nd Edition: How To Buy, Maintain, Set Up, Troubleshoot, and Modify Your Strat Hardcover – June 15, 2012

This book provides a good history of the evolution of the Fender electric guitars for historical and some important technical information. It contains many pictures of the classic Fenders, from Fender and some privately owned models. I am pretty sure there is information out there that would fit into this theme that is not in this book, but that is why we can again purchase another book to gain that knowledge and thus keep the economy moving forward. I have no problem that this is not a perfectly concise and inclusive collection of all knowledge book, and I still feel this is worth the money you spend for it. I'll add it to my other books on Guitars I collect and someday hope to be able to carry on some thoughtful conversations with others who like to yammer on about guitars. I would say it is a 90%er on the total information available. If you come up with another figure, we can yammer on about it!

It did not have much in it for the price. Used it to study my new Strat!

No longer in print, but did get it second hand. The book was in great shape. It is not a detailed repair manual, but it is a great introduction to the Strat with many interesting details.

If you are like any Strat owner that I have ever met , then you are going to mod-it.Probably not a brand new , at least I would not ( and yes I did just buy a new one , review will follow soon ) , but after it has a few years on it you will want to change the look or possibly even the sound , and this book can help you do that.Everything from changing pickguards to changing pickup`s it`s all in there.Sure there is You Tube , but you are still going to need this book , trust me !!Make some noise !!Gary 

I bought this book as a reference source for my Fender American Standard Stratocaster as I am a newby on guitar. One thing I learned immediatedely from the book was about the tiny spring that sits inside the hole in which you screw the tremelo arm. The spring wasn't there when I bought the instrument new. Fortunately, you can buy a set of the little Fender springs at a guitar shop. I like the book's colorful presentation on repairs, maintenance, and adjustments among other aspects, including case studies of different versions of the Stratocaster and biographical information on a few of the greatest guitarists who use the Stratocaster. I saw the 1st edition of the book at a bookstore and liked it, but I decided to buy the 2nd edition from Amazon.

Do you own a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar...then you need this book. Written by a man who works in the industry, really does work on guitars, and loves and understands the science and art behind them. You do not need to be a rabid tech-head to get a good basic understanding of your guitar, it's design theory, construction and how and why the guitar does what it does. From the first page to the last it is a voyage of discovery, of the mysteries of Fender Stratocaster guitar design, construction and maintenance. A great read and yes, you definitely can use this book to look after YOUR guitar. Well done Paul Balmer.

Hi, this is a good book, but several things are missing. I expected information Squire Strats also as well as a more complete Index. For instance, Humbucker is not in the index, yet the Fat Strat has humbuckers. While online searching for used Strats, I expected to turn to this book often, but found it hard to identify some models and years.Otherwise it has a lot of detail about most Strats and how to set them up! It's a keeper!

I thought the pictures were really nice, but I consider the author somewhat pompous.Gave this book away as well. I've been playing Fender Starts for over 30 years (I own 5 now, after I reduced my collection) and I didn't really enjoy this book. I'm Still a Fender Stratocaster freak though. American made ones, in my opinion, are the best made guitars in the world, so I surprised even myself when I found myself somewhat aggravated after reading this.

Although it is packed with colour photos, and the text is user friendly, the content is all technical. I found it very helpful refurbishing my old friend's 1972 Telecaster (yes, not a strat) and stopped me from being tempted to alter it to accommodate reissue components that would have required reaming the tuner holes etc., and would have compromised it's original condition. Downside? I would have liked more in-depth tips on the mine field of setting intonation. And a small section on cleaning would have been nice. I will be 'lending' this book to my nephew who has started down the road of luthering, but don't expect to get it back. ;) The book covers Squier instruments, Japanese and Mexican guitars, as well as US standard and custom shop. I would recommend it to anyone serious about buying or maintaining their strat. Also to people new to gigging, as there is a nice section about what tools to carry to gigs, and how to carry out emergency repairs at gigs.

As an amateur I was very unnoledgeable and wary about tinkering with my Squier ...but this book is a goldmine of info and anecdotal material, if you only use a few of the tips contained here, it'll have paid back the cost of the book ! RECCOMENDED .🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Excellent book - I needed to learn to set up my Strat and all I need to know seems to be in here.

The book is great, and will probably be perfect for learning and maintaining your Strat, but unfortunately for me, it has little information on the System 1 bridge on my MIJ 1985 guitar. So although I can use and appreciate much of the book, it doesn't deal with the information I specifically ordered the book for.

Another Great Book for the Stratocaster owner and upgraded projects. I Love this book well written and extensive from front to back. You will like this book nice thick pages and the pictures are of great quality.