Fender began referring to it’s basic Stratocaster as the Standard Stratocaster in the 1980s to distinguish it from such offshoot models as the Anniversary and the 57′ Reissue, but in 1983, shortly after the introduction of the first reissue Stratocaster, the standard-production version received a makeover that seemed to gut the Strat’s identity and tradition.

The new version had only two knobs – the input jack over the third knob position – and the traditional tremolo bridge, which required the strings to load from the back of the guitar, was simplified into a top-loading design.

In late 1986, the Standard was overhauled with a new tremolo system, a new truss-rod design, and a selection of new colors. To reassure guitarists that this new Strat was made in the USA, Fender named it the American Standard.