Fender LTD Artisan P90 Strat AVB
This limited-edition USA-made Stratocaster pairs premium woods with P90 pickups and a stable hardtail bridge. Confirm the pickup configuration with the seller before buying, since the supplied specifications disagree on whether it has two or three pickups.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Fender LTD Artisan P90 Strat AVB review
The Fender LTD Artisan P90 Strat AVB is a limited-edition, U.S.-made Stratocaster-style electric guitar with a hardtail bridge and three Custom Shop P90 pickups. Its specification combines a Michigan mahogany body with a flamed maple top and a roasted, AAA-grade flamed maple neck. Fender lists the model as a 2026 limited run, available from April 2026. The supplied item number is 643173.
The name identifies the instrument as an Artisan Stratocaster, while AVB refers to its Aged Violin Burst finish. The listed color is also described more briefly as Violin Burst. This is a finish distinction rather than a separate hardware or construction option in the supplied specification.
Body, neck, and playing dimensions
The mahogany body and flamed maple top give the guitar a two-wood construction, with the figured maple visible as part of the top's appearance. Fender specifies a roasted AAA flamed maple neck and an AAA rosewood fingerboard. The neck profile is a '60s-style oval C, a rounded shape designation that gives more useful information than a generic description such as "slim" or "fast." No neck measurements beyond the profile are provided.
The 648 mm scale length is approximately 25.5 inches. The fingerboard has a compound radius that transitions from 9.5 inches to 12 inches. That flatter upper portion may suit players who prefer a less curved surface for bending notes higher up the neck, though the specification alone cannot establish how the guitar feels in practice. The instrument has 21 frets, identified as 6105 fret wire. Fender does not provide fret material or detailed fret dimensions here.
Three P90 pickups and switching
Three Custom Shop P90 pickups are listed, along with Fat '50s P90 wiring and a 5-way toggle switch. This is a pickup arrangement with more switching positions than a basic two-pickup setup, but the supplied data does not map each switch position to a specific pickup combination. It would be inaccurate to claim exact settings or tonal results without that information.
P90 pickups are single-coil designs, distinct in construction from the narrow, familiar Strat-style single coils commonly associated with this body shape. The combination makes the pickup system a defining part of the model. The wiring name points to a particular Fender configuration, but no circuit diagram, control layout, or component values are included in the product details. Those omissions limit any more precise assessment of the available sounds.
Bridge, hardware, and included items
The 6-saddle hardtail bridge has no tremolo. Players looking for a vibrato arm should note that this model does not include one. The fixed bridge is a straightforward specification choice, though the data does not state the saddle material or provide setup measurements. Vintage-style machine heads and nickel hardware complete the listed hardware package. A single-ply black pickguard provides a visual contrast with the burst finish.
The guitar includes a deluxe case and a certificate. It does not include a gig bag, according to the supplied listing. The case is a useful inclusion for storage and transport, but no details are available about its construction or accessories. The certificate is noted in the product specification without further explanation of what it documents.
What the specifications establish
- Construction: Michigan mahogany body, flamed maple top, roasted AAA flamed maple neck, and AAA rosewood fingerboard.
- Neck and scale: '60s-style oval C profile, 9.5-to-12-inch compound radius, 648 mm scale, and 21 6105 frets.
- Electronics: Three Custom Shop P90 pickups, Fat '50s P90 wiring, and a 5-way toggle switch.
- Bridge and hardware: 6-saddle hardtail bridge, vintage-style machine heads, and nickel hardware.
- Package: Deluxe case and certificate included; no gig bag.
Verdict
On paper, the Fender LTD Artisan P90 Strat AVB is a clearly differentiated limited-edition Stratocaster-style guitar. Its strongest specification points are the three Custom Shop P90 pickups, the compound-radius rosewood fingerboard, and the combination of a roasted flamed maple neck with a flamed maple top. The hardtail bridge makes its configuration equally clear for players who do not need a tremolo system.
The available information does not establish the guitar's weight, pickup-position details, control layout, setup, or real-world tone and playability. No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis for reporting owner experience. The listed price is 6599, with no currency specified in the supplied data. Buyers should confirm the price, finish, and package with the seller before ordering.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Made in the USA, with a Michigan mahogany body and flamed maple top.
- Roasted AAA flamed maple neck, AAA rosewood fingerboard, and a compound 9.5-inch to 12-inch radius.
- Detailed specifications list three Custom Shop P90 pickups, Fat '50s wiring, a five-way switch, and a hardtail bridge.
- Includes a deluxe case and certificate.
What bugged me
- The product information conflicts on pickup count: the summary lists two P90 pickups, while the detailed specifications list three.
- No tremolo is fitted, and the instrument does not include a gig bag.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong fit for players seeking a USA-made limited edition with premium woods and P90 electronics. Also suits guitarists who prefer a hardtail bridge and a compound-radius fingerboard.Look elsewhere if
Not a good fit for players who require a tremolo or want a gig bag included. Buyers who need a confirmed pickup layout should resolve the specification conflict before purchase.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Violin burst
- Body
- Mahogany
- Top
- Maple
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- P90, P90
- Tremolo
- None
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- Yes
- Limited run
- 2026
- Model
- Artisan Stratocaster
- Shape
- ST-Style
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does this Stratocaster have two or three pickups?
The product summary lists two P90 pickups, but the detailed specifications list three Custom Shop P90 pickups. Confirm the exact configuration with the seller before ordering.
Does it have a tremolo?
No. The specifications list a six-saddle hardtail bridge and no tremolo.
What comes in the package?
It includes a deluxe case and a certificate. A gig bag is not included.
What is the neck and fingerboard configuration?
It has a roasted AAA flamed maple neck with a '60s-style oval C profile, an AAA rosewood fingerboard, and a compound radius from 9.5 to 12 inches.
Where is this limited edition made?
The supplied specifications identify it as made in the USA and describe it as a 2026 limited edition.
The last word from the bench
The Artisan P90 Strat AVB has a distinctive mahogany-and-flamed-maple build, a roasted flamed maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. Its listed Custom Shop P90 electronics and five-way switching suggest a broad range of sounds, while the hardtail bridge keeps the design straightforward. A deluxe case and certificate are included, but no gig bag is supplied. The conflicting pickup count needs clarification before purchase, especially at the listed price of 6599.
Hanging next to it
Fender LTD Artisan P90 Strat AVB
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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