Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster TC

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster TC review

The Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster TC is a signature guitar with a distinctive transparent cherry finish, gold hardware, and a three-ply aged white pearl pickguard. Its specification pairs a traditional Stratocaster layout with a bridge humbucker, giving it a broader range of sounds than a three-single-coil design. Fender lists the model as available since October 2020, with item number 499375 and a price of 1,329. No currency is specified in the provided listing.

The core construction is familiar: an alder body, a maple neck, and a maple fingerboard. The 648 mm scale is the standard full-length Stratocaster format. The neck has a deep C profile, and the fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius. There are 22 narrow-tall frets. These details point to a conventional, versatile playing feel rather than a short-scale or unusually flat-necked design.

Pickups and controls

The HSS pickup arrangement uses two Yosemite single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions and a Double Tap humbucker at the bridge. A single volume control and two tone controls provide straightforward adjustment. The combination gives players access to familiar single-coil sounds as well as the thicker output associated with a bridge humbucker.

Owner feedback supports that range. One experienced player described the guitar as responsive and said the in-between pickup positions remained appealing with distorted sounds, an area where that player had been less satisfied with other Stratocasters. Another owner praised the humbucker for opening up a wide range of tones. These are individual impressions, not a guarantee of how the guitar will sound through every amplifier or effect setup, but they align with the flexibility suggested by the pickup configuration.

The guitar has an American Vintage synchronized tremolo. One buyer reported that the factory bridge setup needed adjustment, while another said the string height and tremolo were close to ideal on arrival. That difference matters: setup can vary from instrument to instrument, and a player may need a technician to dial in the bridge and action for their preferred strings and playing style.

Build quality and playability

Reports on fit and finish are mostly positive. Several owners praised the fretwork, including smooth fret ends and polished frets, and described the neck as straight. One long-time player found the instrument exceptionally responsive and said the setup was nearly perfect. Another buyer likewise said it arrived well adjusted and played easily. These accounts suggest that many examples are ready to play with little work, though they do not remove the possibility of individual setup or cosmetic issues.

There are a couple of specific exceptions in the feedback. One owner noticed a small red ink mark on the neck and fading on some of the gold-plated tuning machines. These are isolated reported issues rather than established problems with every guitar, but they are worth checking during inspection, especially at this price. The gold hardware is part of the model's visual identity, so inconsistent plating may be more noticeable to buyers who chose it for its finish.

The guitar includes a gig bag; a hard case is not included. That distinction is useful when comparing the listed price with other instruments or planning for transport. The supplied information does not specify the bag's construction or level of protection, so buyers who need a rigid case should budget for one separately.

Design and value

The transparent cherry finish, gold hardware, pearl pickguard, and signature details give this Stratocaster a look that owners found especially striking. The appearance is a major part of its appeal, but the instrument's value rests on more than its finish. The alder-and-maple construction, 22 frets, vintage-style synchronized tremolo, and mixed pickup layout make it a practical option for players who want one guitar for several styles.

At a listed price of 1,329, the Tash Sultana model sits above the budget range mentioned by one reviewer. That player felt the cost was high but still recommended the guitar, citing its feel, sound, and finish. Another compared its response favorably with a much-loved Les Paul. Such comparisons are subjective, but the praise for dynamics and playing response is consistent across the owner accounts provided.

Verdict

The Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster TC makes the strongest case for players who want a recognizable Stratocaster feel with a bridge humbucker, eye-catching styling, and a maple fingerboard. Its reported fretwork and responsiveness are compelling, while setup quality appears to vary between examples. Check the bridge adjustment and finish in person when possible. The included gig bag is useful, but buyers wanting hard-case protection will need to arrange that separately.