I'm a real sucker for a natural finish electric guitar. I know that natural finish American Standard Strats become available as limited editions and special runs, but why doesn't Fender produce these as part of the normal American Standard line-up? American Standard Teles are available in this form - why not Strats? As it is, one can only purchase a natural finish Stratocaster as a 70s, I believe....

The natural ash finish was already present on the "American" Strats from the mid-1980s/early 2000s period.

Not sure if Fender decides to offer the natural ash finish as a standard colour option on the "current" American Standards. Very interesting question, though.

Due to special wood requirements the prices may be increased a bit.

You mean like this one.
This is my 2000 american strat.I think this might have been the last year they offered this as a standard finish.I love natural strats

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1986 Fender Sidekick Reverb 35
1990 Fender Red Knob - "The Twin"
1992 Fender Newporter - Acoustic
2000 Fender American Series Strat - Natural ash
2010 Fender Mustang 1
2011 Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster -Sunburst
2012 Fender Champion

I love natural finishes, especially on Telecasters, and on Strats as well.

I wonder if in Fender's minds natural finished Strats are nowadays felt to be sort of a '70s look, the way Fiesta and Surf Green are '50s finishes? You can always get a natural finish Strat in the American Vintage '70s RI range, as well as the MIM Classic '70s model.

Maybe Fender think if you want that look you have to have a big headstock to go with it?

However. I think it is excellent with a maple 'board and a small headstock - like in scarleg's photo.

Cheers - C

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Yeh. That's what I'm talking about. Considering the plethora of colors that Fender offers, it doesn't seem excessive to me to offer the American Standard Strat in natural, as pictured above, just like the Telecaster....