The Fender Stratocaster , also called a Strat , is a type of solidbody electric guitar . The Stratocaster was designed by Leo Fender , Freddie Tavares , and George Fullerton in 1954 , and is made by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation . The Fender Stratocaster , often referred to as `` Strat '' , is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender , George Fullerton , and Freddie Tavares in 1954 , and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present .