The new American Standard Strats.

I think these were given a makeover recently. At least according to a blurb I sort of half read in a Musicians Friend I keep as bathroom reading. The backs of the necks are a satin finish and the fretboards on the maple necks are glossy. There are some changes in the trem and electronics, but otherwise they are a "Standard". I try not to put too much stock in advertising liturature, after all, they want this fool to part with his money.

However...

I work near a Guitar Center and occaisionally spend my lunch breaks practicing. Lately I've come to the conclusion that I'm more of a strat guy than I've ever wanted to admit, so I've been spending my time there plucking on nearly all the strats they have. And the maple neck American Standards have my attention. Maple necks, mainly because it's my preference in general, but the neck shape and frets on these are very pleasing and easy to play. There was a MIM ash bodied standard special run guitar that I thought was prettier and $500 less, but the neck shape and overall feel & sound was'nt as satisfying as a humble white Am Standard.

I played one of the American Deluxe strats with the Samarium Cobalt pickups, and while I'm a fan of the Vintage Noisless pickups (and kick myself for ever getting rid of my strat that had those), I didnt like the sound of this ax that much, and it might have just needed a setup tweak, but it did'nt feel like the same type of neck that the Am Standard had. The Deluxe Players Strat was kinda fun and was a distant 2nd in terms of favorite guitar at this particular store.

Anyone else pluck on one of these and notice anything different, same, or noteworthy?

I watch the Guitar World Channel on Demand. The guy on there , Paul, did a review on the new Am Std Series Teles & Strats. There are a few subtle differences like new vintage style saddles & also they've hooked the second tone control to the bridge pup for more tonal options. Oh, & also, they have a thinner finish than previous models.

I know there are a few valiant souls who use the search function relentlessly, but I have frankly been sorta surprised how quickly the excitement around this particular model has died down, and how new threads on the subject just stopped.

I think in very subtle ways, the new Standards are better made guitars than many Am Ses were. But in a lot of ways these improvements wax and wane over time, as the craftsman assembling these guitars succumb to boredom and then are occasionally revived.

I'm much more happy right now with my 2006 MIM Std, FSR with the complement of Callaham parts and a big honkin' aftermarket neck I shaped and finished with a nice nut and Gotoh 'kluson' tuners - than I would be owning a new US Standard.

I'll be buying one the next time I have $1000 pocket change. That is, if the little gnome on my shoulder telling me to build a hardtail instead doesn't win out.

How do the ' American series' compare ?

my first am. std. strat I paid approx 600 bucks for brand new.....it was a very nice guitar...and I wish I still had it.......cost increase and such make them cost a grand.......there a american made fender strat...my take on them is that that are the modern version of the classic original...with not too much hype...if ya like it..and can afford it....buy it....if ya really like it....keep it

I own one of these beauties for couple of months now. A maple neck sunburst one. And I highly recommend it. It's meant for serious business.

The pickups are not very loud (compared to my highway one tele ...) but really serve your purpose. Compared to other strats, I am amazed at how every position of the 5 positions switch is usable to get amazing tones. Usualy I stick to the neck pickup on strats, but now I find myself spending a lot of time, quality time !, on the bridge pickup.

The finish is awesome, I really like the neck double personality. I played a very cool Classic player, but I was honest enough to myself to admit I will never 100% satisfied with a polyester finish, it's too plastic for my taste.

The 2 point fulcrum vibrato bridge does it job perfectly, I keep it floating and if used wisely , the guitar doesn't go out of tone noticably.

also, the no-load tone pot for bridge and middle pickup is great. My tone pots are usualy all the way on 10, so this gives me the 11 (think about Nigel from Spinal tap ...!)

My final word : try one, look at it, feel it and play it !

They're good guitars. I've had a few issues with strats lately but I am gradually starting to appreciate their feel again. Personnaly, I see the latest "upgrades" on the american standards as good improvements. The new sienna sunburst and blizzard pearl colors are great. Finish, neck, fret work, overall sound... they are fine in every aspect.

But I must say that the strat really that got my attention these past weeks is the Jimmy Vaughan. It's a steal.

How do the ' American series' compare ?


Judging by having played a dozen or so of the new American Standards (mostly ash ones) against the Am Se Strats I own and have played, if you like the Am Std neck you will like the Am Se neck. No difference I can see in fretboard edge rolling, so basically just the gloss on the front of the headstock. The pole piece stagger looks a mite different, but sounds the same. The new bridgeplate and saddles are better on the Am Std, but you can achieve a far better result buying a nice Am Se cheap and installing all the Callaham goodies on there instead. Less money spent, far better guitar.

The finish of the newer bodies means usually lighter on average, better piece matching and sanding, and so the paint can be thinner as there's fewer small defects to hide. Light is nice, prettier is nice but there are great, good and not so good bodies in any production guitar like this.

I always install Gotoh 'klusons' and conversion bushes on these guitars, no change in the inadequacy of the stock tuners, IMO.

I got my Am Se guitars way cheap. But if I needed still another Am Se/Std right now; I'd buy an Am Se with a neck I could sell elsewhere or a loaded body cheap, then put a big fat neck on this guitar. Big improvement all around. Although nicely detailed, nothing has really changed here inasmuchas the neck girth is way too small. IF your hand cannot handle a big neck, fine. But if it can, these larger necks offer great sonic improvements, especially the nice ones from USACG.