Fender's 2012 American Standard Stratocaster

So, according to Fender's website, it would appear that the only difference between these new 2012 versions and the past 2008 versions is that the pickup covers, knobs, and lever tip are off-white as opposed to pure white, the pickups are the Custom Shop '50s as opposed to the American single coils, and Blizzard Pearl has been replaced by Jade Pearl. I haven't yet been out to play test this new incarnation. Any thoughts from folks who have played it? Has anything else changed that Fender maybe didn't put up on their site? The pickups specifically...are they an upgrade or a downgrade from the old American single coils? Is the middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity still? Thanks folks!

Haven't played em yet, but that seems to cover it to me. The Tele has a twisted tele/broadcaster PUP combo now which looks interesting to me. It also seems that the description says something about the neck tint on the tele as well, but I may have imagined that.

It seems to me like Fender put some of the FSR features on these new Am Standards.

For example, I have an FSR American Standard Strat from 2011 and an FSR American Standard Tele from 2010. The strat has the aged PUP covers and a nitro finish, but still uses the American standard pickups. The Tele has locking tuners, a mercedes blue finish and the twisted tele/broadcaster pup combo.

Sounds a bit like the new Am Stds to me.

.... The pickups specifically...are they an upgrade or a downgrade from the old American single coils? Is the middle pickup reverse wound/reverse polarity still? Thanks folks!

I know the Custom Shop Fat 50s are RWRP.

For the 2012 Tele...

Unique Features:

Five-Screw Mounted Brass Bridge Plate for Sonic Stability
Loaded with Improved Bent Steel Saddles with Elongated String Slots for Increased Resonance and Sustain
Thinner Undercoat Finish for Improved Body Resonance
Tinted Neck
Body Contour

I always liked the Fat 50's I think its an improvement.