Difference between American Series and American Standard?

[Arkansawyer]

Just bought an American Series Telecaster and I'm curious what the differences are between it and an American Standard Telecaster.

[Telarkaster]

Welcome and congratulations on your new purchase! I'd love to see pictures.

To answer your question, compare your bridge to the one on my 1995 American Standard:



The neck tint and colour selections are the other main differences.

[yegbert]

It might be useful to track the complete history of Fender non-vintage-bridge Standard two-single-coil Teles.

Duchossoir's The Fender Telecaster (aka the Tele bible) is the best reference I have for the early part of this history, although it doesn't have exact dates.

1. Revised Standard Tele

Fender's revised Standard Tele came out in the early '80s, Duchossior refers to it in one place as the 1983-1985 variant. That was the first Fender Tele with this 3-screw, long L-shaped bridge. It was toploader only and used six saddles modeled closely after the Elite Tele's saddles. Those saddles are almost barrel shaped but the saddle also covers a longer portion of the intonation screw, and they are offset in two different directions from the strings. Here's a close replica of that bridge:


2. [first generation] American Standard Tele

Duchossoir says the American Standard was introduced officially at the January 1988 Winter NAMM Convention in Anaheim; and that it introduced the 9.5" fretboard radius, 22 frets, compressed steel saddles, TBX tone control and alder body. I'll add that the saddles were now block shaped, all offset in the same direction, and string through holes were 9(re)introduced but were now closer to the break point on the saddle than the vintage bridge design.

3. American Series / American Tele

Sometime around 2000 these names were introduced and the American Standard name was discontinued. I don't know if any components changed, it might have been more of a name change? Some earlier neck pickups had a shielded single conductor cable while later ones had two separate conductors and no shield. I've seen and bought some of these neck pickups and they were wound about the same. This neck pickup cable change might coincide with the model name change.

4. [new] American Standard

Officially as a 2008 model year change, Fender again started using the American Standard name and dropped the American Series name. This time they changed a few parts. The bridge plate is thinner brass with a Fender logo and the saddles are a variant of the bent steel saddles used previously on vintage and vintage-styled Strats. I think the pickups are the same as were being used for the American Series.

As humans are inclined to do with just about anything, Tele fans have used some of these names a bit loosely. Notably, many Tele fans have referred to their American Series Teles as American Standards.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by yegbert

3. American Series / American Tele

Sometime around 2000 these names were introduced and the American Standard name was discontinued. I don't know if any components changed, it might have been more of a name change?

Rolled fretboard edges and a "Delta Tone" tone circuit system.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Arkansawyer

Just bought an American Series Telecaster and I'm curious what the differences are between it and an American Standard Telecaster.

Welcome!

For 2008 Fender did a facelift on the American Series, and called it the American Standard.

Your guitar has big sintered steel blocks like the ones posted there for the 95 guitar. The new Am Std has a bent steel type saddle that is not offset.
The composition of the L shaped plate was changed, and Fender script was added. Of course hole location changed to accept the non-offset saddles.
Also the bodies are picked more carefully and are more sanded, so the finish can be thinner.
I think the stagger on the pole pieces was changed. And the finish on the headstock is different.
That's basically it. You can IMO make your Am Se better than a 2008 American Standard with a small number of upgrades to the bridge and the tuners.
I chose to change my Am Se bridges out for vintage style, but it is hard. I've also switched out the necks on them entirely. Too skinny for me.

[igorBG]

I hae 1995 American Standard. I have regular Volume pot, not Delta-tone or Push-Pull like in American Series

[JohnS]

2000 American series. Last year for ash / rosewood combo I believe.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

Rolled fretboard edges and a "Delta Tone" tone circuit system.

I was thinking that, rolled edges that is, and the MOP instead of Clay markers. Oh, and the polished saddles too, no??

[johnny guitar]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Welcome!

Also the bodies are picked more carefully and are more sanded, so the finish can be thinner.

The bodies are picked more carefully? Where do you get that? I like the American Series saddles and the finish of the neck more.