2012 American Standard Upgrades - Belly cuts on teles now standard

[incatele84]

check out the link

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-2...rd-g26420t0.gc

you get different pickups and a belly cut "for reduced weight and more comfort" standard.

Not sure how I feel about this.....

[Vizcaster]

Interesting how Fender's own site doesn't seem to have any hype about the revamp of the series (if they do, there's no obvious link for it that I could find) yet their forum has people doing NGD threads on these guitars already.

As for the Strats, I like the Fat 50's pickups. I chose them for a rewire of a Highway One four years ago. More midrange punch from being overwound, but not as hot as Texas Specials so they still retain the characteristic quack and sparkle when played clean. RWRP incidentally.

Belly cut? Well I have it on one tele and not the other one. It's kind of out of place on a guitar that's still essentially a plank (I mean that in a good way).

[drb1346]

I think it's a good idea, although I won't be buying one . . .

[rstaaf]

Looks to me like Fender's site does have the latest info for the American Standards...

Seems to jive with what is shown at the link above...

The only thing missing seems to be pictures of the Jade Pearl Metallic, just place holder images....

http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0113200700

There was never any major announcement that I saw, either on the Fender site or the Fender forums....

[indiobravo]

sounds like the New Coke to me :-)

[johnthatcher]

i hate belly cuts....ughhhh

[jstarr823]

Originally Posted by indiobravo

sounds like the New Coke to me :-)

I'm with ya... next year, after a tremendous AM STD Telecaster sales flop, they'll release the "Tele Classic ~ Original Formula". And I will buy one.

[rstaaf]

I have been saving for an American Standard Strat in Candy Cola with a RW Fb.

Will have to see if I can find both an '11 and a '12 and check out the new pickups and the other changes.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by johnthatcher

i hate belly cuts....ughhhh

Agreed!

But as long as they still make 50's and 60's style Telecasters, I couldn't care less what happens to the American Standard.

[incatele84]

I agree on the strat. I think the pickups will be a nice upgrade. There is no way the custom shop is winding the pickups though with the amount of guitars they sell in the AM Standard line. My shop told me they are wound in mexico to the custom shop specs. I dont think that will matter and I didn't (never have) liked the stock strat sound. As for the tele im glad I just got one before the belly cut and pick up change. I love the way the stocks sound

[BigD]

Why two reds and no sonic blue? I like the Stratish saddles. belly cuts are for sissies.

[stilesg57]

I LOVE the idea of a Tele with a belly but and a forearm contour for comfort -- plus the weight advantages -- but I still think it's a crime they're putting the Twisted in the neck now :(

Still Strat saddles, still a 3 screw bridge. Not enough changes to warrant a new purchase. I'll be hanging on to my '11 AmStd.

[Toto'sDad]

I like the belly cut, and arm crease on a Strat, I think having it on a Tele is what always kept me from buying an American Deluxe Telecaster. Now, I gotta think about this for a while, but I dunno, that may be too much change all at once. I think jstarr823 has it figured 'bout right.

[chezdeluxe]

I agree that the American Standard neck pickup is a thing of sonic beauty. To replace that is a backwards step.

[angeletto]

I can say my american standard telecaster with standard pickups, after a very good setup, it plays wonderfully. It's another guitar! I was tempted to change the pickups with Lollar Special T, but now I can say there is no need for this. So, I don't understand why this choise by fender, and, how much is it an american standard now with this improvements?

[Volitan]

Originally Posted by johnthatcher

i hate belly cuts....ughhhh

Me too!

As long as they keep them off of other teles, I'm fine.

[sonny wolf]

I personally would not have added the belly contour.I think the standard Telecaster vibe should be retained with the classic slab of wood body shape...it has been that way since 1950 so why change it?The belly contour is not going to change much in terms of tone and playabilty...the new guitars will still feel like Teles but that look doesn't encourage me to buy one.

[Ruestungsmeyer]

Are the pickups (Twisted & Broadcaster) the same as on the Baja? And has anyone of you already seen pictures of the ´12 model? But from what I hear, I think I´ll stick to my `08 AmStd.

[DrBanana]

Is this a reaction to the obesity crisis?

[Weaselcoon]

I dont think I like the idea of the contoured body on the Standard. Pickups.....fair enough. Sounds good. Contours sound kinda wrong though.