2012 American Standard Telecasters

[Tassytele]

I have been having fun with my Squier CV VB...but am starting to hanker for a US made instrument.
I have read about the "Belly Cut" in the new model,not sure how i feel about it,but if any you folks have one or have played one ,i would love to hear your thoughts/see pics.
Cheers

[BackNtheSaddle]

Everything you want, or don't want to know can be found here.

[Tassytele]

Thanks mate

[Toto'sDad]

Nothing wrong with the 2011, don't know if any are still around, I would suppose there are. I've had some Squiers (not CV models) MIM Strats and Teles, 2 '52 AVRI Teles, and lots of American Strats, I like the American Standard Tele and Strat I have now as good as anything I've owned. It doesn't bother me mine doesn't have the belly cut, but it wouldn't bother me if it did. I'm used to the cut on Strats. Sounds corny, you can pay more, but I don't think you can buy better. I'm probably going to change the bridge pickup, and that's it. I like the neck pickup, and the bridge is OK, but after having 2 '52s, I used to a little more ballsy bridge pickup. The stock pickup is not bad, you just have to run it too high to suit me to get anything out of it. I don't like pickups so high that you have to palm mute every note but the ones you're play all the time.

[Darkbeer]

In my opinion which is not worth much the 2012 standard is a fine guitar. I love the pickups and the belly cut is no big deal either way. In fact while sitting it feels good to me, more a rib cut than belly.

[Roku]

Yes it's a great guitar. Really love the bridge pickup. I find the cut comfortable. Sorry no pics! Got a 3 tone sunburst. Truly one of the finest playing guitars I've ever played. Others have said do too

[Mike Eskimo]

Strat saddles and the cheesy-looking "Fender" stamped on the bridge plate bug me far more than a belly cut...

I like older Am Std's but I think I'm in the minority here.

[JohnK24]

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

Strat saddles and the cheesy-looking "Fender" stamped on the bridge plate bug me far more than a belly cut...

totally agree...a Gotoh bridge would a better option. Although the 2012 pup selection is a great revision to the design.

[Tassytele]

I have now brought the Classic Player Baja into the mix-Now i am really confused!
The idea is to get a quality real Fender guitar as a gift from my long suffering wife :)

[sagaci]

As others have said, if you can find an '11 model Am Std Tele you'll be more than happy and it serves as a good platform if you want to change the pickups

[BrettC]

Buy a 2011 if you can. I did and its fantastic. The belly cut is not a proper Tele. Suit youself

[Tassytele]

Interesting and helpful replies folks,is the belly cut really a big deal?-dont the US deluxe have them?
I mainly play sitting on a stool,so wouldn't it actually be an advantage?
I guess i'll have to wait for my local music store (McCanns Music Hobart) to get some in so i can have a fiddle.

[Rolling Estonian]

I think that if you considering an Am. Std, belly cut or not, save up a bit more and get a 52ri. A far superior instrument.

M

[Toto'sDad]

I'm not being argumentative, but after owning (2) '52 AVRI Teles, I can tell you that I do not share the opinion that the '52 is superior in any respect except possibly the bridge pickup to the American Standard Tele. (you can buy a whole set of OVs or CS Nocasters for around $100) Far superior? Only in hype.

I really wanted to like something I spent that much money on, but like getting a divorce, sometimes you just have to cut your losses and run. Sincerely no slight intended, because in the future I might succumb again, it has happened. Maybe I'm going to pass from this life, and enter Squiresillyville, it's just up the road ahead, where you cross over into the fifth dimension, no not that fifth dimension, the other kind where spooky stuff happens, well even spookier than that.

You know where you buy a cv Squier Tele, and along comes a guy with one, maybe two nocasters and wants to trade straight up. Throw a scarf around your neck, square your shoulders, and get ready for action. We may need beer before we're done.

[Frank B]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

I think that if you considering an Am. Std, belly cut or not, save up a bit more and get a 52ri. A far superior instrument.

M

I disagree with that too, sorry mate. The 52 is a different beast altogether.

I love both models but they are so different that you cannot compare them.

Neck, radius, frets, pups, looks, saddles, ashtray, tuners.... all different.

Faced with a choice, you buy one of the two because of a different playing experience, not superiority.

[bcalvanese]

When I got my 2012, I was playing a bunch of American Standards, and for some reason this one sounded way way better than the rest. I didn't know why at the time, and I didn't even notice about the belly cut.

It wasn't until I got it home and started finding information on it, that I found out it has the custom shop pickups and belly cut. Going back to the same store after finding out, I noticed all the other ones I played wher not 2012 models.

I think the 2012's are AWESOME!!!

[Telepi]

Originally Posted by Tassytele

I have now brought the Classic Player Baja into the mix-Now i am really confused!
The idea is to get a quality real Fender guitar as a gift from my long suffering wife :)

No need for confusion. Just depends on if you want a more
vintage look and feel. The Baja has that, plus modern 4 way
switch and S1. I believe the pickups are now the same in both?
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I almost went with a 52 AVRI, but wound up with a Baja. And
I'm very happy with it. For nostalgia reasons, I keep thinking
I want a 52. Then I play my Baja and instantly change my mind.

Any Fender choice you make will be good. If it's a gift, perhaps
you could test the waters by tossing out various features and
see when her eyes light up? Does she like vintage? What colors?
(Baja's and 52's are limited in this area). Six saddle? Three saddle?
Slim neck? U shape - 52AVRI? Soft V - Baja?

[Omiewise65]

Wood grain is awesome .

[Hollandcaster]

Originally Posted by Rolling Estonian

I think that if you considering an Am. Std, belly cut or not, save up a bit more and get a 52ri. A far superior instrument.

M

Sorry, not true! I owned 4 (!) 52 ri's, Am. stand is superior in several ways, got to mention; I have changed the bridge pup, so now i have a Am.std. with 52 ri bridge pup...

[Controller]

Originally Posted by Tassytele

Interesting and helpful replies folks,is the belly cut really a big deal?-dont the US deluxe have them?
I mainly play sitting on a stool,so wouldn't it actually be an advantage?
I guess i'll have to wait for my local music store (McCanns Music Hobart) to get some in so i can have a fiddle.

Yes, you need to play them. I don't like belly cuts because it causes the guitar to angle in and puts my wrist in an uncomfortable position.

You may think it's great!