The American Standard book?

[tlsmack]

Anyone have a good resource for the history of the American Standard Telecaster? I would love a "Nacho" style deep dive into the work horse that was, too me anyway, the F150 of guitars for so much of my life. Info like total and yearly sales numbers, pickup and electronic changes over the years, oddballs like tbx etc.

My 1991 has a MIM neck now, the original may get a refret some day. The tbx is long gone, no great loss haha!. The pickups and tuners are in a drawer. Anyone have a favorite American Standard year or spec??

Kinda like Trogly loves his Norlin Era Gibsons, I loves me some 80s and 90s Fenders!

 

[redhouse_ca]

Anyone have a good resource for the history of the American Standard Telecaster? I would love a "Nacho" style deep dive into the work horse that was, too me anyway, the F150 of guitars for so much of my life. Info like total and yearly sales numbers, pickup and electronic changes over the years, oddballs like tbx etc.

My 1991 has a MIM neck now, the original may get a refret some day. The tbx is long gone, no great loss haha!. The pickups and tuners are in a drawer. Anyone have a favorite American Standard year or spec??

Kinda like Trogly loves his Norlin Era Gibsons, I loves me some 80s and 90s Fenders!

Not a book, but @balaton111, who is on this forum, has an amazing web site that I have bookmarked and use all the time, with a lot of the stuff you may be after. Here's a link:

American Standard Telecasters HB

Fender

www.alston-family.co.uk

American Standard Strats

Fender

www.alston-family.co.uk

 

[tlsmack]

I wonder if my Hector Montes neck heel stamp will ever become the "new" T.G.

 

[Jimmymacke]

I wonder if my Hector Montes neck heel stamp will ever become the "new" T.G.

I have a Hector Montes too.

 

[Grateful Ape]

Bit of interesting info

Xhefri's Guitars - Fender Telecaster "Tele" Plus

Tele Plus, Telecaster Plus, V1, V2, Michael Houser, Wide Spread Panic, Jonny Greenwood, Radiohead, Tele Plus V1, Tele Plus V2, VII, VI, stratocaster Plus Deluxe, Strat Plus Deluxe guitars for sale, Stratocaster Plus, Strat Plus, Strat, Fender Stratocaster, Lace Sensor pickups, Fender Lace...

www.xhefriguitars.com

 

[Jakedog]

The American Standard was introduced in ‘86. They were virtually unchanged at all until 1995, when Fender advertised the American Standard line as “updated”, and claimed they went back to the original 50’s body carves and radii. I can tell a huge difference in the Strats. Never could tell the difference on a Tele. One notable feature is that all American Standard Strats were wired correctly, not the stupid vintage way. The top tone control operates on the neck and middle pickup, the bottom tone control (TBX) operates on the bridge pickup.

1995 also saw the return of the “spaghetti” logo decals, and saw the serial number move to the back of the headstock. These guitars all sported the original Am Std pickups and TBX tone controls. Many people ditched the TBX because they didn’t understand what it was or how it works. IMO it’s a brilliant addition to these guitars and I would never dream of pulling one out. I recently got a new guitar that has one and I flat out love it. Likewise, I dig the Am Std pickups. To me they’re some of the best sounding Strat and Tele pickups ever made. No, they don’t sound like the 50’s, but they sound really, really good. To me, looking at any used American Standard from the ‘86-‘96 era, these are must have features. If the pickups have been changed and the TBX is missing, I’m gonna want a HUGE amount deducted from the price before I even think about buying it.

Also during this era, the bodies were veneered. It helped out especially to make sunburst look like a 1-2 piece body even though they could be as many as 3-5. Some people claim only the bursts were veneered, but when I was at the factory in the 90’s they stated that they all were, in order to help negate the finishes sinking into the grain, and maintaining a totally flat and perfect appearance.

Next change came in 1997, with the introduction of the Deltatone circuit. All this really did was remove the TBX control in favor of a “no load” tone control. From 1-9 it functions normally. There is a detent in the wide open setting which removes it entirely from the circuit and send the output straight from the volume knob to the jack. Fender claims the pickups were the same, but they didn’t sound the same to me. Not bad, just different. I’ve always blamed the tone control switch-out for the difference.

Late ‘99/early ‘00, the American Standard became the American Series.

Standard “upgrades” were rolled fingerboard edges, better nut work, parchment instead of white plastics, and staggered tuners. The Delta Tone circuit stayed. They stopped veneering the bodies. These were made until some time around 2005 or 6, maybe? They definitely went through ‘04.
After that I stopped keeping track because honestly they kind of went to hell IMO.

I’m a huge American Standard/American Series fan. IMO they were the absolute most consistently high quality guitars Fender has ever mass produced, in any era.

 

[2HBStrat]

The American Standard was introduced in ‘86. They were virtually unchanged at all until 1995, when Fender advertised the American Standard line as “updated”, and claimed they went back to the original 50’s body carves and radii. I can tell a huge difference in the Strats. Never could tell the difference on a Tele. One notable feature is that all American Standard Strats were wired correctly, not the stupid vintage way. The top tone control operates on the neck and middle pickup, the bottom tone control (TBX) operates on the bridge pickup.

1995 also saw the return of the “spaghetti” logo decals, and saw the serial number move to the back of the headstock. These guitars all sported the original Am Std pickups and TBX tone controls. Many people ditched the TBX because they didn’t understand what it was or how it works. IMO it’s a brilliant addition to these guitars and I would never dream of pulling one out. I recently got a new guitar that has one and I flat out love it. Likewise, I dig the Am Std pickups. To me they’re some of the best sounding Strat and Tele pickups ever made. No, they don’t sound like the 50’s, but they sound really, really good. To me, looking at any used American Standard from the ‘86-‘96 era, these are must have features. If the pickups have been changed and the TBX is missing, I’m gonna want a HUGE amount deducted from the price before I even think about buying it.

Also during this era, the bodies were veneered. It helped out especially to make sunburst look like a 1-2 piece body even though they could be as many as 3-5. Some people claim only the bursts were veneered, but when I was at the factory in the 90’s they stated that they all were, in order to help negate the finishes sinking into the grain, and maintaining a totally flat and perfect appearance.

Next change came in 1997, with the introduction of the Deltatone circuit. All this really did was remove the TBX control in favor of a “no load” tone control. From 1-9 it functions normally. There is a detent in the wide open setting which removes it entirely from the circuit and send the output straight from the volume knob to the jack. Fender claims the pickups were the same, but they didn’t sound the same to me. Not bad, just different. I’ve always blamed the tone control switch-out for the difference.

Late ‘99/early ‘00, the American Standard became the American Series.

Standard “upgrades” were rolled fingerboard edges, better nut work, parchment instead of white plastics, and staggered tuners. The Delta Tone circuit stayed. They stopped veneering the bodies. These were made until some time around 2005 or 6, maybe? They definitely went through ‘04.
After that I stopped keeping track because honestly they kind of went to hell IMO.

I’m a huge American Standard/American Series fan. IMO they were the absolute most consistently high quality guitars Fender has ever mass produced, in any era.

In addition the early American Standards came with Schaller strap locks. The only thing that would have improved an American Standard, for me, would be with a treble bleed circuit, as Fender used on latter models.

 

[Jakedog]

In addition the early American Standards came with Schaller strap locks. The only thing that would have improved an American Standard, for me, would be with actreble bleed circuit, as Fender used on latter models.

The American Standards only came with the strap buttons installed. You had to buy the locks separately. The Plus and Deluxe models came with the locks.

 

[tlsmack]

My first Tele was an 83, the toploader with the wide nut and flat radius fretboard. I always thought that was an American Standard. But 83 was a few years too early I guess. I do remember liking the wide nut, I think it was 1.73”. Anyone else want an 83RI

 

[John C]

The American Standard was introduced in ‘86. They were virtually unchanged at all until 1995, when Fender advertised the American Standard line as “updated”, and claimed they went back to the original 50’s body carves and radii. I can tell a huge difference in the Strats. Never could tell the difference on a Tele. One notable feature is that all American Standard Strats were wired correctly, not the stupid vintage way. The top tone control operates on the neck and middle pickup, the bottom tone control (TBX) operates on the bridge pickup.

1995 also saw the return of the “spaghetti” logo decals, and saw the serial number move to the back of the headstock. These guitars all sported the original Am Std pickups and TBX tone controls. Many people ditched the TBX because they didn’t understand what it was or how it works. IMO it’s a brilliant addition to these guitars and I would never dream of pulling one out. I recently got a new guitar that has one and I flat out love it. Likewise, I dig the Am Std pickups. To me they’re some of the best sounding Strat and Tele pickups ever made. No, they don’t sound like the 50’s, but they sound really, really good. To me, looking at any used American Standard from the ‘86-‘96 era, these are must have features. If the pickups have been changed and the TBX is missing, I’m gonna want a HUGE amount deducted from the price before I even think about buying it.

Also during this era, the bodies were veneered. It helped out especially to make sunburst look like a 1-2 piece body even though they could be as many as 3-5. Some people claim only the bursts were veneered, but when I was at the factory in the 90’s they stated that they all were, in order to help negate the finishes sinking into the grain, and maintaining a totally flat and perfect appearance.

Next change came in 1997, with the introduction of the Deltatone circuit. All this really did was remove the TBX control in favor of a “no load” tone control. From 1-9 it functions normally. There is a detent in the wide open setting which removes it entirely from the circuit and send the output straight from the volume knob to the jack. Fender claims the pickups were the same, but they didn’t sound the same to me. Not bad, just different. I’ve always blamed the tone control switch-out for the difference.

Late ‘99/early ‘00, the American Standard became the American Series.

Standard “upgrades” were rolled fingerboard edges, better nut work, parchment instead of white plastics, and staggered tuners. The Delta Tone circuit stayed. They stopped veneering the bodies. These were made until some time around 2005 or 6, maybe? They definitely went through ‘04.
After that I stopped keeping track because honestly they kind of went to hell IMO.

I’m a huge American Standard/American Series fan. IMO they were the absolute most consistently high quality guitars Fender has ever mass produced, in any era.

Nice write-up! Building on this:

The American Series officially started in mid-2000 and that name was used through the end of 2007.

In 2008 they made a few more changes, the biggest one was the switch from the cast saddles to bent steel saddles, and restored the "American Standard" name. They claimed the pickups were updated but to me they sounded the same as the American Series and they kept that no-load tone pot.

There was an update circa March 2012 when they changed the pickups to the Custom Shop set - Twisted Tele neck and what has been called both a "custom Broadcaster" pickup and just a "custom pickup" in the bridge position. They also added the back contour to the American Standard.

The next update was in December 2016 when the American Standard was replaced by the American Professional - new neck shape, different frets, new V-Mod pickups, and the new "modern" 3-saddle bridge.

Then they update to the American Professional II in the fall of 2020.

My first Tele was an 83, the toploader with the wide nut and flat radius fretboard. I always thought that was an American Standard. But 83 was a few years too early I guess. I do remember liking the wide nut, I think it was 1.73”. Anyone else want an 83RI

Those were just known as the "Standard Telecaster" - CBS didn't use "American" as part of the names of their models, that was an FMIC thing.

 

[Jakedog]

Nice write-up! Building on this:

The American Series officially started in mid-2000 and that name was used through the end of 2007.

In 2008 they made a few more changes, the biggest one was the switch from the cast saddles to bent steel saddles, and restored the "American Standard" name. They claimed the pickups were updated but to me they sounded the same as the American Series and they kept that no-load tone pot.

There was an update circa March 2012 when they changed the pickups to the Custom Shop set - Twisted Tele neck and what has been called both a "custom Broadcaster" pickup and just a "custom pickup" in the bridge position. They also added the back contour to the American Standard.

The next update was in December 2016 when the American Standard was replaced by the American Professional - new neck shape, different frets, new V-Mod pickups, and the new "modern" 3-saddle bridge.

Then they update to the American Professional II in the fall of 2020.



Those were just known as the "Standard Telecaster" - CBS didn't use "American" as part of the names of their models, that was an FMIC thing.

And I just remembered- American Standard had the Fender logo neck plate. When they changed to American Series, they changed to the Corona California neck plate.

 

[tlsmack]

I love the block saddles, the bent steel are for strats!!!!

 

[Jakedog]

I love the block saddles, the bent steel are for strats!!!!

I don’t even like them on Strats. The American Standard bridges with the block saddles are my favorite bridges ever. Tele OR Strat.

 

[Jazzy-Will]

I don’t even like them on Strats. The American Standard bridges with the block saddles are my favorite bridges ever. Tele OR Strat.

Totally agree. They are stable, intonate perfectly and solid as a rock.

https://www.alston-family.co.uk/US Standard Telecaster/USstandard.php

 

[yegbert]

My first Tele was an 83, the toploader with the wide nut and flat radius fretboard. I always thought that was an American Standard. But 83 was a few years too early I guess. I do remember liking the wide nut, I think it was 1.73”. Anyone else want an 83RI

With saddles offset left and right like this?

I have more than enough teles already, so I don’t seriously want one; but I love the style, and certainly wouldn’t turn a good one down, if one came along affordable. They seem like a sort of predecessor to the American Standard. I modified 3 lefty and 3 righty saddles made for Fender Am. Std., and used a bridgeplate with saddle mounting/adjusting holes to fit the pattern. I think this particular plate is dual load.

 

[tlsmack]

For a while, TDPRi had me brainwashed that super thin nitro and 3 brass saddles were the only real Telecasters. American Standard owners, lets be proud .. and loud!

 

[John C]

And I just remembered- American Standard had the Fender logo neck plate. When they changed to American Series, they changed to the Corona California neck plate.

From what I've seen there was a transition period for the neck plates during 1999 - Fender started using the Corona California neck plates on the American Deluxes when they were released in the spring of 1998. It appears that some time between that introduction and before the American Series came out in July 2000 they ran out of the Fender logo neck plates and began using the Corona California neck plates on the last of the American Standards. But I'm not sure when that happened so I'll assume (with all that means ) that happened during 1999.

 

[Jakedog]

From what I've seen there was a transition period for the neck plates during 1999 - Fender started using the Corona California neck plates on the American Deluxes when they were released in the spring of 1998. It appears that some time between that introduction and before the American Series came out in July 2000 they ran out of the Fender logo neck plates and began using the Corona California neck plates on the last of the American Standards. But I'm not sure when that happened so I'll assume (with all that means ) that happened during 1999.

This is what I remember for sure- I was working with GC at the time. We got word in mid-99 that the American Series was coming out at the end of the year. About September/Oct we got brochures and training sheets with the new specs. American Series guitars started arriving in stores shortly before Christmas ‘99.

The first ones were transition models. For instance some would have the rolled fingerboard edges, but not the staggered tuners. But all were labeled “American Series” on the invoices and had the Corona neck plates. All were in the new colors. Some had screwed up serial numbers as well. Kinda like how some 1989/90 American Standards got serial decals that began “N9” which would typically be a 1999 number. I don’t remember exactly what the issue was with the late 99 model serials, but I remember looking at some of them and thinking they were weird.

 

[John C]

This is what I remember for sure- I was working with GC at the time. We got word in mid-99 that the American Series was coming out at the end of the year. About September/Oct we got brochures and training sheets with the new specs. American Series guitars started arriving in stores shortly before Christmas ‘99.

The first ones were transition models. For instance some would have the rolled fingerboard edges, but not the staggered tuners. But all were labeled “American Series” on the invoices and had the Corona neck plates. All were in the new colors. Some had screwed up serial numbers as well. Kinda like how some 1989/90 American Standards got serial decals that began “N9” which would typically be a 1999 number. I don’t remember exactly what the issue was with the late 99 model serials, but I remember looking at some of them and thinking they were weird.

That sounds like something Fender would have done - they always have the new models in production long before the "official" introductions.

I have always thought that they delayed that official introduction of the American Series to July 2000 so they could unveil them at the Summer NAMM in Nashville - thereby having a major product announcement in Gibson's back yard.

 

[2HBStrat]

My first Tele was an 83, the toploader with the wide nut and flat radius fretboard. I always thought that was an American Standard. But 83 was a few years too early I guess. I do remember liking the wide nut, I think it was 1.73”. Anyone else want an 83RI

As I recall the first time the word "Standard" was used was in the Fender 1982 catalog, which introduced the Standard, Reissue, and Elite Tele and Strat. Basses too, I think. I know a guy who had the Elite Precision.

The World of Musical Instruments Brochures - Fender Catalog 1982 Page 2