Quality of American Standards in the 90's
- Thread starter webb3201
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
Jellecaster
Friend of Leo's
I purchased mine brand-new back in the day. Very nice. Easily as good as anything produced today. Congrats!
mellecaster
Former Member
Should be just fine...I'm pretty sure the current Delta-Tone circuit, wasn't released until 1997..so that should have the TBX Tone control system...everything else is pretty much like the current American Series...Play & Enjoy !
RumorsofsurF
Tele-Meister
My bandmate had one for years with a Hipshot. It was his main ax, and it was great. (He swapped pickups, though.)
Let's see if I can find a pic....Aha here it is!
I would have bought it, had I possessed the $$$$. It was rock solid!
Let's see if I can find a pic....Aha here it is!
I would have bought it, had I possessed the $$$$. It was rock solid!
Tele Fan
Friend of Leo's
I've got a '97 that's been a good tank for me. Sounds good too.
I bought one at the tail end of '96. It was my first good guitar.
I've glendaled out the bridge, and tinkered with a few other things over the years, but aside from regular maintainence, it's basically just a "pick up and play" worry free instrument.
sometimes i've seen american standards get a bad rap, but i'll never part with mine.
I've glendaled out the bridge, and tinkered with a few other things over the years, but aside from regular maintainence, it's basically just a "pick up and play" worry free instrument.
sometimes i've seen american standards get a bad rap, but i'll never part with mine.
RobJP
TDPRI Member
If it's as good as my '90 American Standard Tele you'll have a great guitar. The construction is very solid and durable and the playability is easier due to the flatter fretboard and bigger frets. I love mine to bits.
Some people say they sound too modern and not raw or twangy enough but that's something you have to decide for yourself. As has been noted they are easy to modify with different pickups etc. if it's not quite to your liking.
I hope you'll be very happy with your present - what a very kind lady you have for a wife! Let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Rob
Some people say they sound too modern and not raw or twangy enough but that's something you have to decide for yourself. As has been noted they are easy to modify with different pickups etc. if it's not quite to your liking.
I hope you'll be very happy with your present - what a very kind lady you have for a wife! Let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Rob
KevinB
Doctor of Teleocity
I have an AmStd Strat with a rosewood neck that I bought new in '96 and it's been a great guitar. Mine is Lipstick Red and while a Crimson Burst was also available, I don't think there was actually a Cherry Red colour that year.
I had a '95 that I loved.
It definitely had a more modern, balanced sound than a vintage style Tele. For a lot of players and a lot of music, that was a good thing.
It definitely had a more modern, balanced sound than a vintage style Tele. For a lot of players and a lot of music, that was a good thing.
Parzival
Tele-Afflicted
Fenders in the 90's are just pretty great guitars overall. Imports are sometimes even better than US made. Not that the US guitars are bad, they're great, but for the money there's some absolute gems in the import lines too.
The 80's were an embarasment for most guitar companies in general. Fender was hit pretty good too. The Japanese models were actually better overall in my opinion. But in the 90's Fender, abd other companies too, embraced quality control, innovation, and customer satisfaction and brought it to a new level. The stuff is great. And anyone who can't afford a new Am standard would do well to pick up a decent 90's tele on the bay.
And of course the post-2000 guitars are, in my opinion, the best that both Fender and Gibson have ever made. And I think the CS guitars are the best guitars made by the company since it began. (flame me now).
The 80's were an embarasment for most guitar companies in general. Fender was hit pretty good too. The Japanese models were actually better overall in my opinion. But in the 90's Fender, abd other companies too, embraced quality control, innovation, and customer satisfaction and brought it to a new level. The stuff is great. And anyone who can't afford a new Am standard would do well to pick up a decent 90's tele on the bay.
And of course the post-2000 guitars are, in my opinion, the best that both Fender and Gibson have ever made. And I think the CS guitars are the best guitars made by the company since it began. (flame me now).
igorBG
Tele-Holic
My bandmate had one for years with a Hipshot. It was his main ax, and it was great. (He swapped pickups, though.)
Let's see if I can find a pic....Aha here it is!
I would have bought it, had I possessed the $$$$. It was rock solid!
uh, sorry, but what is this strange device on top of it?!??!?!?!
tiktok
Poster Extraordinaire
Looks to be a Hipshot with the hip bar removed when the picture was taken.
I've never heard any complaints about 90's Am Std's construction (I also own a '93). Some people didn't like the specs--modern bridge, neck profile, radius, pickups, etc.
daviddoubleu
Tele-Holic
The first Tele I played was a black 90's Standard. I like the colour of yours.
KevinB
Doctor of Teleocity
That's the same colour as my Lipstick Red strat. It's a great colour. Good luck with it.
slauson slim
Poster Extraordinaire
My AmStd is a '95 - sunburst/rosewood neck. A Valentine's day gift from my wife.
I messed around with 3 saddle bridge, 4 way switch, taking out TBX, and installing Fender OV and Muy Grande pu's.
Recently, the TBX and AmStd neck pu went back in, and it's back to original bridge, Muy bridge still in, however.
My AmStd was/is a fine guitar stock, and ultimately the mods were mostly marginal improvements, and the result of mod-fever. It's a terrific gig guitar, well built and plays well.
For yours, new strings, set up, and pu adjustments and it's a go.
I messed around with 3 saddle bridge, 4 way switch, taking out TBX, and installing Fender OV and Muy Grande pu's.
Recently, the TBX and AmStd neck pu went back in, and it's back to original bridge, Muy bridge still in, however.
My AmStd was/is a fine guitar stock, and ultimately the mods were mostly marginal improvements, and the result of mod-fever. It's a terrific gig guitar, well built and plays well.
For yours, new strings, set up, and pu adjustments and it's a go.
modelo dos
Tele-Meister
With exception to the TBX (which has been replaced with a normal tone pot, and not missed) and flaking neck finish, my '95 is a solid unit. The neck finish issue doesn't affect playability so I'm not concerned with it. Enjoy your new tele!
Oh, I should note that mine was bought used, the p'ups were replaced with a Duncan stl-3/str-3 combo. Still has twang but a bit more in the balls department. She can do anything you throw at her.
Oh, I should note that mine was bought used, the p'ups were replaced with a Duncan stl-3/str-3 combo. Still has twang but a bit more in the balls department. She can do anything you throw at her.
Telarkaster
Friend of Leo's
I love my Am Std '95, kept it stock all these years except for flipping the control panel.
My friend just got a '96 Sunburst with rosewood fretboard, that's a great guitar too.
I think you'll be happy with it, congratulations! Make sure to check in later and give us a review.
My friend just got a '96 Sunburst with rosewood fretboard, that's a great guitar too.
I think you'll be happy with it, congratulations! Make sure to check in later and give us a review.
Boogie
Tele-Meister
I have a 1990 N9+6 digits American Standard Tele I bought for $350. Of my three Teles, (all American-made) it's the best sounding and has the most stable tuning and intonation. I can pull it out of its case after a month of non-use and it'll be waiting there for me in perfect tune just like I left it. It has a tonal vibe like no other Tele I've played.
swooda
Tele-Holic
Ive got a stock 96 american standard, maple neck, TBX circuit. Was an great instrument out of the box so I've never messed with it......
Also makes an excellent weapon in a bar room brawl....
Also makes an excellent weapon in a bar room brawl....
