What do you guys think of the new American Standard Strats?

[archtopjazz]

TIA

[burner]

I like 'em just fine, and the current ones are the best they've ever made, IMO.
I could do w/o the switching, etc., but that's easy to fix.
The stock pickups sound great in some of the new Strats...just depends on the individual guitar like always.

[JRDill]

There's one at work I'm dying to buy. I've been waiting for my first American and I think it's the one! Oly white with maple neck. mmmmm....

[furry]

Very good guitars, and I agree that they are some of best Fender has made in years. As always with mass produced instruments, it's best to buy from a store that has a deep inventory so you can compare and get a good one. Personally, a used Highway One with changed pickups is a better bet, but same applies. you've got to find a good one.

[CharAznable]

Love mine.
I was fully expecting to change out the pickups but they're just fine. As it turns out, I just needed a better amp.

No one else makes a pro level, gig ready guitar for 1000 bucks in America.

EDIT: well, Carvin does too, I guess

[jackbart1960]

I just got rid of a Oly White '02 hardtail that I'm kind of kicking myself in the ass for flipp'n. (But I did get my Firebird though. F'n Wooo Hoo!!!) But I'm also going to say that some of the the best instuments that Fender has ever made are being made now. I'm kind of on the hunt for a new strat but with no money these days it's kind of hard. But for the right one I'll trade this for that and.......... LOL!!!! But I do have an '08 r/w Ash Am.Std. Tele that's F'n awesome. Best instrument I could ever wish for. Bone stock. Really. So I'd got play a shit load and buy the one that bites you in the ass. There are a crap load of used ones out there also so you definately could get a fairly receint one cheap. Check your local C/L. Peace. J.J.B.

[candid_x]

Diggin' my 2008. Like the pickups lots after a tad re-wiring. Very versitile Strat now. I've just ordered a Calliham trem block for it. Not that I have complaints with how it sounds, but logic won out on a solid steel billet block over the stock composite material.

[rabbuhl]

The new production Fender guitars are great. I bought a new American Deluxe in December 2008. After my tech adjusted the neck he commented that "it plays like butter". :)

[furry]

Love mine.
EDIT: well, Carvin does too, I guess

good point, with 2 caveats. the pickups are weak, and so is the resale value. on balance, the Fenders are a better value.

[robelinda2]

Diggin' my 2008. Like the pickups lots after a tad re-wiring. Very versitile Strat now. I've just ordered a Calliham trem block for it. Not that I have complaints with how it sounds, but logic won out on a solid steel billet block over the stock composite material.

I'm thinking of doing the same to my road worns, let me know how it works for you mate!

[candid_x]

Will do, Rob!

[joeybsyc]

I have a secret love for American Standards...have been addicted to them for years. i have a 91, a 96, a 97... bought all 3 brand new, a 2000 I bought last year in unplayed condition, and recently bought a perfect 01 in white blonde from the emporium... EVERY one of them plays great, and feel as good or better than any of my more expensive stuff. They are all stock, but aren't all the same, the 91 has a thinner neck than the rest, but it feels great, and has detent on the bottom tone know that none of the others have. Never really figured out why. I prefer the rosewood boards, but the maple ones are great too. They have made some upgrades/changes to them in recent years, but they've ALWAYS been great strats since they came out in 86/87.

People constantly try to claim the Mexican standards are as good for less money, but I don't buy this for a second. I've had a few of those too, and while the newer MIMs are a definite improvement over early ones they still never even come close to a USA standard. When push comes to shove I don't think there's a better guitar for the money anywhere than an American Standard Strat.

[mcdonaldkd]

I think they are among the best Fender has ever produced. My Oly White 2008 made me sell all the others. It is just a darned good Strat!

[iamdavea]

I had a Custom Shop Pro that was astonishingly well made, in every facet. Tuning stability like you wouldn't believe. Sold it because the neck profile proved too thin, but it was pure quality.

[burner]

The latest bridge arrangement with the 2pt bridge & vintage style saddles is outstanding!
(IMO)

[omni]

I hate the 2 point bridge with vintage saddles.

[Gtrman100]

I think they are among the best Fender has ever produced. My Oly White 2008 made me sell all the others. It is just a darned good Strat!
+1- I had a '62 AVRI that I sold after getting a mint '08 Oly White American Standard. It's a better playing and sounding guitar, even though the workmanship on the '62 was a bit better. I had a '93 American Standard years ago that was ok, but the '08 is better in almost every way.

[Hultas]

I have a MIA Fender HSS strat that I bought brand new in -07. It's been my only guitar ever since.

[hector]

I got a '93, '97, and '02 that sound great. Recently, I tried two new '09s and sent them both back. The first one was really thin sounding (even acoustically, compared to my others). The second sounded alright, but the action was high and the saddles were just about bottomed out. So, it needed a neck shim already. Not good on a brand new guitar, imo. So, I'll stick with the older ones.

[matt5150]

Funny you should ask.

I played an American Deluxe last night with the S1 switching and was very impressed.

Fender really seems to be on there game.

It sounded great, teh fretwork was very good and it looked good.

Hard to beat at the price point.

Matt

[AShannon04]

Funny you should ask.

I played an American Deluxe last night with the S1 switching and was very impressed.

Fender really seems to be on there game.

It sounded great, teh fretwork was very good and it looked good.

Hard to beat at the price point.

Matt

From what you could tell, do you think the Deluxe version is worth the extra couple hundred $?

[matt5150]

From what you could tell, do you think the Deluxe version is worth the extra couple hundred $?

I am not sure of the differences but everything about the Deluxe is hip.

Really dig all the series/parallel tones with the S-1 switching and the Sienna Sunburst over ash is killer.

Matt

[burner]

I hate the 2 point bridge with vintage saddles.
Well you obviously have no taste whatsoever.
:D

From what you could tell, do you think the Deluxe version is worth the extra couple hundred $?
Having owned both the AmStd and the AmDlx, while I liked certain things about the Deluxe, I'm not sure anything other than "looks" is enough to justify the price difference in my mind....particularly since I'd have to also factor in the cost to re-wire and swap pickups and bridge saddles.

-Locking tuners...yeah okay, but no HUGE deal.
-The Abalone inlays are a nice touch...but that's an expensive standalone upgrade, IMO.
-Straplocks....Woo-Hoo!
-Chrome logo :banana

You see?

[SoulToStrings]

Love the am. standard Strats & Teles...great made instruments. Run a Dimarzio HS2 in the bridge of mine, but just for choice on leads. I really like the delta tone pickups actually in the neck & mid for weaker output. No need for high gain here!

[scottlr]

I have an S-1 system on my Baja Tele. I am not sure about it. But since, so far, I have only used for recording it isn't an issue. But to gig, the 4-way switch scares me a bit. I want to be able to slap it into the neck position on the fly. With the 4-way, I'd have to slap it, then pull it back one notch. I have no S-1 Strat, so I am not sure if I'd like it on a Strat or not. I am completely used to a standard 5 way Strat switch, so I suppose that having a button to press wouldn't be that big of a deal. But on the Tele, the 4-way is my fear. I have many times though of just doing a complete standard rewire on it, and I probably will at some point.

I have 2 MIM Teles, and I have to say they are just perfect, aside from the 4-way. I am way into the vintage style Fenders. I cannot get with a 12" radius on a Fender. Oddly, I have no problem at all with a flat board Gibby. Go figure. I think my eyes see a Fender, and expect to feel a 7.5" or 9.5" radius.

[matt5150]

I have a S-1 on my CS HBS-1.

I never use it, but it worked on the American Standard.

Matt

[Lucidology]

Actually like the 90's era Strat necks with the roller nuts much more
then the new ones with 'rolled off edges" ..
Oddly enough, the 90's necks feel much easier to play ... much more like my Suhrs ..

Also just loved the hi-fi sound of those Gold Lace Sensors ...
but have to admit I do like the S1 System ...
the push in switch makes the singles pretty beefy creating a nice constrast of additional tones ...

[Eagle1]

It's a good solid but a little boring workhorse guitar.

[Binaural]

I think the 2008/2009s are great guitars for the money I currently own three of them.