American standard strat good?

[marcofry]

It's about time for a new strat...it will probably be an am std.

How's the quality control on these? Is it good enough to do mail order?


I know that even though they have vastly improved in quality I still had to dig through the "stack" to get a good mex made strat the last time I bought one.


Surely the american made ones are better ???????????????

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: American standard strat good?

I would buy used. Save almost half. But they also redused the price on a new Am. Std. to $999, which isn't really too bad. I figure used prices will go down even further now.

As far as MIM as good as or better, there are so many thousands being produced, you find good ones in every batch, no matter where they are made. With me, I want U.S. just because of resale value and just because it's "suppossed" to be the best. I've had MIM's and Epis that were phenominal guitars, but I could never get past the fact that they were "cheap".

 

[FuseG4]

Re: American standard strat good?

I like the fretwork and rolled fingerboard edges on the USA stuff. It just feels comfortable to play.

I've played a few in stores and they've all felt great.

The highway one tele i owned felt fantastic but the pickups sucked. So, you may end up modding some things just because what fender puts stock is just what their guys think sounds good. Your opinion could be radically different but all in all they are pretty sweet.

Fender uses some better bridge components and tuners on their am. std. stuff, I feel like thats enough right there to say they're worth it over MIMs.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: American standard strat good?

Definitely buy used, they aren't worth the brand new price.
They do sound good however and play pretty well from my own experience, so get hunting!

 

[LtKojak]

Re: American standard strat good?

It's about time for a new strat...it will probably be an am std.

How's the quality control on these? Is it good enough to do mail order?


I know that even though they have vastly improved in quality I still had to dig through the "stack" to get a good mex made strat the last time I bought one.


Surely the american made ones are better ???????????????

NEVER EVER buy a guitar without playing it first.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: American standard strat good?

NEVER EVER buy a guitar without playing it first.

If you know what you want, sometimes it's worth a shot for less expensive purchases. If I were to drop a grand on an axe I would insist on playing it first.

but return policies aren't half bad these days... The last few guitars I've bought online, and the one I returned: smooth transaction. The rest: a set up and then it feels great. Local stores around here bite (no selection, high markup), plus I don't dig sales tax.

I've never been sent something that has frets too high, played a few in stores where you go up the neck and 2 frets sound the same note.

With a few situations I think it's ok to buy sight unseen, just make sure you inspect what arrives and don't hesitate to exchange in case of a problem.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: American standard strat good?

A pre-owned Fender Am Std Strat usually makes a good purchase. The price will be sensible. Any major constructional issues should have been sorted out under the previous ownership. You can modify the instrument to suit almost any musical style under the sun.

I picked up a near mint 1995 example a few months ago. I have changed a few parts to suit myself and still have change from the "street" price of a brand new USA Fender.

IMO, a brand new, mail-ordered guitar will need a proper set up.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: American standard strat good?

NEVER EVER buy a guitar without playing it first.

Bought both my current playing guitars before playing them.
Turns out they are some of the best playing guitars I've ever played in my life.
Who knew? :laugh2:

 

[marcofry]

Re: American standard strat good?

I'm definately buying new this time. At a cool grand for new I can afford it. I have bought sight unseen on several guitars new and used and not had any problems,but they weren't over 400 dollars.

I would have no problems buying a new gibson lp sight unseen.

I do have some hang ups on buying a fender though....I think its from having to pick through the mexican made ones to get a good one.

I didnt realize that QA in mexico is slightly hurting fender until right now. I can't be the only guy that has checked out a low end model (of anything) and had their opinion of a brand name as a whole lowered a bit.

 

[metlking]

Re: American standard strat good?

I've bought alot of American Strats via eBay without worry. Fender USA has made a very consistant guitar in the last 20 years or so.......

 

[ErikH]

Re: American standard strat good?

The MIM stuff is not low end, more mid level. The overseas stuff (except Japan, separate entity) are the low end models.

Like any brand, you'll want to play as many as you can, American or not, and pick the best one to you out of the bunch.

QA in Mexico isn't hurting Fender. The MIM models are top sellers and have been for years. They are solid guitars, even better know than they used to be several years ago.

The American stuff is my favorite though. The '94 Strat is a really sweet axe, even though she can be a ***** to get dialed in, although I believe I finally have the right pickups in it.

If you can spare the cash, check out the American Deluxe Strats. Really sweet guitars with upgrades here and there. There's one at a GC here that's been haunting me every time I go in there. If I had the cash to spend on it, it would be mine.

 

[ganzosrevenge]

Re: American standard strat good?

American Deluxes IMHO are just about CS quality, but without the CS premium. Sometimes they have a little inconsistency in the flaming (like my strat's neck), or they're not quite "light enough", but they are by and large 99.9% there. Be advised that the SCN single coils aren't vintage sounding, but they have more of a "strat with no hum waste and a bit more oomph" sound. The S-1 switch can be a bear, however it is a strat and it's very easy to remove the PG and drop one in of your choosing. What set me straight on the AmDlx was that it has a contoured heel, locking tuners (easier to string up), an LSR nut (this is a source of debate, as people claim it makes the strat too bright... but there are no burrs to break strings on) in the HSS models, but perhaps most importantly, there's a bit more attention paid to the woods used for the guitar. I'm not talking CS-handpicked attention (for $1400, you won't get that these days), but there seems to be a bit more scrutiny for more resonant / lighter bodies and necks that have a tighter / more consistent grain, flaming in some cases, etc.

To me, the American Standard represents a more "value-based" american evolution, the American Deluxe is more of the modern interpretation... 50+ years of strat knowledge from various branches coming together in one guitar. It's still imperfect (imho the pots, caps, and bridge are meh at best), but it is more modern-oriented and there are fewer corners cut than on the AmStd. Either way though, both the AmStd and AmDlx are great guitars stock, but they really come into their own when you improve their shortcomings... they become quite resonant, responsive, sustainy, and toney. I wouldn't trade mine for anyting.

Jason

 

[marcofry]

Re: American standard strat good?

The MIM stuff is not low end, more mid level. The overseas stuff (except Japan, separate entity) are the low end models.

QA in Mexico isn't hurting Fender. The MIM models are top sellers and have been for years. They are solid guitars, even better know than they used to be several years ago.

Yea, they are kinda a mid level. I also want to say that it is brilliant of fender to put their name on a lower level product. They wouldn't sell nearly as many made in mexico guitars with another name on the headstock.

About ten years ago I went through the rack on several squires and they were all good, did I just get lucky at that store?

Don't the all of the am delux series come with the noiseless pups...not really into them.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: American standard strat good?

Ganzosrevenge's point is that a Fender Stratocaster is, essentially, a construction kit of parts. The Am Deluxe incarnation starts out with "premium" or "selected" body timber. This should give it a headstart that no amount of pickup swapping can cancel out. Buy a Deluxe and fit your idea of the best pickups.

 

[ganzosrevenge]

Re: American standard strat good?

Yea, they are kinda a mid level. I also want to say that it is brilliant of fender to put their name on a lower level product. They wouldn't sell nearly as many made in mexico guitars with another name on the headstock.

About ten years ago I went through the rack on several squires and they were all good, did I just get lucky at that store?

Don't the all of the am delux series come with the noiseless pups...not really into them.

Marcofry, the American Select Stratocaster at GC / MF is essentially a mahogany American Deluxe with tex-mex / diamondback pups and the S-1 switch. IMHO it's a GREAT way to get essentially a pre-built "strat-o-SG" that just needs some good PAFs and you have "my strat dressed as an SG for halloween" as a guitar.

Ganzosrevenge's point is that a Fender Stratocaster is, essentially, a construction kit of parts. The Am Deluxe incarnation starts out with "premium" or "selected" body timber. This should give it a headstart that no amount of pickup swapping can cancel out. Buy a Deluxe and fit your idea of the best pickups.

PRECISELY! All strats are a construction kit of parts... the AmDlx is what Fender felt were the best on the assembly line that didn't go to CS. If you start with the pups / wiring provided and upgrade, you'll end up somewhere near the CS for about $1k less, possibly more than $1k less. Best way to get 99.99999% of the way to CS for 50% of the price if you ask me.

Jason

 

[Zerberus]

Re: American standard strat good?

.....
I didnt realize that QA in mexico is slightly hurting fender until right now. I can't be the only guy that has checked out a low end model (of anything) and had their opinion of a brand name as a whole lowered a bit.

You most definitely aren´t the only one to have this experience, cripes this is a big part of the reason why boutique makers and far east ripoffs were able to get a foothold in teh first place.... People play the cheap version, not knowing any better (Or being outright lied to by an asshole of a salesman), aren´t impressed, and think that the whole brand sucks.

It´s happened to many, many brands (Jackson /Charvel, Hamer, Fender, BC Rich and Kramer, to name just a few) ...over the years, and it´s a really tough hole to get out of.

 

[marcofry]

Re: American standard strat good?

Buy a Deluxe and fit your idea of the best pickups.

Am standard is good enough for me. Its not only the pups in the delux the extra 4-500 dollars is the larger problem.

 

[ErikH]

Re: American standard strat good?

Yea, they are kinda a mid level. I also want to say that it is brilliant of fender to put their name on a lower level product. They wouldn't sell nearly as many made in mexico guitars with another name on the headstock.

About ten years ago I went through the rack on several squires and they were all good, did I just get lucky at that store?

Don't the all of the am delux series come with the noiseless pups...not really into them.

You probably got lucky there with the Squires. Though, I have seen some really good ones within the last 10 years.

All the Am Deluxe models come with the Fender SCN single-coils designed by Bill Lawrence. I happen to like them. More of a modern sound but still sound like a Strat. They work well for me. I'm not in to the whole "vintage correct has to sound like a 60's single-coil" camp. If they do, great, if not, that's great to.

 

[ganzosrevenge]

Re: American standard strat good?

Am standard is good enough for me. Its not only the pups in the delux the extra 4-500 dollars is the larger problem.

good point.... that's money for a better amp or better amstd appointments.

 

[marcofry]

Re: American standard strat good?

This thread wouldn't exist without poor qa from mexico. I work in a manufacturing environment and occasionally we rerun parts from our mexico sister plant....sometimes they are they are so bad we don't run them through the qa machines,we scrap them on sight only.

My main question I guess... Is this If I mail order the am std its very unlikely that i will get one with a crooked neck or a poor neck body fittment.