Fender American Special Series

[ImmortalSix]

To be introduced January 14, 2010

Introducing the Fender American Special Series
Telecaster® and two Stratocaster® guitar models are "guitars for the times"


The American Special Stratocaster. Watch a video on the American Special here.


The latest incarnations of Fender's famous Telecaster and Stratocaster models comprise the new American Special series-built "by the people and for people" as value-conscious "guitars for the times." They are designed specifically to bring the full Fender experience of a terrific-sounding, smooth-playing, rock-solid-built U.S.-made Fender guitar to the workingman without emptying his bank account.

The three instruments in the new series—the American Special Telecaster, American Special Stratocaster and American Special Stratocaster HSS—are highly affordable Fender electric guitars that are within the reach of an entire spectrum of players. As such, they share many features with their cousins in the acclaimed Highway One™ and American Standard series.

All three American Special guitars feature alder bodies with gloss urethane finishes, 9.5"-radius maple necks with jumbo frets, and Texas Special™ pickups (the Stratocaster HSS has an Atomic™ humbucking bridge pickup).

The American Special Telecaster has a vintage-style string-through-body Telecaster bridge with three brass saddles, a black pickguard, and is available in Olympic White and Three-color Sunburst. American Special Stratocaster has a vintage-style synchronized tremolo and white pickguard, and is available in Candy Apple Red and Two-color Sunburst. The American Special Stratocaster HSS has a rosewood fingerboard, black pickguard and vintage-style synchronized tremolo, and is available in Black and Three-color Sunburst.

MORE PRODUCT INFO HERE.

AND STILL MORE TO COME...JAN. 14

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Fender American Special Series

If history is any indicator of the MSRP: Actual Price ratio, these will go for about $799

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Fender American Special Series

looks like the HYW1 with a glossy finnish... hmmm... i may have to try one out since i'm a strat and tele fan

 

[StratTom]

Re: Fender American Special Series

If history is any indicator of the MSRP: Actual Price ratio, these will go for about $799

They got them listed on MF already for $799. I can't wait to get my hands on one. I've been waiting a HSS Strat for a long time, and this is what I'm looking for. Just wish there were more finish options...but that's not too big of a concern.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Fender American Special Series

I wish Fender would make a Telecaster with a 12" radius.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Fender American Special Series

So what's the difference between the American Standard, Highway One and American Special?

(That's wild how much standards are, I remember when they were $799)

 

[ErikH]

Re: Fender American Special Series

I wish Fender would make a Telecaster with a 12" radius.

They used to. The old MIJ Contemporary Telecasters like the one I own have a 12" radius.

(That's wild how much standards are, I remember when they were $799)

I remember when the American Standards were $499. That's how much I paid for my Strat back in 1994. And that included the case.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Fender American Special Series

I remember when the American Standards were $499. That's how much I paid for mine back in 1994. And that includes the case.

Thinking back, it may have been $699... What kills me is the MIM, that should be a $300 guitar!

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Fender American Special Series

They used to. The old MIJ Contemporary Telecasters like the one I own have a 12" radius.

Cool. I just did a search and found that the Highway One Texas Teles have a 12" neck radius as well. I need to go check those out.

Sorry for the hijack.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Fender American Special Series

Thinking back, it may have been $699... What kills me is the MIM, that should be a $300 guitar!

I remember when they were $299. And to be honest, considering they've just barely doubled in street price in 20 years is great. Can't say that for the MIA's. They are near triple what they were 20 years ago.

Cool. I just did a search and found that the Highway One Texas Teles have a 12" neck radius as well. I need to go check those out.

Sorry for the hijack.

Oh yeah, forgot about that one.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Fender American Special Series

I wish Fender would make a Telecaster with a 12" radius.

They do...the Highway 1 Texas Tele has a '52 style neck, but with a 12" radius on the board.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Fender American Special Series

I wish Fender would make a Telecaster with a 12" radius.

They do have one that's 15.75", the FMT HH Special.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Fender American Special Series

Any ideas as to what the neck shape is going to be like? I like the thought of a budget priced US Tele, but thin C shaped necks are a deal breaker (I really wish Fender would start making guitars with thick necks again).

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Fender American Special Series

Any ideas as to what the neck shape is going to be like? I like the thought of a budget priced US Tele, but thin C shaped necks are a deal breaker (I really wish Fender would start making guitars with thick necks again).

Neck: Maple, Modern C Shape, (Gloss Urethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5" Radius (241 mm)

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Fender American Special Series

IMHO, unless you need the 12" radius and vintage-style tuners, I think the better deal is the Classic Player Baja Tele. Then there is the Highway 1 Texas Tele; as mentioned earlier. Very cool guitar....

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Fender American Special Series

IMHO, unless you need the 12" radius and vintage-style tuners, I think the better deal is the Classic Player Baja Tele. Then there is the Highway 1 Texas Tele; as mentioned earlier. Very cool guitar....

I have to agree about the Baja. I've had a hard time trying to find anything better in that price range. Mine is super versatile and the first guitar that I have no intention of changing pickups on. The neck is incredible and the only one that compared was the hefty neck on the Hot Rod '52. They are worth checking out.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Fender American Special Series

I'd rather take the highway 1 tele... even though the pickups are lame, It'd be MUCH easier to refin the nitro body. some acetone or something and bam you're ready to get whatever color you please on there.

I want a tele in Burgundy Mist and a refinish is about all that'll get me there at a reasonable price.

If i was cool with a white tele... sure I'd jump on it. They seem like fine guitars at that price.