Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
How are the pickups in general? Strat and Tele. Would it be worth it to get Duncans?
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Fender American Standards
- Thread starter Andrew Lamprecht
- Start date
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Fender American Standards
The stock pickups are acceptable and sound fine. I'd suggest using them for awhile to see if they work for you.
Beyond that, high end aftermarket pickups give you the option of taking the guitar tone in another direction.
I grew up with American Std's, and have owned quite a few. Eventually, I came to realize that all I need is a great setup and handwound A5 pickups that are calibrated as vintage spec with an overwound bridge, such as the Surfer Custom/Surfer set. I don't change the electronics, since US guitars are just fine in that regard.
The stock pickups are acceptable and sound fine. I'd suggest using them for awhile to see if they work for you.
Beyond that, high end aftermarket pickups give you the option of taking the guitar tone in another direction.
I grew up with American Std's, and have owned quite a few. Eventually, I came to realize that all I need is a great setup and handwound A5 pickups that are calibrated as vintage spec with an overwound bridge, such as the Surfer Custom/Surfer set. I don't change the electronics, since US guitars are just fine in that regard.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Fender American Standards
i love the American Standards and I don't want this to sound like a knock on them,
but you're wayyy better off with a highway 1.
real nitro, more vintage-style pickups, big headstock...winning.
you can always get a case later...and lots of the pre-owned ones already have cases.
seriously. you save sooo much money and get basically the same guitar, but with better features, and for less money. I play dozens of Fenders every day and the Highway 1's are my favorite by far!
between the highway 1 Fenders and the studio faded Gibsons, you can get a USA-made guitar for under a grand all day every day all over the country...and you can get a real Les Paul, SG, Strat, or Tele for that matter.
If they'd blend the Blacktop series with the Highway 1 and hook me up with a nitro-finished Jazzmaster with a humbucker in the bridge they'd be perfect.
i love the American Standards and I don't want this to sound like a knock on them,
but you're wayyy better off with a highway 1.
real nitro, more vintage-style pickups, big headstock...winning.
you can always get a case later...and lots of the pre-owned ones already have cases.
seriously. you save sooo much money and get basically the same guitar, but with better features, and for less money. I play dozens of Fenders every day and the Highway 1's are my favorite by far!
between the highway 1 Fenders and the studio faded Gibsons, you can get a USA-made guitar for under a grand all day every day all over the country...and you can get a real Les Paul, SG, Strat, or Tele for that matter.
If they'd blend the Blacktop series with the Highway 1 and hook me up with a nitro-finished Jazzmaster with a humbucker in the bridge they'd be perfect.
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FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Fender American Standards
Their strat pickups are bright and sort of modern sounding. They seem to have an almost A2 like sizzle, to my ears anyways. They're not the most complex sounding pickups. If it were me, I'd always go for duncans, or even Fender's 57/62 set.
I haven't played an am std tele in forever so I'll reserve judgment in that department.
The Am Stds have those rolled fingerboard edges I love so much. I'd pay the extra to have that any day. nitro vs poly aside, am stds have some NICE looking finshes as far as solid and metallic colors go. I'd take a charcoal frost over a matte sunburst any day.
Their strat pickups are bright and sort of modern sounding. They seem to have an almost A2 like sizzle, to my ears anyways. They're not the most complex sounding pickups. If it were me, I'd always go for duncans, or even Fender's 57/62 set.
I haven't played an am std tele in forever so I'll reserve judgment in that department.
The Am Stds have those rolled fingerboard edges I love so much. I'd pay the extra to have that any day. nitro vs poly aside, am stds have some NICE looking finshes as far as solid and metallic colors go. I'd take a charcoal frost over a matte sunburst any day.
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Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Fender American Standards
I bought a used American Standard Strat a couple of months ago.
I can't really comment on the stock PUs because a previous owner had already swapped out the bridge & neck PU (with some other brand) but I agree with the other comments about the rolled edges.
This is one of the best playing guitars I've ever owned (and I'm not really a strat fan).
I like the way the PUs are wired. The neck & bridge are single coil size humbuckers but in positions 2 & 4 they coils are split for that classic strat quack.
Got the guitar for $525 out the door with hard shell case from Guitar Center.
I bought a used American Standard Strat a couple of months ago.
I can't really comment on the stock PUs because a previous owner had already swapped out the bridge & neck PU (with some other brand) but I agree with the other comments about the rolled edges.
This is one of the best playing guitars I've ever owned (and I'm not really a strat fan).
I like the way the PUs are wired. The neck & bridge are single coil size humbuckers but in positions 2 & 4 they coils are split for that classic strat quack.
Got the guitar for $525 out the door with hard shell case from Guitar Center.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Fender American Standards
Highway 1's aren't totally "real" Nitrocelluolose finishes such as that can be had from other few upscale aftermarket bodies and were authentic to vintage Fenders.. The Fender Highway 1 bodies are slathered in tons of grain filler , but they are very good thin skin finishes, and offer strictly quality controlled wood...and thats a BIG plus, cause i bought an Allparts body awhile ago, and it was garbage ; thats offered FWIW.
The American Std. bodies are excellent quality wood, and thats where tis at. The newer models-I believe post '09- have better thin finishes, however I place most of the value of the body not in the finish , but in the wood quality, so I would say grab any American Std. over any Highway 1, because of the grade of wood.
That said, I'm very pleased with the look, weight and sound of my Highway 1 body. ( of course, I paid extra for a 3 piece 3.9 pound body and then I found a Brazilian rosewood neck and have it loaded with SSL-1's, which are the very best authentic vintage Strat pickups on the market).
Highway 1's aren't totally "real" Nitrocelluolose finishes such as that can be had from other few upscale aftermarket bodies and were authentic to vintage Fenders.. The Fender Highway 1 bodies are slathered in tons of grain filler , but they are very good thin skin finishes, and offer strictly quality controlled wood...and thats a BIG plus, cause i bought an Allparts body awhile ago, and it was garbage ; thats offered FWIW.
The American Std. bodies are excellent quality wood, and thats where tis at. The newer models-I believe post '09- have better thin finishes, however I place most of the value of the body not in the finish , but in the wood quality, so I would say grab any American Std. over any Highway 1, because of the grade of wood.
That said, I'm very pleased with the look, weight and sound of my Highway 1 body. ( of course, I paid extra for a 3 piece 3.9 pound body and then I found a Brazilian rosewood neck and have it loaded with SSL-1's, which are the very best authentic vintage Strat pickups on the market).
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Fender American Standards
When I was shopping around for my strat, every hwy1 just felt like a better guitar. Less "plastic", and probably the smoothest, most comfortable neck outside of the custom shop I have played.
Only warning, make sure you want the relic look, caus those guitars will wear.
The pickups in them though, are mighty, mighty fine.
When I was shopping around for my strat, every hwy1 just felt like a better guitar. Less "plastic", and probably the smoothest, most comfortable neck outside of the custom shop I have played.
Only warning, make sure you want the relic look, caus those guitars will wear.
The pickups in them though, are mighty, mighty fine.
Butch Snyder
ObsoleteChickenPickingologist
Re: Fender American Standards
My Tele is an American Series. The pickups are the same and have been for several years. I replaced them quick. They're generic and sterile. It also depends on your rig. I had a Nashville B-Bender Tele that I used with a Peavey Classic 50/212 amp and they were fine.
My Tele is an American Series. The pickups are the same and have been for several years. I replaced them quick. They're generic and sterile. It also depends on your rig. I had a Nashville B-Bender Tele that I used with a Peavey Classic 50/212 amp and they were fine.
StrangeSound
GlossesForNothin'
Re: Fender American Standards
I want this one
http://www.fender.com/de-DE/products/search.php?partno=0144602302
I want this one
http://www.fender.com/de-DE/products/search.php?partno=0144602302
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Fender American Standards
I've got this exact guitar:
2009 AS Tele. I LOVE the bridge pickup. The neck pickup... I like it, but it doesn't sound like a vintage style Tele neck pup. More like a Strat neck p/u. The "no load" tone control IS audible. The neck is beautiful. I love LOVE this guitar. I would not consider changing out the pickups. I do have SD pickups in my one other Tele, and I love those pickups, but I have no reason to change the ones in this guitar.
I've got this exact guitar:
2009 AS Tele. I LOVE the bridge pickup. The neck pickup... I like it, but it doesn't sound like a vintage style Tele neck pup. More like a Strat neck p/u. The "no load" tone control IS audible. The neck is beautiful. I love LOVE this guitar. I would not consider changing out the pickups. I do have SD pickups in my one other Tele, and I love those pickups, but I have no reason to change the ones in this guitar.
kennesawbob
New member
Re: Fender American Standards
I bought a MIM Strat off eBay a year ago. I wanted her to sound like, well, a stratocaster. I put in a set of Fender 57/62's. Couldn't be happier. She now sounds great! Like a Strat.
I bought a MIM Strat off eBay a year ago. I wanted her to sound like, well, a stratocaster. I put in a set of Fender 57/62's. Couldn't be happier. She now sounds great! Like a Strat.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Fender American Standards
That's a great deal. I know a guy who got an American Standard in 1994 for $700 and he's been playing it ever since.
I've heard rumors of this but have never had any proof.... ?
The reason why Standards feel stickier is because they have a thicker finish and 2 layers I believe. The wear really nicely though. I know 2 people who have had Standards for a long time. One guy has had a Strat since 1989 and the paint is starting to dull and wear away in some areas. There are little chips that go through the wood. etc. It looks really good. Then I know another guy who bought a strat in 1994. His fretboard is starting to get worn out because he plays it so much and the paint is just starting to wear away.
I guess one thing about the Highway Ones is that I want it to relic nicely over time. They make for beautiful guitars but I've heard people say that they wear away too fast which could be true. I've already seen Highway Ones that looked like Rory Gallagher's guitar.
That's just what I was wondering about. If they were gonna be sterile. I'm leaning towards the telecaster just because I have never owned one.
That's made out of Ash right? I think I'll be going for an Ash tele.
That's a great deal. I know a guy who got an American Standard in 1994 for $700 and he's been playing it ever since.
I've heard rumors of this but have never had any proof.... ?
The reason why Standards feel stickier is because they have a thicker finish and 2 layers I believe. The wear really nicely though. I know 2 people who have had Standards for a long time. One guy has had a Strat since 1989 and the paint is starting to dull and wear away in some areas. There are little chips that go through the wood. etc. It looks really good. Then I know another guy who bought a strat in 1994. His fretboard is starting to get worn out because he plays it so much and the paint is just starting to wear away.
I guess one thing about the Highway Ones is that I want it to relic nicely over time. They make for beautiful guitars but I've heard people say that they wear away too fast which could be true. I've already seen Highway Ones that looked like Rory Gallagher's guitar.
That's just what I was wondering about. If they were gonna be sterile. I'm leaning towards the telecaster just because I have never owned one.
That's made out of Ash right? I think I'll be going for an Ash tele.
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Fender American Standards
Yep, the Crimson Red, Sunburst, and Natural are Ash bodies. The Crimson Red is transparent so you can seen the wood grain. I've never gotten so many compliments from people on the look of a guitar before. This Tele is also noticeably lighter than my MIM Tele.
Yep, the Crimson Red, Sunburst, and Natural are Ash bodies. The Crimson Red is transparent so you can seen the wood grain. I've never gotten so many compliments from people on the look of a guitar before. This Tele is also noticeably lighter than my MIM Tele.
Re: Fender American Standards
I absolutely love my Am Standard Jazz Bass. I thought it was nitro.. I thought I did get some reaction when leaving at a guitarstand. Does not seem like a thick coat like my MIM Strat at least. Nito or no, it feels great. Nice neck, low weight and great sound! I almost feel tempted to betray my MIM stratocaster for a MIA!
I absolutely love my Am Standard Jazz Bass. I thought it was nitro.. I thought I did get some reaction when leaving at a guitarstand. Does not seem like a thick coat like my MIM Strat at least. Nito or no, it feels great. Nice neck, low weight and great sound! I almost feel tempted to betray my MIM stratocaster for a MIA!
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: Fender American Standards
Have you ever spent at least a good few hours with a strat of equal quality though? If not, you definitely should. There's a huge gap between Am Std Strats and import strats, IMO.
Have you ever spent at least a good few hours with a strat of equal quality though? If not, you definitely should. There's a huge gap between Am Std Strats and import strats, IMO.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Fender American Standards
I've played multiple Am Std.s but never for an extended period of time.
I've played multiple Am Std.s but never for an extended period of time.
Nagash
New member
Re: Fender American Standards
I doubt if the American Standard series come with these, but the N3 Noiseless pickups you can find on the American Deluxe are really awesome. If you want to upgrade your pickups but want to keep THE Fender sound, these would probably be a better replacement than some Duncans.
Just sayin'
I doubt if the American Standard series come with these, but the N3 Noiseless pickups you can find on the American Deluxe are really awesome. If you want to upgrade your pickups but want to keep THE Fender sound, these would probably be a better replacement than some Duncans.
Just sayin'
Bludave
New member
Re: Fender American Standards
The primary drawback of the American Standard guitars are the two point trem. Now that's more of an opinion then fact. I prefer the 6 point bridge better then the two. other then that I think they are fine guitars, and as someone else said here leave the stock pickups in for a while then see what you don't like an address it with a pickup swap.
The primary drawback of the American Standard guitars are the two point trem. Now that's more of an opinion then fact. I prefer the 6 point bridge better then the two. other then that I think they are fine guitars, and as someone else said here leave the stock pickups in for a while then see what you don't like an address it with a pickup swap.
