What kind of Strat is this?

Van Noord

New member
US strat. Listed at $500 used. Looking to purchase. Serial dates it as a 2011 production.


 
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Re: What kind of Strat is this?

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/u-s-instruments-product-dating/

Should be an American Std., as the great Chris of Arabia attests. The new American Stds. have the 'US' serial number prefix ( and possibly MX). American Specials , like the old HWY1's have the 6 point tremolo, and are budget-oriented guitars not nearly on the quality level of a US Standard ( enter the HWY1 guys to get PO'd at me). Plus they have different serial numbers.

I just love that Blizzard Pearl color BUT I'd be careful someone didnt swap out bodies- thats a popular MIM body color IIRC. Not sure they make that particular color for American Standards.
Call the guy.. feel him out- thats a great price for a maple neck American Std.
EDIT_Yep , American Std. Jump on it;

Date: 6/14/2010
Model Name: American Standard Stratocaster®
Model Number: 011-0400-(Color #) and 011-0402-(Color #)
Series: American Standard Series
Body: Alder on:
(700) 3-Color Sunburst,
(705) Olympic White,
(706) Black,
(712) Candy Cola,
(755) Blizzard Pearl,
(769) Charcoal Frost Metallic

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just found *THIS (from 2010), which indicates it technically could be a American Special, which makes it very much less desirable, but still a fair deal;

No problem with that serial number. Fender first used serial numbers earlier this year that just started with a "10". Frankly the font of the "10" is very close (but not 100% identical to) the other 6 digits of the serial number. Around May or so Fender switched to using the "US10" to start the serial number, and the font of the "US10" is clearly different from the other 6 numbers.

Even though the American Special just came out in 2010, Fender had run the first batches in late 2009 so they could fill orders immediately after the NAMM show in January; there could be American Specials with a "Z9XXXXXX" (2009) serial number, a "10XXXXXX" serial number from early this year, or a "US10XXXXXX" serial number from May/June or so of this year."

Im still trying to find out what the American Special( a cheaper HWY1 style guitars with cheaper wood, finish, and hardware)are.
 
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Re: What kind of Strat is this?

THis is the best info. I can find. According to this, you have to be real careful, casue the serial number wont really garuntee that you have a American Std. IT doesn't look like they made the Blizzard Pearl in the American Special, although I've seen it, I'm pretty certain in a MIM strat, but all told, it looks to me like its a US Standard. Check all the info. that I provided to make sure that it isnt a Made in Mexico , or that the serial number doesnt indicate its MIM, and you should be safe. Good luck- if thats an American Std., maple neck, Blizzard Pearl, its an awesome guitars, and well worth the 500.00;

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=57716
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

THis is the best info. I can find. According to this, you have to be real careful, casue the serial number wont really garuntee that you have a American Std. IT doesn't look like they made the Blizzard Pearl in the American Special, although I've seen it, I'm pretty certain in a MIM strat, but all told, it looks to me like its a US Standard. Check all the info. that I provided to make sure that it isnt a Made in Mexico , or that the serial number doesnt indicate its MIM, and you should be safe. Good luck- if thats an American Std., maple neck, Blizzard Pearl, its an awesome guitars, and well worth the 500.00;

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=57716

EDIT AGAIN_ Doesnt appear thta its a MIM;

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/mexican-instruments-product-dating/


SNATCH IT!!!
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

Thanks a bunch! I love Fenders, but get kinda overwhelmed with the models and differences.

I have an introductory year HWY1 and love the neck, but the guts are less than desirable.
I'm looking for a step up from that with second my Strat. I really don't want an American Special either.
What bugs me is the saddles look to be the bent steel one's, not the aluminum whatever block style. But I really don't know if that dictates model level or quality. I've had the vintage saddles, don't want them again.
I agree that it is an US model, I also can't see someone putting a US neck on a MX body either. But who knows...

If it helps, the sellers claims to have paid $900 Cdn new. I guess that would count out it being a standard?
 
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Re: What kind of Strat is this?

American Standard. The giveaway is the bridge. Not a lot of Fenders come with two point tremolos and vintage bent saddles (from around 2011 onwards they changed the offset screw block saddles for these ones). $500 with case is a great price.
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

American Standard. The giveaway is the bridge. Not a lot of Fenders come with two point tremolos and vintage bent saddles (from around 2011 onwards they changed the offset screw block saddles for these ones). $500 with case is a great price.

+1

Hop on it.
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

It seems like a U.S.A. Standard to me. They'll usually e-mail you a complete spec sheet on the guitar, including the exact color and the exact date of manufacture, if you provide a serial. Fender is very good about serial number inquiries. Drop them an e-mail or give them a call.
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

Fender claims to have improved their vintage saddles this time around too. Widened the string slot being one thing they did.
Seller wants an extra hundy for the case, which franky I don't want or need.

I'm waiting on a second reply now...
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

Fender claims to have improved their vintage saddles this time around too. Widened the string slot being one thing they did.
Seller wants an extra hundy for the case, which franky I don't want or need.

I'm waiting on a second reply now...

I must admit, that's the only bit I'm curious about - that doesn't look like a Fender case with the aluminium strip around the edge; what happened to the original it would have been supplied with?
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

The case in the OP photograph has the chunky protected latches of recent American Standard and Deluxe models. I would pay the extra cash to have it.

IMO, the revised bent steel saddle is a great improvement over the powdered steel type. The solid machined stainless steel saddles of the American Deluxe model are a different matter.
 
Re: What kind of Strat is this?

I think you're right, it is one of the SKB cases - for some reason, I didn't think they had that aluminium strip on the inside edge.
 
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