Does anyone know if Fender made strats in the USA in the 90's. The s/n starts with N. What does that mean?

yes they did. N stands for nineties.

The only time FMIC didn't make USA strats was right after they bought from CBS and didn't have a factory yet. That was mid 80's.(and less than a full calendar year.)

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

definitely made in the USA I have 2 a 1995 limited and a 1998 American Standard. I know its just personal prefference but to me the 90's Americans have a better sound than those after 2000.

I agree with that - but, when they changed them again in 2008, they redeemed themsevles and they are amazing!! JMO

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

I will have to respectfully disagree...I have a 2001 Am Std which absolutely playes and sounds fantastic. I might change pups to Lace Sensors but for the time being, it is almost as good as my 1989 Strat plus.

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

I have a 2001 Am Std as well - I love it, as I love all my strats - To me, the 01 plays a bit different, still sounds great, but has a complete different feel - its probably one of the prettiest 3 tone bursts ive seen!!

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

I agree with those above that the 2000's American Series were preferable to the previous American Standards of the 80's and 90's. The new American Standards are even better yet I believe.

It's just my opinion, but I was really put off with the American Standards in the 90's with their swimming pool pickup route, two string trees and non staggered tuners made the strings bind up when using the trem, veneers on the front and back of the body, and the useless (to me) TBX tone control.

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I had a '97 Fender Big Apple Strat (MIA) in shoreline gold that was a decent player.

I know of one guitarist who collects this model and has about 10 of them now in different configurations.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!