Hey all, i have an opportunity to trade my mint 97' inca silver w/maple fretboard American standard strat with case plus $125 cash for a mint 2007 blizzard pearl w/rosewood fretboard American standard strat with the new style molded case. I would really appreciated opinions. I'm torn, because i love my all maple neck, and as far as i can tell, this 97. has action to die for. I just wonder though what possible improvements have been made to the 10 year newer model. Thanks for any sage advice guys and gals!

97'

2007'

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

The '07 would be 10, not 20, years newer than your '97.

I don't think you would be really "upgrading" going from a 97 American Standard to an 07 American Series. It's more of a lateral move. If you love your 97 so much, why do you want to trade it???

Anyways, a little history, the Am Stds were replaced by the Am Series around 2000 (the Am Std name came back in 2008 to replace the Am Series, but with much different specs).

Differences between 97 and 07:
Body: The 97 more than likely has a swimming pool route, the 07 definately does not.
Electronics: I think Fender was still using the TBX tone control in 97, the 07 has Delta Tone control. Pickups are different too. Is one better than the other? - That's up to the individual.
String trees: The 97 has two, the 07 has one.
Decal: The 07 has the "synchronized tremolo" decal, the 97 does not.
Tuning keys: The 97 has regular tuners, the 07 has staggered height tuners.
Bridge is the same on both.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now. Someone feel free to correct me if I missed anything.

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

Keep the 97, it's almost in its sweet spot. I like the sound of old guitars. I think they get more toneful as they age

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

The saddles are also different.(at least in the above pics)

If I was satisfied with mine I would not trade, plus pay him some money!? Nope! JMHO!

I don't know but if your happy with the maple neck and action to die for and are undecided about tone, you might consider hanging on to what you have until you play that prospective strat long enough to determine if it is worth your trade.
I don't know if the Fender logo style differs if that is important to you as it is to some but that may differ as well.

It's kinda like a classic car say... a '57 Chevy. Suppose GM made the same car design every year since '57 but subtle differences in drivetrain, upholstery fabrics and paintjobs occured.

IF I am not mistaken "Inca Silver" is a color that was actually used on the '57 Chevy... wait a minute..... YEP! it sure was! (I thought I recognized
the name)
So...... you have a strat possessing a vintage color.



http://www.yakez.com/for-sale-detail/19 ... 80222.html


You can find out more about fender colors here:
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html


More colors
http://www.57classicchevy.com/body-colors.html

Thanks for the insight you guys, i asked the question to tap into the huge amount of solid advice from the well versed, and experienced people who frequent this venue, and are are so willingly helpfull! What i'm trying learn exactly, is wether the newer models of strats that were manufactured from 97', to date, have benefitted from any improvements that i would be able to benefit from. In example, The 09'/2010 models i believe, are advertised as having some promising new improvements over the older versions. That's a very interesting fact about the inca silver paint! I was talking to a strat collector one time, when he told me about one of his jems, had the distinction of having a vintage caddilac color paint. The guitar was from part of a certain run of the guitars that got the auto paint, due to the fender factory running out of paint before the run of guitars were painted. I was told that fender purchased the cadillac paint to finish the remaining guitars. This created a limited number of strats with this paint, making them rare, and much sought after collectors items. Anyway, that's what i remember hearing, so i am fascinated by hearing that the inca silver is possibly vintage auto paint!

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

Umm, to clarify, I was referring to the color, not so much the paint itself.
I cannot imagine Fender having bought up that much paint to last 40 years.
Maybe they can paste the paint on like Elmer's paste glue when dried out.
and rub the snot out of it till it comes out smooth and glossy.
If so, they've got to be the best finishers in the world.

Twinhit, i was refering to the cadillac auto paint in the unsubstantiated story i was told. It was an amount purchased in order to finish painting the remaing guitars that were needing paint after the painters supply of a certain color of paint had run out. it was a relatively small amount of paint that was needed.

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis