It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:19 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 36 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 2:10 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 1:22 pm
Posts: 234
Peter S wrote:
Although I've looked at a few, I hadn't seen this particular video, which - assuming no camera trickery - we all agree is a Special being built at Corona (the sticker on the scratchplate reads American Special Stratocaster). Why the 2-point trem appears at one point is odd, though.

I was interested in this as, on another thread, I'd questioned the origin of the body, and it's a bit more confirmation that the whole thing is indeed US-built. Yes, there are foreign bits, but the 'F' logo'd locking tuners on a Deluxe are foreign too!

Incidentally, my surf green Special's currently being refretted with 6130 wire. I can't quite get on with 6100 for lead playing above the 12th fret. I have a heavy/messy technique and the jumbo frets catch my fingers somewhat. I wouldn't say it's a huge problem but much prefer the AmStd wire if there's a choice - and there is!

Cheers - Peter.


Didn't know you're refretting the Spcl, I kinda dig the jumbo frets, hope you'll like 6130!

Cheers


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 3:48 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
WaymoreProta wrote:
I don't get why you find it so bad that they called it Special, it is a Special, it's a mix of different decades of Stratocaster all mixed in one fine instrument...
And 1000$ guitar is hardly a "budget" guitar....

First of all, you seem to have omitted my remark: "I'm not saying anything about the guitars"... And especially, there's no mention of the derogatory "budget guitars" in my post. I did take a price sample from history, but that's just a simple fact.

As far as the name of the series is considered, that's just my opinion. "Special" was a more appropriate name back in the good ole days.
But oh yes: YMMV.
You started the topic, so don't start limiting the answers to those that share your views 100%.
8)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 4:12 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 1:22 pm
Posts: 234
jmattis wrote:
WaymoreProta wrote:
I don't get why you find it so bad that they called it Special, it is a Special, it's a mix of different decades of Stratocaster all mixed in one fine instrument...
And 1000$ guitar is hardly a "budget" guitar....

First of all, you seem to have omitted my remark: "I'm not saying anything about the guitars"... And especially, there's no mention of the derogatory "budget guitars" in my post. I did take a price sample from history, but that's just a simple fact.

As far as the name of the series is considered, that's just my opinion. "Special" was a more appropriate name back in the good ole days.
But oh yes: YMMV.
You started the topic, so don't start limiting the answers to those that share your views 100%.
8)


I'm not limiting anyone, and I did get your point, but I just don't get why be so bothered that Fender named it Special, and yes In good ol day Special would be something more new and extraordinary...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:06 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
WaymoreProta wrote:
and yes In good ol day Special would be something more new and extraordinary...


If that be the case then apply the same logic to Gibson's Les Paul Special from those "good ol days".

It lacked a carved maple top, it lacked the body binding, it lacked the fancy "crown" tuning machines, it lacked the ornate fretboard inlay, and it lacked the adjustable Tune-O-Matic bridge (at least initially).

It was a cheaper (ie: less expensive) instrument, just as with the contemporary Fender Strat Special.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:26 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 661
Location: Cambridge UK
Re the Special/Standard/Custom-type titles, just a marketing thing, isn't it? If you like the big frets, TS's, CBS headstock, vintage trem, and don't need the case, the Special is a great choice. The other main difference people mention is the lack of a rolled-edge board, but I honestly can't tell any difference between this and my 4 other US Strats. This neck feels great. If you DON'T like those features, of course, you won't buy one at any cost!

Re the refret, Waymore, I only recently decided to have it done. If I was only using this Strat for rhythm and lead lower-down, I'd have stuck with the 10's and jumbos. But due to the way I financed it, £150-180 on a refret is cheap. Add the new (original) trem I have on order, and it's a great Strat for around half the price of a good used AmStd in England. Will let all know how it goes.

Cheers - Peter.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:30 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 1:22 pm
Posts: 234
Peter S wrote:
Re the Special/Standard/Custom-type titles, just a marketing thing, isn't it? If you like the big frets, TS's, CBS headstock, vintage trem, and don't need the case, the Special is a great choice. The other main difference people mention is the lack of a rolled-edge board, but I honestly can't tell any difference between this and my 4 other US Strats. This neck feels great. If you DON'T like those features, of course, you won't buy one at any cost!

Re the refret, Waymore, I only recently decided to have it done. If I was only using this Strat for rhythm and lead lower-down, I'd have stuck with the 10's and jumbos. But due to the way I financed it, £150-180 on a refret is cheap. Add the new (original) trem I have on order, and it's a great Strat for around half the price of a good used AmStd in England. Will let all know how it goes.

Cheers - Peter.


Right on the point Peter,
I'm also in Europe, so prices are way different than in US


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:59 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
WaymoreProta wrote:
why be so bothered
I wasn't bothered at all on the first post, just expressing my opinion.
Might be getting there, though, since you started to fiddle with my freedom of speech. :twisted:

Retroverbial wrote:
apply the same logic to Gibson's Les Paul Special
As far as I'm concerned, I do. Don Draper gang is just everywhere...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:22 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 1:22 pm
Posts: 234
Quote:
Might be getting there, though, since you started to fiddle with my freedom of speech.


Lol I don't know where did you get that from...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 4:12 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:13 am
Posts: 147
Location: Charm City
Retroverbial wrote:
WaymoreProta wrote:
and yes In good ol day Special would be something more new and extraordinary...


If that be the case then apply the same logic to Gibson's Les Paul Special from those "good ol days".

It lacked a carved maple top, it lacked the body binding, it lacked the fancy "crown" tuning machines, it lacked the ornate fretboard inlay, and it lacked the adjustable Tune-O-Matic bridge (at least initially).

It was a cheaper (ie: less expensive) instrument, just as with the contemporary Fender Strat Special.

Arjay


And despite (or possibly because of) these differences (not to mention some model's double cutaway and P-90's), it's always been the only Lester I've ever really been drawn to....
"To each his own," said the farmer as he kissed the cow.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 6:28 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
I have a Les Paul Junior from 1957 that positively breathes fire and brimstone when cranked (think "The Animal Trainer And The Toad"). In terms of retail price, it was near the bottom of the barrel. But it's the paradigm of the "KISS principle" and the sonic dividends are substantial. It's just not very glamorous looking when compared to more upscale LP's.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 8:24 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:56 am
Posts: 1277
jmattis wrote:
I'm not saying anything about the guitars, but selecting the "Special" name for the series was a wrong decision.
First there's the obvious: Standard above Special, really..?
Quote:
Not so long ago, American Specials were more expensive that American Series...


Then, think about what Specials used to be: "Instruments that span the bridge between traditional and modern technology, either in specifications, design or both."
At present, it's (just?) a mix between vintage (bridge, TexSpecials...) and modern (radius, headstock...) features, but a large part of the 'innovation test ground' character is missing.
Remember Strat-o-Sonics..?
:wink:

At what point the Special was more expensive than the Standards? I think Fender was trying to keep uniformity as far as using terms. Gibson uses "specials" and "standards" also. A les paul special is cheaper in price or more towards the budget minded market than the les paul standards. Gibson been doing this since the 50's so it made sense that Fender would keep the same scheme.

_________________
Image

http://www.youtube.com/user/gmlasam


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 11:42 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
bluesguitar65 wrote:
I think Fender was trying to keep uniformity as far as using terms. Gibson uses "specials" and "standards" also.


Can a "Strat Junior" be far behind?

:lol:

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 1:19 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
bluesguitar65 wrote:
At what point the Special was more expensive than the Standards? I think Fender was trying to keep uniformity as far as using terms. Gibson uses "specials" and "standards" also. A les paul special is cheaper in price or more towards the budget minded market than the les paul standards. Gibson been doing this since the 50's so it made sense that Fender would keep the same scheme.

For example, in 2002.
I think the same carried on till 2008 - too lazy to check all pricelists.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 11:07 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:19 pm
Posts: 43
American Specials are not of the same quality as the American Standards. I have a 2012 American Standard and it is one of the best strats in the 21st Century. (IMO) The American Special is now the American Professional. That doesn't mean it's FOR professionals it's just all in the name but you will never convince me they are the same guitar. I ordered one and sent it back the same day. Never been more disappointed in a guitar and never buy cheaper again. You get what you pay for ESPECIALLY in STRATOCASTERS.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Making of American Special
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 11:10 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:19 pm
Posts: 43
Retroverbial wrote:
John Sims wrote:
I guess "American Budget" is less likely to sell though.


At FMIC, marketing hype is Job 1. That's why the American Special was re-tagged to the American Professional

:lol:

Arjay


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 36 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: