In a catalogue for musician's friend, they made the distinction between an "American Standard Stratocaster" and a "Standard Stratocaster." The price difference was at least double in favor of the Amstrat. Forgive my naivete, but what is the difference? The catologue did not suitablydescribe any differences that would warrant doubling the price other than the term "American."

Follow up, I have an Amstrat with serials E8 + five digits which makes it an '88 or '89. I do not ever plan on parting with it, but relative to the above question, what is my strat worth? It's been lovingly cherished, has five springs and 12s. Anyone got a good ball park figure?

The american standard is made in America.........The standard Strat is made in Mexico , workers are paid less to make it, and it cost less to buy it

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(80’s Hair Metal) = A snapshot in time before Grunge ruined Rock & Roll forever!!!!

Ahhhh...Now it makes sense.

Also, I bought what looked like a very unique strat with the "grafiti yellow" supposed to mimic the color of the '32 Ford in American Grafiti. The sales guy (flexing his creative muscles) spun an only mildly believable story about Fender execs overhearing Jeff Beck mention how cool it would be to have a strat with that color. Upon making what they thought would be his "signature" model, they asked him to sign and he turned them down. Does anyone know if that story holds any water? Sounds kinda farfetched to me.

The American has Staggerd turners, Case, the neck has a satin finish on the back. The MIA also has a different truss system which can be adjusted both ways (Put curve in take it out) the neck also has the micro tilt. buffed fingerboard with rolled edges, the Mexco made has none of these. The American made has a High Mass bridge block the Mexico has the 5oz. one the MIA has bent steal saddles the MIM cast. There is a big difference between them though the MIM are still nice guitars for the money.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Thanks. My amstrat also has different saddles (they appear machined) and an extra string tree on the headstock. Anyone have these as well?

Yes.

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"You won't part with your's either"

Fender American Standard Stratocaster 2006

Fender Standard Telecaster 2007