Can someone tell me with a real answer that makes sense why the American Deluxe Ash is at least 200 more than the alder? Because I dont think premium ash in that size has a 200 dollar value over alder. Wow I just wont swallow this. And I dont think its the finish as sunburst comes with the alder models. Sorry Fender but whats up here? I love the growley sound of ash as well as the cream but alder has it pluses also as all Fender enthusists already know. Getting right to the wood of this question what's the big deal? Maybe 50 dollars in Value but no way 200. It seams to me Fender is out of the box with price difference. Does Fender want less people buying the deluxe ash models? FYI I am speaking mainly of the deluxe strat as hav'nt researched the teles. It seems Teles have always come in ash or alder. But I am not sure about that at all. Here's proof in carving about ash. In 79 80 and 81 Fender released the lead series guitars. First the lead I and Lead IIs then the lead III made there way onto market. Awesome guitars for great price and they were tough. My lead II was my first great electric guitar. (1980). That guitar helped me become an accomplished guitar player. These guitars were very affordable for the times, and sounded righteous, especially the lead II with those X1 Pups. These guitars had ASH bodies and were considered a budjet American made Fender. Not all of them had solid color either. Go Figure.

Ash has more open grain pores than alder that require more materials and time to properly finish. That is why it costs more than alder.

I think its because fender know that people favour ash when its available and therefore decide to make some money out of them.

IF ash has all these tonal differences to alder then you have answered your own question.

_________________
No no and no

In Response to a couple of answers I got I will say no one has given a real reason yet exception of Ninja. Alder has its finish issues also. Ash is a preferred wood for many guitar players as well as manufacturers and luthiers. It isn't nearly as big a deal as your saying, though tonal differences are subtle but true. In answer to Big Jay and your not understanding what I mean about the "growl and the cream". I Was trying to explain ash gives you the tonal differences and sounds expected from a Fender strat. Granted growl and cream is in big part the way your pickup configuration is, and what your using for amp and effects. But it would not be a strat if was say Mahogany body as that sound doesn't cut the historical sound strats are famous for. And I don't like the sound of start's with maple tops. That is for a complete different tone. When I shop for a strat I play without amp first, and many go back to hanging until I find the one that sounds and feels right before plugging in. I still don't see a warranted 200 dollar price difference. We are talking about premium ash not just regular swamp ash so density is there. Do you not think the alder is premium? It would have to be as it isn't so easy to work with either. I mean your not just going to cut an alder tree and start cutting strat bodies. Shese alder is pitchy and full of knots so there has to a premium selection process. I wont say there is more premium alder than premium ash as don't know if it is true or not. Also not many years ago there was little difference in price on some models and none on others. Just so you know. I love both just don't understand 200 dollars price difference when not so long ago it was 50.

Dang, I was trying to get to bed and then my eye lands on this thread...

Hi duffysclub: several reasons for the price difference, which have in part been alluded to by others.

Firstly, ash just costs more than alder from timber suppliers. I've just done a very quick straw poll of timber merchants and I'm seeing approximately a 15 percent price difference, ash to alder. Fender have to pay that and so pass it on to the customer.

Second, I'm not sure what you mean when you say "alder has its finish issues also". Ash needs grain filling, alder doesn't. That's an extra stage in the process, plus drying time for the filler - more expense.

Thirdly, ash is often used on sunburst finishes which take longer to apply: more spray stages and more opportunity to screw up, so more cost.

Lastly, ash looks nice and is percieved by buyers as a premium product - whether it actually is or not. So the company can charge more for it. I for one have paid more for ash bodied guitars on several occasions... so I guess they know what they're talking about!

Now I really am going to bed, cos it's 2.15 a.m. where I live!

Good night - C

Sorry it took a while to respond.
Okay Now I am believing The premium ash bodies on the deluxe models are worth 100 dollars more. Thanks to Ceri I see what Big Jay and folks are saying about Grain value. One can not argue wood prices. We are talking about premium ash so I am not seeing problem finish issue . Cracks and whatever else. Maybe in run the mill swamp ash. My reason for wanting a real good reason for the 200 dollar price difference is founded as Fender use to sell guitars with ash for less than alder. I realize what you say about price difference with wood and would not argue that. But we are not Talking about a big piece of wood. It seems Fender has been using alder and ash right along, and right beside each other for same price also..They probably had an ash stock that needed to be used when the Lead series guitars were in production. (Fullerton Years post CBS). I know Im not going to make a difference in price for the deluxe ash but I have to wonder why the standard is only 100 dollars more in ash. I know most of you would say the deluxe has a better finish than the standard but the finish would be better for alder also. So I still see only 100 dollars warranted difference. And I believe that is all there is to it besides the fact that the deluxe is marked up to much now, Makes me think I should have bought one two years ago but who knew prices on deluxe models would jump as much as they did?. Fender makes the ash argument clear with the price difference on the standards.

Monkey wrench in the gears you also have to remember theres more then one type of Ash. Like most trees there are several species

_________________
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

Fender specs on the American Standard Strat is
Colors
(700)* 3-Color Sunburst, *add $90.00,
(705) Olympic White,
(706) Black,
(712) Candy Cola,
(747)** Sienna Sunburst, (Ash Body),**add $190.00 for Special Wood Requirements,
(755) Blizzard Pearl,
(769) Charcoal Frost Metallic,
(Urethane Finish)
and
Body Alder on:
(700) 3-Color Sunburst,
(705) Olympic White,
(706) Black,
(712) Candy Cola,
(755) Blizzard Pearl,
(769) Charcoal Frost Metallic,
Ash on:
(747)** Sienna Sunburst, **add $100.00 for Special Wood Requirements,

so suggested retail difference is $290 - I bought mine last month for $1250 when the internet price is $1350. Might have been due to it being a 2008 and setup like a train wreck. It had the best acoustic properties out of about 6 American Standards I played, including another Ash. Plus there was some magic about it to me. Believe it or not, it reminded me of my wife. Awe, doesn't that just make your heart go pitter patter.

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

I don't remember where I read this but the article said that most fender body blacks used in MIM's are 25% the cost of those used on MIA's guitars.

_________________
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

Who thinks that the sunburst ash bodies that get effed up go on to become knopfler strats?.

_________________
No no and no

One little aside i would like to add is, the price of wood is largely determined by other industries. the amount of any given hardwood used for guitar making is a drop in the bucket compared to what is used in the furniture industry, or other applications.

A lot of times people get caught up on the ash it more expensive than alder so it must sound better. But it is only more expensive because it is more in demand, but this is more likely due to cosmetic concerns than anything.

The shortage of Honduran Mahogany had nothing to do with production of the Les Paul. It did however affect it the other way around. the production of the Les Paul was definitely altered by the shortage of Honduran Mahogany.

Fender switched to Alder for budget reasons. Here's the thing, at the time no one noticed. Over time, when the vintage instrument craze bloomed the mythology of the earliest Strats grew. Now people are willing to pay that extra money because of the hype.

Ash should only be a touch more expensive, but consumer tolerance has led to the disparity.

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

As far as I am concerned, all wood sounds different. Ash at it's best sounds different than Alder at it's best. It's all a matter of taste. I'll take one of each please.

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

how about 4 of each? SSS & HSS W/Maple fretboard, SSS & HSS W/Ebony Fretboard all with Ash body. Then the same with alder body....wait add the same with Mahogany.... I wonder if i could get the wife to go for this....im sold already.



Jimmie