I just bought a used strat from GC and I just wanna know exactly what i bought since they didn't have too much info other than that it was a 50th anniversary strat.

What i know about the guitar:

1. the serial number checks out 2004 made in the USA (Z4xxxxxx)
2. it has the 50th anniversary chrome neck plate
3. it has a maple fretboard
4. it has chrome hardware
5. sunburst (but i can't tell the difference between 2 or 3 tone sunburst...my best guess from comparing to other Fenders is that it's a 3 tone)


So here are my questions. First, in general, is there a way i can know exactly what kind of guitar i have? Are all the 2004 strats with this neckplate considered 2004 American Series Anniversary Strats? Is there a way i can tell if it's ash or alder? If it is an anniversary strat, is there a way to tell if it has the custom 54's without opening it up?

It's a great guitar and plays amazing so i'm not returning it but i'd still like to know for my own piece of mind.

Does it have a single ply pickguard, no black stripe ???

Did it have a tweed case with the 50th logo inside ??

Ash has a pronounced grain pattern, alder tends to be a bit on the plain looking side.

The two tone burst has absolutely no red in it, it goes from extremely dark brown (near black) to golden honey.

post a picture and we can tell you for certain.

The 2004 50th will be a mess for years to come, even vintage guitar magazines yearly price guide has it wrong.

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

http://img411.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=photo64i.jpg


It's got a three ply pick guard (w/ a stripe)

It didn't come with a case.

i think it's 3 tone then cuz it's got a little bit of dark red in it.

Yep thats a three tone burst.

Not a limited edition, but made in 2004 during the 50th ann. of stratocaster.

this question will continue to rise for a very long time.

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

So i guess i'm SOL?

Well no not really, if your looking for a L/E 50th take this one back.

however you have a fine 2004 fender strat there.

There are still some to be found, you might just have to do a little search now that you know the specs.

Check the thread below this one for even more on the 50th L/E strats made in 2004

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

I have two 2004 American Standard strats. I love the fact that they have the 1954-2004 neckplate to eliminate all the serial number malarkey.

You also have the Delta Tone curcuit on your bottom tone control. If you turn it all the way up to 10, It will cut the tone control out of the curcuit and give you a "wide open" tone as is possible on a stock Esquire and not a tele. If I remember correctly the bridge pickup is hotter than the other two. That's the way it sounds to me.

I still have the pickguard sticker off of one of mine that says the body wood can be alder or ash. I alway wondered if Fender might use the ash on the more expensive sunburst models to show a little more grain.

Here is my 50th L/E

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

one more picture of my 50th with my 52 RI Tele

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

cool...well i guess my question then is, if i don't have the L/E 50th anniversary strat, what specs do i have? my main concern is the wood and the pups. i'm guessing it's alder since it's not an L/E? and the pickups?

thanks for all the help!:)

thanks for the input! how do you know if you have the delta tone circuit? just b/c of the model type?

The delta tone circuit has an indent on the bottom tone pot that controls the bridge and the middle pickup.

You have it, all of the AMSE strats had it.

grab the lower tone knob put it on 10 then turn back towards 9 and you'll feel a slight click, that is the detent.

when on ten the tone pot is removed from the circuit giving you pure tone from your pickups.

The only thing affecting a difference in tone is the C/S 54 pups in the L/E models and only on the AMSE the deluxe has cobalt se pups with the S-1 switching option, just like any other deluxe of that year.

It was the custom shop $3000.00 model and the AMSE that got the 54 pups.

and Fender said the amse C/S 54's were different than the $3000.00 model

_________________
Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive

wow...i really appreciate all the help guys!!!

so just to sum up:

So it's NOT a 50th anniversary Custom Shop and it's NOT a Deluxe. So that means I've got a 2004 American Series Strat and i've got the Custom Shop 54's (and the Delta Tone Circuit).

I still dunno if it's alder or ash...anyone? Is there a way i can tell if it's a solid or 2 or 3 piece body? Thanks for the help everyone!!!

also...any suggestions on upgrading any of the pups? or do people like em just the way they are. To my ear, I absolutely LOVE the neck pickup...it's crazy fat. Just what i wanted. The bridge pickup however is a little thin sounding for my taste in the higher registers. I play mostly jazz soul funk so i like to keep things on the warmer side.

[quote="pentilt[/quote]
so just to sum up:

So it's NOT a 50th anniversary Custom Shop and it's NOT a Deluxe. So that means I've got a 2004 American Series Strat and i've got the Custom Shop 54's (and the Delta Tone Circuit).

I still dunno if it's alder or ash...anyone? Is there a way i can tell if it's a solid or 2 or 3 piece body? Thanks for the help everyone!!!
[/quote]

I believe the pickups in the American Standard are made for the American Standard and not CS 54's. The Bridge pickup is hotter.

If you hold the body up in direct sunlight and turn it about a little, you should be able to see the body pieces. Both of mine are three piece bodies. I would live to know for sure about the wood in my guitars too; weather it is adler or ash. I guess I will have to post a few pics and see if I can get the forum to help me.