I have noticed that the Online Guitar Center has sold out of the American Standard Stratocaster and it also states that they are no longer available. I called customer service and the sales representative stated that they will no longer be receiving anymore American Standard Stratocasters. I know that some Guitar Center outlets have some, but they seem to be flying off the shelves. Does anyone know if these guitars are running for a limited time? I believe that these guitars have been out for a year or so. Will they still be making anymore or was this an edition that was offered for a certain period of time? Any input would greatly be appreciated.

I'm thinking that has to be some sort of mistake. I see what you're saying about GC, but MF still has them and it seems every color combo is available. Very strange.

could be that they are sold out of the 09 strats and wont be recieving any 2010 strats for a little while.

Thanks for your response. I have also checked other websites such as Sam Ash, American Musical Supply, Musicains Friend and they still have some, but no quantity is stated. Other sites such as Music 123 and First Quality Music either do not have them or also state that they are no longer available. I know that Stratocasters will always be in demand, but considering that the American Standard Stratocaster has had certain modifications that seem to make it better than previous versions leads me to believe that these guitars are limited in number. I just feel that these Fender American made guitars represent the best workmanship and quality that Fender has produced in a long period of time. Future American Standards Stratocaster may have upgrades, but the first series are always the best. I guess now is the time to purchase one before they either run out or increase in price.

I know Fender has been pushing these guitars thru rebate programs and they have been moving.As much as people have been raving about the upgrades that happened in 2008, i doubt if any changes will be made.Since it is nearing the end of the year, I can only guess that the supply is getting thin in some places and the 2010 havent been released yet.I have an 08 model with a maple neck and charcoal frost body and it is a killer guitar.The hype is not just hype in this case.

I'm very interested in this guitar. When I played one in Guitar Center I knew they it was different and good. I have an old 72 Strat and I felt the difference immediately. Instead I bought an American Standard Telecaster since I already have a Strat. The Tele had a great sound and a smooth neck you can fly on this guitar. I believed that I could get the Strat when Guitar Center would have a sale or Fender promotion in December. The promotion may come, but there is no guarantee the American Standard Stratocaster in sunburst will be there to accompany it. As I have mentioned previously Fender may upgrade their future models, I hope not because these American Strat are killer. Any changes may be indicative of ruining a good thing. Remember the Strats after 73 were not done with the same motivation as Leo Fender intended. The stockholders were only interested in sales and workmanship was not there first priority. During that period Strats suffered in quality. These new American Standard Stratocasters would have made Leo Fender proud to see that his innovation has gone a step further to refine this instrument.

I think the standard will always be with us in some shape or guise. After all what was a 57 in 1957, to my mind it was just a strat, a standard strat. Perhaps GC are ending their relationship with fender. There was talk of them going under not so long back. Perhaps thats been averted and new managment have decided that dealing with fender is just too difficult in these difficult times. Dunno exactly what stipulations fender put on their stockists, Gibson demand quite extrodinary protocols be adhered to. I've heard fender aren't far behind them. Perhaps thats the reason why. Unlikely I know but strange times make for strange circumstances.

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Sounds to me like Fender may be working on 2010 models, which haven't been announced. That would explain a limited supply being available and it seems like the timing is right for introducing new models... No matter what, I'm sure Fender willl continue producing Am Std Strats...

Probably selling out of the 09s. The 10s probably won't be stocked until after NAMM in January.

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I went to Guitar Center yesterday and inquired about the Fender American Standard Stratocaster and they only had two left on their shelves. I asked the sales representative if they would be receiving anymore because I had gone to their website and none were available. He stated he was not sure. I also mentioned that I had called the Online Guitar Center Website and spoke to a customer representative who checked the inventory and was not able to locate the item. She informed me that it does not seem that they will be receiving anymore and it is possible that some retail stores may still have some. The salesman at Guitar Center also checked the site and also found it strange when he could not find any Fender American Standard Stratocasters and questioned some of the other sales representatives, who had no idea that they were not available at their website. The best answer they could offer was that it could be possible that they are working on the 2010 models. Yes it is true that you can find some website that still offer the Fender American Standard Stratocaster, but for how long? It could be possible that they selling the only ones that they have left? Considering these facts I bought one of the American Standard Strats Guitar Center had left. If you have one more power to you they are great guitars. If you don’t you should not be alarmed because there is a large arrayment of various Stratocasters to buy. It is just this particular model (American Standard Stratocaster) that seems to be few in number. I just found it unusual that the Fender American Standard Strat is not available at Guitar Center Website and that some of their retail store only have a few left.

This is marketing 101 .You dont want to end up with leftovers at the end of the year.The fact that the supply is diminishing in October is probably good news for both Fender and Guitar Center.

I was told once by a guitar shop owner that this time of year it becomes more difficult to get shipments from the guitar manufacturers. They tend to prepare for the coming year and model changes. Shipments typically flow normally again after the first of the year.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

There's no shortage as far as I know... I was chatting in the local music shop (mom and pop chain, not a mass-overpriced-psycho-beat-em-up shop) and the Fender rep called and they placed an order for 2 guitars and some misc items... there's never a limit on the standard model.

New '10 models coming in, '09 going out.

All those online sites (Guitar Center, Muscians Friend, etc) have phone numbers listed on their sites. Perhaps a quick phone call and one of the representatives can tell you. I've done business with Musician's Friend numerous times, and have given them a call for one reason or another, and they've always been helpful to me.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne