Hi all, i just purchased my 1st Fender Stratocaster, a 1997 american standard in gunmetal silver with the white pick guard etc, and tinted maple fretboard, in mint condition, with the original hardshell case, for $600, and i'm in love! i will never be the same! i have a couple of questions i hope someone will help me with, regarding the rear, or furthest back toward the cord pugin jack, tone knob. there is a slight click into place so to speak when the knob is turned all the way up clockwise. i seem to vaguely remember reading something about that click being intended for some kind of tonal, or signal strength bypass of something or other, and i haven't a clue where to find that information again. the other question is, does anyone know, if the 1997 vintage stock pickups on an American Strat are pretty hot/decent, and of the noiseless variety? How i love this guitar! and that 5-way switching! to die for! Any advice here, will be sincerely appreciated! Thanks!

The bottom tone knob is also the TBX control. You can do a search on google and find out more info on that.

I don't know the specs on the pickups they were using at that time.

Thanks man, you are obviously a gentleman and a scholar!

Hi Dave Mercier

As far as I know the 97 American Standard didnt have noiseless pickups. I dont think they were on any model until 98/99. The tone control could be Uor a Delta tone control. At what point is the 'click into place'? If its around the 5 possition its a TBX if its at 10 its a delta tone.

The guitar may have been modified by a previous owner.

Here's a user review of it. Unfortunately the reviewer wants to talk about his effects and amp, rather than the guitar. (first review at the top of the page)

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Fender/American+Standard+Natural+Ash+Stratocaster/25/1

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No no and no

Niks right- it most likely will be a delta tone, or if it has been modified then it could be a TBX...

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well he says turned all the way to the right....so delta tone

Good spotting. TBX had the click in the mid position didn't they?

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Wow, thanks a lot guys, i'm getting quite an education around here!
And thanks Nik, for the laughs last night when i read your bit about the Jimi Hendrix and Esteban faceoff with the bull! I laughed till it hurt man, thanks a lot!

My #2 Tone Pot also clicks at the end of the counter clockwise (1 vs 10) sweep. It's an American Deluxe. I've never found anything in the manual and often wondered if the pot was maybe somehow defective. It's a 2007 model. Any sage advice?

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

Specs on your guitar indicates 'no-load' pots on both hence the detente at 10. Go into products and review it. Same concept for the '97 circuitry. The TBX functions as a standard tone pot from 0-5, thereafter it permits more of the raw pickup signal to pass through and, just in case the question is going to come forward, only the Masterbuilt Clapton's circuitry has a standard tone pot. The Artist and Custom Shop guitars have a TBX.

By the way, Dave, the '97 American Standard still had the 'swimming pool'
routing so if you ever see your guitar with the pickguard removed, don't go into shock. It's supposed to be missing that much wood. Just enjoy it. I had one myself several years ago.

Very proud of you all. Everyone gets an "A" on that question.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Thanks for the speedy reply!!

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix