It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:04 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Cost vs. Quality
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:46 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:07 pm
Posts: 99
Okay so i'm asking for a sort of economics lesson here. We have the American Standard Strat currently going for around 999.99$, then the High Way one going for around 699.99 then the fender American Special Strat going for 799.99. All are made in america right? So where are the cost cuts coming from. I know the high way one has a diffrent nitro finish than the american standard. Is it quality of wood, types of finish? I know the american special has Texas Special pups, those are an upgrade over the american standard pups right? Most importantly do these costs cuts affect the tone of these models? Just wondering is all.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:33 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:08 am
Posts: 9034
Location: Louisiana
BigJay wrote:
The answer is "yes".

The differences between the price points, generally speaking, will be quality. Body woods and construction will be superior in the AmStd are a big difference, but whether one sounds better than the other to you is your personal opinion. The neck construction-particularly the bi-flex truss in the AmStd is an upgrade, but may not make that big a difference in reality. The fretwire might be higher/lower quality. The microtilt neck angle tuner in the AmStd may come in handy someday, but I've never used it on mine. The TxSpc pickups are a big upgrade from either of the others (about $100 @ MSRP). But again, whether one pickup sounds better/worse is up to you. The AmStd has a different block which makes a big difference in sound and sustain. Im pretty sure the AmStd still comes with "rolled edges" on the fingerboard, which is allegedly more comfortable.

However, there are subtle differences that carry a higher price that dont really affect playability. The dot-inlays on the AmStd will be nicer, but dont make any difference in sound or playability. The finishes are another example.

While all three guitars are guaranteed to depreciate, the AmStd is likely to depreciate less or at least less rapidly.

I dont think instability or risk of failure of any of these guitars should be a concern.


Plus 1 with BigJay!!!


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 2:26 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:02 pm
Posts: 290
Location: Wisconsin
Part of the added price for the American Std. includes the molded "High-Tech" case which might be of value if you take it on the road. Also the American Std has the High Mass Bridge Block which may have an effect on the tone as well.
My feeling is that the higher end models hold their value much better and I use that as an excuse to buy the best model I can afford. Then I have no excuses. But - I need some.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Cost vs. Quality
Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:54 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:53 am
Posts: 5189
Location: Magnolia, Texas (just north of Houston)
muramasa674 wrote:
Okay so i'm asking for a sort of economics lesson here. We have the American Standard Strat currently going for around 999.99$, then the High Way one going for around 699.99 then the fender American Special Strat going for 799.99. All are made in america right? So where are the cost cuts coming from. I know the high way one has a diffrent nitro finish than the american standard. Is it quality of wood, types of finish? I know the american special has Texas Special pups, those are an upgrade over the american standard pups right? Most importantly do these costs cuts affect the tone of these models? Just wondering is all.


Yes the better parts are put on the American Standards and they have more gizmos; however, every person needs to play many different guitars when shopping. I for one absolutely love the new American Special.

I own a Highway 1. I like the American Special SSS model better than the Highway 1 and American Standard. Of course I love the Highway 1 over the American Standard as well. I like the jumbo frets. The playability of the Highway 1 and American Special are about the same, and IMO better than the American Standard. The Texas Specials do make the tone superior to the tone of the American Standard. As far as sustain, I cannot tell the difference between the three. And inspecting the trem block on my Highway 1, I cannot foresee a bigger block being used. The American Special has the same trem block as the Highway 1. It is a much bigger block than used in the MIM Standard and Squier VM/CV models.

Play all three models and let your hands, fingers, and ears tell you the answer to your question. I have formed my opinions based on my experiences.

These are my opinions of these three guitars and many do not share these opinions. And for those who are so darned worried about that hard shell case that the American Standard comes with, consider this...for the price of the American Standard I can buy the American Special, a nice Fender Tweed case, and a new set of strings to immediately change those nasty floor strings that everyone has been playing on and still have a few bucks left over for lunch before getting home.

Now for the real question, do I need the bi-flex truss rod, 2 point tremolo, and S-1 switch on my Stratocaster. I say....no.

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:31 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:22 am
Posts: 349
Location: Victoria, Australia
Rkreisher's post makes a lot of sense. I also like the H1 due mainly to the jumbo frets, but really have come to like - and prefer - everything about it.

I went to the shop determined to get an American Standard, and wound up with a H1.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Eracer_Team and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: