This had just came in at my local GC. and was not even played by anyone yet. The setup was the closest that I have seen so far right from the factory. A few very minor tweaks and a new set of strings (I always put a new set on). It was made in February of this year (I think). All the strings ring out like bells, and it stays in tune with the bridge floating too.

Here are some pics...

_________________
American Standard Stratocaster

That's one nice guitar. Enjoy it.

_________________
Don't worry, Be happy.

An instant classic. Nice choice.

_________________
An object at rest tends to stay at rest...
and an object in motion tends to stay in motion

Really nice!
That will be one of your best friends for a long time.

Very Nice Mate!! It is just like my 2008 Standard Stratocaster.

I reckon you have the best pick of the bunch...that is why I purchased mine....

Enjoy the Strat Karma!!!!

Wow what a beauty, congrats.

Nice axe Bob. They are easy to keep stock and just play the hell out of them................ Mike

_________________
The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Sweet. Nice score.

_________________
-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

Thanks everyone.

Strat's are really hard to beat. I tried a PRS, and several others that cost twice as much as this, and none of them even compare in quality or playability.

_________________
American Standard Stratocaster

Hello everyone,

I am about to purchase a new US Made Strat, however I need some tips if you please:

1. How to know exactly it is made in usa

2. The year of production - especially for 2010 models - what is the initials of serial number

3. I will buy it from guitarcenter.com - would like to hear your comments.

I believe they have stock for previous year models. I am a bit anxious as I have no idea about their shop storage conditions. There may be some contaminations, damages, etc. on the guitars. Do you agree?

4. Is there any main differences between a 2008 Strat and a 2010 Strat?

5. Is there any new body colors that came out with 2010 Strat models?

I can comment on experience with Guitarcenter.com

I have bought from GC in store, online, and even orderd over the phone from a couple of GC stores (Seattle, Pynn, Illinois). I know that many here have had bad experiences with them but I have not. I have always gotten them to come down on used gear prices and any time there was an issue with something that I bought, they bent over backwards to take care of it. I would also plug zzounds.com. I have purchased 2 guitars from them and multiple other items and they have top notch customer service.

The "modern" models - American Standards, Amderican Deluxes, American Specials, and Highway 1s - will all say "Made in USA" on the back of the headstock right under the serial number. The American Vintage models ('57, '62, '70s) do not say "Made in USA" because the real ones did not say "Made in USA" because every Fender was made in USA until the first reissue MIJ Squires came out circa 1980 (might have been late 70s because they were out in other countries before CBS/Fender brought them over here).



Okay - here is where things get a bit complex. The American Special models are considered 2010 models because they were not introduced until the January 2010 NAMM trade show. However, Fender produced the first runs of these guitars in late 2009 so they could immediately fill orders. You will find American Specials with "Z9XXXXXX" serial numbers which are considered 2009 serial numbers.

Fender also introduced a new version of the American Deluxe line in March of this year, but they also did the first runs in late 2009 so you will find ones with a "DZ9XXXXXX" serial number which would have been found on 2009 American Deluxes. However, the 2010 model will all have the N3 pickups, different finishes, new necks, etc.

Also, Fender does not switch serial numbers over on January 2 of a given year; dating by serial number is not a 100% accurate way to date them.

That being said, Fender has actually used 2 different nomenclatures for 2010 serial numbers. When they first switched over drom the "Z9XXXXXX" numbers they used "10XXXXXX" numbers. However, for these the font of the "10" is almost identical to the font of the other 6 numbers. About May or so Fender switched over to using "US10XXXXXX" numbers - and the "US10" font is clearly different from the font of the other 6 digits. You will find both the "10XXXXXX" and the "US10XXXXXX" numbers on the American Special, American Standard, and American Deluxe models - Fender no longer adds a "D" for "Deluxe" to the American Deluxe models. It is my understanding that all Highway 1s still carry a 2009 (Z9XXXXX) serial number.



I've not bought from them so I'll let others anwers this question.



It depends on the model:

American Standard - no differences; the American Standard was updated for 2008 and has remained unchanged to today.

American Special - a new model that came out for 2010

American Deluxe - updated for 2010. Most of the colors are different, the 2010s have N3 pickups while the older models have SCN pickups. 2010s have a compound radius neck (9.5" to 14") while the older models have a standard 9.5" radius. The switching changed slightly, and the models with the bridge humbucker have an extra switch that bypasses all your control settings and gives you the bridge humbucker at full volume with the tone control disabled. I suggest you look up the American Deluxe on Fender's site - if the guitar doesn't have all those highlighted features then it is an older version.



Again, it depends on the model.

American Standards - no new stock colors, but there have been several limited edition colors for 2010 - an "ebony" with all black, black headstock, and ebony fingerboard; an "ivory" model with "vintage white" finish and matching headstock; and I believe there is a limited run model in some type of nitro finish (but that might be the "ivory" model).

American Deluxes - metallic sunburst, "tungsten" (metallic grey), and metallic olympic white are new for the alder body SSS and HSS models, wine red is new for the ash bodied models (and maybe the aged cherry burst - I just don't remember from last year on the ash bodied model), and the V-neck is now available in black.

Lots of info but hope this helps

John C , thank you so much. This is very helpful.

GuitarCenter is ok, but awful customer support in my experience.

Actually Im a client from Sweetwater and Music123. For the free tax to NY primarly.

After buying from Sweetwater, never shopped anywere else. Their customer relations department is a dream. You will have your own Sales Manager to answer all your questions, not that ticket thing that guitarcenter has. On Sweetwater actual musicians will answer your questions and sell your rig, that what I like from them. And of course no sales TAX for NY. Free shipping as well, and every time I asked for a discount for my sales manager he emailed me with at least 5%.

My last buy was a Fender Special Run American Standard Stratocaster in Mercedes Blue finish and Texas Special pickups. Just awesome, there still 11 from 20 left.

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44771

Mercedes Blue was initially offered on the Custom Shop version of the EC Model and on some Custom Classic Stratocasters. This colour came into the scene in 1996 when Clapton played the famous "one-off" signature Stratocaster guitar built by Mark Kendrick during the "Prince's Trust" charity concert held at London's Hyde Park in June 29th of that year.