Hey guys...I'm new here, but not new to Fenders. I've been playing for almost 30 years, and have owned a number of Strats over the years. My old collection consisted of many types of guitars, but I did own a Squier Strat at one time (early in my playing days), and I owned a Japanese Strat which I bought used back in the late 90s.

A few years ago, I sold off most of my guitars for financial reasons, and recently started building up a new collection. I'm much more selective these days, and will only buy top shelf, USA-made guitars (with the exception of a Japanese-made Ibanez Prestige Team-J-Craft.

Anyway...to get to my point (and I'm sorry if it's been brought up here already...I did search it to no avail). I purchased an American Deluxe Strat back last winter...absolutely beautiful guitar...since then, I've been in love with everything Fender (including Jackson and Charvel guitars)...I've purchased a PC-1 Jackson, and 3 Pro-Mod Charvels...incredible instruments. Then, last week I picked up a Strat American Special. I was going to buy just an American Standard, but actually liked the Special more...I just liked the feel of it better...I liked the less finished neck...I guess it's pretty reminiscent of my Charvels...with the fret edges a little less finished and the satin feel/finish on the back of the neck...maybe it's just me

So now I'm just trying to put together a little list of the differences between the two...and why the Standard is a couple hundred $ more.
From what I've read, there's a pickup difference...particularly the humbucker in my HSS vs. the hum in an Standard HSS. I have the 'Atomic'..and the Standard has a "diamondback" Can anyone provide a little description of the difference between the two. I really like the Atomic...it's a hot pickup...perfect for my style of playing.
Other differences that I've been able to find include the fret board setup...apparently the Standard has a more refined, "hand rolled", rounded fretboard...the Standard also has different single coil pickups - Alnico V's vs. the Special's Texas Specials...and a different finish on the wood. Of course, the Special only comes with a gig-bag...Aren't the tuners and bridge the same in both (with the exception of the "copper-infused" bridge block in the Standard)? Finally...of course, the head stock is different on the Special.

I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me a list of the differences...just for my own info. Perhaps I've already got a pretty complete list. Like I said, I loved the Special, despite it's lower cost. At the same time, I may very well consider picking up another strat at some point..and it very well could be a Standard (or even another Deluxe...depending on my financial situation

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my loooong post. Great forum...and great info...much appreciated.

Todd

You already got a nearly complete list of differences. In addition:
*The Am Special doesn't have the micro-tilt neck adjust or biflex truss rod.
*The Am Special has a vintage type 6 screw bridge, while the Am Std has the 2-point trem.
*Am Spcl has Greasebucket tone control on the neck and bridge pickups, no tone control on the middle pup. Am Std has the Deltatone system with tone on neck pup and no-load tone is shared by middle and bridge pups.

Am Std - http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0110400747

Am Spcl - http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0115602309

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.