I am going to buy an American Standard in the next couple months, but I'm wondering if Fender updates their models every year? For example, if I buy what the local stores are carrying now, will I be buying the "2010 American Standard Strat", or is it more of a random update situation?

I'd like to buy the most updated model, thus would consider waiting for the 2011 model to roll out if there is such a thing.

Thanks for your comments.

I'm sure you've seen this caveat before in all Fender brochures and literature......

"Product specifications are subject to change without notice."

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Just go on and buy it already. A stratocaster will always be a stratocaster, regardless of the year of production.

Let me give you a suggestion for a exclusive American Standard so you wont be sorry at all.

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

I bought one of those and Im very happy with it. Its a limited run of 20.

Hi rdevooght, welcome to the Forum.

Like Retroverbial says, Fender make small adjustments to models now and again without announcement. Color changes, for example.

They also sometimes give models bigger make-overs, calling them "upgrades" or similar. That tends not to happen every year, but perhaps every two or three or four years. When they do that the new models are often announced at the NAMM in January. So if you want to be certain about the latest specs on that US Standard you are chasing you might want to wait till the New Year and see if something comes along.

But if you like the specs just how they are right now - then buy it now! Or put it on your Christmas list...

Cheers - C

Thanks to everyone for the comments.

Ceri - can you remember when the last big update was done?

joaokorb - I hear you. By the way, is that Limited edition available only through the online store? Like the looks of that guitar a lot.

Last update was 2008, and only minor updates as for saddles pickups and other stuff.
That Limited is only avaiable at sweetwater. Only 8 left from whole 20 far as I know.

Right, 2008. Bent steel saddles in place of the previous block ones; the copper infused trem block; a slight tint to the neck lacquer; and a couple of other tiny things that slip my memory. New pups? Don't recall.

Up grades are seldom more than that. Frankly, you could take a Standard Strat from 20 years ago and more would be the same than different. And that's a good thing.

I don't see a reason for waiting around for the next up grade just so as to have the latest spec. But I say that, you buy the guitar immediately - and then in January Fender will announce the new Am Std with laser disintegrator button. Or something. Then you'll be cursing me!

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

Cheers - C

Remember not all upgrades really make that big of a difference (or even liked by all as far as that goes) If you like the guitar, buy it....then start saving for another one that might or might not have a up-grade in a year or two.

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2008 Am. Std. Strat
2008 Am. Deluxe Strat
2010 Am. Deluxe Strat
2011 Am. Std. Strat
2011 Am. Std. Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe
Hot Rod Deville 410

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll forget about waiting around and get shopping ASAP.

Quite right too.

I've been in the situation where I've waited for the latest Strat to come in to the stores, after reading about it. 6 months later you're still waiting.. especially in Europe. The differences will be minimal.

Try out a bunch of Strats you like the look of, then buy the one that feels best to you.

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

History of modern Strat "updates" and some of the telltale features:

1986-2000 = American Standard (TBX tone system, 2 string trees, thicker Fender logo on headstock).
2000-2007 = American Series (DeltaTone system, 1 string tree, staggered tuners, back to spaghetti logo on headstock).
2008-current American Standard (vintage style saddles replace block ones, gloss finish on ones with maple fretboards, new style case).

So the modern Strat isn't due for another makeover until....2019???

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

'Course, another way to look at this is that if a Strat has last year's specs, or last decade's, then it is that much closer to becoming "vintage".

That may matter to some...

Cheers - C

I kinda dig that thing. Like if Fender discontinues the Highway One for the American Special this year, then I´ll keep my HWY1 2009 serial Z9XXXXX for its Vintage value. In about 10 years it´ll be a expensive instrument.

Whoah! Hold on there. There is a difference between 'vintage' and 'pre-CBS Fender vintage'. Yes everything will become vintage (antique, ancient, etc) at some point as it gets older. But, just because something is old doesn't make the price skyrocket...it's supply and demand that dictates that. Hence why 50's and 60's Fenders prices have skyrocketed in price. Collector$ want guitars from Fender's golden age and there will always be a premium for them.

For example, a 2009 Highway 1 Strat won't have appreciated 1000X in 2059 like a 1959 Strat is worth today (inflation taken into account). There have been thousands upon thousands of Highway 1's made since 2002. There is only a finite number of pre-CBS Fenders and that is what all our heroes played and what the new instruments are judged to, so once again that is why those 'vintage' ones will always appreciate more than others.

p.s. At least 20 years needs to go by for something to even be remotely called vintage. 10 years and it's just called 'used'

p.p.s. Nice lookin' Strat.

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

That matters A LOT to me, of course.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.