I bought a new '05 American Standard Strat and could have bought a New American special. I liked the sound of the Special better due to Tex-Mex pickups and the neck was a little faster due to the finish. However, the new '05 STD. had dead srting on it and changing them would improve the sound dramatically. The reason I bought the new '05 was it was Marked down for around $1,300 originally and I got it for $749, about fifty bucks less than the Special. I figure it was made from better materials, had the old style two pivot point bridge, neck tilt adjustment and was probably made of better wood. I wish I could find a '05 catalog but the library only goes back to '06.

I had originally bought a Godin Progression, which in my HO is built better and sounds better than any Strat on the Market. I also own a Godin Session which I traded my '93 American Am STD. for across the board. It has the nicest neck of any guitar I own. Unfortunately the Passion had a neck which was a little too flat for me. So i went back to the tried and true Fender C shaped neck.

Any opinions on whether a new '05 AM STD is a better deal at $749 that a new Special at around a grand?

Any info would be appreciated!

Alfonse

You can buy a set of Tex-Mex pups for about 70 bucks.
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=300217

Jeff

Specials have Texas Special pickups, not Tex-Mex.

Most seem to like the American Standards (regardless of year) over the American Specials, but I like the Specials. They are more bare bones and have the basic platform of USA body and neck to mod, if you want.

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'10 American Special Strat
'02 Les Paul R8
'08 Charvel US San Dimas
'85 Jackson Soloist

Splawn Quick Rod

+1

So far I've prefered my am special over any standard I've played. :O

But that's just me.

_________________
2010 American Special HSS 3TSB
Marshall MG15FX

OK, Texas Specials $130
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=301616

You're still well under a grand.

Just thinking...

Jeff

If you´ve played that standard and it felt nice in your hands go and grab it. You can swap for pickups anytime for a few bucks out of the pocket.
I got a Highway 2009 and a Standard 2010, the Highway is same craftmanship as the Special, and I must say the neck on the standard feels much much better to my taste. Luckly my Standard is actually a FSR and came from factory with Texas Specials, oh and a nice Mercedes Blue color! Very very happy with it.