I am interested in a american standard or an american deluxe.I think I like the standard better.Not to sure that I like the jumbo frets on the deluxe but I like that it has texas special pick ups.I am a new player (about a year) and I realize it will be all about feel and what is comfortable as far as playing goes.Just looking for opinions about the 2 models and buying used VS new.Also opinions on the standard pick ups VS the texas specials.I am into rock,punk,blues,some metal,and alternative.My favorite players are SRV,Clapton,and David Gilmore.I am wondering about prices for older models without getting into vintage stuff and big bucks.I wouldn't mind older with some character but I don't want to have to re-fret or get a new neck or any other big repairs.So can anyone suggest a good model year to price ratio?Thanks

What American Deluxe are you looking at? Do you have pics. American Deluxe has medium jumbo frets, not jumbo. Unless you're looking at some dealer special order or something. Did someone put the Texas Specials in it? I don't think they come with Texas Specials either. Should have N3 noiseless pups or Samarium Cobalt Noiseless or some type of noiseless pups I think it was 2004 the pickups changed so before 2004 it would have Vintage Noiseless pups.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

Welcome to the forum. What's your budget?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Thanks for the welcome.I can probably buy a new one so the price of a new one.I would like to save a few bucks so used is an option for me depending on condition and price.

And as for the texas specials,my bad I meant an american special not an american deluxe.OOPS!

i own a few used and a few new guitars and in my opinion a used guitar can be just as good as a new one. If you do by used you will need to play the guitar in person, see the condition it is in, and see if it is a real fender.

good luck

You can definately save a little $ buying used. You can find used guitars that are in great condition. Just shop around some. I bought my 2010 Am Standard for $750.00 used with Custom Shop Texas Specials already installed. It was in new condition. It had some light scratches on the pickgaurd but that's all. I got lucky on it. They're out there for sure.

If you buy from ebay be sure to post it on here for some of the experts to look at BEFORE you buy it to make sure it's not a fake. Or even if you don't buy from ebay, if you have any doubts about what you're looking at, post pics and let us see it.

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"Damn Right I Got the Blues"

nothing wrong with used. you can save some coin buying used.
personally, i wouldnt buy a guitar off ebay, i want to play them before i buy them, new or used.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

I bought an Am Spec. New from GC last week. Great Guitar for $799.00 new in the box. You can most likely find one used at a large music store like GC. With the return policy they have, It shouldnt be too long before someone brings one back in. Be patient and look around. Buying a used guitar over a year or two old, it may have some fret wear depending on how much the person played it. But at the specials price, I'd just buy a new one.

Thanks everyone.I have seen a few on ebay that interested me but I am a little skitish about buying there because of the possibility of being a fake and I like to hold it in my hot little hands before I buy.I am not ruling it out but it might not be my first choice.I am going to a vintage show next weekend to look around plus there are a bunch on craigslist here in my area.How many years back would you go before a guitar might have problems?

age has nothing to do with anything.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Yeah I guess that's true.Depends on how much use and abuse or good care it has.How would I know if it would needs new frets and what would it cost to have it done?Also where can I find a good price guide on used?

price guide there really isnt any. its a buyers market though.
as far as knowing if it needs a fret job, by playing it. more often than not you will run across guitars that need fret leveling not complete fret jobs.
brand new guitars from the factory rarely get fret leveling before they leave the factory.
though they all need it.
a good fret leveling makes a world of difference in playing and comfort.
just go buy you what you want and dont sweat the small stuff bro.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Brand New guitar out of GC...

(1) will need adjustment to your preference. All guitars in a shop are fairly generic setup wise, there is no way that a GC will have a tech go over every guitar in stock for a set up. By this I mean a set up, not just kicking the tires. The cost factor in doing so would not be in their price points, they ( GC ) are in business to move merchandise out the door for the most profit and the least expense to themselves. Therefore the minimum is done.
I do not consider GC's as musical instrument stores, rather Big Box Merchandise Clearance Outlets. Most of the guitars I have picked up there were in need of attention.

(2) New vs Used Only you can answer that.
Some time back I was about to order a CS Strat. Deluxe, $3,000 I came across a pre-owned CS 56 NOS from 2001 cost $1,800. This strat was virtually unplayed since I later found out it belonged to a Fender rep and was used as a show demo only. No scratches, not a mark anywhere. Decision was easy.

(3) Unless a guitar has seen heavy gig use, fret wear should be nonexistent, since you say that you are in either mode of used ( if the right one comes along ) or New then I would set my criteria for used at " Like New " condition.
As far as E-Bay, the sellers rating is key, even though I fall into the camp of playing the guitar first. I prefer to look around music stores for the right guitar when in the market.
I buy my guitars as instruments for a musician, not as part of a collection.
So it usually takes me a few weeks to decide upon the choices.

(4) From your query I suggest that you take a knowledgeable guitarist with you when you have narrowed your search down to a handful. I assume you are not overly sure of what is or is not important, oftentimes something that will disqualify a guitar to many is easily and inexpensively remedied and often can work in your favor.

Good Luck

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Thanks for the input 53magnatone.All sound advice.And you are right that I don't know enough yet to know a major problem from a small one.I am a careful buyer and maybe sometimes I over analyze but this is a fairly costly purchase so I am not going to buy the first shiny thing that comes along.I do have a friend who could help when I think I have found the one.Thanks for the input.