What exactly is this?

Twelvebar · **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:21 pm

paris wrote:

Twelvebar wrote:

I'll point out that the person who told you it was an American Standard probably wasn't trying to deceive you. The 'American Series' was only a temporary rebranding of the line that had been known as the American Standard, and is once again called by that same name.

Ceri basically said that, but it was worth clarifying. Whoever you got it from wasn't trying to represent your guitar as a more expensive model or anything.

The change from the American Standard to the American Series and back to American Standard was more than a little re-branding. There are quite a few differences between these guitars.

Am Std: Swimming pool pickup cavity, different pickups and slightly different body contours. Different neck shape. Different Bridge saddles. '80s Fender logo until '96 (or there abouts) when the Fender logo changed back to the vintage style.

Am Series: Return to the three pickup cavity (bridge position had a slightly bigger cavity for HBs). Rounded "broken in" neck. Staggered tuning keys. more authentic body contours. Return to the vintage bridge block and saddles. Updated pickups.

As to the new Am Std. I'm not sure about them. I no knowledge on them. Also this is not a comprehensive list of changes. I'm going by memory.
Now if you mean “re-branding” as all the changes made to the Strat than forgive me for writing this. This post is not meant to be critical of the quoted person’s post, but trying to clarify the post.

What I was trying to get at was, the person selling it wasn't trying to represent it as anything other than the entry level (or base line,) American Stratocaster.

paris · **Posted:** Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:38 pm

stratoBobster wrote:

paris wrote:

stratoBobster wrote:

Note that Fender says that all 2004 American Standard strats have the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Neck plate. Do you have that?

This isn't true. Only the 50th Anniversary American Series, the Deluxe and MIM Gold Strat have the neck plate. The regular American Series Strats did not have the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Neck plate.

Well, actually, it is true. This is no big deal and I hope you don't think I am trying to be argumentative. I am just trying to help. I have two plain (vanilla) American Standard 2004 Stratocasters with the 50th Anniversary neck plate. This topic has been discussed here many times.

Here is a regular American Standard like mine. If you scroll way down, you will see the neck plate:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-Fender-Stratoc ... 6492wt_948

Also note the email Fender sent the member that started this thread. Towards the bottom of the info, they mention the neck plate on American Series Stratocasters.

I was looking at my copy of the 2004 Frontline catalog and it shows the neck plate being the regular Fender neck plate for the 2004 American Series Strats. Also the catalog never mentions the 50th Anniversary neck plate in the American Series product description. The 2004 50th Anniversary American Series, which only came in 2-color sunburst, does list the Anniversary neck plate as one of its features. I'm still not convinced that All American Series Strats in 2004 came with the Anniversary neck plate. I’m not sure what to make of all of this. I wish there was some way of confirming it. I’m going to contact Fender and see what they say.

Midniterambler · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:07 pm **Posts:** 267

ftgokie wrote:

I was told it was a 2004 Fender American Standard, but I am unsure. I know it was made in the Corona plant between 2004-2005, but thats it. I would like to know if it is an American Standard or not. I gave $350.00 for it last weekend. I am 43 and this is my 1st guitar and will be a hand me down in about a year when my 10yr old son gets better from taking his guitar lessons...thanks

The Ser# is Z4023041

$350 is an excellent buy for that guitar. And you mentioned the black pickguard. Probably didn't come with it, but could have been changed by the person that bought it.

stratoBobster · **Joined:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:21 am **Posts:** 959

paris wrote:

I was looking at my copy of the 2004 Frontline catalog and it shows the neck plate being the regular Fender neck plate for the 2004 American Series Strats. Also the catalog never mentions the 50th Anniversary neck plate in the American Series product description. The 2004 50th Anniversary American Series, which only came in 2-color sunburst, does list the Anniversary neck plate as one of its features. I'm still not convinced that All American Series Strats in 2004 came with the Anniversary neck plate. I’m not sure what to make of all of this. I wish there was some way of confirming it. I’m going to contact Fender and see what they say.

Hey, I understand.

What is funny is that I was looking around for a picture of a real 2004 50th Anniversary to post for you and I see that you have one! :lol:

I will try and get back to you soon with some pictures of my 2004 Am. Standards.

paris · **Posted:** Sun Jun 05, 2011 7:10 pm

stratoBobster wrote:

paris wrote:

I was looking at my copy of the 2004 Frontline catalog and it shows the neck plate being the regular Fender neck plate for the 2004 American Series Strats. Also the catalog never mentions the 50th Anniversary neck plate in the American Series product description. The 2004 50th Anniversary American Series, which only came in 2-color sunburst, does list the Anniversary neck plate as one of its features. I'm still not convinced that All American Series Strats in 2004 came with the Anniversary neck plate. I’m not sure what to make of all of this. I wish there was some way of confirming it. I’m going to contact Fender and see what they say.

Hey, I understand.

What is funny is that I was looking around for a picture of a real 2004 50th Anniversary to post for you and I see that you have one! :lol:

I will try and get back to you soon with some pictures of my 2004 Am. Standards.

I played about 4 others before I fell in love with the one I own. After the disappointing 40th Anniversary Strat in '94 I really feel like the 50th Anniversary American Series made up for it. It’s a pretty sweet guitar.

When I heard about these guitars I was like, so what? Then I test drove a few. The CS '54 Strat pickups sound great. Also the American Series neck feels better than the American Std. necks. The Gold lined case looks great matched with the 2-color sunburst body. The only change I made was to replace the single ply parchment pick guard with a perliod.

Paris

jimmy_james · **Joined:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:39 pm **Posts:** 1340

Just a couple of points to clarify though nothing is cast in stone.
Most USA fender strats made in 2004 carry the 50th neck plate hence the confusion that everyone thinks they have a 50th anni. These are differentiated by other means.
The am series had a two point tremelo with non vintage saddles.

stratoBobster · **Joined:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:21 am **Posts:** 959

Ceri wrote:

ftgokie wrote:

OK, got an email from Fender...this is what I have...thanks everyone

Model Name: American Stratocaster®
Model Number: 011-7400-(Color #) and 011-7402-(Color #)
Series: American Series
...etc

There ya go.

But I'd like to point out; you heard it here first.

Cheers - C

Hey! I didn't catch the distinction between the American Standard and the American Series. My bad. I found an accessory list and a sticker that came with one of my 2004 strats that use the term American Series.

Thanks Ceri!

I did notice on the Fender email in this thread that they say that the bridges are:

American 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo

Mine are hardtails, so that is not alway true.

Also; the email list the bodies as Alder. My pickguard sticker says alder or ash.

jimmy_james · **Joined:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:39 pm **Posts:** 1340

Ha there's always an exception to every rule eh?
From the ones I've tried I've always preferred the am series over the early am stds.
Hope I'm not offending anyone but they seemed to have a smoother feel and just a more rounded sound.

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