I just picked up an american standard and the first third and fifth position buzz like a mother lover. Any ideas on how to fix? I'd hate to have to return it because i don't think I should have to replace the pickups on a brand new strat. I've always wanted a strat and finally got one but this is no good. I'm sure I'm not the first person this has happened to but if this costs big bucks to fix I'm afraid the Strat goes back and I won't get one again.

The 1st, 3rd, and 5th positions are supposed to hum . Its called 60 cycle hum and its just the nature of single coils unless you get a noiseless set. Its not a big deal and most people just deal with it as you can't really hear it once your playing.

Laptops can make even the quietest guitar noisey as anything. I do my solo writing and home rehersal in front of a laptop and have to push it far enough away to not inject tons of noise into any guitar I have.

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

sounds like your neck may be a bit too straight or "overbowed". Perhaps bring it tothe dealer you bought from, or an authorized service center for a set-up or perhaps visit
http://www.fender.com/support/articles/stratocaster-setup-guide

cheers,
rob

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rob Schwarz
Director,Fender Customer Service
Proudly serving Fender Customers
for over 30 years

non noiseless single coils buzz in 1,3,& 5 but it's not noticable when you're playing, but to possibly reduce (but not remove all) the buzz, remove all "green" or flourescent lighting, and other electronic equipment from the circuit the amp is plugged into.

Fender (among others) make some pretty groovy noiseless p'up sets, Fender calls theirs N3....a lot of players say they have a "wet blanket" effect on the overall tone, which they do to a degree, but the individual player has to decide whether they want crystal clear tone w/some buzz during downtime, or buzz free p'ups w/a slightly thicker, muddier tone.

I have an American Deluxe w/the N3s and LOVE it for a lot of the stuff I play, I also have a clone w/some absolutely b*tch*n' standard vintage p'ups that buzz a bit, but have such great tones that the buzz just doesn't matter.

some folks just keep their 5-way in pos.2, but I can't do that.

let us know what you decide to do.....good luck....and, welcome to the forum !

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