Hey all,

I'm new to the forum and am hoping to soak up some of your experience/wisdom where Strats are concerned. I had a late 80s American Standard Strat (black, maple neck, bought in Dec. '89), which I foolishly sold about 10 years ago. Of course, now I'm really missing the feel and sound of that guitar. I'm curious what model -- if any -- of today's Strats most closely resembles the late 80s American Standard. It had a thin neck, standard sized frets (definitely NOT jumbo), and a pretty mellow tone (some might call it wimpy, but I thought it was sweet). I was having problems keeping it in tune at the time, (even after having a luthier add a couple springs to the tremolo and install a new nut) and sold it, but I find myself more and more wishing I still had it. So...

Thanks for any and all input!

Your alternative could be the be this,[l] http://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/products/Fender-American-Stratocaster-Black-1989.html

I could definitely go the used route, but that's always dicey if you can't actually get your hands on the guitar before committing to purchase it. That one you linked to, by the way, looks like a deluxe of some kind (fancy pickups). It also looks practically brand new!?!

This is what the info say:
Body: Solid, black finish. Body-'89

Neck: Maple neck and rosewood fretboard with dot inlays. Neck-'89

Pickups/Hardware: Upgraded to three lace-sensor pickups and a tremolo tailpiece. Pots-'89

Cosmetic Condition: Super-clean! There's hardly a mark on this beauty!

Case: Hardshell

It's still an 1989 American Standard Stratocaster, only the pickups have been replaced with the lace sensor pickups.

Got ya. I should have read the whole description. I think I'm probably the only person on this board who hasn't heard of the Chicago Music Exchange. Has anyone been there in person? Wow...

CME is a legit dealer. They are awesome guys there. I love what they can get a hold of

Im with ya dude, those are some good years for the Am. Std - I have several from that time period - I have some 91's that I absolutely love as well - I love the feel of those necks!!

Well, I might just have to take a chance on a used Strat. I might shoot Fender an e-mail as well and find out what the main differences are between a modern Am. Standard Strat and the ones from the late 80s/early 90s. Then it's time to start saving up some money. I miss my Strat...

And asg1, you're right: the neck on my '89 Strat is what's making me miss it so much (that and the sweet tone). Eminently playable.