OK, so I have this Fender American Select Stratocaster (S/N DZ7061789), which I bought second hand. The serial number indicates 2007.

My doubt: is it possible that by that time Fender produced this model with (i) regular tuners (non-locking), (ii) with non-pop-in tremolo bar, and (iii) with a spring tree in the headstock?

Thanks anyone out there who might help!

Best regards,
Ciro

We need photos to figure out what you have.

I can't recall any regular production 2007 model called an "American Select" - unless it was a special run done for a big retailer like Guitar Center. Is it the one that has a mahogany body? Of course with any of these "special runs" all bets are off in terms of how the retailer could have set the guitar's specs.

You could also email the serial number to Fender's consumer relations at consumerrelations@fender.com for more info - although I suspect they are now off for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hello,
Thank you so much for the help! Yes, this is sort of a special run made for Guitar Center and Musician's Friend, but it's been going on for 4 or 5 years now. It is the one w/ mahogany body, you are right.

I'll e-mail Fender and see what they say.

Thanks!

Ciro

I guess I didn't realize those were called the "American Select".

If I'm remembering correctly there was a first run (it might have been a larger FSR run that was available at several dealers) back in 2003 or so that was an American Deluxe HSS with the mahogany body and black painted headstock.

The later runs for Guitar Center/Musician's Friend were based on the HSS American Series with a mahogany body - so the GC/MF guitars would have had the S-1 switch (like all American Series HSS Strats made from say August 2003 through the end of 2007), non-locking tuners, and the regular trem. I wasn't aware that they carried the American Deluxe "DZ" serial numbers; I've not seen one in person as we didn't have a GC here until earlier this year.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... ric-guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL1j_fHuxjI

Someone may have added the string tree and changed the locking tuners to non-locking ones.

_________________
Bill

It's interesting to note that while the photos on the Musician's Friend site show locking tuners when you scroll down to the specs it states the guitar comes with the staggered-height non-locking tuners (like an American Series/current American Standard). There must have been a spec change during the run.

This video specifically mentions the locking tuners (1:03 min) and pop-in trem arm (1:15 min):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ItNl3I ... re=related

_________________
Bill

that youtube video of the fender select stratocaster review is mine...

i brought the guitar in Nashville, TN, and played an exact same model up in Ohio this summer.

it is a 2010 model, also played a 2011 one...

texas specials in neck and middle, two point trem (pop in arm), lsr roller nut, mahogony body, locking tuners, diamond back humbucker.

i believe there was a SSS version of the guitar at the begining of the 21st century, so around 2000, which did not have locking tuners.

hope this helps

Ah ... Good video and good info.

_________________
Bill

I had the 2004 FSR version and it was as previously described i.e. locking tuners pop in whammy. The model came with tex mex singles. At the time there was an sss version as well with a normal nut. The mahoganys all had a black painted headstock so if yours does it is probably legit. If it has an LSR nut it should not have a string tree. Give the serial to fender and see what specs they come back with.

Thanks so much, guys, for all the help. It appears my guitar has been downgraded by the previous owner, who also put a spring tree. Well, that's life. I e-mailed Fender, let's see what they have to say.