I'm looking to get a Strat and have narrowed my decision to either an American Lonestar Strat (when I can find one) or an American Special. I've read most of the forums about the pluses and minuses of each guitar and still haven't made my decision. It seems from my reading that most people prefer the American Lonestar over the American Special. A lot of those posts were older and I was wonder what the general opinion is these days between the two guitars. While we're at it, how does the MIM Lonestar compare the US Lonestar? Would love to hear your thoughts!!

Thanks!
Dave

I used to have a '97 Lonestar (and I wish I had it back). It really was a nice Strat. I imagine that the American Special HSS would be somewhat similar as they both have the Texas Specials, but I haven't spent enough time paying an America Special to say how its bridge humbucker compares to the Lonestar's Peary Gates Plus. The one thing that I feel gives the Lonestar a bit of an edge is that it comes stock with the Super Switch which allows for coil splitting (BTW; why doesn't Fender offer his on the current MIM Lone Star? It has been offered on other Mexican Fat Strats). I modified mine so that instead of getting the middle pickup only in the third position, I got the neck + rear coil of the humbucker. As is, the stock wiring allows for the front coil of the bucker + middle in the 2nd position whereas the American Special HSS simply gives you the full bucker +middle which takes away hum cancellation and sounds a bit different which is not necessarily a bad thing. Have you also looked at the American Standard HSS? It has Tex-Mex singles rather than the Texas Specials and also has the 5-way super switch.

That's one of the things I was wondering.. which humbucker do people prefer and why? Are there any other things that I should consider when deciding? Don't remember hearing anything about the super switch. Do ALL American Lonestars have that? Should I even be considering the Deluxe Lonestar? If I decide to go with an American Lonestar, what other sites should I be checking besides eBay and Craigslist?

Thanks guys!

Dave

The 5-way super switch was standard on all US Lonestar Strats (along with the Big Apple Strat). There was an MIM Deluxe Fat Strat and a Deluxe Double Fat Strat that also utilized this switch. In addition, the Blacktop Strat, Floyd Rose Strat, and the Standard HSS Strats also use this switch (which makes it rather strange that a Deluxe model would not have this feature). IMO, the current MIM Deluxe Lonestar Strat is a fine choice and it would be a relatively simple mod to replace the regular 5-way switch with a super switch.

Still not sure which to get.. Any opinions on the American Special if I can't find an American Lonestar? Any opinions on the Atomic Humbucker vs. The Pearly Gates? I really like the big Headstock of the Special. Can someone explain the "greasebucket" circuit? Does the Lonestar have this? How does hardware compare between the two guitars? Tuners, electronics, etc.

Dave

The greasebucket circuit is a tone control which utilises a special capacitor to reduce the lows when you roll off the treble.

With a traditional tone control your sound becomes muffled as you've too much lows into the mix.

You may want to compare the Special to the Deluxe Lonestar so you can at least compare the humbuckers. FWIW, the Pearly Gates Plus is specially made for Fender and is a bit different than Seymour Duncan's regular production Pearly Gates pickup. The Lonestar Strat did not/does not have the greasebucket circuit.

I love my Lonestar. The only thing I wish it had was the Jumbo frets that the Special has. The CBS era headstock is cool on the Special too, but I like the look of the Lonestars better.

_________________
"If it ain't one thing, it's another."

Well I found a used Fender American Special HSS that looked to be in NEW condition on Guitar Center's website. Thought it would be worth a shot if it's as nice as it looks. Instead of $849.. the used price was $599. Comes with gig bag and 30 day money back policy if I don't like it...

So.. now... what say you about this guitar for the price? Between this and the American Lonestar.. I also like the jumbo frets better as well as the old style headstock. I guess I'll see if I like the Atomic Humbucker better than the Pearly Gates...

Dave

You got a nice deal on that. I feel that for the price of a new one, the American Special isn't that much of a bargain. Depending on the finish (ie; the black one), you can get an American Standard HSS with a hard shell case for only $50.00 more. As far as the guitar itself, though, it's a great Strat and offers some features not available on the American Standard. Congratulations on your score. Hopefully I'll be as lucky.

I'm a big fan of the US made lonestars...but to be clear, I prefer the 2000-2004 models, when Fender changed the names to the American Series Texas Special Fat Strat. I'd look for those...they upgraded the tuners to staggerd tuning machines, eliminating a string tree, gave the necks rolled fingerboard edges (more comfortable edges) and went back to the H-S-H routing instead of the swimming pool routing of the 90's (that doesn't make a whole lot of difference, but I would rather have the H-S-H routing.

I owned one about a year or so ago that got stolen...I'm still trying to find a replacement for it. They are great guitars, very versatile.

The string tree on the G and D strings is completely unnecessary. On my '93 American Standard, I have recently removed it and now find that (in conjunction with locking tuners that also have staggered string posts) my guitar stays in tune so much better when using the trem. In fact, I actually use the trem now!

That's a great price on the AM Special. They are approximately $799 new. I have the SSS version and love it. Still you should play both and then make your decision. Not sure what the neck shape is on the Lonestar but the Special is a modern C. Buy the one that feels the best to you. You can always swap pickups later.

Both guitars share the same neck profile.

Well I got the GC used American Strat in today to join my G-Dex3 30 amp and I think I'm gonna like the sound. However, the guitar is going back to my local store. They did not include the gig bag nor tremolo and there were a lot of dings on the body. Think I'll pay alittlebit more and get this new. With the$150 off coupon, a new one will only cost an extra $100. Love the clean sounds with this combo and the humbucker will do the trick. I'm still wondering how it compares to the pearly gates of an American Lonestar. Should I hold off and try and find the US Lonestar or go ahead and get the new Ameican Special?? Kinda back to square one.... Let me know soon... This Strat is going back this Friday!

Thanks again guys!

Dave