Dear Fender!

My new 2012 American Standard Stratocaster in Sienna Sunburst with maple neck and fretboard has the serial number: US12039724. (Yesterday I wrote it.)
I would like to ask:
- is the serial number OK? (Is it for the guitar I bought?)
- from what kind of wood what is body made? It is an ash body /they said. It is heavier, than my Standard black alder Strat from 2010. Is that OK? Ash is heavier than alder?
- the vibrato arm's tip isn't aged white - it's white (only the knobs and the switch is aged white). Is that OK?

Thank You!
Zoltan Papp
zoltanvonpapp@gmail.com

Yes

There is nothing wrong with the ash body being heavier than the alder one.

I suspect that there are different subspecies of ash, but any two pieces of ash, alder, etc. will each weigh a little different from the next. Guitar manufacturers often offer light weight ash bodies at a premium. Some people actually prefer a denser body.

Most importantly, I bet your guitar sounds great!

Hi!

Thank You for Your answers, and dorry for my not understanding, but
- is the serial number OK?
- my guitar's body is ash? (The guitar what Fender made with this serial number was an ash bodied guitar?)
- when was it made?

The sound is great and the instrument is beautiful! I love it!

Waiting Your answer, have a nice day:
Zoltan

Hi Zoltan,

I too have just purchased a USA 2012 Stratocaster in 3 tone Sunburst. I understand the bodies to be Alder except the Sienna Sunburst which I beleive is Ash. The tip on my tremolo arm is also white.

Regarding the weight:-
The first one that I purchased had a minor probem so had the guitar replaced. Before I returned the first one I weighed it, so have a record.

Weights of all my Strats are as follows:-
1979 USA Strat = 8.5 lb Alder (I believe)
2011 Squier Strat = 7.8 lb Alder
2012 USA Strat = 7.4 lb Alder (first one)
2012 USA Strat = 7.1 lb Alder (second one)

It is all to do with the density of the wood as to whether the guitar is heavier or lighter. It shouldn't really make much difference to it's sound/playability.

My serial number is: US12128467

Mine sounds great too. Just ordered myself an 'EasyMute' tremolo arm for it.

I hope the above helps.

Kind regards
Roger

Thank You!
I am waiting for the serial number answer - if it is OK or not.

The serial number is OK

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what does the EasyMute do?

EasyMuteHomepage

Makes Hank's smile wider...

(Sorry, couldn't resist - two seconds google would have helped and without that lame joke)

Yeah, I've looked over the site, and I can't find any explanation of what it is the EasyMute does.

The 'Easymute' tremolo arm is bent through a right-angle downwards after it emerges about 20mm from the bridge. It is then bent again after about 25mm to assume a parallel line with the strings. The idea is that the arm is out of the way giving you better access to palm-mute the strings. I don't know if my explanation is very clear, but if you go to the website http://www.easymute.freeserve.co.uk/ all will be revealed.

Thanks for the explanation. I think I get it now.