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Post subject: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:15 pm
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Hi all,

Been looking to get a good used strat. Found a local listing for a 2004 50th Anniversary American Standard for $650. I have inquired and seems that the owner doesn't know a ton about the guitar... He is the original owner and the guitar is in good shape, but doesn't know much about the specs. My question for the board - were all 50th anniversary standards built with the same specs (c neck, med jumbo frets, glossed fretboard, etc.) or were there variations? If they are all the same, anyone have a link that lists the specs? I know that the 50th deluxe and standards will be different, but curious about consistency of the standards.

Second question... I have also found a 2011 American Standard, upgraded with Lollar Blackface pups for $900. I know the owner of this guitar has taken great care the instrument. Is it worth the extra $250? The first seller doesn't necessarily make me nervous, but he definitely doesn't seem quite as knowledgable about the guitar..

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:51 pm
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Regarding the 50th Anniversary Strat - we would need some photos or more info to determine if it is an actual "50th Anniversary Stratocaster" limited run model or "just" and American Series strat with the 50th Anniversary neck plate on it. Almost all 2004 American Series Strats had the commemorative neck plate on them (until Fender ran out of them toward the end of the year); the "special" model was maple fingerboard only, 2-color sunburst only, came with pickups based on the Custom Shop's "1954 pickups", and had a commemorative tweed case. If it is any other color or has a rosewood fingerboard then it's a typical 2004 American Series Strat.

One thing I can tell you is that back then the maple fingerboard models did not have the glossy finish on the fingerboard itself; Fender was still using a satin finish on all the neck surfaces back then (and did so from 1987 until 2008 when the "revised" American Standards came out).

One other thing - someone please refresh my memory: did 2004 Highway 1 Strats also have the commemorative neck plates, or did they stick with the regular plain neck plate in 2004?


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:57 pm
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That's partially my concern - I'm not experienced enough to know if it's a 50th anniversary model, even if I saw it in person. Here's the ad with a few pics. The serial # is Z4017170

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/msg/4268144826.html


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:26 pm
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Necks out of alignment . Look at the bass side of the neck , the bass strings are way too far over

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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:22 pm
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Wasn't aware that fender didn't start using the gloss finish on the fretboards until '08. Thanks, good to know.

Do people think $900 is a fair price for a 2011 American Standard (has been played but essentially in mint condition) with Lollar Blackface Pups installed? Or still too high. This one would be shipped so wouldn't have the option of playing before buying. Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:49 pm
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That one appears to be a "regular" 2004 American Series Strat in 3-color burst.

Just to add - Fender used to use gloss-finish fingerboards on the maple board models for decades (basically from the Strat's birth in 1954 through 1982 when they really began adding models). Even though "modernized" models had satin finish fingerboards the reissue models kept using the glossy fingerboards. Fender just added the glossy fingerboard finish to the American Standard/Series model in 2008.

The Lollars are supposed to be really nice pickups; I've not played a Strat with one but I did own a set-neck from Collings that had Lollar P90s and those pickups were outstanding. I still think that $900 might be a bit high for the 2011 with the Lollars; I would start with offering $750/$800 and try to meet in the middle.


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:46 am
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Bump for more thoughts on price of the 2011 Am. Standard.

John C, where about in KC are you? Have worked in Chicago the past 4 years but born and raised in KC (Leawood & Prairie Village).


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:28 am
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blakeg11 wrote:
Bump for more thoughts on price of the 2011 Am. Standard.

John C, where about in KC are you? Have worked in Chicago the past 4 years but born and raised in KC (Leawood & Prairie Village).


Just relocated to KC at the start of 2012 from Louisville KY; we're out in Overland Park (not too far from Leawood actually) but I do the commute to downtown daily.


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:48 pm
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It's annoying that Fender made it that hard to distinguish between the regular standards and anniversary ones.

I checked out a 40th ann strat at the Hobart IN GC that turned out to be just a standard.
I'm sure somebody will buy it eventually......


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:22 pm
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John C wrote:
blakeg11 wrote:
Bump for more thoughts on price of the 2011 Am. Standard.

John C, where about in KC are you? Have worked in Chicago the past 4 years but born and raised in KC (Leawood & Prairie Village).


Just relocated to KC at the start of 2012 from Louisville KY; we're out in Overland Park (not too far from Leawood actually) but I do the commute to downtown daily.


Cool. I'm bias but I think you will really enjoy KC. Great city. I regularly hear first time visitors comment on how surprised they are with all that KC has to offer.


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:25 pm
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blakeg11 wrote:
Cool. I'm bias but I think you will really enjoy KC. Great city. I regularly hear first time visitors comment on how surprised they are with all that KC has to offer.


Some great barbecue fare there as well!

8)

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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:30 am
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One more bump for thoughts on $900 price tag of the 2011 american standard with lollar blackface pups.


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 6:34 pm
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Somw things you should know:
1. The there several 50th Anniversary Strats: Custom Shop version which is an exact replica of a 1954 Strat; the American Deluxe with 3-color-sunburst, gold hardwear, abilone dot inlay, locking tuning keys and Noiseless pickups; MIM Gold Strat and the American Series 50th Anniversary Strat.

2. The American Series 50th Anniversary Strat only came in 2-color-sunburst, a singgle ply-partchment pickguard & plastic parts, Custom Shop '54 pickups and a tweed case lined in crushed gold lining and a special 50th Anniversary badging.

I own one of these guitars and I love it. It's one of my best sounding/playing Strats I own.

This link might help:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/Fender-2004-5 ... 321/g.html


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Post subject: Re: 2004 50th Anniversary Strat - question(s)
Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:07 pm
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Pardon me for the correction on a minor point the deluxe is also two colour sunburst but with an alder body.
A great link thanks Paris!
Both the USA deluxe and std are easily identified since they came with a tweed case with a gold interior and 50 th emblem. :D


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