Hi , I've bought a new Strat Am Standard 2008, and I compared it with my old Gold Elite 1983 and it's a lot lighter!

It's also lighter than the 1997 Strat, anyway it sounds very good...

It's normal?

It would probably vary, yes. Most likely different wood types were used on the guitar, which could greatly effect the weight when compared to another with different wood.

yes, is varying. The weigth for the new standard is round about 3,5 kg.
Comared with my Lone Star Strat is that near the same.

cheers

i have noticed the light weight as well when i was trti ng them out at guitar center

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Guitars: Hamer Daytona, 1995 MIJ Fender Tele, Squier Bullet Strat, Dixon Se, Fender Acoustic

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Each Strat is a individual guitar. Even guitars just a few serial numbers appart, because of the varience in wood, can be radically different in weight, tone, etc.
Consider to that wood from the top of the tree will be lighter than the wood from the bottom of the same tree.

It seems to me that the newer strats with ash bodies seem to be lighter weight.

For example, I played several new american standard strats at the store and then I picked up the
[url=http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0110100747]2008 American Standard HSS *Sienna Sunburst Rosewood
[/url]
It seemed lighter than any of the others there.

I had always thought Ash was a heavier weight wood... lol
Is the 2008 American Standard with Ash body lighter weight than the 2008 American Standard with Alder?

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explorationx

That's a beautiful axe you got there. How much did it set you back if you don't mind me asking.

It's alot of $$$ (I am buying them brand new).
I got the Sienna for like $1080 i think it was and the Tabbacco burst for like $1429.

I'm confused. Do I want my strat to be light in weight or heavy? Which is best for overall sound quality?

OK...I have to say...I just bought an american std strat this week. From the serial # (Z8xxxxxx) it's a 2008 model (bought it brand new). This is a light guitar. I also have a 1986 Squier Bullet 1 (don't laugh, I bought it new and I'll NEVER part with it- it's badass). Anyway, the bulet is prob twice as heavy as the new strat. Totaly surprised me. But it remains to be seen if the sustain is on a par that it should be..

Pic is attached. Final note...I was going to buy this in the next few weeks; however I went into best buy...they mismarked it with a MIM price ($524). I buy a lot there so I wouldn't take advantage. I told the gal there the price was wrong..she said it's on sale. Then I said no, that's a mex tag on the am strat. She said it's on clearance. I said no it's wrong. She got snotty and said "IT"S ON SALE". I bought it. so $524 for an american standard AND they threw in a G&G tweed case...I got really lucky...


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I suppose I could say what my lineup is..

2009 Taylor acoustic/elec
2009 Fender Telecaster MIM
2008 Fender Amer standard strat
1986 Squier bullet 1 (3 pickup)
2007? Ibanez V70 acoustic/elec
2007 Fender MIM P-Bass
200? Rogue Bass (sux)
2010 Gibson Les Paul

lots o' recording gear

You have to understand that there are two different types of Ash, there is the more common Northern Ash and the Southern swamp ash.

Fender first used swap Ash as it is lighter, but in a cost cutting management decision by CBS they went to northern Ash, and the the wight nearly doubled.

As I understand it, the new owners in Corona have gone back to swamp Ash.

Personally I find the lighter guitars play more alive and vibrate as you play, the heavier ones to me at least play dead.
As to sustain, well in a tremolo strat the tremolo block has more to do with that then the weight of the wood does.

There is no standard "best" for sound quality. Personally, though, I think you have better chance of better sustain with "heavy". But you typically want it to be light so it is more comfortable for longer periods while standing. My MIM Standard ... just as a single data point ... weighs in at 8.5 pounds (which is typical for current Strats) and has sustain for days ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

The Amer.Strats are top line..

Light is more resonant and therefore louder acoustically and Heavy has better Sustain.

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Music's the only thing that makes sense anymore, man. Play it loud enough, it keeps the demons at bay.