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Post subject: Help to identify a Fender Stratocaster!
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 3:54 pm
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I am new to Fender guitars and I would like some help to identify this specific model. I would like to know if this Fender is a real American Standard model. The serial number is Z1260604, and according to the Fender serial number page (U.S. Product Dating) it was made in 2001 (Z1260604).

Is it a real Standard American Model? If it is true: Are the 2000´s Fenders Stratocasters best than the 90's?
Can you help with some information about the specs? It looks like an alder body and maple neck. And the bridge?

What´s the mean of the text "Pat Pend" below the traditional "original countour body" in the headstock?

Take a look at the pictures.
Thank you in advance and I am sorry if it is the wrong place to ask this kind of question.

Sergio

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Post subject: Re: Help to identify a Fender Stratocaster!
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 5:34 pm
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Hi Sergio, Sorry to have to tell you this, but your Strat appears to be a fake. The neck seems fake. You can tell from the type of script used and the truss rod hole looks really crude. American Strats have the smaller walnut plug. The pickups are not Fender Noiseless. The magnets do not look correct as well as the pickup covers. The pickups may be cheaper Squier ceramic magnets with fake Noiseless covers. I am not sure of the body just from looking at the pictures. I am guessing it may be a Squier body, but the tuning keys and the bridge look like real Fender. However American Standard bridges have the 2 point Tremolo not the 6 screw vintage tremolo. Hope this helped.

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'98 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Midnight Wine
'99 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Midnight Blue
'00 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Black
'04 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Artic White and Blue Agave
'10 Fender FSR Am Special Strat - Olympic White
Fender '65 Princeton Reverb


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Post subject: Re: Help to identify a Fender Stratocaster!
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 5:49 pm
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Hi, fenderbender! Thank you for your reply and details.

In fact this strat is not mine. I am just looking for buying one and I found that guitar.
What can you say about this Fender: http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-678858771-fender-american-standard-stratocaster-1999com-case-original-_JM

Is it a real 1999 american standard model?

Sorry for so many questions and thank you in advance.

Sergio


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Post subject: Re: Help to identify a Fender Stratocaster!
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:00 pm
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That Strat definitely looks legit! From the looks of serial number. 1998 or 1999. That's when Fender was still using the 2 string trees and block tremolo saddles. They switched to the single string trees in 2000. Looks really nice!

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'98 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Midnight Wine
'99 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Midnight Blue
'00 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Black
'04 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Artic White and Blue Agave
'10 Fender FSR Am Special Strat - Olympic White
Fender '65 Princeton Reverb


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Post subject: Re: Help to identify a Fender Stratocaster!
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:13 pm
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Fenderbender,

Thank you one more time for your quick reply and information.
You just said exactly I wanted to hear! I saw some videos on YouTube of 1999 Fender Stratocasters and I noticed always the same bridge and the two tree strings at the headstock.

I am very interested about buying that guitar. I love the sunburst finish with the maple neck. I also read some articles on the internet that said the Fenders produced at that time are very good instruments.

Just one more doubt: Fender American Standard is better than the Fender American Special, right?

If you have some more details that I have to pay attention when buying a legit Fender guitar, please tell me. :)

Thank you again.

Sergio


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Post subject: Re: Help to identify a Fender Stratocaster!
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 6:54 pm
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Hi Sergio.. no problem. Yes those Strats are very nice. The other difference in the pre 2000 USA Standards are the pickups. If you look closely the magnets are not staggered , but are all the same height. I feel that type of magnet configuration doesn't make the strings particularly the G string sound as harsh, but that my personal take on them. I believe those Strats still had the TBX tone control instead of the Deltatone circuit. Many of the early 90's American Standard bodies were actually made of Poplar wood. You can tell especially on the 3 tone sunbursts because Poplar does not have a very nice grain to it so Fender would put a thin sheet of wood veneer on the front and back of the body and apply a wider black paint on the outer edge on the back of the where the belly contour is to conceal it. The one you showed me appears to be solid alder since it has a narrow black coating on the edge of the body. Another thing about the 90s Strats are that they had what they called the "swimming pool" route under the pickguard. Which is one solid rectangular route instead of 3 individual routes for the pickups. Some people say it affects tone because there is lead wood, but then there are others that say it makes no difference. I have played many different Strats I think they both sound good. Switching over to the American Specials.... I like them because they are a solid well built guitars that are no frills. Big 70's style head stock, vintage 6 screw tremolo and Texas Special pickups. Both series have 22 frets the American standard has medium jumbo frets, biflex truss rod which means you can adjust the neck for a either a back bow or under bow without relying on the string tension for adjustments. The American special has the Jumbo frets, standard Truss rod adjustment which relies on the string tension to effect the neck when you loosen the truss rod. It also has the GreaseBucket tone circuit which rolls off the highs without adding bass. Both work just as well. I hope I am not confusing you with my rambling. In any case. Bottom line is they are both really well made guitars in my opinion.

_________________
'98 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Midnight Wine
'99 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Midnight Blue
'00 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Black
'04 Fender Std. Strat MIM - Artic White and Blue Agave
'10 Fender FSR Am Special Strat - Olympic White
Fender '65 Princeton Reverb


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Post subject: Re: Help to identify a Fender Stratocaster!
Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 6:37 am
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Hi, fenderbender.

Thanks again for your precise information.
I think I am going to buy a 90´s Fender American Standard. Great sound and a good cost-benefit relationship.

Feel free to contact me: sergioburlamaqui@gmail.com
Lets make a virtual jam when I get my Strat! :)

Take care.
Sergio


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