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Post subject: Question about American Special neck
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:41 pm
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:46 pm
Posts: 51
Location: France
Hello,

I have a little question about strings spacing withe the American Special Telecaster.
I play mainly jazz (I learn jazz guitar to be honest, I’m a bass guy) and I like wide necks.
I had a Baja, it was a wonderful instrument, very good sounding and well bluit, but I ended to sell it because the neck was too narrow for me.

I read that the American Special has a slightly wider neck.
I see an add for a used 2009 American Special (but the seller is on holidays for a fews days)

Question : Is the 2009 American Special string spacing wider than the one on a American Standard or is it the same strings spacing with more space between the E strings and the neck border ?

Thanks in advance

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2007 Precision 51 RI CIJ (prefered)
2009 New American Standard Precision Bass / OW
2010 New American Standard Jazz Bass / Sunburst
1996 USA Vintage Reissue 57 Stratocaster


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Post subject: Re: Question about American Special neck
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 12:21 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
The nut width of the AmSpec and AmStd (in 2009ish) is the same, 1 11/16" or 42,8(625)mm. (And a Fender fun fact, the AmSpec neck is inherited directly from the Highway One series.)

If I understand your 'same strings spacing with more space between the E strings and the neck border' part correctly, that would depend on the string spacing at the bridge; 2 3/16" or 2 1/8".
But that's not a limit; string spacing can be adjusted to suit a player's special wishes.


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Post subject: Re: Question about American Special neck
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 2:18 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:26 am
Posts: 249
The American Special has the standard 4 hole bridge fixing in common with many Tele bodies although most Tele bridges seem to be close to 2 1/8" (54mm) string spacing.


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Post subject: Re: Question about American Special neck
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 6:02 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:46 pm
Posts: 51
Location: France
Thanks guys,

So in fact the American Special is in reality nothing special when it comes to the neck width compared to a American Standard.. so I'll hunt for a used American Standard..

Thanks !!!

_________________
2007 Precision 51 RI CIJ (prefered)
2009 New American Standard Precision Bass / OW
2010 New American Standard Jazz Bass / Sunburst
1996 USA Vintage Reissue 57 Stratocaster


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Post subject: Re: Question about American Special neck
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:04 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
The first time Fender used the series name 'American Special', it was totally justified - that's the 2000's and Strat-O-Sonics/Telesonics/Toronados:
Quote:
(Frontline 2005:) Instruments that span the bridge between traditional and modern technology, either in specifications, design or both.


Then, on the second coming of 2009, the American Special series was in fact merely a Highway One series continuum; US made but embellished a bit cheaper and thus priced below the American Standard line. Sort of a missing link between the MIA's and MIM's.

But don't misunderstand me; I only disagree with the Fender Marketing & Confusion Department''s naming policy. The AmSpec series guitars are just fine - just like the Highway Ones.


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Post subject: Re: Question about American Special neck
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 1:06 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:28 pm
Posts: 1594
Location: SoCal, US
jmattis wrote:
Sort of a missing link between the MIA's and MIM's.

But don't misunderstand me; I only disagree with the Fender Marketing & Confusion Department''s naming policy. The AmSpec series guitars are just fine - just like the Highway Ones.

Agreed.
I really, really like my 2017 AmSpec (Strat). The Texas Specials and "Greasebucket" tone circuit is a nice touch... not sure if the '09 Tele AmSpec had something similar or not.
From a cost perspective, the AmSpec comes with no case or strap, it does include a decent gig bag. Still, that's less than $200 so really doesn't make up the $400 difference between the AmSpec and American Standard. Some might say that it's worth $400 more to not get the CBS style headstock, but I disagree :D

On the string spacing at the bridge, I don't know about the Tele, but on the Strat, some MIM and Asian models do have slightly narrower spacing at the bridge... but I don't believe there is any difference at the nut.

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