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Post subject: American Standard - Opinions please
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:46 am
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Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:58 am
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I am new to this forum so first of hello to everyone from NZ.
Finally I am in a financial position to buy my first Telecaster after MANY years of waiting.
I was ready to place my order this week with local GC for brand new American Standard, 3 color sunburst. Then I see this guitar on a local auction site which would save me approx. $600 USD!
I would like some advice/opinions please.

The serial number is N556499 which I believe to be 1995.
The photos are not great but does everything look as it should?
Would there be much difference between 1995 and 2011 model?
Im now more swaying towards the 1995 model not just because its cheaper but because it now has a bit of age about it..

Unfortunately I am unable to view before buying so its a bit of a gamble.

Any help appreciated

ImageImage[imghttp://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/48/192325448_full.jpg][/img]
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Post subject: Re: American Standard - Opinions please
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:20 am
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Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:45 pm
Posts: 2770
Location: Kansas
It looks legit for a 1995 from the photos. 1995 was the year they changed to the vintage-style headstock decal and put the serial number on the back of the headstock. Also back then the neck plates just had the "Fender" logo (the "modern" style logo) so that looks correct as well.

Differences between the current and the 1995? The 1995 has the cast bridge saddles and the current ones (since 2008) have bent metal saddles; the 1995 might have a TBX tone control while the current models have the no-load control; the pickups should be different as well (the pickups were changed to "Delta Tone" in 1997 or so, then to "American Series" pickups in mid-2000, and they were changed again when the current model came out in 2008).

Also the fingerboard edges were not rolled at the factory in 1995; they didn't start doing that on this model until the American Series version came out in mid-2000. However, if the 1995 has been well played that shouldn't be much of an issue. Also aside from rolling the edges the neck shape was changed slightly with the 2008 model, and since 2008 necks with maple fingerboards now have a glossy finish on the fingerboard and a satin finish on the back of the neck; on prior models like the 1995 the neck had a complete satin finish.

Now I'm not 100% sure about the TBX tone control; I know that American Standard Strats had it during this era (model introduction until the Delta Tone came out circa 1997) and I believe that American Standard Teles had this as well. If you get to play it and there is a detent you can feel about midway through turning the knob from bass to treble then it would be a TBX.

Hope that helps


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Post subject: Re: American Standard - Opinions please
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 2:41 pm
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Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:36 am
Posts: 1597
Location: Chorley, Lancs, UK
It looks asthough the top E string is broken, you want ten ensure that all the string ferruls are still in the back of the guitar, on some models these can fall out if there isn't a string end present to hold it in place. If a ferrul is missing you will need to replace it in order to string the guitar properly otherwise the wooden body of the guitar will get damaged.

A quick email to the seller should put your mind at rest on this point.

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Steve


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