So, it looks like Fender is off and running with some new marketing this year. They've got that they're calling the new Fender American Series. Here's some hype on the Guitar Center site that was emailed to me this morning. http://gc.guitarcenter.com/fender-american-series/
Does any of this make anyone oooh and aah, or is it just hype?
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
yeah, i looked it over the other day as well.
here's the rundown on the changes/upgrades
strat;
Tradition redesigned.
The Fender American Stratocaster Electric Guitar is a Fender icon. Juicy upgrades include a richer, deeper neck tint for a more elegant and expensive appearance. Glossed neck front for improved looks with satin back for smooth playability. Bent steel Fender saddles with classic look and great tone. String spacing narrowed for modern playability, saddle height screws re-sized to reduce rough feel, and string slot on saddle elongated to reduce string friction or breakage. Copper Infused Cast Strat® Bridge Block (steel with copper- 100% metal) for increased mass and improved tone. This Strat features the original headstock shape but has staggered machine heads losing one string tree and improving string angle over the nut. Custom staggered pickup magnets improve string-to-string balance and give the G-string better tone. Cosmetics include parchment/black/parchment pickguard and parchment pickup covers, knobs, and tips.
The return of the American Standard Series Strat continues Fender's tradition of commitment to the people who play Fender instruments out there in the real world. Today s American Standard Stratocaster guitars are worthy heirs of their revered ancestors mindful of player needs and taking full advantage of modern advances, yet remaining completely true to the elements and spirit that made these instruments legendary in the first place. Improvements include redesigned bridges, neck and body finishes, and a Fender-exclusive high-tech molded case. Still there are the beloved hand-rolled fingerboard edges, alnico V pickups and staggered tuning machines for tone and stability guaranteed to last a lifetime (with its limited lifetime warranty)! So make history with the redesigned American Standard!
Redesigned American Standard Strat® Bridge
Gives sought-after tone with modern smooth trem travel. Block retains the mass and tone of a vintage bridge block, but is chamfered for access to deeper dives. Saddles have the classic look and tone, but with modern improvements (spacing, slot elongation, height screw length).
Bridge Component Specifics
American Standard saddles- The original vintage-style Fender bent steel adjustable saddle is one of the components that give vintage Fenders their tonal mojo . Fender conducted tone comparison tests, and fell in love with them all over again. They have a wider tonal range and more character many other saddles. Then Fender improved them; narrowing the spacing to afford more room (and complement the bigger frets and rolled edges), and also elongated the string slot to reduce friction and string breakage, while improving the string break angle over the primary contact point.
Tone-fusion block- A typical cast bridge block is impregnated with a resin to eliminate voids in the material and to bond it together this steel block is infused with copper, which makes the block 100% homogeneous metal. The result is a more musical, higher mass bridge that has more of that machined-block sound. Fender was also able to keep the same American Series profile for increased tremolo travel.
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Tele;
The best of yesterday and today in one amazing Tele.
The Fender American Standard Telecaster Electric Guitar is a pro player's axe that delivers authentic Tele vibe. American Series pickups and deluxe hardware with original '52 ash or alder body dimensions deliver more resonance and tone. The maple neck has a modern C shape with rolled edges and highly finished frets for easier playability. The detailed nut eliminates rattles and improves tuning stability. Custom staggered tuning machines eliminate the need for one of the string trees. Staggered pole pieces in the pickups provide balanced output across all strings, and especially improves tone for the G-string.
The return of the American Standard Series Telecaster continues Fender's tradition of commitment to the people who play Fender instruments out there in the real world. Today s American Standard Telecaster guitars are worthy heirs of their revered ancestors mindful of player needs and taking full advantage of modern advances, yet remaining completely true to the elements and spirit that made these instruments legendary in the first place. Improvements include redesigned bridges, neck and body finishes, and a Fender-exclusive high-tech molded case. Still there are the beloved hand-rolled fingerboard edges, alnico V pickups and staggered tuning machines for tone and stability guaranteed to last a lifetime (with its limited lifetime warranty)! So make history with the redesigned American Standard!
American Standard Tele® Bridge Gives sought-after tone with modern improvements (no ashtray edges, 6 saddle adjustability). Redesigned plate features a classic styled Fender stamp on chrome plated brass. Brass and steel are the secrets to the Tele sound! Bridge Component Specifics American Standard saddles- The original vintage-style Fender bent steel adjustable saddle is one of the components that give vintage Fenders their tonal mojo . Fender conducted tone comparison tests, and fell in love with them all over again. They have a wider tonal range and more character many other saddles. Then Fender improved them; narrowing the spacing to afford more room (and complement the bigger frets and rolled edges), and also elongated the string slot to reduce friction and string breakage, while improving the string break angle over the primary contact point.
Bridge plate- The combination of steel saddles with a brass plate harks back to the magic combination of the most sought-after vintage Tele guitars (which had steel plate/brass saddles). The plate also features two extra mounting screws to improve resonance and body contact (as well as eliminating squeals ), and a stylized Fender logo to class up the instrument and nod to the design of 60s era Fenders (like Jaguar and Mustang bridges).
Neck Gloss and Tint
Seemingly a small or less important feature, this is a major feature. The old necks were satin all over primarily for the feel of the back of the neck. On these American Standards Fender kept the satin neck back, but still gave the rich tint and luster of a gloss finish to the front. When looking at the old and new side by side in comparison, there is no arguing that these necks look classier and more detailed and finished .
Thinner Body Undercoat
An undercoat serves to give the paint a smooth surface to adhere to so you have a nice looking finish The thicker the undercoat, the more glass-like the finish, but the more constricted the guitar s body wood, which could affect tone. Fender switched to an undercoat that is thinner, and that allows the body to flex and resonate more, while retaining the cosmetic advantages of an undercoat.
Fender SKB Case
The case is a true advancement in guitar presentation and protection. It is stackable, it balances perfectly, it is TSA lock equipped, and has glass reinforced nylon trigger latches and a killer form-fitted plush interior.
#4491....
I just purchased one about a little over a week ago at the local Guitar Center. I'm an absolute beginner and this was my first electric so I'm the last person who could give any real review of it other than to say I just love it.
How much are they?
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
It was $1,000.00 for the guitar, 3 tone sunburst w/a maple fret board.
MF had an American Series Quilted top Tele on their SDOTD thingy today. It was sold out by 10 AM EST.
When you wanna rock hard children, lean on F sharp
$999.99-1,099.99 for both with hardcases
#4491....
New and improved? What was wrong with the "old" ones? Why mess with perfection?
New and improved? What was wrong with the "old" ones? Why mess with perfection?
Might be one of those things where 5 years from now, people are trying to buy up pre-'08 versions.
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
New and improved? What was wrong with the "old" ones? Why mess with perfection?
Actually....
The Strat WAS perfect back in the days when Leo Fender owned it (Strats from 54-65).
I have an early year 71 (arguably the best CBS model, and the last Strat to have a vintage bridge - barring re-issues)
And I have an 88 American standard (Basically the same until now).
Looking at my 88, I've always disliked the pale finish on the neck.
My 71 has a beautiful vintage tint that I always wished was on the 88.
So, I like that change.
The 88 has those rediculous 3rd generation bridge saddles - They actually were designed to 'De-twang' the Strat.
This was done in the dark days when no one wanted a Strat or Les Paul (Metal Ruled :roll: ).
I have NO IDEA why they have kept those saddles for SOOOO long!
I have the original first generation 'bent steel saddles' on my 71 - MUCH BETTER!!!!
I have been thinking recently of changing to the offset screw bent steel saddles for my 88.
So, I LOVE that change.
The staggered tuners are a good idea as well.
I spun the trees around on my 88 to try and get more downforce on the nut.
So, a good move there.
The improvements to the bridge adjustments are also much needed.
ALL Strat bridge styles have been notoriously difficult to adjust.
And the better travel will make it more appealing to a wider section of musicians, while not affecting those of us
who don't use the trem.
Also, the brass/steel block is a FANTASTIC idea, and does exactly as they say.
Wish I had one on my 88!
And I'm also a proponent of THINNER paint.
No paint is best - Nitro lacquer a close second....
If it has to be synthetic; the thinner they can get it the better!
So - IMHO.... They done good!
Why mess with perfection???? My thoughts exactly!
The closer they get to the 'ORIGINAL' built specs - the better!
Why, I may even consider trading in my beloved 88 for a new one! :twisted:
Ken
ps
Oh, and I thought that I read they were spending more time on the nut finishing....?
Which would also be fine with me, as my 88 has ALWAYS needed some attention there.
I figured that if I did fix the nut, it would strip the guitar completely of having any kind of personality what-so-ever,
so I never did LOL!
"The man who has begun to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without"
-Ernest Hemingway
"A genuine individual is an outright nuisance in a factory"
-Orson Welles
The ONLY Fender that I want is Yngwie Malmsteen's! :D
I want to go on a bender.
a Fender bender.
I read this thread earlier today. I stopped at a guitar store on the way home after work.
I checked one out. the workmanship is really nice. it felt oh so right as soon as I picked it up.
I think I broke its heart when I turned away and walked out the door. :cry:
I played the Tele and now I got to have one :D
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
(However, too high price of Fender MIA can be fixed...)
Hmmmmm, maybe if I'm a good boy this year..... New Tele for Axemas? :mrgreen:
Roy
"I wonder if a composer ever intentionally composed a piece that was physically impossible to play and stuck it away to be found years later after his death, knowing it would forever drive perfectionist musicians crazy." - George Carlin
