I have owned 4 different Strats since the late 60s: a late 50 or early 60 model which I hated. I was also playing an Epiphone Casino and couldn't get the Strat neck dialed in (I was young and tried to do it myself). I traded that in on a 1968 Les Paul Black Beauty, which I still play. I bought a Squier Strat about 1991, which played ok and sounded good. It didn't stay in tune real well, so I kept thinking though, maybe I'll put on new tuners and an American Standard bridge, maybe even some lace sensors . . . I figured out that that was a losing proposition, so I traded the guitar in on an American Standard. The Squier was in like new condition, so the dealer gave me original price on the trade in (what a deal). I liked the American Standard - the bridge and tuners are much nicer than the Standard or foreign models. I also liked the feel of the neck and the micro-tilt adjustment. If my first strat had micro-tilt, I would still have it today.
I decided that I had too many guitars in 1996, so I sold the American Standard, but I have wanted another for a long time. I have hesitated because I play where there are some very noisy stage lights and even my Les Paul is noisy. I knew that the single coils would be buzzing like crazy.
My local dealer showed me the American Standard Deluxe about 2 years ago and I really liked what I saw. I finally bought one in February of 2000. It has a gorgeous green finish on an ash body, immaculate fretwork and plays like a dream. I love the sound (and quiet) of the Vintage Noiseless pickups. The guitar has abalone fret markers, silver script logo, Fender/Schaller locking tuners and the American Standard bridge. The finish and workmanship is immaculate.
Fender is upgrading the American Standard Series to the American Series. The new American Series does not use body veneer like the American Standard. It also has an HSH route so that a variety of after market pickups can be used without body modification. The American Series uses the same neck shape as the American Deluxe and has several other new features.
