Stratocaster List - all the USA Production Models in one spot

Everyone,

A while back I went on a personal exercise to list out every model of USA Production Fender Stratocaster. After doing that, I also did the same thing for the Telecaster. After posting some of the info in a thread in the Tele forum, I was asked to post the entire list.

First off, here are the ground rules:

1. These are only the USA-made production models. There are too many other models from the US Custom Shop, Japan, Mexico, Korea and other sources. They should have their own lists, but I'll leave that to others to compile.

2. I considered a Strat to be a separate model when Fender gave it a new name or a new product number. For example, when they revised the American Deluxe Strats in 2004 they became a new model. You will see multiple versions of several models.

3. Although there were many changes to the original Strat model during it's long run I considered it a single entry. I tried to hit the highlights of the changes, but there are so many sources of that info I chose to concentrate on the other models that have come and gone.

Most importantly, this is just my memory and a bit of research. Please feel free to point out missing models, mistakes and changes. I would like for this to be a living record.

That being said, here is the start of the list:

1. Stratocaster (1954-1981) – The original model. Many iterations and modifications through the years, but in continuous production from 1954. Standard configuration would be 3 pickups, master volume, neck pickup tone control, middle pickup tone control, 3-way switch (allowing for neck, middle or bridge pickup) , angled jack on face of guitar, tremolo unit (hard-tail available), 1 5/8” wide neck (optional sizes available) with a 7 ¼” radius and 21 narrow frets. The neck shape, fingerboard, and construction would evolved almost annually. Available with both the famous tremolo or as a hard-tail. Many cases were offered , starting with a tweed thermometer case, then a tweed rectangular case, then pinkish-brown tolex, then blonde tolex, then black tolex circa and finally black molded plastic (although both the plastic and black tolex were used in 1980-1981)

2. 25th Anniversary Stratocaster (1979) – Special model to commemorate the Strat’s 25th birthday. Originally finished in pearl white with a black “Anniversary” decal on the upper horn; the white finish cracked and was replaced by a silver finish. Officially maple-neck only (return to one-piece neck) but some rosewood examples exist. Black hardware, large headstock but 4-bolt neck with heel truss rod adjuster, trem only. Non-locking Sperzel tuners, standard controls, pickups and 5-way switching, black molded plastic case.

3. “The Strat” (1980-1982) – Stratocaster with upgraded hardware (brass trem bridge, gold-plated Schaller tuners, gold-plated knobs). Featured small headstock (used the Lead series headstock not the actual pre-CBS headstock) new wiring with a master volume, master tone, and third knob was a 2-way switch that provided 4 additional pickup configurations. Featured two regular Strat pickups and a hotter X-1 bridge pickup. Maple or rosewood fingerboard, custom colors (originally Lake Placid Blue and Candy Apple Red, other colors added during run including Stratobursts, etc.). Black plastic molded case.

4. “The Walnut Strat” (1982-82) – Variation on “The Strat” with natural-finish walnut body and neck. All other features the same as “The Strat” but with black plastic parts. Black plastic molded case

5. Standard Stratocaster (version 1 1982) – Also known as the “Dan Smith Strat” these featured a return to 4-bolt necks, smaller (although not historically accurate) headstock, and better body contours. Used the black CBS logo typically found on large headstock Fenders. Features standard Strat controls (master volume, neck tone, middle tone, 5-way switch), added the X-1 bridge pickup, and used white plastic and F-tuners. Shipped with both black tolex case and black plastic molded case.

6. Gold/Gold Stratocaster (1982) – Collector’s version of the 1982 Standard Stratocaster with gold finish and gold hardware. Maple neck only, black plastic molded case.

7. American Vintage ’57 Stratocaster (version 1 1982-1985, 1985-1998) – Recreation of the original 50s Stratocaster. Returned to nitro lacquer finish, single-ply pickguard, pickups wound like originals (based on nice-sounding early 1960s Strat), 3-way switching (with 5-way in the case), original small headstock shape, neck originally a small “C” shape, one-piece maple neck, return to vintage-style trem construction. Tweed case. Produced in Fullerton by CBS-Fender 1982-early 1985, then in Corona by FMIC from October 1985-1998.

8. American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster (version 1 1982-1985, 1985-1998) – Recreation of the original early 60s Stratocaster. Returned to nitro lacquer finish, three-ply pickguard, pickups wound like originals (based on nice-sounding early 1960s Strat), 3-way switching (with 5-way in the case), original small headstock shape, small “C” shaped maple neck with rosewood slab fingerboard (no skunk stripe, truss rod installed under fingerboard), return to vintage-style trem construction. Tweed case. Produced in Fullerton by CBS-Fender 1982-early 1985, then in Corona by FMIC from October 1985-1998.

9. Standard Stratocaster (version 2 1983-1985) – Revised Stratocaster with new features. New neck shape (1.700”wide, flatter 12” radius, truss rod adjuster at headstock), small headstock (unless noted all USA Strats will now have the small headstock) 4-bolt neck with micro-tilt, 3 hotter pickups, new “Free Flyte” top-loading trem (with springs hidden under the pickguard instead of in a cavity in the back), sealed Schaller tuners, master volume, master tone, and output jack on the pickguard. Marblel finish limited production series introduced for 1984. Plastic molded case.

10. Elite Stratocaster (1983-1985) – Upgraded Stratocaster model with all-new pickups without exposed polepieces that utilize a “dummy coil” under the pickguard to reduce hum. New control layout with 3 individual push-buttons for each pickup, master volume, 12-db active mid-boost, and master TBX tone control (two pots in one that rolls off highs or lows). Jack moved to rim of body, new knobs with rubber inserts, sealed Schaller tuners, and Free Flyte trem. Same neck shape as Standard Stratocaster but with Bi-Flex truss rod. Brown plastic flight case.

11. Gold Elite Stratocaster (1983-1985) – The Elite Stratocaster with gold hardware and special finishes including the Stratobursts. The Schaller tuners have pearloid buttons instead of chrome metal. All other features the same as the Elite Stratocaster, including the brown plastic flight case.

12. Walnut Elite Stratocaster (1983-1985) – The Gold Elite Stratocaster with natural finish walnut body and neck with an ebony fingerboard. All other features the same as the Gold Elite Stratocaster, including the brown plastic flight case.

List part 2:


13. American Standard Stratocaster (version 1 1986-2000) – All-new USA Strat designed by FMIC with different features than the CBS “modern” Strats. The American Standard would retain some features like sealed Schaller tuners, Bi-Flex truss rod, and truss rod adjuster at the headstock. However, the neck was 1 11/16” wide and 9/5” radius with 22 medium-jumbo frets. The pickups were new, and the controls were revamped to be master volume, tone control for neck pickup, and TBX control for the middle and bridge pickups. A new trem was designed with the traditional spring cavity in the back but pivoting on 2 posts and with anodized cast saddles; a hard-tail bridge was also available. The neck had a satin finish available as either a maple one-piece neck or with a rosewood fingerboard, and the body was alder with new colors available. Schaller straplock strap buttons were standard (but the locking clips were not included). The pickups and controls were updated circa 1997 with the “Delta Tone” circuit – a hotter bridge pickup and a “no-load” tone replaced the TBX (no load meaning the tone was bypassed if you click past “10”). 1994 models featured a metal “40th Anniversary” badge on the headstock. Headstock logo was the same as the final CBS-era with “Fender” in silver outlined in black, the serial number below the logo, and the “Telecaster” in small caps like the vintage decals. Changed to a modernized spaghetti logo with the serial number and “Made in USA” moved to the back of the headstock circa 1997. Limited edition colors were released (usually 4 per year) during 1995-1997; all limited edition color models use the modernized spaghetti logo with the serial number on the back of the headstock. Several cases were used starting with a rectangular black plastic molded case, followed by a “violin” style molded case with a metal “Fender” logo, and finally a violin-style case with “Fender” molded into the top.

14. Strat Plus (1987-1997) – An upgraded American Standard Strat with these additions: a roller nut, satin finish locking tuners, a Hipshot Tremsetter (a device that held the trem stationary when not moved by the arm), and noiseless Fender-Lace Sensors with gold labels (signifying they had a vintage ‘50s “voice”). Schaller straplock buttons and locking clips included. Originally came with a Wilkinson roller nut (1987-1993); two versions were used: version 1 (1987 only) had dual rollers for the 3 plain strings and single rollers for the wound strings; version 2 (1987-1993) had dual rollers for all strings. Replaced by LSR roller nut in 1993. Very early examples may have Sperzel tuners, by late 1987 all had Schaller tuners. Cases were the rectangular molded case followed by the metal-label molded violin-style case.

15. Strat Plus Deluxe (1988-1997) – Further upgrades to the Strat Plus model. Early version just change the Fender Lace Sensor models to a blue label/silver label/blue label set (blue label was a ‘50s PAF humbucker “voice” and silver label was a “fat Strat” “voice). Unique finishes were offered. By 1990 the model had been altered to have ash veneers front and back on the body, a blue/silver/red label Lace Sensor set (red label being a “hot Strat” “voice”), and a snap-in trem arm. The final change occurred in 1993 – at the same time the LSR nut replaced the Wilkinson, the bridge was upgraded to the “Fender/Floyd Rose” locking bridge, the Tremsetter was removed, and pearloid or shell pickguards were added. Same cases as Strat Plus during run.

16. Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster (version 1 1988-2001) – A signature model for Eric Clapton. Features an alder body, special sharp “V” shape maple neck with 22 vintage-size frets and 1 5/8” width, satin finish, and vintage tuners. Pickups are 3 gold-label Lace Sensors, and controls are master volume, master TBX control, and an active 25 dB mid-boost. Per Clapton’s instructions, the vintage-style trem is tightened down and blocked so it can’t move (but can be unblocked if the owner so chooses). Neck shape gets a bit deeper and less sharp circa 1995. Tweed case.

17. Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster (version 1 1988-2001) – A signature model for Yngwie. Features a 22-fret neck with a scalloped fingerboard and 1 5/8” width, small headstock, brass nut and vintage tuners. Vintage trem, 3 DiMarzio pickups (these will vary per year as Malmsteen altered his signature pickups for DiMarzio), vintage controls, 3-way switch. Maple or rosewood fingerboard. Tweed case.

Part 3 of the list:


18. HM Strat (1989-1992) – An unusual piece; these could be MIJ or could be assembled in the USA with MIJ parts. Features a down-sized body, 24-fret 25.1” scale 1.700” wide neck, typically HSS with Fender single coils and a DiMarzio Humbucker. Controls are master volume, master TBX tone control, and coil-split for humbucker. Also available in a single H version. Early models used the Kahler Spyder locking tremolo; later models used the Original Floyd Rose. Molded case.

19. Strat Ultra (1990-1997) – Upgrades to the Strat Plus Deluxe model feature a different Lace Sensor set: blue/gold/dual red (the dual red was 2 red Lace Sensors in a humbucker housing). An additional control was added – a mini-toggle to select the front/both/rear coil of the dual Lace. The body featured figured maple veneers front and back and transparent finishes. The neck featured an ebony fingerboard with abalone inlays. The metal hardware that was normally satin finished (Schaller locking tuners, Wilkinson roller nut, and bridge saddles) were chromed. In 1993 the Strat Ultra also changed to the LSR roller nut, “Fender/Floyd Rose” locking bridge (and the Tremsetter was removed), and pearloid pickguards. Case was the molded plastic violin-style case with the metal Fender logo plate.

20. Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster (version 1 1990-2001) – A signature Strat for Jeff Beck. Based on the Strat Plus, the Beck features a very deep neck with a rosewood fingerboard, the original Wilkinson roller nut (with single rollers for the wound strings and dual rollers for the plain strings), and 4 gold-label Lace Sensors (gold/gold/dual gold in bridge), master volume, tone for neck, and TBX for middle/ bridge; additional push/push switch to select rear or both coils of the dual Lace. Can have either Sperzel or Schaller satin-finished tuners. American Standard bridge set to float upward more than usual. At some point in the middle 1990s the LSR nut replaced the Wilkinson – likely when no more Wilkinson nuts could be found. Tweed case.

21. HM Strat Ultra (1992) – Upgraded HM Strat adds a flamed maple veneer top and Lace Sensor pickups from the Strat Ultra (blue/gold/dual red). Only came with Floyd Rose Pro locking trem. Molded case.

22. Stevie Ray Vaughn Signature Stratocaster (1992 – present) – Signature Strat that SRV was working on with Fender at the time of his death. Essentially an early ‘60s reissue, it features an alder body, 3-color burst finish only, relatively fat maple neck with 12” radius rosewood fingerboard, gold hardware, vintage tuners, left-handed vintage bridge, and Texas Special overwound/fat single coil pickups. The neck has a special tinted finish, and very early models had Pau Ferro fingerboards instead of the regular rosewood. Black pickguard with “SRV” engraved (plain pickguard included in case). Vintage controls (volume, neck tone, middle tone) with 5-way switch. Tweed case.

23. Floyd Rose Classic Stratocaster HSS (1992-2000) – Stratocaster with unique features and the Floyd Rose Original bridge. Had an alder body, 1 5/8” wide neck, vintage tuners, two American Standard single-coils and a DiMarzio PAF-Pro bridge pickup, Controls are master volume, tone for neck, and tone for middle/bridge, 5-way switching that automatically tapped the bridge humbucker. Molded plastic case.

24. Floyd Rose Classic Stratocaster HH (1992-2000) – Same features as Floyd Rose Classic HSS Strat but with 2 DiMarzio PAF-Pro pickups. Controls were volume, neck tone, bridge tone, and 5-way switch that split the humbuckers. Molded plastic case.

25. Richie Sambora Signature Stratocaster (version 1 1992-1998) – Variation on the Floyd Rose Classic HSS, features ash body, sienna sunburst finish, rounded neck heel, and Sambora large star inlays. Controls included master volume, master tone, 12 dB mid-boost with pushbutton on/off switch, 5-way switch, and DiMarzio humbucker. Tweed case.

26. Robert Cray Signature Stratocaster (1992-1999) – Essentially as hard-tail SRV Stratocaster – alder body, oval neck shape similar to the SRV Strat with 12” radius. Vintage ‘60s pickups, vintage controls (master volume, neck tone, mid tone), gold plated hardware. Moved to Custom Shop production circa 1999; MIM “Standard” version launched simultaneously. Tweed Case.

27. Buddy Guy Signature Stratocaster (1995 – 2010) – Variation on the Eric Clapton Signature, all the same features (gold Lace Sensors, volume, TBX, mid-boost) but with the original sharper V-shaped neck, an ash body and floating trem set-up. Tweed case.

Part 4 of the list:


28. Lone Star Stratocaster (1996-2000) – A “hot-rodded” American Standard Strat with HSS pickup configuration. Uses 2 Texas Special single coils and a Duncan Pearly Gates + humbucker pickup. Vintage controls (master volume, neck tone, middle tone); all other features and hardware same as American Standard. Custom colors and pearl/shell pickguards. Originally shipped with black tolex case; switched to molded case circa 1998.

29. Roadhouse Stratocaster (1996-2000) – Another “hot-rodded” American Standard Strat with 3 Texas Special single coils and vintage controls (master volume, neck tone, middle tone); all other features and hardware same as American Standard. Custom colors and pearl/shell pickguards. Originally shipped with black tolex case; switched to molded case circa 1998.

30. Big Apple Stratocaster (1996-2000) – The final “hot-rodded” American Standard Strat with HH pickup configuration. Uses a Duncan ’59 humbucker in the neck position and a Duncan Pearly Gates + humbucker pickup in the bridge. Master volume, neck tone, bridge tone, and 5-way switch that taps the pickups in positions 2 and 4; all other features and hardware same as American Standard. Custom colors and pearl/shell pickguards. Originally shipped with black tolex case; switched to molded case circa 1998.

31. 50th Anniversary of Fender American Standard Stratocaster (1996) – Special edition American Standard to commemorate Fender’s 50th year in business. Features flamed maple veneer top, special 3-color burst finish, rosewood fingerboard only, and gold hardware. Black tolex case.

32. Jimi Hendrix Tribute Stratocaster (1997-1999) – A left-handed 1969 reissue Strat flipped over and strung for right-handed players. Vintage white finish and maple fingerboard only, the Hendrix Tribute also features a reversed headstock decal, neck plate engraved with Hendrix’ profile. Vintage controls (volume, neck tone, middle tone) and 3-way switching (5-way kit included in case). Special case kit includes a “Native American” pattern woven strap, a white coiled cord. Black tolex case with ‘60s/’70s amp logo.

33. 1997 Collector’s Edition Stratocaster (1997) – Special edition that combines features of the SRV Strat and the American Vintage ’62 Strat. Rosewood fingerboard with 9.5” radius and medium-jumbo frets; “1997” oval inlay at the 12th fret. 3 Texas Special pickups with white covers; black pickguard. Vintage controls (volume, neck tone, middle tone) and 5-way switch. Alder body in 2-color burst. Only 1,997 made. Tweed case.

34. American Vintage ’57 Stratocaster (version 2 1998 – 2012) – Updated and even more accurate recreation of the original 50s Stratocaster. Nitro lacquer finish, aged single-ply pickguard, revised pickups wound like originals, 3-way switching (with 5-way in the case), original small headstock shape, more accurate ’57 “V” shape one-piece maple neck. Tweed case.

35. American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster (version 2 1998 – 2012) – Even more accurate recreation of the original early 60s Stratocaster. Nitro lacquer finish, three-ply mint green pickguard, revised pickups wound like originals, 3-way switching (with 5-way in the case), original small headstock shape, small “C” shaped maple neck with rosewood slab fingerboard (no skunk stripe, truss rod installed under fingerboard). Tweed case through 1999, replaced by period-correct light brown tolex case in 2000.

36. Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Stratocaster (1998-1999) – A right-handed 1968 Stratocaster reissue with a reversed headstock and a reversed bridge pickup – an attempt to capture the Hendrix “vibe” in a normal feeling guitar. Vintage controls (volume, neck tone, middle tone) and 5-way switching. Same engraved neck plate and special kit as the Hendrix Tribute. Same black tolex case as the Hendrix Tribute.

Part 5 of the list:


37. American Deluxe Stratocaster (version 1 1998-2003) – All new replacement for the Strat Plus/Plus Deluxe/Ultra line. New features include revised neck shape, available as maple one-piece or with rosewood fingerboard, rolled fingerboard edges, abalone dot inlays. All hardware now chrome, features locking tuners and the return of the “Deluxe” bridge with snap-in arm. Chrome headstock decal. Parchment plastic hardware, 2 “Vintage Noiseless” stacked single-coils in the neck and middle position, and a “Hot Vintage Noiseless” pickup in the bridge position. Modern controls (master volume, neck tone, middle/bridge tone). Schaller straplock buttons and clips. The body features American Vintage-style contours. Alder body on opaque colors and 3-color burst, ash body on other transparent finishes. Black tolex case until circa 2000, then molded plastic case.

38. American Deluxe Fat Stratocaster (version 1 1998-2003) – All the features of the American Deluxe Stratocaster but with HSS pickup configuration. Uses 2 “Hot Vintage Noiseless” single coils in the neck/middle and a Fender DH-1 humbucker in the bridge position. Available with either the Deluxe trem bridge or the “Deluxe Locking Trem” which is the same as the earlier “Fender/Floyd Rose” bridge. Originally only the “Locking Trem versions came with the LSR roller nut; however, virtually all but the earliest have the LRS nut with the Deluxe Trem as well. Black tolex case until circa 2000, then molded plastic case.

39. Richie Sambora Signature Stratocaster (version 2 1998-2001) – More “vintage” Sambora Strat, features 3 noiseless single coils, vintage trem, alder body, rounded neck heel, and Sambora small star inlays. Controls included master volume, master tone, and 12 dB mid-boost with on-off pushbutton. Tweed case.

40. Stratocaster Special Double Locking HSS (2000-2002) – The Floyd Rose Classic HSS renamed after naming agreement with Floyd expired. Change from DiMarzio PAF-Pro to Fender DH-1 humbucker pickup. Molded plastic case.

41. Stratocaster Special Double Locking HH (2000-2002) – The Floyd Rose Classic HH renamed after endorsement agreement with Floyd expired. Change from DiMarzio PAF-Pros to Fender DH-1 pickups. Molded plastic case.

42. Stratocaster Special 1968 Reverse (2000-2002) – The Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Stratocaster renamed after the endorsement agreement with the Hendrix estate expired. All features remain the same (except the neck plate is now a standard “F” logo), including the “late 1960’s” kit with the “Native American” pattern strap and white coiled cord. Black tolex case with ‘60s/’70s style amp logo.

43. American Series Stratocaster (2000-2008) – Revision of the popular American Standard Stratocaster. New features include a return to vintage-style body contours, modified neck shape with rolled fingerboard edges, new staggered-height tuners (eliminates one string tree), new staggered-height pole piece pickups, and parchment plastic hardware (although some colors would use black or unique colors). Still features the Delta Tone system with the hotter bridge pickup, master volume, neck tone, and no-load tone control for middle/bridge pickups. Originally had Schaller straplock buttons (but no clips); replaced by modernized non-locking buttons by 2004. Molded plastic case.

44. American Series Texas Special Fat Stratocaster (2000-2003) – Updated Lone Star Strat based on the new American Series Strat. Still uses 2 Texas Special single coils and a Duncan Pearly Gates + humbucker pickup. All other features and hardware same as American Series, including Delta Tone controls. Custom colors and pearl/shell pickguards. Molded plastic case.

45. American Series Texas Special Stratocaster (2000-2003) – Updated Roadhouse Strat based on the new American Series Strat. Still uses 3 Texas Special single coils. All other features and hardware same as American Series, including Delta Tone controls. Custom colors and pearl/shell pickguards. Molded plastic case.

46. American Series Double Fat Stratocaster (2000-2003) – Updated Big Apple Strat based on the new American Series Strat. Still uses the HH pickup configuration with a Duncan ’59 humbucker in the neck position and a Duncan Pearly Gates + humbucker pickup in the bridge. Master volume, neck tone, bridge tone, and 5-way switch that taps the pickups in positions 2 and 4; all other features and hardware same as American Series. Custom colors and pearl/shell pickguards. Molded plastic case.

Part 6 of list:


47. Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster (version 2 2001 – present) – A slight update for the Eric Clapton signature model. All features remain the same but the gold-label Lace Sensors are replaced with custom-wound Vintage Noiseless pickups. Tweed case.

48. Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster (version 2 2001-2006) – A significant revision of Yngwie’s signature model. Now features a 21-fret neck with a scalloped fingerboard and 1 5/8” width, large headstock, brass nut and vintage tuners. Vintage trem, 3 DiMarzio Yngwie Malmsteen signature pickups, vintage controls, 3-way switch. Maple or rosewood fingerboard. Tweed case.

49. Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster (version 2 2001 – present) – A significant revision of Jeff’s signature Stratocaster. The Beck now features a deep (but not quite as deep as the early versions) neck with a rosewood fingerboard, LSR roller nut, and 3 “Hot Ceramic Noiseless” pickups (the bridge pickup is wound even hotter than the other two), master volume, tone for neck, and TBX for middle/ bridge. Schaller satin-finished locking tuners. Now features the rounded neck heel. American Standard bridge set to float upward more than usual. Tweed case.

50. Highway 1 Stratocaster (version 1 2002-2006) – A new mid-market Stratocaster designed to fit in between the made in Mexico lines and the American Stratocaster, the Highway 1 Strat features a matte nitro finish body with either maple one-piece neck or rosewood fingerboard with 22-frets, small headstock, satin finish, headstock truss rod adjuster, and single-action truss rod. Neck shape and carve similar to American Strat. Uses Ping sealed tuners like MIM Standard Strats, the MIM vintage bridge like the Classic Series Strats. Three alnico single coil pickups, modern controls (volume, neck tone, middle/bridge tone). Gig bag.

51. Highway 1 Stratocaster HSS (version 1 2003-2006) – Addition to the Highway 1 Stratocaster line. All the features of the regular Highway 1 but with a Fender Atomic humbucker in the bridge position. Also features the large headstock and 1970s-style black logo. Controls are volume, neck tone, middle/bridge tone. Gig bag.

52. Mark Knopfler Signature Stratocaster (2003 – present) – A signature Strat for Mark Knopfler that combines features of the American Vintage ’57 and ’62 models. The Knopfler Strat has an ash body in Hot Rod Red with American Vintage ’57 contours, the maple with rosewood fingerboard neck from the American Vintage ’62 Strat but with medium-jumbo frets, 3 Texas Special pickups, vintage controls (volume, neck tone, middle tone). Tweed case.

53. American Series Stratocaster HSS (2003-2007) – Revision of the American Texas Special Fat Strat with new pickups and wiring. The Texas Specials are replaced with Fender Tex-Mex single coils, and the Duncan humbucker is replaced by a Fender Diamondback pickup. Now utilizes the S-1 switching (a push-push switch inside the volume knob) to access 5 additional wiring/tone capacitor options; Delta Tone controls. All other features and hardware same as American Series including colors. Molded plastic case.

54. American Series Stratocaster HH (2003-2006) – Revision of the American Double Fat Stratocaster with new pickups and wiring. The Duncan humbuckers are replaced by Fender Sidewinder and Cobra models. Now utilizes the S-1 switching to access 5 different coil split/wiring/tone capacitor options. Modified Delta Tone controls (volume, neck tone, bridge no-load tone). All other features and hardware same as American Series including colors. Molded plastic case.

55. American Deluxe Stratocaster (version 2 2004 – 2009) – Major revision of the American Deluxe Stratocaster with new pickups and wiring plus the rounded neck heel. Still features rolled fingerboard edges, choice of maple neck or rosewood fingerboard, abalone dot inlays, chrome locking tuners and chrome Deluxe bridge with snap-in arm, chrome headstock decal, and parchment pickup covers and knobs. Now features 3 “Samarium Cobalt Noiseless” or “SCN” pickups with S-1 switching for 5 additional wiring/tone capacitor positions. Delta Tone controls (volume, neck tone, middle/bridge no-load tone). Schaller straplock buttons and locking clips. Alder body only; custom colors with unique matching pickguards. Molded plastic case.

56. American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster (2004 – 2009) – With the 2004 revision the American Deluxe Strat with an ash body becomes a separate model instead of an option based on color. All features the same as the 2004 American Deluxe Strat except for the ash body. Features unique transparent colors to show the ash grain with custom pickguards to match. Molded plastic case.

57. American Deluxe V-Neck Stratocaster (2004 – 2009) – New model based on the 2004 American Deluxe Strat revision. Unique features are a v-shaped neck in maple one-piece only. Unique colors and pickguards for this model as well. All other features identical to 2004 American Deluxe Strat. Alder body only. Molded plastic case.

58. American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS (version 2 2004 – 2009) – All the features of the 2004 American Deluxe Stratocaster but with HSS pickup configuration. Uses 2 SCN single coils in the neck/middle and a Fender DH-1 humbucker in the bridge position with S-1 switching to access 5 additional wiring/coil split/tone capacitor options. This model uses the LSR roller nut. Originally available with either the Deluxe trem bridge or the Deluxe Locking Trem bridge; the Locking Trem bridge option dropped during 2007. Molded plastic case.

59. American Deluxe Stratocaster FMT (2004 – 2008) – Based on the 2004 American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS, the FMT uses a rear-routed body with a flamed maple bent top. Uses the 2 SCN single coils in the neck/middle and a Fender DH-1 humbucker in the bridge position with S-1 switching to access 5 additional wiring/coil split/tone capacitor options. However, this model uses a master volume and a master no-load tone. It also uses the LSR roller nut and the deluxe Trem bridge. Maple neck with ebony fingerboard only. Transparent and burst finishes. Dark brown tolex case.

60. American Deluxe Stratocaster QMT (2004 – 2008) – All the features of the American Deluxe Stratocaster FMT but with a quilted maple top instead of a flamed maple top. Transparent and burst finishes. Dark brown tolex case.

List part 7:


61. 50th Anniversary American Stratocaster (2004) – A special edition of the American Stratocaster to celebrate the Strat’s 50th birthday. This model features an ash body in 2-color burst, maple fingerboard only, and custom pickups based on the Fender Custom Shop’s 1954 pickup (the hand-wound CS pickups are used in the Custom Shop’s Master Built 1954 Strats; the production 50th Anniversary uses similar pickups made in the production shop). White plastic hardware, vintage wiring (volume, neck tone, middle tone). Special 50th Anniversary suede case with the “50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster” logo embroidered on the inside of the lid.

62. 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Stratocaster (2004) – Special edition to celebrate the Strat’s 50th birthday. All the normal features of the newly revised American Deluxe Strat with these cosmetic differences: maple one-piece neck only, 2-color burst alder body, special parchment pickguard with the “50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster” logo imprinted on the bass side above the bridge, and gold hardware. Special 50th Anniversary suede case with the “50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster” logo embroidered on the inside of the lid.

63. Eric Johnson Signature Stratocaster (2005 – present) – A new signature Strat for Eric Johnson with many unique features. The neck is one-piece maple, quarter sawn, with a thin nitro finish. Custom shape that starts as a large “V” and tapers to a large “C” by the 12th fret with 12” radius and jumbo frets. The alder body features deep ’57-style contours, finished in thin nitro, and fits within weight tolerances.. Custom pickup set from different Strat eras. Modified controls (volume, neck tone, bridge tone). Custom trem set-up with old-style paint on the block (and no paint on the top of the block) and shallower string holes. Staggered-height vintage tuners. Engraved neck plate with Hawaiian tiki character, no back plate. Custom white tolex case with black ends and Hawaiian character embroidered on the inside of the case lid.

64. John Meyer Signature Stratocaster (2005 – present) – A new signature Strat for John Meyer. Based on the SRV Strat, the neck profile is similar but uses a 9.5” radius. Rosewood fingerboard only, medium jumbo frets. Custom “Big Dipper” pickups based on Texas Specials but with some mids scooped out. Modern controls (volume, neck tone, middle/bridge tone). Standard finishes are vintage white and 3-color burst. Limited Edition finishes released annually. InCase gig case.

65. American Vintage ‘70s Stratocaster (2005 – 2012) – New addition to the American Vintage line to make a mid-70s Strat with modern construction tolerances. Features U-shape neck with large ‘70s headstock, 3-bolt micro-tilt attachment, bullet truss rod adjuster, maple or rosewood fingerboard, “American Vintage ‘70s” pickups, white plastic hardware, American Vintage trem bridge (not “correct” but considered better than the real 1970s version). Vintage controls (volume, neck tone, middle tone), 3-way switch (with 5-way kit in the case). Alder bodies on black and white, ash bodies on 3-color burst and natural. Black tolex case with 1970’s-style amp logo.

66. 60th Anniversary of Fender American Stratocaster (2006) – Special edition to commemorate Fender’s 60th year of business. All the features of the American Stratocaster with these special items: rosewood fingerboard only, custom crimson-burst finish, special version of the American Vintage ‘57/’62 pickups with a reverse-wound middle pickup, Delta Tone controls (volume, neck tone, middle/bridge no-load tone), diamond inlaid in the headstock inside the “60th Anniversary” logo. Special black tolex case with “60th Anniversary of Fender” logo embroidered on inside of case lid.

67. Highway 1 Stratocaster (version 2 2006 – 2012) – Update of original Highway 1 Stratocaster. Still features matte nitro finish body with either maple one-piece neck or rosewood fingerboard, 22-frets, satin finish. Now features large headstock and 70’s-style logo. Upgraded bridge with larger inertia block. Ping sealed tuners. Three single-coil pickups, “Greasebucket” tone circuit that only rolls off highs, not lows. Controls are volume, neck Greasebucket tone, middle/bridge Greasebucket tone. Gig bag.

68. Highway 1 Stratocaster HSS (version 2 2006 – 2012) – Update of original Highway 1 Stratocaster HSS. All the features of the regular Highway 1 but with a Fender Atomic humbucker in the bridge position. Controls are volume, neck Greasebucket tone, middle/bridge Greasebucket tone. Gig bag.

69. Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster (version 3 2007 – present) – A continued refinement of Yngwie’s signature model. For 2007 the neck shape was revised to match his favorite old Strat’s neck and a bullet truss rod adjuster was added (although it still uses the 4-bolt attachment). Still features a 21-fret neck with a scalloped fingerboard and 1 5/8” width, large headstock, brass nut and vintage tuners. Vintage trem, 3 Yngwie Malmsteen signature pickups, unique controls (volume, neck no-load tone, bridge no-load tone), 3-way switch. Maple or rosewood fingerboard. Tweed case. In 2011 Malmsteen dropped his long-time relationship with DiMarzio for his signature pickups and changed to Seymour Duncan; the model was updated accordingly.

List part 8:


70. American VG Stratocaster (2007 – 2010) – American Stratocaster with Roland VG system added. Aside from the normal American Stratocaster features, the VG has the Roland hex pickup, additional controls, circuitry, and battery pack built in. The VG system allows for models of alternate tunings and different guitar types to be accessed and output without any additional outboard gear. The signal can be straight Strat, VG only, or a mixture of the two. Molded plastic case.

71. Vintage Hot Rod ’57 Stratocaster (2007 – present) – New “hot rodded” version of the American Vintage ’57 Strat. The Hot Rod ’57 Strat features a thin skin nitro finish, one-piece maple V-shape neck with a thinned and flattened rear profile, 9.5” radius, medium jumbo frets, and a satin finish. New pickup set of two SCN single-coils in the neck and middle and a DiMarzio Tone Zone single-coil sized rail pole piece humbucker in the bridge. Alder body with unique finishes. Vintage trem, vintage staggered tuners, and unique controls (volume, neck tone, bridge tone) with 5-way switch. Tweed case.

72. Vintage Hot Rod ’62 Stratocaster (2007 – present) – New “hot rodded” version of the American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster. The Hot Rod ’62 Strat features a thin skin nitro finish, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard with a fatter rear profile than the regular American Vintage ’62 Strat, 9.5” radius, medium jumbo frets, and a satin finish. Pickups are American Vintage ‘57/’62 with a reverse-wound middle pickup. Alder body with unique finishes. Vintage trem, vintage staggered tuners, and unique controls (volume, neck tone, bridge tone) with 5-way switch. Light brown tolex case.

73. American Standard Stratocaster (version 2 2008 – 2012) – Major update to the American Stratocaster with a return to the classic American Standard name. Many evolutionary revisions include a revised neck with a new carve, thinner poly finish with a new tint, satin finish on the back but gloss finish on the headstock and on the fingerboard portion of the one-piece maple neck (rosewood fingerboard models only have gloss on the headstock); rolled fingerboard edges and staggered-height tuners retained. Body revised with new thinner poly finish, and all new American Standards use the premium alder previously reserved for transparent finishes; vintage body contours retained. New trem with revised steel/copper trem block and bent saddles (instead of cast saddles). Revised colors with parchment plastic hardware. The 3 American Standard staggered-height single-coil pickups have been revised, Delta Tone controls (volume, neck tone, middle/bridge no-load tone). New SKB rectangular molded plastic case with TSA-approved locks.

74. American Standard Stratocaster HSS (2008 – 2012) – Major update to the American Stratocaster HSS. All the same evolutionary revisions to new American Standard specifications apply. Pickups are still 2 Tex-Mex single coils in the neck and middle and the Fender Diamondback humbucker in the bridge position. The S-1 switching and circuitry have been dropped. New controls (volume, tone for neck and middle pickup, tone for bridge pickup and middle/bridge combo). New SKB rectangular molded plastic case with TSA-approved locks.

:applaudit:applaudit

WOW - great work! I don't think I have anything to add to that list. It pretty much nailed my 50th Anniversay specs and NOS 56.

:applaudit:applaudit

That's wild. Impressive work. I wonder if this might be a thread worth tacking up top.

Now do MIMs! :laughing:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elicross

That's wild. Impressive work. I wonder if this might be a thread worth tacking up top.

Now do MIMs! :laughing:

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Sorry, doing the USA for both the Strat and Tele did me in! :laughing:

I started this list because I was frustrated that Fender doesnt' have an archive of model specifications - they could even just keep the info on those pop-up spec pages if they don't want to retain photos to save bandwidth.

Evidently there is something corrupt in my Tele file; I could only post the first two installments before the board starting rejecting the posts.

Just 1 slight correction I could make.

When Fender first started making the 57/62 AV Strats they were made in Fullerton from 82-84 and a few of the early months of 85 then the factory closed and the production of the AV series was shifted to Fender Japan. So for about 9 months of 85 they were made in Japan when the Corona plant opened in 86 production resumed there.

Great job John lots of good info there!

I will go ahead and sticky it for awhile. Very nice list and great that folks like Mark can add factoids to it too.

Woooow, fender shure now how to squeeze the juice out of the Strat end the Tele!! Amazing that these Leo designs stil rule the world.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marcondo

Just 1 slight correction I could make.

When Fender first started making the 57/62 AV Strats they were made in Fullerton from 82-84 and a few of the early months of 85 then the factory closed and the production of the AV series was shifted to Fender Japan. So for about 9 months of 85 they were made in Japan when the Corona plant opened in 86 production resumed there.

Great job John lots of good info there!

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I wasn't sure how to handle that gap from when CBS sold Fender to when FMIC got their factory up and running. I copped out by just putting in years when I should have put in the months to more clearly indicate that break in production when the only reissues were the MIJ series.

I've read conflicting dates on when CBS actually shut down the Fullerton plant - it could have been as early as December 31, 1984 and as late as early March 1985. And who knows what those last production runs were - Reissues, Standards, Elites? I'm going to use an arbitrary date of "February 1985" for the end of USA production.

Also, I've never seen a date of when the first FMIC Corona plant opened; I know it was sometime between March and July of 1986 and that they started producing the Reissues first (while they were still designing the first generation American Standards).

I'm going to go in and clean up the dates to show a more clear break in USA production. Per my "ground rules" I'm leaving out that 12-18 months or so of only MIJ production as that would go on a list for the MIJ models.

EDIT: I guess the original list posts are too large to edit; I made the changes but it timed out and didn't retain them.

For all the CBS models we should consider production to cease sometime in the First Quarter of 1985, and we should consider FMIC's USA production to not start until sometime in the Second Quarter of 1986 at the earliest, and possibly not until the Third Quarter of 1986.

but what about the 57 commemorative strat??? AVRI,nitro finished white blonde with maple neck and gold hardware,tweed case ,2007 only(with commemorative neckplate).not to pick nits...i never knew there were that many versions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redcoats1976

but what about the 57 commemorative strat??? AVRI,nitro finished white blonde with maple neck and gold hardware,tweed case ,2007 only(with commemorative neckplate).not to pick nits...i never knew there were that many versions.

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Thanks! There are so many different models that I forgot about that one, and it definitely was a full production limited edition like the 50th models, etc.

However, I did make the decision to not include the FSR runs, Thinskins, etc. since there are so many of them.

As an experiment I tried to edit one of the list posts from my home connection and it also timed out. Please continue to post your updates/missing items/changes/etc. on this thread; I'm updating my original document so it can be reposted if anything happens to this thread.

Thanks to everyone for looking and contributing; let's make this a true community effort!

John C.

I don't see the Bonnie Raitt signature listed... was that not a USA model?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sage

I don't see the Bonnie Raitt signature listed... was that not a USA model?

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Sage - as far as I can remember the Bonnie Raitt was a Custom Shop model. I only listed the "regular factory production" models; there have been too many limited run CS models for me to even attempt a database :)

"Special 50th Anniversary suede case "

Shouldn't that read "tweed case" ??

Quote:

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medium jumbo frets

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The Mayer Stratocaster has Dunlop 6105 stainless frets. (Tall & Narrow )

Not much in the way of new USA production models at NAMM this year; it seems like Fender was concentrating on the MIM Road Worn models and there were lots of CS changes as well. Here are the two new USA production line models:

76. Eric Johnson Signature Stratocaster RW (2009 – present) – A second signature for Eric Johnson features a bound rosewood fingerboard like one of Eric’s favorite vintage ‘60s Strats. The Johnson RW features the same deep-contoured body of the maple fingerboard version with the same thin nitro finish – but in 4 new colors. The neck is quartersawn maple in the same soft V-to-large C shape but with a bound round-laminate fingerboard. The neck has a 12” radius and 21 medium-jumbo frets. The pickups have been adjusted from the maple neck version and are called “3 Eric Johnson Single Coils”. Controls are master volume, tone for neck pickup, tone for bridge pickup, and a 5-way switch. Custom trem set-up with old-style paint on the block (and no paint on the top of the block) and shallower string holes. Staggered-height vintage tuners. Engraved neck plate with Hawaiian tiki character, no back plate, 3-ply parchment pickguard. Special Levy’s woven strap and Koil Kords brand cable. Custom blonde tolex case with dark brown ends and gold interior.

77. Dave Murray Signature Stratocaster (2009 – present) – A new signature Strat based on Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray’s modified ‘50s Strat. The Murray features an alder body in black nitro lacquer finish with a modified V-shaped neck in satin nitro lacquer. The neck has a 9.5” radius and 21 medium jumbo frets. Pickups are HSH with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, Fender single coil in the middle, and DiMarzio PAF in the neck. Controls are master volume, tone for neck pickup, tone for middle pickup and a 3-way switch (each pickup individually; no combinations). Single ply aged white pickguard, white knobs, black switch tip, and chrome pickup rings around the humbuckers. Signature is on the back of the headstock. Fender vintage tremolo and vintage tuners. Tweed case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John C

As an experiment I tried to edit one of the list posts from my home connection and it also timed out. Please continue to post your updates/missing items/changes/etc. on this thread; I'm updating my original document so it can be reposted if anything happens to this thread.

Thanks to everyone for looking and contributing; let's make this a true community effort!

John C.

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`


Hi John,


I'm AMAZED at your patience at collating ALL this information & putting it together so that folks can see what's potentially "out there" & what has been "on-offer" since 1986-onwards.....


Being an avid/owner/collector myself, I was particularly interested in seeing HOW you'd covered the "base" (basic) American model Strat's... (as you have, in 'entries' 13, 43 & 73)

It's a trivial-point & tiny extra 'addition' that I feel you should add......

(on Post No.5, entry No. 43) , in order to keep viewers & enthusiasts aware & enlightened as to their correct 'appelations'.........

I'm suggesting (strongly !) that ya put the word 'Series' inside the header of entry number 43 .

So that it reads American 'Series' Stratocaster (2000-2008)

As that's what they were known 'officially' at the time......

I followed their progress (the 'Series') & bought several, after following on from my previous '99' American 'Standard', & was suprised to see how the cases changed over the 8-year lifespan of THAT model.... (I bought 4, 3 x new & one secondhand, only 6-months old !).

It's a straight-forward & easy addition to make to the title & will help folks when "singling-out" an 'ordinary' American (basic) model for indentification.......(as you'd said, 2000-2008)

Hope ya don't mind me chiming-in with the micro-small suggestion to your potted history of our fave guitar ?????????

Thanx again for the comprehensive list !

I'm looking forward to showing this-list to one of my mates in London, who phoned me tonight to say that he's just (this evening picked up his very 1st U.S.A. Strat' (an Olymipic-white 2008 'Standard')

I'm sure he'll find your list, avid reading !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hornchurch,

Unfortunately I can't go in and edit the posts; I've tried to make updates but I suspect the posts are too large and the board times out.

I've gone back and forth with the name "American Series" - I originally had the model named the "American Series" but I read somewhere that "Series" actually wasn't part of the official name on the price lists so I dropped it from my list. In retrospect I should have checked the magazine ads from when these were announced back in 2000 to verify before I changed the name on the list. I've been compiling it for a couple of years now in a Word document and just did a cut-&-paste to get it up into the forum.

Also I used to have a collection of Fender Frontline catalogs to reference for that kind of info but when it came down to keeping a fairly extensive collection of Guitar Player magazines (going back to 1980) or keeping the catalogs the catalogs went out when we did some remodeling.

John C -

As a longtime Fender owner, but a forum newbie, thanks a million for that Strat history. A great collection of information.

As an owner of a lefty American Strat Version 2 (late 1983, #9 on your list), I've never found much information about that series guitar ('what do you mean only 1 tone control???').

Parents got me that guitar, along with a Super Champ XMas '83 (was really spoiled looking back).... Took me about to the early '90's to get enough of that thick lacquer off the neck to feel 'unsticky'.

Also, I don't think I've used that 'free flyte' tremelo since the late '80's as it doesn't feel smooth and is a bear for staying in tune.

Still my #1 guitar with Vintage Noiseless p/u installed.

Any others have this model?

Oh, and as a post mortem, I traded the Super Champ for a bunch of crappy fx pedals back in high school... NICE move on my part...:da :da :da

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Drewtone

John C -

As an owner of a lefty American Strat Version 2 (late 1983, #9 on your list), I've never found much information about that series guitar ('what do you mean only 1 tone control???').

Parents got me that guitar, along with a Super Champ XMas '83 (was really spoiled looking back).... Took me about to the early '90's to get enough of that thick lacquer off the neck to feel 'unsticky'.

Also, I don't think I've used that 'free flyte' tremelo since the late '80's as it doesn't feel smooth and is a bear for staying in tune.

Still my #1 guitar with Vintage Noiseless p/u installed.

Any others have this model?

Oh, and as a post mortem, I traded the Super Champ for a bunch of crappy fx pedals back in high school... NICE move on my part...:da :da :da

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Drewtone - I wouldn't beat yourself up over that trade; we all have things like that in our past!

By "only 1 tone control" I mean it has a master tone control, compared to the Leo design with 2 tone controls (one for the neck pickup and 1 for the middle pickup; the bridge pickup had no tone control at all).

Glad you still have it; I still have my first Fender (a 1979 Lead II) which was also a Christmas gift from my parents. I can't say the same about the small solid-state practic amp, which was replaced pretty quickly by a Music Man RD-50 112.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John C

Drewtone - I wouldn't beat yourself up over that trade; we all have things like that in our past!

By "only 1 tone control" I mean it has a master tone control, compared to the Leo design with 2 tone controls (one for the neck pickup and 1 for the middle pickup; the bridge pickup had no tone control at all).

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No, I meant that's the response I usually get when I'm trying to describe the guitar... you just don't see a lot of these around.

Great work and wel done!:applaudit

I own a gold/gold strat and it is from 1982, as far as I could find out they were made in 1981 til 1983 with very minor changes (tremarm tip and bridge saddles changed)
pick ups date 1981 on my sample and 1982 is on the neck date.
The neck is set almost flush with the pick guard, this is the differance with the standard "Dan Smith Strat".
The gold/gold Stratocaster was there just before the Smith and was a rivised the Strat! with normal 5 selector switch.

Thanks for all the good work and I hope this is helpfull!!

Fabulous, everything under one roof. Awesome.

Wow - I guess it's time to revisit this list and add the new models:

79. American Special Stratocaster (2010 – present) – New mid-priced USA model similar to the Highway 1. Features a maple one-piece neck, 22-frets, satin finish. Alder body with poly finish in either candy apple red or 2-color burst finish. Large headstock and 70’s-style logo. Tremolo bridge with larger inertia block. Ping sealed tuners. Three Texas Special single-coil pickups, “Greasebucket” tone circuit that only rolls off highs, not lows. Controls are volume, neck Greasebucket tone, bridge Greasebucket tone. Parchment plastic hardware only. Gig bag.

80. American Special Stratocaster HSS (2010 – present) – All the features of the regular American Special but with a Fender Atomic humbucker in the bridge position. Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard only; alder body with poly finish in black or 3-color burst only. Controls are volume, neck Greasebucket tone, bridge Greasebucket tone. Black plastic hardware only. Gig bag.

81. American Deluxe Stratocaster (version 3 2010 – present) – Major revision of the American Deluxe Stratocaster with new pickups and wiring plus the rounded neck heel. Still features rolled fingerboard edges, choice of maple neck or rosewood fingerboard, abalone dot inlays, chrome locking tuners and chrome Deluxe bridge with snap-in arm, chrome headstock decal, and parchment pickup covers and knobs. Now features new compound radius neck (9.5" radius to 14" radius), 3 “N-3” noiseless pickups with S-1 switching for 5 additional wiring/tone capacitor positions. Delta Tone controls (volume, neck tone, middle/bridge no-load tone). Schaller straplock buttons and locking clips. Alder body only; custom colors with unique matching pickguards. New-style TSA-approved molded plastic case (same as the American Standards).

82. American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster (version 2 2010 – present) – Major revision of the American Deluxe Ash Strat with an ash body. All features the same as the 2010 American Deluxe Strat except for the ash body. Features unique transparent colors to show the ash grain with custom pickguards to match. New-style TSA-approved molded plastic case.

83. American Deluxe V-Neck Stratocaster (version 2 2010 – present) – Major revision of American Deluxe V-neck Strat. Unique features are a v-shaped neck in maple one-piece only. Unique colors and pickguards for this model as well. All other features identical to 2010 American Deluxe Strat. Alder body only. New-style TSA-approved molded plastic case.

84. American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS (version 3 2010– present) – All the features of the 2010 American Deluxe Stratocaster but with HSS pickup configuration. Uses 2 N-3 single coils in the neck/middle and a Fender DH-1 humbucker in the bridge position with S-1 switching to access 5 additional wiring/coil split/tone capacitor options; now has "passing lane" switch to bypass switching and provide the bridge humbucker at full volume without the tone control. This model uses the LSR roller nut. New-style TSA-approve molded plastic case.

Wow - I've been away from this for a long time. It also looks like I can now edit so I was able to correct the entry for the American Deluxe HSS Strat version 3.

One question: I see the no-load tone control for the bridge and middle pickup and the hight output bridge pickup continued from the 2000-2007 American Series. The 2008 Am Standard show revised pickups, with no mention of the high output bridge. Fenders site does not use the term "Delta Tone" on their current models either.

Any significant differences noticed in pickup sound from these models?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bassman51

One question: I see the no-load tone control for the bridge and middle pickup and the hight output bridge pickup continued from the 2000-2007 American Series. The 2008 Am Standard show revised pickups, with no mention of the high output bridge. Fenders site does not use the term "Delta Tone" on their current models either.

Any significant differences noticed in pickup sound from these models?

---

Fender's site did have those descriptions for the revised American Standards both in 2008 and 2009; they have recently revised all their descriptions and that verbiage was removed. I have to assume that they are no longer using the term "Delta Tone" to describe their "no load" tone control. Also, that "high output bridge" pickup was always kind of a misnomer; the bridge pickup was only slightly overwound compared to the other two pickups. Prior to the change to the "Delta Tone" circa 1996/97 the bridge pickup was exactly the same a the neck and middle on the first version American Standards; now the bridge is a bit hotter like many aftermarket pickup sets. Fender doesn't list the pickup specs, but for example on the Suhr Fletcher/Landau pickups the neck and middle are 6.4K ohms and the bridge is 6.9K ohms - not a huge difference. I'm assuming Fender is just cleaning some things up on their website.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John C

Fender's site did have those descriptions for the revised American Standards both in 2008 and 2009; they have recently revised all their descriptions and that verbiage was removed. I have to assume that they are no longer using the term "Delta Tone" to describe their "no load" tone control. Also, that "high output bridge" pickup was always kind of a misnomer; the bridge pickup was only slightly overwound compared to the other two pickups. Prior to the change to the "Delta Tone" circa 1996/97 the bridge pickup was exactly the same a the neck and middle on the first version American Standards; now the bridge is a bit hotter like many aftermarket pickup sets. Fender doesn't list the pickup specs, but for example on the Suhr Fletcher/Landau pickups the neck and middle are 6.4K ohms and the bridge is 6.9K ohms - not a huge difference. I'm assuming Fender is just cleaning some things up on their website.

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When I bought my 2008 Am Standard used last winter, I am pretty sure I remember reading the "delta tone" phrase. In fact, it still comes up in search engines as on Fender's site. I think you are right that they cleaning things there. The most recent manuals on the sight are for 2003, which still uses the delta tone phrase.

Likely the pickups have not changed.

Thanks John I appreciate you diligence.

USA Highway One Stratocaster the first version with 50's style headstock were also made in a few transparent gloss colors such as Transparent Teal Green (like my 2002) and I once even had a Honey Blond first version gloss one from early 2006. I noticed this same mistake in a recent book called "The Ultimate Fender Book".

old thread but thought i would add to the list of strats that are not on your list.
the short lived and fabled 1997 california series.had MIA vinatge parts correct 62 string spacing 21 fret neck ,it was basically a 62 strat but with texas specials and 9.5 radius and MJ frets. also had Hss routing when all other non custom shop 90's strats came with the infamous swimming pool rout .
these are really nice strats, i have two and will buy any that i ever come across...

I've been away from this project for far too long; time to put in some updates. There have been lots of changes since my last update in 2010, plus I've been able to do more research on the transition time period between the end of CBS production and the start of FMIC production. Also evidently I now have a fast enough connection that I can go in and edit the earlier posts; I've done some "cleaning up" on the production dates of some of the earlier models.

From more research over the past 4 years I have a timeline for 1985 that I believe is pretty accurate, so here goes:

January 1985: CBS/Fender brings back a skeleton crew to assemble guitars from parts produced in 1984. They do not mill bodies and necks, they do minimal painting and minimal pickup wiring - it's mostly assembly as CBS is putting the company up for sale, and the crew is laid off before the end of January.

Early February 1985: FMIC buys Fender from CBS, but as we all probably know they did not purchase the factory in Fullerton, just the name, designs, parts inventory, etc.

Late February - March 1985: FMIC brings back the skeleton crew to continue assembling guitars from the existing parts. Once they reach the point where no more complete guitars can be produced, the skeleton crew is again laid off. The guitars completed in this brief time frame could be reissues, Standards or Elites.

April - October 1985: FMIC secures their new facility in Corona; they do wind up purchasing some equipment from CBS and moving it to this facility. They begin test production during this time frame but the only Fenders in production are the MIJ models.

October 1985 - October 1986: FMIC begins limited production of USA Reissue models in Corona. Initially production is very small - in October 1985 production is as low as 7 instruments per day. Per George Blanda they went from 7 per day in October 1985 to 150 per day by March 1987.

October 1986: Earliest know production dates for American Standard instruments. Although not officially released until January 1987 they were at least producing them for the warehouse.

I hope this provides some clarity to one of the more confusing times in the modern era of Fender.

In preparing my list up through 2010 I missed the following two models that were introduced in the 2000s; instead of insterting them where they should fall in the list I'm going to put them here. No excused for the Corgan; I left space for it but never copied it in from my master list. I believe I omitted the Root because I thought it was MIM like his Tele model; the Strat is actually USA.

73. Billy Corgan Signature Stratocaster (2007 – 2011) – Signature model for the Smashing Pumpkins guitarist. Based on the Highway 1 Strat, the Corrigan has the large headstock, no micro-tilt, and has the satin finished body in either black or white. The white guitar has a black pickguard, white knobs and pickups; the black guitar has a white pickguard, black knobs and pickups. Pickups are custom Dimarizos for Corrigan based on the Fast Trac design. Black tolex case.


78. Jim Root Stratocaster (2009 – present) – New signature model for the Slipknot/Stone Sour guitarist. It has EMG pickups and a single volume knob. Black hardware (bridge and tuners), large 70s style headstock and large decal. Available in black and white only – the black guitar has a black pickguard and an ebony fingerboard; the white guitar has a white pickguard (with a black knob) and maple fingerboard. SKB rectangular case.

Okay - now the new models for 2012 - we've got the Select Strats, the upgraded American Standards and the new American Vintage models; for the purpose of this list I'm considering the new AV '59 Strat to be one model with either maple or rosewood fingerboards available. Also with the introduction of the new American Vintage series the original AV '57, AV '62, and AV '70s have all been discontinued. At this point it appears the Hot Rod '57 and '62 are still alive, but it also appears that the Highway 1s have finally been discontinued although there are still some available through Fender.

Here are the new additions:


85. American Select Stratocaster (2012 – present) – Similar to the American Deluxe, the Select line is a new upscale model. Features a figured maple top, alder body, pearloid pickguard. Has the rounded neck heel, maple fingerboard, chrome locking tuners and chrome Deluxe bridge with snap-in arm. Compound radius neck (9.5" radius to 14" radius), maple or rosewood fingerboard, 3 American Select single coil pickups. Schaller straplock buttons and locking clips. Tweed case with special American Select medallion.

86. American Select Stratocaster HSS (2012 – present) – Similar to the American Deluxe, the Select line is a new upscale model. Features a figured maple top, alder body, pearloid pickguard. Has the rounded neck heel, rosewood fingerboard, chrome locking tuners and chrome Deluxe bridge with snap-in arm. Compound radius neck (9.5" radius to 14" radius), maple or rosewood fingerboard, 2 American Select single coil pickups and an American Select humbucker. Schaller straplock buttons and locking clips. Tweed case with special American Select medallion.

87. American Standard Stratocaster (version 3 2012 – present) – Continued evolution of the version 2 American Standard with revised thinner finish, aged white plastic parts and the addition of Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups. All other features carry forward. SKB rectangular molded plastic case with TSA-approved locks.

88. American Standard Stratocaster HSS (version 2 2012 – present) – Continued evolution of the American Standard HSS with revised thinner finish, aged white plastic parts, and 2 Fender Custom Shop Fat 50s single coils combined with the Diamondback humbucker. All other features carry forward. SKB rectangular molded plastic case with TSA-approved locks.

89. American Vintage 1956 Stratocaster (2012 – present) – All-new American Vintage series guitars that are even more accurate recreations. The 1956 Stratocaster features a new formula nitro lacquer that is not tinted to resemble an aged guitar, the 10-56 larger soft V shaped neck, maple fingerboard only, single-ply white 8-screw pickguard, new 1956-spec pickups, more accurate replica tuners, bridge saddles, and headstock decal. Now with modern wiring (5-way switch, master volume, tone control for neck pickup, tone control for middle and bridge pickup) from the factory with vintage wiring kit in the case, recreated 1956 manuals, revised and more accurate tweed case.

90. American Vintage 1959 Stratocaster (2012 – present) – All-new American Vintage series guitars that are even more accurate recreations. The 1959 Stratocaster features a new formula nitro lacquer that is not tinted to resemble an aged guitar, a medium-slim D shaped neck available with either a 1-piece maple neck or slab rosewood fingerboard with clay dots (1959 marked the Fender’s transition year to rosewood fingerboards), single-ply white 8-screw pickguard with the maple fingerboard and 11-screw 3-ply nitrate-green pickguard with the rosewood fingerboard, new 1959-spec pickups, more accurate replica tuners, bridge saddles, and headstock decal. Now with modern wiring (5-way switch, master volume, tone control for neck pickup, tone control for middle and bridge pickup)from the factory with vintage wiring kit in the case, recreated 1959 manuals, revised and more accurate light brown tolex case.

91. American Vintage 1965 Stratocaster (2012 – present) – All-new American Vintage series guitars that are even more accurate recreations. The 1965 Stratocaster features a new formula nitro lacquer that is not tinted to resemble an aged guitar, a medium-large C-shaped neck available with a round-laminate rosewood fingerboard and year-correct pearl dots, 11-screw 3-ply white pickguard, new 1965-spec pickups, more accurate replica tuners, bridge saddles, and transition-style headstock decal. Now with modern wiring (5-way switch, master volume, tone control for neck pickup, tone control for middle and bridge pickup) from the factory with vintage wiring kit in the case, recreated 1965 manuals, revised and more accurate black tolex case.

I'd add that the new American Special Stratocaster now comes in 3 colors: Candy Apple Red, Surf Green and Sunburst.

Hi Guys ! New on the forum -

Check out my Fender Standard USA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Q...-D-VSssuWYYEMg

Thanks

TH

Quote:

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Originally Posted by THguitar

Hi Guys ! New on the forum -

Check out my Fender Standard USA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Q...-D-VSssuWYYEMg

Thanks

TH

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Cool!

Good job with Purple Rain

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John C

Hornchurch,
Unfortunately I can't edit the posts; I've tried to make updates but the board times out.
I've gone back and forth with the name "American Series" -

but I read somewhere that "Series" actually wasn't part of the official name on the price lists so I dropped it from my list
In retrospect I should have checked the magazine ads from when these were announced back in 2000 to verify

Also I used to have a collection of Fender Frontline catalogs/reference, but got slung out.

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Hi again John = Been a mere TEN YEARS since you & I last has that brief (friendly) exchange (Jeez don't time fly)
Read your post again (naturally, after a whole decade) & have paid attention to what you wrote, Re; Slinging-out the catalogues.

NOW = By pure chance, I actually KEPT my 'Fender Frontline' catalogues, dated 2000-2004

Anyways/Anyhow = I kept those blighters (catalogues) & I still have them to this very day.
One day (prob' another 10-yrs time, if you catch the humour drift), I'll get round to digging them out & scanning them all.

After I'd read your reply, I actually DID go & check the catalogues (Re ; "American Series")

Yeah, it WAS 100% "official" = They actually DO & DID refer to the 2000-thru-2008 U.S.A's as "AMERICAN SERIES"

Am posting this, purely because, years down the line, someone MAY misconstrue that they ever existed, or, were so re-named.

.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hornchurch

Hi John,

It's a trivial-point & tiny extra 'addition' that I feel you should add......

(on Post No.5, entry No. 43) , in order to keep viewers & enthusiasts aware & enlightened as to their correct 'appellations'....

I'm suggesting (strongly !) that ya put the word 'Series' inside the header of entry number 43 .

So that it reads American 'Series' Stratocaster (2000-2008)

As that's what they were known 'officially' at the time......

!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by John C

Hornchurch,

Unfortunately I can't go in and edit the posts & the board times out.

I've gone back and forth with the name "American Series"

- I originally had the model named the "American Series" but I read somewhere

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John, Guys//ALL - Furthermore to the post above....

Basically this, just to help set the record straight.

Here's my 2007 "USA AMERICAN SERIES" complete w/original stickers.

Note next to where it says "NEW!" in RED (& above the "a Better..." blurb B.S) = Then you'll then see it....


- It says - "The Fender American Series" in white-lettering, along the top of the sticker



https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...04cf074a_h.jpgDSC_0291

Hi-I'm a newbie to this forum so please excuse me if I am posting this question in the wrong thread. I have a 1994 Stratocaster Plus (blue burst). My question is does this make it a "40th Anniversary" model? It does not have the die cast emblem on the head stock or the special neck plate. Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kirkelstein

Hi-I'm a newbie to this forum so please excuse me if I am posting this question in the wrong thread. I have a 1994 Stratocaster Plus (blue burst). My question is does this make it a "40th Anniversary" model? It does not have the die cast emblem on the head stock or the special neck plate. Thanks!

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While your Strat Plus was made during the 40th Anniversary year only the American Standards of that year were the "40th Anniversary Model"; they were the only ones that were supposed to get the emblem and the special neck plate. That being said you will occasionally turn up a Strat Plus or Strat Plus Deluxe that got the emblem and neck plate but it's more of a factory error than something Fender did on purpose.

That is an unbelievably impressive and thorough list, well done!

I have an addition for the list, my Strat! It’s a Deluxe American Standard. They were produced for only two years, approximately 1989-1990. The Deluxe AS is simply an American Standard with the edition of Gold Fender Lace Sensors. I’m guessing it didn’t sell to well since it was only offered for two years. I know that when I bought mine it was on sale for $525 (Jan. of ‘91), only $20 or $30 more than the AS was at the time. It seemed well worth the money to get the same pick ups Clapton was playing! And it was black, too.

I’ve got a photo of the inspection tag showing the model name, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to add an attachment.

Andrew

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jkbarnes

That is an unbelievably impressive and thorough list, well done!

I have an addition for the list, my Strat! It’s a Deluxe American Standard. They were produced for only two years, approximately 1989-1990. The Deluxe AS is simply an American Standard with the edition of Gold Fender Lace Sensors. I’m guessing it didn’t sell to well since it was only offered for two years. I know that when I bought mine it was on sale for $525 (Jan. of ‘91), only $20 or $30 more than the AS was at the time. It seemed well worth the money to get the same pick ups Clapton was playing! And it was black, too.

I’ve got a photo of the inspection tag showing the model name, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to add an attachment.

Andrew

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Welcome to the internet, and the age of litigiousness. The reason you can't just upload a photo attachment is because then that photo would be hosted on the server owned by the site.

But there is a way to post a link to a photo hosted by a third party site.
Details are here:

https://www.thefenderforum.com/forum...-Photos-on-TFF

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the tip on posting pics, ​vinyl!

https://i.postimg.cc/jd9LCNxh/85-CA4...2-D0-F80-B.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/BnKtF6tf/988303...7-E6-CAB64.jpg