What is considered higher grade, Fender American Standard, or Fender American Special

[Pwrmac7600]

Just curious, I have for some weird reason been looking at fenders lately. And I am wondering which is considered to be the higher grade instrument? American Standard, or American Special?

 

[James R]

If you go by pricing alone, the Standard is the more expensive of the two.
I bought an American Special Tele back around Christmas time though, and it felt and sounded better to me than the American Standard Teles that I compared it to.
My opinion is that the American Special is one hell of a guitar, at a very attractive price point.

I can not speak on the Strats though, I haven't played an AS Strat.

 

[Pwrmac7600]

I am actually looking at basses. Not that I will make my decision based on model name, it was really more of a curiosity.

 

[Benjammin]

Specials are the "lower end" line of the American made guitars. They are quality instruments though, depending on what specs you're looking for, the Specials might be more desirable than the Standards/Deluxes

 

[CRobbins]

I have an American standard Jazz bass, with a rosewood fretboard. It played, and sounded great right out of the box. I bought it from Sweetwater.

 

[NHTom]

I have an american special strat and love it.

For me, I prefer the six screw bridge and the bigger headstock. It plays like a dream.

I bought it in great shape used and at the price I paid, it's an amazing guitar.

Not sure the differences on the bass between standard and special, but I'll just say from the strats and tele's I've picked up, don't shy away from the specials just due to model name and price point........for my personal choice, I prefer them over the standards.

NHTom

 

[jaycoyoyo]

They're very similar IMO but keep in mind they play much differently. The Specials have jumbo frets and more of a vintage style bridge. Their tone circuits are different as well, as are the pickups.

Here's my Special:

 

[rikko]

The only difference in "quality" that I noticed in comparison between the American Standard vs. The Special
(which I chose over the Standard because I prefered the more primitive-old school ashtray bridge and 70's style headstock)
was the multi-piece alder body.

I believe (but I'm not positive) that the Standard has two truss rods as apposed to the single truss on the Special.

 

[Neil(UK)]

The only difference in "quality" that I noticed in comparison between the American Standard vs. The Special
(which I chose over the Standard because I prefered the more primitive-old school ashtray bridge and 70's style headstock)
was the multi-piece alder body.

I believe (but I'm not positive) that the Standard has two truss rods as apposed to the single truss on the Special.

This is true.

They also have the micro adjust neck on the US Standard.

 

[gotlivin]

I am at the point of my life that fortunately I have a budget that can afford the "higher end" guitars. That being said , when I went looking for a new tele, I went with the special. To ME the special was everything I was looking for specs wise, and after buying a hard case and some noiseless pickups (hate buzz) the special cost the same as the standard anyway, haha.
I have been playing it hard for about 6 weeks now and have no regrets, I LOVE it!!

 

[Cozmik Cowboy]

The "Higher grade" instrument is the one you like better.

I am assuming here that you want a guitar to play, and not so you can say "I own a ....."

 

[Pwrmac7600]

The "Higher grade" instrument is the one you like better.

I am assuming here that you want a guitar to play, and not so you can say "I own a ....."

It's actually a bad I am after, but yes I buy mine to play not gawk at. Lol

 

[penguinchit]

Is it safe to say as far as product levels, the American Special is on the same tier as the Studio?

 

[wmachine]

Is it safe to say as far as product levels, the American Special is on the same tier as the Studio?

As in most cases, I don't think it accurate to generalize. Why try to? "It is what it is" Learn what the differences are. There are no shortcuts worth anything.

 

[penguinchit]

As in most cases, I don't think it accurate to generalize. Why try to? "It is what it is" Learn what the differences are. There are no shortcuts worth anything.

I meant as far as their individual lines, Studio, Standard, Custom and Special, Standard, Custom.

Edit: That being said, I should throw in that I'm itching for a American Special Tele. Why not a Standard? Can't justify the additional cost, especially at my playing level.

 

[Jeremiah]

The American Special Tele is the one to get anyway (for me), it has the barrel bridge and not that modern one. It is like a mini American Vintage.

 

[rikko]

I meant as far as their individual lines, Studio, Standard, Custom and Special, Standard, Custom.

Edit: That being said, I should throw in that I'm itching for a American Special Tele. Why not a Standard? Can't justify the additional cost, especially at my playing level.

I test drove Standards, Specials, American Professionals, and a few MIM models.

The Special neck feels like the Standard (good!).

The Standard has two truss rods, and neck-tilt adjustment.
The bridge has adjustments for each string.

The Special has one truss rod,
An old school, three barrel bridge, and a multi piece wood body.
And the 70's style head stock.

The pickups are hotter Texas Specials as well.

Go for a test drive and find the glove that fits!

 

[Dave_W]

The American Standard does not have two truss rods. It has Fender's biflex rod, a single rod that adjusts for backbow as well as upbow.

 

[rikko]

The American Standard does not have two truss rods. It has Fender's biflex rod, a single rod that adjusts for backbow as well as upbow.

I stand corrected!

 

[Bluespower]

i have a Amer Special. i removed the grease bucuket curcuit which to me was an over glorified treble bleed andrewired it to regular 57 strat wiring

as far as weight, feel and playability id never know the difference if you blind folded me with a more expensive model.