1997 American Standard Strat colors-Help ID this strat!

joeybsyc · January 31st, 2010, 04:47 PM

Is there any website or source to show what the original available factory colors were on American Standard Strats in 1997? Maybe someone has an old Fender Frontline magazine they could check... Basically want to know if this color was a standard color in 97, or if this could possibly be a "Roadhouse", which I know was available in this color, but not sure if it was exclusive to the "hot rodded" line. Also, correct me if I'm wrong... but weren't the American Standard pickup pole pieces flat (non-vintage stagger) in 1997? This one appears to have staggered poles like the Texas Specials that would have came in a Roadhouse Strat. Its 13 years old, so who knows whats been changed... its mint shape though, so I kinda doubt its been messed with too much, and the seller claims he never touched it.

I'm trying to determine what this is, a 97 American Standard with a pickguard change, or a 1997 Roadhouse. Any ideas on how to tell for sure? Can you call Fender with the serial # and ask? If so, what's the number to call? Thanks in advance for any help.

joeybsyc · January 31st, 2010, 09:48 PM

Also, what would a case for a 97 American Standard look like? Red label molded?

BigNorm · January 31st, 2010, 10:04 PM

You are alright with the red label molded case. They were the one coming with 97 MIA strat . They were a lot better quality than the one they are offering now. I had a 96 Strat that look similar to that one. It was Ocean turquoise (color code 08 ). Mine looked a little darker, but it could be only the pictures that gives this impression.
By the way, I'm pretty sure roadhouse are made in Mexico, so the neck clearly said Made in USA. Or the neck have been change or, and I would go for this, the pickguard have been change.

HopDog · January 31st, 2010, 10:24 PM

Roadhouse are MIM now, but used to be MIA.

joeybsyc · February 1st, 2010, 04:02 PM

It actually does not have a case now, I'm just trying to determine what the correct one would have been. A 97 Am Standard would likely have had the red label style molded case, but I believe a 1997 USA Roadhouse came in a black tolex case. I know my 96 LoneStar did. Basically still trying to figure out which model this is.

Outlier73 · February 1st, 2010, 04:18 PM

The bridge has the MIA standard offset saddles. Although I don't know if the roadhouse had those as well.

orcslayer · February 1st, 2010, 05:31 PM

I'm looking in my copy of the 1997 Fender Frontline catalogue. The MIA Roadhouse Strat came in several colours including # 845 which is Teal Green Metallic with a maple neck & white shell pickguard. Looks just like yours!

The pickups are Texas Specials. The colour # also indicated it came with a Moulded case.

joeybsyc · February 1st, 2010, 10:45 PM

Thanks orcslayer! My memory isn't as bad as I thought it might be! I do recall my LoneStar coming with a tolex upgraded case in 96, and my 98 Lonestar also did... would be surprised the Roadhouse didn't get the case upgrade as well... wonder if that could be a typo?

Does the Frontline show the available colors for the American Standard for 97? I'm still wondering if this was an "exclusive" color for the "hot-rodded" lines, or if it could have been ordered on an American Standard too.... if it's not an available color on an AM STD then it pretty much confirms my hunch that it's a Roadhouse. Any way to ID factory installed Texas Specials? Do they have any type of sticker on the back or anything, or was that just on the over-the-counter purchased ones?

Gravy · February 1st, 2010, 11:01 PM

You could e-mail fender the serial number and they'll give you detailed specs and everything...never done it myself but i hear they're pretty prompt with a response

Here's the address
consumerrelations@fender.com

joeybsyc · February 1st, 2010, 11:26 PM

I just bought it, and don't even have it in my possession yet, so I don't know the serial number... When it arrives I will do my best to try to track down the proper email address and confirm with Fender exactly what I have... either way, i couldn't pass it up, as the price was right and the color seems to be pretty unique. The case is aftermarket, but I have a brand new G&G tolex sitting here with nothing in it! I've had dang near every color Fender's ever made but never had this Teal Green Metallic...I personally think it's a killer color, and am always drawn towards strats in oddball hues. I just hope I can bond with the maple neck, seems I end up selling anything without a rosewood fretboard. I have read that the Roadhouses seemed to have a bit thicker/better finished necks than most American Standards of the same era, so hopefully that's what it is... stay tuned!

little George · February 2nd, 2010, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravy

You could e-mail fender the serial number and they'll give you detailed specs and everything...never done it myself but i hear they're pretty prompt with a response

Here's the address
consumerrelations@fender.com

I recently did that for my '95 MIA Standard, & I got a quick response that was basically specs for the entire American Standard series, nothing specific. (But it was nice info to have)

joeybsyc · February 2nd, 2010, 07:38 AM

Hmm... Well since the Roadhouse/LoneStar/big apple were all technically part of the American Standard series lineup, I wonder if they are able to distinguish specifics of each guitar? I seem to recall folks saying that Fender provided them with more info than you got little George... Did they tell you the original color of your guitar? Pickup configuration? Neck type, etc?

joeybsyc · February 2nd, 2010, 04:19 PM

Found this on ebay... looks like they only came in 6 colors/neck combos...

orcslayer · February 7th, 2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeybsyc

Thanks orcslayer! My memory isn't as bad as I thought it might be! I do recall my LoneStar coming with a tolex upgraded case in 96, and my 98 Lonestar also did... would be surprised the Roadhouse didn't get the case upgrade as well... wonder if that could be a typo?

Does the Frontline show the available colors for the American Standard for 97? I'm still wondering if this was an "exclusive" color for the "hot-rodded" lines, or if it could have been ordered on an American Standard too.... if it's not an available color on an AM STD then it pretty much confirms my hunch that it's a Roadhouse. Any way to ID factory installed Texas Specials? Do they have any type of sticker on the back or anything, or was that just on the over-the-counter purchased ones?

According to the 1997 Fender Frontline the American Standard Strat did NOT come in 845 Teal Blue. That colour appears to have been available ONLY on the AMerican Hot-Rodded seris (Lone Star, Roadhouse & Big Apple).

Good thing I kept that Frontline, eh?

dead flag blues · February 8th, 2010, 08:14 AM

A most excellent Roadhouse Strat you have there! I have the white/tortoiseshell model. And a '96 Am. Std. Strat. You'll be very happy with this.

fenderkev · February 8th, 2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNorm

You are alright with the red label molded case. They were a lot better quality than the one they are offering now.

The SKB case they offer now is far and away the best case Fender has ever sold their MIA guitars with!

joeybsyc · February 8th, 2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orcslayer

According to the 1997 Fender Frontline the American Standard Strat did NOT come in 845 Teal Blue. That colour appears to have been available ONLY on the AMerican Hot-Rodded seris (Lone Star, Roadhouse & Big Apple).

Good thing I kept that Frontline, eh?

Thanks.. exactly what i thought! Not a bad memory eh? Therefore, buy being a 1997 in Metallic Teal (an awesome color in person, but a ***** to photograph!) this HAS to be a Roadhouse. Cool. I still question the case though, i know for a fact that the Lonestar came with a black tolex case instead of the standard molded case in 97, and would guess the Roadhouse would have too...I have a black tolex Fender case that is this guitar's new home regardless, but i DO believe it's correct for it as well.

I finaly got this on Friday, and haven't been able to put it down. I read both good and bad things about the Texas Special pickups, but I have nothing but good things to say about them played through a 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue... One of the best sounding strats I own... and I have over 20.

joeybsyc · February 8th, 2010, 07:41 PM

Hey, one more question...(2 actually) do factory installed Texas Specials have cloth covered wiring? And do non-custom shop guitars (such as the Roadhouse and Lonestar) have any type of "custom shop" stickers on the back of the pickups like the over-the-counter ones do?

profdlt · February 8th, 2010, 11:34 PM

My 97 roadhouse (candy apple red/maple board/black tolex case) has cloth covered wiring and no stickers on the p'ups.

joeybsyc · February 9th, 2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profdlt

My 97 roadhouse (candy apple red/maple board/black tolex case) has cloth covered wiring and no stickers on the p'ups.

Awesome... Then that confirms it. Mine has cloth wiring, no stickers, and is now living in a black tolex case. I love this guitar.

T-Bodz Terry B. · February 9th, 2010, 04:17 PM

Very nice looking Srat! Glad to hear it plays as good as it looks Bro!

joeybsyc · February 11th, 2010, 10:20 AM

Thanks! I'd buy another one of these USA Roadhouse Strats in a heartbeat. I generally hate maple necks, and kinda figured I wouldn't like this one either, as I usually "try" a maple neck every year or so, but always end up selling it... This one's not going anywhere.

orcslayer · February 11th, 2010, 10:39 AM

My texas specials have cloth covered wiring. I seem to remember a custom shop sticker on the back of at least one, but I bought a TS Bridge pup seperately to replace the stock Humbucker (mine started life as a Lonestar, but I decided to turn it into a Roadhouse & glad I did).

So I'm thinking the two factory installed TS pups had no stickers & the one I bought aftermarket did.