Are 90's era Fender Strats any good?

[@deadinside0586]

I love 90s strats! Are my favorites. And i'm the lucky owner of one 96 that's well born.

[@hhattingh]

Jeff Beck was arguably in my opinion the guy that started in a sense the whole Deluxe series. His signature model was the one that made fender break away from block neck joint, his bridge the works.

[@BenBreard]

Agreed. You know I just got home from staring at a bunch of strats at a music store. I found one I really liked the look of and then I realized it was the same guitar I have but in surf green. .....I guess I like what I like. :)

[@hhattingh]

@@BenBreard I could not agree with you more. All my strats are after 2007 Dlx Strats with the fuller neck profile. When I bought my JB in white I realized the only difference is screw in vs just push trem arm. The JB & Deluxe strats are definitely the bench mark for me when it comes to choosing a strat Just as you said I also keep coming back. I will mention though, the channel bound necks have the exact same radius. The Dlxe series prior to 2006 have a much thinner neck profile. Got rid of those very fast. Nope the JB's are amazing and no the bridge is not as pretty as vintage style but you can wail on that thing, and with steel nut it just stays in tune. Vintage are and absolute pain to set up and keep in tune..which is basically impossible. Nope I'm 💯 with you on this one.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

My 93 deluxe plus is the best Strat I ever played. Got it in 96 and put every mark on it. Fender Floyd Rose bridge is the best. Using a Hipshot Tremsetter and cranking the bridge up a bit when I got it it's never had to any repairs done to it. 3 color Lace Sensors are awesome. Just a great guitar. If there's any problem it's the color, vintage blonde. Ain't nothing nice about this butt ugly yellow. But color is no reason for me not to love this guitar. And 26 yrs later the fade look is pretty cool to me.

[@SeisouJanitorial]

I have a 91 in a gun metal blue Got it back in 91 and after a couple thousand shows I changed the frets, the pick ups (4 times ) then the saddles then the whole bridge system etc… although it turned out well it was not the same guitar. Just last week I picked up an 88 American standard in gun metal blue again ! Man I feel like I am reliving my childhood all over again and appreciating how good these were built. I am not changing a thing on this one

[@redrocker1055]

I have 97 American Standard. It's easily the best guitar I've ever owned.

[@gregandkelsey]

I have a 95 and feel the same way

[@Chicken_Joez]

Same here

[@Max.Greger]

I own two 1996s Strats (Standard + Lonestar). These are really incredible. Perfect workhorses. Just that I swapped the PUs to Lollars (which I do always). Thanks for the cool video!

[@BenBreard]

Awesome & congrats! I've heard that Lollars are some of the best. I should probably buy some as I've never owned any. ...... maybe it's time for another Warmoth. :)

[@stupid28273]

I have a 1996 Mexican Strat. Whoever picked the parts, put them together and dressed the frets was having a VERY good day! I bought is used for 150 bucks. It's easily as good as an American Strat worth $2-3000! Unplugged it has unbelievable tone and volume. The balance is perfect standing or sitting. The pickups were really good but I did put in Carvins. The bridge felt good but I switched it out with a really good, butter-smooth Wilkinson.

[@BenBreard]

Congrats! Definitely hang on to that one. I've played some similar MiM ones from that area that ranged from amazing to trash. It's awesome to know a great one is still adding value.

[@erikanthony_]

I bought a 95 AM Standard in Sea Foam green i fell in love with it on the spot.

[@BenBreard]

Man, I've been itching for a seafoam green guitar for a few years. ..... there's just something about the color. Congrats!

[@AAchurch]

Yep I just acquired a 1991 🇺🇸 Sunburst Stratocaster and really like it.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

91 is a very good year, I have 3, including an ultra. Golden era.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

89 to mid 93 were the best they ever made. They were trying to save the comany and were willing to try new things. 9.5 radius, 22 frets , TBX, that awesome wilkenson nut, locking tuners, lace sensor pickups. That awesome clapton pre amp. They started caring about quality woods and actually payed attention to fret work. Mid 93 they put on that. Horrible LSR nut with the ball bearings and rubber bushings. The strat plus series is the best they ever made. Change the pjckups if you bought the BS.

[@BenBreard]

I'm a huge fan of the era you're talking about. I really wish mine had the older style nut. It's funny because at the time people hated not being able to use SRV-style string gauges with the old roller nut. ......but, man that's not an issue for me. I'm not man enough to play 12s &13s on a strat! :)

[@mirkojovanovic3216]

I have two strats from 90s. I love them and prefer their bridges to vintage ones.

[@WarrenYang-sd1]

Should I sell my vintageii 61 and buy an 1990 american standard?

[@rizzinthebox7124]

I can tell you I played a 1990 American Standard Strat with an absolute killer belly ringing quakie sound no question. Also played a usa plus from the 90s jesus christ

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

The best.

[@bravestarr2001]

Was lucky enough to get a '96 American Standard in Alpine White with a maple fretboard, after finishing exams. Never had any problems - all original parts still. Would never part with it. Many thanks for the video.

[@BenBreard]

Congrats! It's always awesome when someone gets this much value from an instrument. Is the white yellowing some compared to the finish underneath the pick guard? The strat in the video is yellowing and for some reason it makes me like the guitar more.

[@bravestarr2001]

@@BenBreard Thanks. It really did turn out to be amazing value! Yeah, the white has yellowed quite a bit on mine. It's more of a buttercream colour now. Heard it was to do with air getting under the finish. I really like it too. Gives it character.

[@Airsoft_Charlie]

I got this strat but in crimeson burst red. But what I dont understand that mine is from 1996 (N6117245) I tried looking it up, but can’t seem to find this combo anywhere, anybody got a clue?

[@BenBreard]

There are a few strat forums. I'd post on strat-talk.com and see if anyone there can tell you more. Sorry I can't help. Good luck!

[@marcpaola1371]

I have a 1961 strat that is absolutely beautiful to play, i also own a 1997 American standard strat that i have had since new and the changes from 61 to 97 are stark in the way the fret borad radius makes you play, the pickups a very different. Is one better that the other, well no they are just different and a product of there time.

[@BenBreard]

Wow, a 61 is legit! Congrats on owning from both eras. I'm jealous. :)

[@marcpaola1371]

@@BenBreard thankyou, I'm very lucky, the 61 strat was my father's guitar.

[@BenBreard]

@marcpaola1371 that makes it even better. Congrats on keeping it in the family. My uncle owned a mid-50s black strat (I don't know the exact year). ......but of course he sold it for $150. ......sad.

[@marcpaola1371]

@BenBreard thankyou, I'm never parting with it. A mid 50s strat would have been awesome to have. Prices of these are crazy now but more modern Fenders are pretty good and get you in the ball park tone and feel wise.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

88 to 93. Flat top two wire sensors are the best. Wilkenson nut, locking tuners, trem setter, tbx, much better fretwork . The best . They were trying to rebuild the company and were really trying and it shows. 88 to 93..

[@BenBreard]

Yeah, it was definitely a cool era. I remember borrowing a friend's ultra (I think) for a couple months that had the older Wilkinson nut & original Lace pickups. That was a really cool guitar, unfortunately at the time I was too young and into Ibanez RGs to fully appreciate it. I would likely trade this JB strat for one of these if the opportunity ever comes up (probably won't!!). Cheers,

[@davidallen346]

My #1 Fender Guitar 🎸 was my 1993 $750 comes w/case American made Blackie strat with maple fretboard. It had a perfect set up and killa tone with great pickups till I stupidity try to messed with the trem claws and end up ruined the set up then had another guitar tech filed the frets too low then I end up either up trading it or reselling it. What a shame to let that guitar go sigh 😢

[@BenBreard]

I hear you! I wish I still had my '97 sunburst strat. I also did a couple ill-advised, non-reversible mods. I can't remember what happened to it, but I do wish I had kept the guitar. At least this JB strat is scratching that itch. :)

[@CatharticGuitar]

I know the late 1990s American Standard pickups are highly sought after.

[@BenBreard]

That really makes me regret the two strats (97 & 99) I got where I threw away the pickups and replaced them with Duncan and Andersons. :/ Man, I did dumb things in my childhood.

[@CatharticGuitar]

@@BenBreard it was probably a great move at the time. Think of all the people who bought a new 1964 Stratocaster and then sold it a few years later because it was getting old, and they wanted something newer.

[@BenBreard]

@@CatharticGuitar TRUTH!!

[@guitarslim56]

Less talk, more rock!

[@BenBreard]

I agree, but unfortunately I'm not very good at either. :(

[@paulcartwright2810]

Ive got a 1998 fender deluxe ....its nearly custom shop quality for a great price ....mines made of alder and is very resonant ....it seems to vibrate through your body as you play it ...ive had it 17 years ....its like all the strat I'll ever need ....very underrated .....people are all into pretend worn out guitars these days ...but that's good news to anyone looking for a high quality guitar at a great price ....I imagine 80s and 90s "super stats " are the same ....i picked up a USA BC RICH Gunslinger for £100 ....the guy was selling it to buy a Epiphone Rivera as Oasis were his thing and the BC had virtually no street cred ...lol...tbf its an ugly fucker but great for my badly executed amatuer EVH impressions ...

[@BenBreard]

Congrats on finding some cherry pieces! I always gravitate towards alder guitars. I'm not totally sure why, but they always seem to do it for me. Cheers

[@SH-pq5zq]

I think Beck used Strats with the block saddles til the end…RIP

[@BenBreard]

I like block and bent saddles. ......but the kid in me prefers the block. :) I think he also kept the original roller nut too.

[@CatharticGuitar]

I’m confused. Is it a 1990s Strat or a 2006 Strat?

[@BenBreard]

Yeah, ironically that's a 2006 model, but all the hardware and appointments are what was popular in the 90s. That bridge, lsr nut, etc.

[@richardgreen8677]

I have 2 strars, both japenese, a white 91 squire and a twotone fender88 57 re issue. They are better than the fender american deluxe i had😂

[@BenBreard]

With the crazy range in QE I've seen in their American instruments, I'm not surprised. :) Congrats on your two strats!

[@jaimesanborn308]

Um... how about the best era ever fucking made?! Strat plus Strat Ultra... the fuck!!! 😂😂😂

[@BenBreard]

LOL. All about the Lace Sensors huh? ;) I do wish I had a set of these.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

The best Era.

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

@@BenBreard the early ones with the flat tops and 2 wires are the best.

[@ominousav]

They are my favorites idk what the f people dont like

[@BenBreard]

Me neither! Maybe they just got their hands on bad example pieces. Trust me, those exist. .....but the guitar in that video is fantastic. I'm still rocking it!

[@eugeneral]

F ya dude!