• From: Makarska, Croatia
  • Registered: 2015-10-22
  • Posts: 50

Topic: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

So I've finally found a maple neck, olympic white american stratocaster that I like, and I'm going to be checking it out in a week. The pickups were changed to Texas Specials, and I guess someone wanted to switch it to active at one point, but gave up mid way through. Besides that, the guitar really looks pristine. The neck serial checks out, and all looks to be in the right order.

What I wanted to ask you guys here is how can I make sure the body is indeed a '91? I'd appreciate any tips that I can get on this model, if someone has info on the exact specs of that year that would be great as well, because I can't seem to find anything on google.

Much love, DislocatedBoy

P.S. This is the guitar, if anyone wants to look at some pics: http://www.njuskalo.hr/elektricne-gitar … s-19406540 (Ignore the croatian description, I pretty much translated everything in the text above)

"I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing" - Jimmy Page
  • Registered: 2013-04-05
  • Posts: 157

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

Looks real good, I don't understand where you say someone wanted to switch it to active but gave up? I don't see anything wrong with the guitar.... As far as dating the body, I'm not sure you can and I wouldn't worry about it. If it plays great and sounds great that all that matters.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

In general if you like the guitar as others have said go for it. Look in the pickup cavity for numbers. Also if original pups are there check there dates.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

Just make sure you are not overpaying for it. Simple strat from the 90's, probably worth about 500 dollars US, if not a bit less.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • Registered: 2007-11-22
  • Posts: 358

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

I'm not trying to minimize your question but if it's a 91 strat and it sounds great I would just play it. Go with your ear. It might say the year of the guitar in the body cavity or where the neck meets the body but why pull the whole thing apart? If you bought it you must love the sound it makes. I would just enjoy it. If the serial number says it's from '91, that is good enough for any sale you may want to make down the road. What may give you trouble is the fact it has been 'modded'. That will bring the price way down.

  • From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

macg1 wrote:

Just make sure you are not overpaying for it. Simple strat from the 90's, probably worth about 500 dollars US, if not a bit less.

priced at 993 Euros, - quite a bit higher. They cost more than the equivalent of $500 in Europe.

Here is a link to a page that has a blue used Strat with a maple neck in the UK: https://www.badlandsguitars.co.uk/used-guitars/ £699

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Ian916's Website

  • From: Makarska, Croatia
  • Registered: 2015-10-22
  • Posts: 50

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

The price I negotiated down to is 800 euros, that seems to be the average price it's going for on reverb.com. Seeing it in two days, I'll take a peek in the pickup cavity.

And as far as the modifications go, I guess the previous owner put in the battery slot, but never got the actual active pickups.

"I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing" - Jimmy Page
  • Registered: 2007-11-22
  • Posts: 358

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

From the pictures it is a beauty, a really nice looking guitar and you will love the Texas Specials. Through a clean amp they can make any sound from the most sweet SRV Lenny thing to John Mayer's Gravity and with a slightly distorted amp... they really shine and can cover almost any sound. Good for you. Enjoy your new guitar.

  • From: Makarska, Croatia
  • Registered: 2015-10-22
  • Posts: 50

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

Just to update the threat, I ended up buying the guitar, it's perfect! big_smile

"I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing" - Jimmy Page
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

DislocatedBoy wrote:

Just to update the threat, I ended up buying the guitar, it's perfect! big_smile

Awesome I need to see pics please
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • Registered: 2007-11-22
  • Posts: 358

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

Ahhhhh new guitar day. For the majority of us they don't come around too often so good for you.

  • From: Makarska, Croatia
  • Registered: 2015-10-22
  • Posts: 50

Re: 1991 Fender American Standard Stratocaster (Need tips)

Oh I'm enjoying it alright! smile Here's a pic I took of it, "Different Shades of White" wink https://www.instagram.com/p/BPnEZpTD2vr … &hl=hr

"I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing" - Jimmy Page