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Fender American Delxue series - how has it changed over the years?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by TimBosby, Apr 16, 2012.

  1. Apr 16, 2012 #1
    TimBosby

    TimBosby Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 19, 2004
    Omaha, NE, USA
    So I have a USA American Deluxe Series Jazz circa 2003. It has a maple board with abalone dots. Black plastic casings on the back of the tuners, etc.

    Thinking of getting a USA American Deluxe Precision too. Can someone explain how the American Deluxes series has changed over the years? I want to say it was introduced in maybe the mid to late 90s? At what point were the abalone dots introduced? Some of the older ones had black dots. Also, any changes in the body shape/size and/or bridges? I think the modern ones don't have the black plastic casing on the tuners but I could be wrong.

    Any insight into the evolution of these between the 90s and today would be appreciated ;)
     
  2. Apr 16, 2012 #2
    Pet Sounds

    Pet Sounds

    Mar 8, 2009
    Midwestern USA
    The American Deluxe models were introduced in 1995 (at the spring NAMM) along with the original American Standard series. Both had graphite-reinforced necks. The Deluxe J and P both had downsized bodies and active pickups designed by John Suhr. The Jazz had noise-cancelling pickups. The P had a P-Bass neck PU and a Music Man-style bridge PU. Not sure when they added the abalone dots and chrome Fender decal.
    That model was discontinued in, I believe, 2009 and replaced in 2010 with the current models, which have active/passive electronics and regular-sized bodies.
    I'm sure there's more to say, but that's all I can summon up right now.
     
  3. Apr 16, 2012 #3
    TimBosby

    TimBosby Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 19, 2004
    Omaha, NE, USA
    Hmm. Thanks for the info. So there's essentially no difference between a late 90s model and an early 2000s model, I'm guessing.
     
  4. Apr 17, 2012 #4
    Pet Sounds

    Pet Sounds

    Mar 8, 2009
    Midwestern USA
    That's true. The earlier cases were different, with blue lining and a Deluxe logo on the side. Don't think the the basses changed that much, except for new color options.