What's the difference between an '88 American Standard Stratocaster and the same year for the '57 and '62 reissues...other than the later being about twice the price?  At the '87 NAMM show, Fender introduced the Standard Stratocaster, then being built in the newer Corona facility, and supposedly building a handful a day, with only about 10 floor workers, and good quality...  trying to dismiss the CBS era Stratocasters.  IOW, how can you [easily...hopefully!] tell the difference between these late 80's Stratocasters.  As a rough price range, it appears the Standards are worth in the neighborhood of $600+ with the reissues generally about $1100+ or more.  These prices tend to be the bottom range.

BTW, I've got an '88 Standard, I bought new, but can't "bet my life" it's a Standard vs the reissues.  I think my sales receipt says "standard" though.

I'm no expert, just an enthusiast:
 
The Standard has the modern vibrato hardware the Vintage Reissues have the older six hole with the stamped saddles. I like the old style.
 
IIRC, The 57 has a maple fret board and the '62 has the rosewood. The American Standard has either.
 
Some of the 62's have smaller frets.
 
The "Vintage Reissues" have a Nitro Cellulose finish over a polyester sealer. The American Standard has polyester over polyester.
 
The VR's usually come with a snazzy carry case while the American Standards come with a very nice practical case.
 
The VR's usually have AlNiCo magnet pickups while the American Standards changed over the years with the fashions. I like the AlNiCos.
 
Most importantly, the Vintage Reissues have color choices that aren't always included in the American Standard selection. I like colors. :-)
 
best regards,
mike
 
 

"IOW, how can you [easily...hopefully!] tell the difference between these late 80's Stratocasters."
 
The easiest way is to consider the Vibrato Bridge. The American Standard one is, IIRC, called the American Standard Bridge.

So the Standard went back to the two point attachment and the reissues stayed the same?   I guess a serial number would indicate as well.

Like I said... I'm almost positive the one I have is a Standard.  It's a two point trem, maple fretboard, alnico pups and the flatter radius neck....where I suppose the reissues have a 7.5" radius.  I can't tell finishes by just looking.  The frets look "medium size"... certainly not tiny, nor jumbo.

It's a nice guitar.  I did put a SuperVee trem on it, that just drops in and locking tuners and a roller string tree.  Not that I'll change it back to original, it can be done, without any damage done.

I forgot about the 7.5" VR radius. IRRC the American Standard is 10".


The new bridges have the chunky saddles.

actually I had a typo... and it's 7.25 and the more modern C shape neck is 9.5".  I think that would be the biggest, noticeable diff, along with the attachment on the bridge/trem.   But as you know...Fender guitars are easy to swap parts on... any part, actually.

and looking... I don't think serial numbers would indicate a model... just the approx year make.

In addition to the 2 point vs. 6 hole trem (which for some reason Mike prefers the wrong one of ) and the neck radius, the # of frets are different - the reissues have 21 frets and the standards have 22.

If you play well, and apply it well in to your recordings and live gigs, no one will know the difference.