AO Series Discontinued

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
Post Reply
User avatar
philshield
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 160
Joined: Sat May 21, 2011 10:22 am

AO Series Discontinued

Post by philshield » Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:25 am

I've been looking into getting an AO JM and after noticing pretty much everywhere has them on back order thought I'd phone a shop and try to get an ETA of when I could try one.

Turns out the rep spoke to their people at fender and they're on back order to Q3 2022 but they're also being discontinued. First I've heard of it, has anyone else heard anything similar?
"Thats a bad word transparent, if it doesn't sound like anything what do you want to buy it for" - J Mascis

User avatar
Shadoweclipse13
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 12435
Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:22 pm
Location: Stuck in the dimension of imagination

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Mon Nov 01, 2021 6:23 am

I hadn't heard either. Didn't the AO series just come out, last year or 2019?
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

User avatar
DavidG
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 212
Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:21 am

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by DavidG » Mon Nov 01, 2021 6:25 am

Somebody mentioned a while ago that a shop had told them american reissues were coming back. Not heard anything since. However, the AO's are coming upto 4 years old, and we know Fender usually refreshes a line every 4 years.

I'll be sad to see them go, my AO 50's strat is great. They should have been a bit more adventurous with the jag and jazzmaster finishes though, especially matching headstocks for custom colours! I had a surf green jag and it always bugged me that it had no matching headstock. It was the best Jag I've ever had though.

User avatar
soundslikework
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 6:29 am

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by soundslikework » Mon Nov 01, 2021 6:31 am

I believe the series was introduced in early 2018, so given Fender's 4-year product cycle (or so they say) that doesn't surprise. I've also seen some rumors around here and on the Offset subreddit, so I'm kind of hoping they release an announcement about whatever comes next soon.

I'm in the market for a new JM, and I would've totally loved to have an AO, apart from the lack of variety in the finishes. I really dislike that they leave the really cool custom colors like Charcoal Frost to store-specific exclusives. That's a business practice of theirs that really stinks.

User avatar
Unicorn Warrior
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3491
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:58 pm
Location: Kentucky, USA

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Mon Nov 01, 2021 7:14 am

I think AV will be nice to have back. AO are great. I use an AO neck in one of my builds, but I much prefer 7.25 radius. Neither of my guitars have that unfortunately

User avatar
Marc
Expat
Expat
Posts: 1181
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:25 pm
Location: South West UK

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by Marc » Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 am

I wonder if the AO series didn't sell as well as expected? I saw some great AO examples (offsets) and some not too great examples in the Strat department (terrible sunbursts, really mismatched wood blanks, cheap looking mint guard etc).

If a true vintage series returns I think it will be a good thing. I suspect the Offsets will see the return of slimmer non-bound necks now they have *done* bigger bound necks.

I am curious how they approach the nitro finish - those early flash coat finishes were too fragile for most and the checking didn't really happen in a way they might have hoped.

User avatar
Larry Mal
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 19673
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 4:25 pm
Location: Saint Louis, MO

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by Larry Mal » Tue Nov 02, 2021 4:48 am

In an effort to make the old appear fresh again changes need to be made no matter if any changes need to be made. The American Original is dead. Long live the American Vintage Reissue Reissue Reissue!
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

User avatar
tune_link
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 503
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:24 am
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Contact:

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by tune_link » Tue Nov 02, 2021 6:02 am

Marc wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 am
I wonder if the AO series didn't sell as well as expected? I saw some great AO examples (offsets) and some not too great examples in the Strat department (terrible sunbursts, really mismatched wood blanks, cheap looking mint guard etc).

If a true vintage series returns I think it will be a good thing. I suspect the Offsets will see the return of slimmer non-bound necks now they have *done* bigger bound necks.

I am curious how they approach the nitro finish - those early flash coat finishes were too fragile for most and the checking didn't really happen in a way they might have hoped.
I love my AO JM but I would definitely jump on the chance to get something with a smaller, unbound neck. Would love it if they do matching headstocks like the AVs in some fun colors (dear Fender please give us a nice dark sherwood green or burgundy mist).

User avatar
BlueMelody
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 262
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:18 pm

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by BlueMelody » Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:10 pm

Marc wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 am
I wonder if the AO series didn't sell as well as expected? I saw some great AO examples (offsets) and some not too great examples in the Strat department (terrible sunbursts, really mismatched wood blanks, cheap looking mint guard etc).

If a true vintage series returns I think it will be a good thing. I suspect the Offsets will see the return of slimmer non-bound necks now they have *done* bigger bound necks.

I am curious how they approach the nitro finish - those early flash coat finishes were too fragile for most and the checking didn't really happen in a way they might have hoped.
Contrarily, the AO Series was a huge seller for Fender.

User avatar
JSett
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8803
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:33 pm
Location: Old Hampshire, Old England

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by JSett » Tue Nov 02, 2021 10:33 pm

I wonder, now they've ventured into the higher-end of Mustangs a little with the American Performer line, if they will next year - or in 2024 for its anniversary - reissue an AV line of 'Stangs. I can definitely see them doing something for the Jag next year anyway, that's almost a given.

There's been a noticeable shift towards some of the more interesting colours already so hopefully BMM, OTM, Sherwood, Inca Silver etc will make an appearance.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

User avatar
flysky578
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 60
Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2018 1:21 pm
Location: Hamburg, Germany

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by flysky578 » Tue Nov 02, 2021 11:34 pm

Marc wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 am
I wonder if the AO series didn't sell as well as expected? I saw some great AO examples (offsets) and some not too great examples in the Strat department (terrible sunbursts, really mismatched wood blanks, cheap looking mint guard etc).

If a true vintage series returns I think it will be a good thing. I suspect the Offsets will see the return of slimmer non-bound necks now they have *done* bigger bound necks.

I am curious how they approach the nitro finish - those early flash coat finishes were too fragile for most and the checking didn't really happen in a way they might have hoped.
What I saw on the internet the Tele's and Jazzmaster sold a ton even to people who already had Cs/Avri/Av.
Even before Corona they where sometimes sold out at Thomann and others. Most really digged their thick neck shapes with 9.5" aswell.

I got myself one aswell. Before the dark times of corona and 300+€ price raise. :wtf:

User avatar
MrFingers
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1560
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:50 am
Location: Puss Creek - Brussels - Belgium

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by MrFingers » Wed Nov 03, 2021 12:56 am

Marc wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 am
I suspect the Offsets will see the return of slimmer non-bound necks now they have *done* bigger bound necks.
I hope they're doing both. An unbound neck, and a fully fledged Blocks & Binding + CBS headstock.

User avatar
vistavision
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 602
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:37 pm
Location: PacNW

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by vistavision » Wed Nov 03, 2021 8:27 am

Marc wrote:
Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 am
I wonder if the AO series didn't sell as well as expected?
Fender refreshes model lines every 4 years now. AO was January 2018, this January 2022 is 4 years. Same reason we got an Am Pro II Series last year. Am Performer comes up in 2023.
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".

User avatar
mastermorya
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 624
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:27 am

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by mastermorya » Wed Nov 03, 2021 10:28 am

*prays so hard that the next vintage reissue jazzmasters actually have vintage frets instead bullshit "vintage tall" frets* If Fender somehow can escape its current mania for "vintage tall" and "narrow tall" frets, a great and mighty peace shall descend upon this earth.

User avatar
GreenKnee
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1212
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:05 am
Location: Sheffield, UK

Re: AO Series Discontinued

Post by GreenKnee » Wed Nov 03, 2021 11:13 am

mastermorya wrote:
Wed Nov 03, 2021 10:28 am
*prays so hard that the next vintage reissue jazzmasters actually have vintage frets instead bullshit "vintage tall" frets* If Fender somehow can escape its current mania for "vintage tall" and "narrow tall" frets, a great and mighty peace shall descend upon this earth.
I actually like the vintage tall frets that much that I had my '62 refretted with them. For me, they feel great

Post Reply