AO Series Discontinued
- philshield
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AO Series Discontinued
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?
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
- Shadoweclipse13
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
- DavidG
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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.
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.
- soundslikework
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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.
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.
- Unicorn Warrior
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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
- Marc
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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.
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.
- Larry Mal
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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.
- tune_link
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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).Marc wrote: ↑Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 amI 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.
- BlueMelody
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
Contrarily, the AO Series was a huge seller for Fender.Marc wrote: ↑Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 amI 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.
- JSett
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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.
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?
- flysky578
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
What I saw on the internet the Tele's and Jazzmaster sold a ton even to people who already had Cs/Avri/Av.Marc wrote: ↑Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:12 amI 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.
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.
- MrFingers
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- vistavision
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
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".
- mastermorya
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
*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.
- GreenKnee
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Re: AO Series Discontinued
I actually like the vintage tall frets that much that I had my '62 refretted with them. For me, they feel greatmastermorya 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.