All user reviews for the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster [2003-2010]

This is the rosewood model of the American Deluxe strat. They have both maple and rosewood models, but I happened to pick up the rosewood one instead for whatever reason. I guess it just spoke to me more. The guitar features an alder body, a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, dot inlays, a two point tremolo, locking tuners, three single coil configuration, one volume, two tones and a five way switch.

UTILIZATION

The rosewood on this was nice and dark. You could almost mistake it for ebony, and it made me wonder if it was dyed previously. Nothing was coming off on my fingers when I played it, so I couldn't really tell. If you look at it closely, you can still see some of that brownish/redish tint going on, but for the most part, it looked pretty dark. The neck on this was a very nice, medium C shaped neck, and it felt really nice in my hands. It was a good alternative to the thin D shaped necks that I'm so used to playing. The tremolo on this is pretty solid, and the locking tuners are very cool. I wish more companies would include locking tuners in their guitars. Overall, there wasn't much to complain about except for some minor issues with the fretwork that I noticed.

SOUNDS

The guitar had SCNs in it. If you've never played SCN pickups before, they're super quiet single coils that almost sound like humbuckers at times. The bridge especially sounds like one hot humbucker. It was completely slient, too. I was able to get a metal tone with this guitar without much of an issue. Yes, a metal tone with a strat. I'm not talking just any metal tone, either. I could do some super high gain death metal with this if I wanted, the singles were that aggressive. However, they start to get a bit muddy on the low end once you do that. Speaking of muddy, don't even bother with the S1 switch. It's pretty useless. The neck and middle were great for some killer lead tones. I also got a very nice clean tone in the in-between positions, but it wasn't that classic Hendrix kind of sound that so many are used to.

OVERALL OPINION

These are very solid guitars, and I almost tend to prefer the rosewood model more at times. The rosewood helps give it some warmth that these guitars can need at times. It basically mellows out the overall tone. I've seen a few issues with these guitars -- mainly fretwork and nut issues. If you're looking into buying one, be sure to check for those. Neck joint issues are pretty rare from my experience, and they tend to be a bit better quality than Mexican ones. Most shop models just need a good setup.

This is the 60th anniversary deluxe that Fender decided to release. In reality, this isn't much different from the other guitars during this time except for the fact that it has a nice logo on the headstock that says it's the 60th anniversary model. The guitar features an alder body, a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, dot inlays, a two point tremolo, locking tuners, three single coil configuration, one volume, two tones and a five way switch.

UTILIZATION

The nut on this needed to be recut. It had some issues with tuning stability as the slots weren't cut properly. If you've ever tuned and noticed some sort of "ping," then you know that string is binding at the nut. I noticed this with the G and B strings. It's a relatively easy fix, but you have to watch out for quality control with these guitars. The neck joint was pretty tight, and there wasn't a huge gap. The tremolo on this is very nice, but I tend to prefer it to be resting on the body rather than floating like some people like it. The locking tuners were also very nice. I tend to like these locking tuners the best. I'm still not a huge fan of the radius that Fender uses with their guitars, and I wish they'd use something a bit flatter than the standard 9.5'' radius, but I'll have to live with it.

SOUNDS

The guitar had SCNs installed in it. The SCNs also come with an S1 switch. First of all, the S1 switch is basically a capacitor being thrown on to make these pickups thicker. In reality, it just muddies up the sound, so I recommend just leaving it off. The SCN bridge was awesome for high gain. It was super powerful, and it could rival a humbucker. On top of that, it's completely silent. I was shocked at how quiet these things are. They're even quieter than some of my EMG guitars. The neck and middle worked great for getting a strong sounding clean tone. On top of that, you could get one hell of a lead tone. It was singing and sustaining for days. If you're looking for a classic blues sound, however, you'll be sorely disappointed. These pickups seem to have been made for metal players in mind.

OVERALL OPINION

The guitar is very solid quality, but I don't think the anniversary model has anything going for it that the others don't have. If you find a good deal on one of these, definitely check it out. However, if you find that these are going for more than what the other models are going for, just get the other model. They're all pretty much the same when it comes to the Deluxe line up. Be sure to buy used to save money.

This guitar vinet the United States (California). It has 22 frets avc 3 single coil pickups scn noiseless.Chevalet floating fender.1 volume 2 tone + (characteristic of this model) the selector switch 5 s1.Un positions.Manche in rosewood for me but it exists in C maple.forme rather fast and extremely well finished.

UTILIZATION

Super nice round in shape and its relatively easy access to acute (the neck meets the body at 17th fret). Ergonomics: hard to beat, is a strat ^ ^. not too heavy balance: nothing has redire.Enfin sound: nothing to repeat: it responds perfectly plain in distortion and y (we Inrush switch S1) send as if it had a hambucker to chavalet (hss).

SOUNDS

For me and my group is happiness. It changes my old cruiser. Indeed it is heading in all styles of calmer than enervé.Je played with a keyboard amp (even independent impedance 3Enter) peawey kb100 gfx5 as zoom and a multi purpose.
With all this j'obtient all the sounds I want (thank you S1) cam 10 is a variation of differrent with the switch.

OVERALL OPINION

^ ^ Last night was Christmas and I played all night ..... Jadore its warm crystal clear sound. Pur.J Almost ^ ''d try a telecaster les paul standar United States a strat hiway but it' is the best AC is on (although the ps paul was bad either) As far as the price is too high for my taste compared to a standard United States 300euros more for a switch s1 c ' is a little abuse even if the micro also change.
With esperience I think for a guitar of all the days I remake that choice, because it does not need another to meet ....

ps: just a small detail: the strings had gone too short is they have left the mechanics of the tunings so when purchasing, bought a set of rope advance to play on same ^ ^

Us version of excellent invoice
mechanical diaoliques
book flight case initials and the cloth that goes with it! ! !
noiseless pickups
I took the black and gold version
Personally, I have deco prfr a white as the old MODELS

UTILIZATION

I jou OCCAZ on many of us before my strat DCID
pus and I took it in hand
and I found several DIFFERENT MODELS a
everything falls to hand naturally
rglages are easy to find, natural, effective
It weighs a bit, but if you want lightweight, there's lgres copies, and that sound lightweight
sustain, it takes volume! ! ! !

SOUNDS

Remember that this is a Start! eh! It sounds always clear
but this little swich on the volume button
a difference!
I am not a fan of pedals like enttout
Trendy, jou (vox ac 30)
I stayed and tape it so versatile and impresionant
while remaining fully equilibrated

OVERALL OPINION

I play with different friends rgulirement for fun
When I took over the music my friends were saying Marrs
the old, it shows the great mre!
will have to be spit in pognes to make her cry
now
I have to check if they do not go with!
and then the youngsters say they are finally
There's fashion and then there's the sound
I'm not necessarily fashionable
but when a ringing, y'en that repackage their own ..... from scratch
and ask me if they can try it ......
hsitent those who have the versatility that the DVD 50TH Anniversay Coyer of stratum and they will understand!

Manufacturing-us (corona-california)
-22 Frets, 3 Samarium Cobalt noiseless micro
-Floyd
-1 + Volume switch s1, 2 tone, 5 position selector microphones
Saddle-shaped handle C

UTILIZATION

The handle is adjustable in tte.l 'Access in acute is easy, the handle is trs enjoyable and nervous with a coating that facilitates trs end the game
The guitar is trs quilibree, quite heavy which makes a good sustain.
I have a beautiful sunburst MODEL (TRS bone quality of wood and varnish)

SOUNDS

It is perfect for rock and blue / blues.Le switch in distortion can address the most radical styles;
I play with an amp sounds lamps Engl 50.The SECAM obtained are excellent in the clear as a cry baby disto.Avec is sublime.
All sounds are great with these pickups. BMOL is the only certain lack of grain if I compare my old Start pickups with the 1983 vintage.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for three weeks with a lot of potential for evolution plaisir.Le with this guitar is important, it is one of the instruments being canned.
I jou before on LP, jackson, ibanez rg ... now I return to the blues rock and this instrument is ideally suited to the style of the moment.
The ratio quality price is right considering the quality of wood, finish, excellent micro samarium cobalt.je Refer this choice without hsiter.

Config: see the other view, it's the same guitar.

UTILIZATION

The handle is very nice, fluid, access to acute is further facilitated by cutting the plate asymmetrical heel stick. it is a bit heavy but nothing annoying.

SOUNDS

I find the SCN pickups really excellent. They just grain is expected of a strat versatile, the microphone is very serious typical strat this particular on-the-neck solos. She is particularly comfortable in the registry but not limited to Texas blues. These microphones are responding very well with all kinds of saturation where an american vintage 57 collapses. For cons, I do not like the system S1. Certainly we gain round but there is no grain (thus zero for the Jazz) no details (ie zero for the metal) and finally the distorted sounds are better without this system ... nothing to do with a real humbucker.
I play in the studio on various boxes such modeling Pod, Tonelab Guitar rig or see while on a Rivera amp Rothelle 112. In all cases it is really very good. I put 9 only because of the Decomposition Systems S1 which has no interest for me, Do not think you can replace it with Les Paul ...

OVERALL OPINION

I for a month, I love his true character "strata" while being modern and versatile. For the hardcore vintage, try, it may surprise you! The quality / price is justified and the choice I would do without hesitation.

Everything has been said. mine is a 3 tone sunburst the most beautiful effect

UTILIZATION

The neck is super-comfortable (varnish)
-Access to acute is great (strato what)
-Uh it's still a bit heavy but if the price paid for a great sound ...
We always get a good sound

SOUNDS

-Ben it is suitable for all styles (well apart and doom metal stuff tt)
Ben-the moment I play with a crappy amp and the sound is great. I tried it on a fender blues junior and it is the sound
-Sounds are surttout lens but with the swith are approached humbuckers
Sustain-crazy !!!!!!!!!
-Micro samarium cobalt noisless do their job really well ... no extraneous noise

OVERALL OPINION

I have used it for 4 months
Do I love most is the sound, aesthetics and the sound of this guitar
-Good value for money ..... you pay just the brand is affordable but good ca
-This guitar has changed his mind a lot of guys use it on fenders.avant "oai you pay the brand ... it's in a dung saaturés ......" after use is the 'estas

Everything has been said below
Mine is amber in color, the right of the photo

UTILIZATION

So a C handle very pleasant to the touch, the grip is super easy, the deluxe finishes c what, great frets polished ...
access to the last fret is rather easy, it's a strat what, oh yes very cool little detail though, the heel of the handle is ergonomic, that is, it is rounded so that when we go to dernbieres we have no frets an edge in the hand ...
if not at c Impecca weight not too heavy not too light but not what
while for the sound we always get a good sound even on an old rotten Samick

SOUNDS

So it is perfectly suited to my style of music if I will have not taken (it makes me laugh the metalheads who say they can not play metal / thrash / power / death fuck with their Start ...) no c is short for ...
So I play blues, blues / rock and some jazz is impeccable
So I played with a fender fm 212 r transistors is not the top but it already gets a great sound especially on the clean channel.
All sounds are beautiful

OVERALL OPINION

I for one week, I play it every day ...
I do not have much perspective to judge the long term, but a beast like this can only last for ca
the price / quality ratio is good given the quality of materials and finishes well on its
do it again if I do it again without hesitate
Changing 02/02/07: It's been two months now that I fully exploits and confirm that indeed I said it is a wonder, I recently a hot rod deluxe and the sound was already beautiful is beautiful now ...

Corona, California United States Manufacturing.
All dj t said ...

UTILIZATION

Channel trs enjoyable a fantastic touch your fingers can not get enough ...
-The ACCS ets is relatively easy to say I go out of Les Pauls more difficult you die .-
-I found it quite lgre, plays a little trouble sitting finds its position but it comes with time
The sound and good-just what I was looking for a Start with a few more horses.

SOUNDS

'm Too novice for me here pronnoncer

OVERALL OPINION

-I bought it 15 days ago, with new colors namely 2007 Olympic White with the pickup guard recalling the neck Rosewood I found a sublime APRS is all about taste.
Finally, on my Fender Blues Junior is a beautiful marriage.
-Rapport/Qualit Honnte prices and what jamboree open fly box hum what a good smell ...
"It is a pure joy I can not let go lol ...

Strato United States ... dj feel the bombinette ... Deluxe ... feels a great finish ... Switch S1 ... a big plus ... but it takes a while before we know or place.
The mcaniques are prcises trs, and the system is blocking trs efficient and convenient.
For mine as well, look fabulous.
As Gilmour ... sleeve and key in stocky, orange table mtallique vintage pearl and plate ... and the inlays on the fretboard ... beautiful.

The handle is trs enjoyable and fast and trs trs prcis.
APRS for jouabilit the selector etc. ... is a stratum, so it's perfect.

UTILIZATION

The handle is very well Designed, trs comfortable for a Start and fast enough (we're still not on a Jackson or an Ibanez JS 1000 but it's not his game ..)

22 frets, it's well done ... trs I tried a rcemment with 21, and in fact, really missing ...

Access in acute is easy.
The only problem, weight ... PSE it as heavy as my Les Paul Standard ... Now, I rarely had in my hands a stratum with much sustain and EHJV!

The more versatile than I had and tested.

I searched a long time slamming his position that gives low 2.
But in the S1 Inrush middle position, the sound is the lens! trs slamming and rveille mdiums well until the absent without the switch (or at least weaklings ...)
In distortion or jug, the bridge pickup is amazing and the neck pickup has a close enough of a grain of P90 in Gibson, trs trs fun and versatile!

SOUNDS

For my part, I mostly pop rock, and I come with the switch to have the full range of sounds that I want ... with trs enjoyable sensations.
I plugged into my Line 6 Vetta II and my god qu'c'est good!

Enooorme!

Sounds clear: switch on and slecteur in the middle (the most beautiful clean sounds)
slecteur off and position 2 or 4 (but lacks a bit of mdiums)
Sounds crunch: switch on position 2 and slecteur
slecteur off and position 1 or 5 (4 possibly)
Saturated Switch off and slecteur April 1 or 5 others are not intrssants.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two years is a MODEL 50th Anniversary and I would not change for a Custom Shop Clapton!

It is terrible and trs versatile ... but a little heavy ...

Anyway, shame you can not buy it because mine is a limit SERIES!
= -)

United States ...

UTILIZATION

The neck is a joy. Used to my electro-acoustic Seagull is the day and night. I do not realize for lack of basis for comparison, but now replay on my Seagull was an effort. Quickly you get used to happiness!
Access to acute is easy, even for bars. No problem for the latest freight.
The shape, weight, balance, everything is fine with me. I feel comfortable playing seated or standing.
Apart from that it is better to change the strings gum mounted by default, it's easy to get a good sound. Anyway, I have no concern on that side. But it's so subjective "good sound".

SOUNDS

I play rock, pop / rock and this guitar is perfect.

If you want, go listen on my site ( http://www.grebz.fr/musique_grebz.php ) : all the songs are played at the Start (+ other guitars, but mainly the Start).

I play at home either connect to my excellent Tonelab SE ( https://simulateur-ampli-guitare.vox.audiofanzine.com/produits/avis/index%2Cidproduit%2C37156%2Cmao%2Ctonelab_se.html ) (with headphones on my stereo, or even better on monitor speakers, this sound is superbly defined), or through amp simulators like Guitar Rig 2 and it sounds great. Note that I have no electric guitar amp at home. In rehearsal studio is on the Marshall. It sounds great, just set the amp and effects at their convenience.
The switch changes the tone of the bass to treble, which adapts the sound to his tastes and hardware that you use the Start.

OVERALL OPINION

I have since spring 2007. I love the comfort of the handle, easy to position his hands, fingers, weight, neither too heavy nor too light, the proper balancing of the instrument, its looks (I bought silver in color chrome ).
Only minor negative point: the strings provided are really too soft.

I paid 1250 euros this guitar to the stock of Playback, but I hesitate to order it in Germany, where it is found around 1100 euros. In France, it is often the official price of 1550 euros, but all trades ... In any case, even if not given the pleasure of play is huge, so I judge the value justified.
I would do probably this choice unless my abilities allow me to hit even higher in the ranges. But in this price range, I rush!

Fender has made some killer guitars! Most of the time they use three single coils in most of their Strat guitars. This is a deluxe American made Fender Strat that has a sweet looking aqua blue color that just gleams with beauty. You have three single coils pickups as usual and then a volume control knob as well as two tone controls knobs. This is the most frequented design that the Strats have seen.

UTILIZATION

Neck Shape: Modern "C" Shape
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Position Inlays: White Pearloid Dot Position Inlays
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"-14" Compound Radius (24.1 cm-35.56 cm)
Fretboard: Rosewood or Maple
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Urethane
Nut Width: 1.685" (42.8 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (64.8 cm)
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-Tilt™
Truss Rod Nut: 1/8" American Series Nut
Electronics
Pickup Configuration: S/S/S
Bridge Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Strat® Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Strat® Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Strat® Neck Pickup
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Special Electronics: S-1™ Switch
Controls: Master Volume (with S-1™ Switch), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Middle and Bridge Pickups)
Hardware
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Bridge: Deluxe 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Pop in Arm
Tuning Machines: Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Tuning Machines
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Switch Tips: Aged White Switch Tip
Tremolo Arm Handle: Pop-In Deluxe Tremolo Arm
Auxiliary Switching: S-1 Switch On: Pos. 1. Bridge/Mid/Neck Pickups, 2-Bridge/Mid, 3-Mid/Neck, 4-Bridge/Neck Out-Of-Phase/In Series w/ Tone Cap, 5-Bridge/Mid In Series/Out-Of-Phase/In Parallel with Neck Pickup

SOUNDS

This guitars has a fantastic look to it. The vintage cream white paint coat on the body is just gorgeous. The color looks and feels like it just a has a load of soul inside of it. The only thing that I don't like in these guitars are the pickups. I really don't care for the noiseless pickups in their guitars either. So I would just replace these even though they are a step up from the other pickups in the standard series. I am not a fan of the Fender made pickups and I would replace them all with Seymour Duncans. I am a big fan of SD pickups and since they are not too expensive and certainly cheaper than boutique pickups then I would go with them.

This guitar works well with any amp that you stick behind it. This guitar will also work for any style of music except most of the drop tuning stuff. You won't be able to get a deep thick fat metal tone from this guitar. Any of you are into that kind of music you already know that. Other than that it will suit most players just fine. It is a players guitar so it is meant to be rocked out and played hard.

OVERALL OPINION

These guitars have several paint jobs to choose from and this one being the most colorful and bright. This is a great sounding guitar for anyone who needs a solid built American med Fender Srat. I would recommend this guitar to anyone who wants a better improved feel over the standard series. At new you can find these guitars for right at around $1699. Not a bad price for a great high quality guitar.

Fender is a great American classic guitar. The Fender Stratocaster is easily the most recognized guitar and one for the most versatile guitars in the world. They have been building guitars for more than half a century. Fender has a reputation of soul and quality when it comes to there equipment. They have a great deal of respect by the brightest and the best in the business. These guitars have been played by almost every musician in the world at one time or another. They have been played by beginners learning guitar players to the best professionals in the world.

UTILIZATION

Body: Select Alder

Neck: Maple, Modern 'C' Shape, (Satin Polyurethane Finish)

Machine Heads: Fender/Schaller Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Tuning Machines

Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5 in. Radius (241 mm)

No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Frets

Pickups: 3 Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Strat Pickups (Neck/Middle/Bridge)

Controls: Master Volume (with S-1 Switch), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Middle and Bridge Pickups)

Bridge: Fender Deluxe 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Pop in Arm

Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade and 2-Position Push/Push S-1:
S-1 Switch Up:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup in Parallel
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup in Parallel
Position 5. Neck Pickup

S-1 Switch Down:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup in Series with Middle Pickup
Position 2. Bridge Pickup in Parallel with Special Capacitor and in Series with Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup in Series with Special Capacitor (No Tone Control)
Position 4. Neck Pickup in Parallel with Special Capacitor and in Series with Middle Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup in Series with Middle Pickup

Hardware: Chrome

Strings: Fender Super Bullet 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042)

Case: Standard Molded Case

Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green on 3-color Sunburst,
4-Ply Brown Shell on Amber,
4-Ply Aged White Pearloid on Candy Tangerine,
4-Ply Black Shell on Chrome Silver,
1-Ply Beveled Gold Vinyl on Montego Black

SOUNDS

My two favorite wood combos are the Alder with Maple and the Alder with Maple and Ebony fret board. This fortunately has the first which is the best wood combination out there. The butterscotch paint job is an unusual one as I see this on Telecaster more than i do with Strats. Either way it is a good look with the black pick guard and black control knobs and pickups.

The tone from this guitar is very good. This guitar is one fine classic instrument. It can get a solid clean tone for some single coil action. This is an extremely versatile guitar with the 5 way selector and humbucking and single coil operation. You will still need to replace all of these pickups in this guitar as they are garbage. I suggest using Seymour Duncans as I have found good use of those pickups in all my guitars. They aren't boutique but they sound just as good in my opinion.


OVERALL OPINION

You get a wealth of versatility with this pickup setup. The added humbucker is a plus to this guitar and adds a great amount of depth tot he versatility. You can pick these guitars up new for right at around $850, which is even less than the three single hums. This is a great price for an American made Fender Stratocatser guitar.

This is the new go-to strat that Fender is pushing at the moment. It has quite a few features that older strats didn't have, but it's questionable how useful those features are. This guitar has an alder body with a one piece maple neck, 22 frets, two point tremolo, three single coil configuration, one volume, two tones and a five way switch.

UTILIZATION

The finish on the neck is very nice. It's a very thin finish, and the edges are rolled to help give that broken in feeling. This makes it very comfortable to play on when compared to a normal production strat. The nut on this was properly cut, and I didn't experience any tuning issues on this. The neck joint was super tight, and it was very resonant overall. The guitar also had a nice lightweight piece of alder on it. The frets were pretty good, although I've seen better from Fender.

SOUNDS

The first thing I should mention is the S1 switch. The S1 switch is basically throwing a capacitor on the pickups and fattening them up. I find it to be muddy more than anything else, so I think you're better off not using it at all. The pickups in this were the SCN pickups, and they were great for that higher gain thing. They're not the most dynamic pickups in the world, so keep that in mind. Some people dislike the extra power, but I enjoyed it. They're also super quiet, which is a huge plus considering how noisy these things can get.

OVERALL OPINION

I really like the SCN pickups that are in this. I find that the guitar itself is fairly neutral sounding overall, and the SCNs, while not the most dynamic pickups in the world, do a great job at the higher gain strat sound. The S1 switch is a bit useless, but if you ignore that, the guitar itself is pretty good.

The Fender American Deluxe is made in the Fender USA plant as a slightly high end alternative to the venerable American Standard. It was released in response to the custom builders like Suhr, Tom Anderson and many others who were releasing super high quality and decked out "super strats" that featured many different things like noiseless pickups, locking tuners, contoured heels and lighter weight bodies. Fender's American Deluxe Strat takes that boutique slate and runs with it... and the end result is a guitar that feels like a custom shop wonder, but it was made right in Corona baby! Here's the full list of specs:

Model Name:American Deluxe Stratocaster
Model Number:011-9000-(Color #) and 011-9002-(Color #)
Series:American Deluxe Series
Colors700) 3-Color Sunburst,
(720) Amber,
(723) Olympic Pearl,
(759) Tungsten,
(770) Sunset Metallic,
(Urethane Finish)
Body:Select Alder
Neck:Maple, Modern C Shape,
(Satin Urethane Finish)
Fingerboard:Rosewood (P/N 011-9000) or Maple (P/N 011-9002), 9.5 to 14 Compound Radius (241 mm to 355.6 mm)
No. of Frets:22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups:3 New Noiseless N3 Strat Pickups (Neck/Middle/Bridge)
Controls:Master Volume (with S-1 Switch),
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Middle and Bridge Pickups)
Pickup Switching:5-Position Blade and 2-Position Push/Push S-1:
S-1 Switch Up (Off):
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup in Parallel
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup in Parallel
Position 5. Neck Pickup

S-1 Switch Down (On):
Position 1. Bridge, Middle and Neck Pickups in Series
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup in Series
Position 3. Middle and Neck Pickup in Series
Position 4. Bridge and Neck Pickup Out-Of-Phase, and in Series with Special Tone Capacitor
Position 5. Bridge and Middle Pickup in Series and Out-Of-Phase, and in Parallel with Neck Pickup
Bridge:Fender Deluxe 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Pop in Arm
Machine Heads:Fender Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Tuning Machines
Hardware:Chrome
Pickguard:3-Ply Mint Green on (700), (770),
4-Ply Brown Shell on (720, 723),
4-Ply Black on (759)
Scale Length:25.5 (648 mm)
Width at Nut:1.6875 (43 mm)
Unique Features:Copper Infused High Mass 100% Metal Bridge Block,
3 Tall, 3 Short Staggered Locking Tuning Machines,
S-1 Switching,
Aged Plastic Parts,
White Pearloid (Rosewood Fingerboard) or Black Pearloid (Maple Fingerboard) Dot Position Inlays,
Highly Detailed Fret and Nut Work,
4-Bolt Neck Attachment with Micro-Tilt Adjustment,
Bi-Flex Truss Rod System,
Parchment Knobs and Pickup Covers,
Rolled Fretboard Edges
Strings:Fender USA, Nickel Plated Steel,
Gauges: (.009, .011, .016, .024w, .032, .042)
Accessories:Fender/SKB Case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth
Case:High-Tech, Molded Rectangular SKB Case

UTILIZATION

The American Deluxe Strat takes a lot of my personal pet peeves about the typical Strat, and does away with them altogther. Yay! Such improvements on the design included a contoured neck heel with redesigned neck bolt system for improved upper fret access, noiseless pickups with the unique S-1 switching system for a variety of different hum-free sounds, locking tuners, and a general penchant for lighter wood for the bodies. To me this takes the Strat perfectly into the modern age, and turns it from a guitar that I'd play once in a while to a guitar that I'd play all the time. Truly excellent.

The sounds of this guitar (and there are a myriad of them) are plentiful and all wonderful. It does everything from typical Strat type single coil tones to some thicker Gibson esque flavours, even dipping into some skimpy parallel single coil quack. Cool, right?

SOUNDS

I've tried the American Deluxe Strat through a variety of different amplifiers, mainly from Fender, Marshall and Mesa Boogie. The clean tones produced by this guitar are simply stellar. The crispness and general lush character of the Strat is not lost with the Fender pickups used here. The one trade off is that there is a bit more compression applied than with standard pickups... but you can't win 'em all. The guitar goes from jazz to blues to country to reggae to surf without any qualms... whatever style you throw at it, it'll do and smile right back at you.

The overdrive tones are just... excellent. The guitar goes from the nicest of broken up bluesier vibes to a downright obscene high gain rock roar, all without flinching once. The noiseless system really helps with gain, and using the S-1 switch allows for some really rad Gibson character to come through as well. It's really versatile and sits well in a band mix with humbucker loaded guitars quite well too. Just an all around killer ax, without question.

OVERALL OPINION

The Fender American Deluxe Strat is a wicked working man's guitar. There's really no faults with it, and for $1,500 new it's a bargain (and they can be had for as low as $800 used.) About the only thing I would consider over one for a great "super strat" would be a Suhr or perhaps Tom Anderson, just because I could pick my own specific specs. However, for a stock off the rack production line Strat, the American Deluxe is probably the best of the bunch.