USA made Strat.. 22 frets.. 2001 model. 2 point fulcrum tremolo. 3 single coil pickups.."Deltatone" I think.. switched out the bridge for an HS-3... GREAT for lead.. but I will review the original pickup... which is very nice.. biting.. good single coil tone. 1 volume, 2 tone controls.. C shaped neck.. very sweet playability.

UTILIZATION

Very easy playing neck. Like a glove. There are better necks out there (Ernie Ball Musicman. Sooo simple, but unmatched.) but.. not being a huge Strat fan previously.. this was a really nice surprise.
Note access is good. I have had Ibanez, Carvin.. great bolt on and neck thru body guitars.. their access was better (obviously) but... this makes up for it in vibe. Just stretch that pinky!
Classic design. Ergonomic.. but even though there are certainly more balanced and ergonomic guitars... the vibe compensates!
Natural classic tones right out of the case. This is the guitar you have heard on thousands of albums.

SOUNDS

I play heavy music... with the stock pickup... Mmmm.. I could certainly get heavy sounds, but they were accompanied by 60 cycle hum. I switched the bridge out with a Dimarzio HS-3 (Yes, kiddies.. I DID a review on it) which has served me quite well for balanced, noiseless hi gain tones. If you are using this guitar for medium gain or clean stuff... I would keep the original bridge pickup. Functions better with the middle pickup (sweeter) and certainly has much more character than the HS-3.. I just needed something upon which I could heap gain and get metal tones. The stock bridge is great for up to medium gain stuff... The mid and neck pickup stock are quite sweet. Relatively quiet for singles, and do their job... which is deliver sweet Strat tone. I got this guitar for 600 bucks... and honestly (and this is sacrilege.. lol) I like it more overall.. tonewise and comfort/playability than my 2500 Les Paul. (Don't shoot me) Using it thru a Voodoo Lab preamp, Digitech GSP2101 for effects.. Carvin T100 poweramp. Eminence Cannabis Rex cabinets.
Favorite tones are hi gain (with HS-3) BUT I liked my hi gain tone with the original bridge as well.. truly.. a lot! The tones I still like with the stock p/u's are cleans. They reveal the complexity of tone available here.. I used to think "I would only buy either a Deluxe American or a cheapo Squier".. I thought everything in-between was not worth it. I consider myself proven wrong. Got a great piece of wood on this one.. and I would be heartbroken if I lost this guitar. "9" for solid, classic vibe, great tones, look and feel. Olympic white. Jimi would approve.

OVERALL OPINION

Had this for 4 years. Love the sound and playability... have tried many other guitars, owned many other guitars.. including other AM Strats.. this is the keeper. Value for price, as always is relative. Some people pay 10k for a guitar that inspires them. I paid $599.00 for mine... (ha ha HA) Juuuust kidding. So.. yes, incredible value for the inspiration!
I would certainly buy it again... if I could find the same guitar..
A classic. Every guitarist should own at least one.