Fender American Deluxe Strat

FFXGuitar · 11-10-2008, 05:31 PM

I went to my local Guitar Center last weekend, looking to try out some Fender Strats. I tried the American Standard with a maple fretboard, and I loved it. Later, I tried out the same guitar with a rosewood fretboard, and I loved it even more, I just couldn't resist the smooth, warm tone of the rosewood.

Then I tried the American Deluxe, which I was not interested in at first, I didn't see the point in paying $200 more for something similar. But then I saw the difference. The Deluxe had locking tuners, and after playing for several hours, and using the tremolo bar, it still had perfect standard tuning.

Also, everyone said the S-1 system gives it a humbucker sound, which was useless to me, as I have a Les Paul. I tried the S-1, and it can give you a humbucking sound, but different pickup combinations and tone control settings + the S-1 switch down = endless possibilities for tone. I got some amazing clean sounds, (not as good as when you use the pickups with out the S-1 switch down) and great heavy distortion/overdrive sounds, but with the S-1 switch down, is where the Low to Mid-Gain overdrive shines. I absolutely loved everything about the guitar. The Deluxe also had the abalone inlays, and the vintage tinted pick guard (mint green). Overall, the guitar is most definitely worth the extra $200.

So I'm gonna start saving up for this:

Anyone considering getting an American Standard should seriously take a look at the American Deluxe.

jomo · 11-10-2008, 05:40 PM

I hear ya. When I went Strat shopping, I decided it was worth the extra change for the Custom Shop.

FFXGuitar · 11-11-2008, 08:08 AM

Yeah, its amazing how I always go guitar shopping looking for a certain guitar, then end up really liking another one.

coldsteal2 · 11-11-2008, 12:08 PM

I never tried one, always wonderd how they were

nsureit · 11-14-2008, 10:48 PM

Went to GC about three weeks ago looking for a Gibson SG, but ended up with this!

996ttcab · 11-18-2008, 02:23 AM

I have a Deluxe and a Custom Shop and I just got damn lucky on my Deluxe. I play it all the time. I have spent less than an hour with my Les Pauls in days (one I have had since the early 1980s). My Deluxe also feels better than my Custom Shop right now. Just got the custom shop and it is prettier with the flamed neck and gorgeous dark minty sea foam shade color. I am working on tweeking the setup on the Custom, but it is still not the player my Deluxe is.

I have played a lot of Strats and has a 72 all throughout the 80s and several American made 80s and 90s models. I have also payed other Deluxes from the same year. The neck and the action on mine just cannot be beat by anything I can get my hands on. I literally have three guitars now that never ever get played.

Sorry for the dribble, but yeah the Deluxes are super sweet and, if you get lucky and pick a good one, can be the best guitar you will ever play. The Custom shops are awesome too, but it is all about getting lucky and finding tha one special neck floating around.

That red Deluxe is pimp and should be a much better player than an SG. Congrats.

shal1234 · 11-18-2008, 02:57 PM

i was gonna get a deluxe, but then i tried out the Rory Ghallager signature strat. That thing was unreal. the body resonated so deep it was like a piano. and the neck was perfect. probably the nicest guitar i ever laid my hands on. but for $3000? whew that's a lot of dough! if i could have some more time with it and confirm that it really is the best, then i might be able to part with the cash, but now i'm banished to timbucktu.

FFXGuitar · 01-17-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shal1234

i was gonna get a deluxe, but then i tried out the Rory Ghallager signature strat. That thing was unreal. the body resonated so deep it was like a piano. and the neck was perfect. probably the nicest guitar i ever laid my hands on. but for $3000? whew that's a lot of dough! if i could have some more time with it and confirm that it really is the best, then i might be able to part with the cash, but now i'm banished to timbucktu.

Haven't tried one of those yet, I'll make sure to.

C Squared · 01-17-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsureit

Went to GC about three weeks ago looking for a Gibson SG, but ended up with this!

Sweet!! I is that the one with the mahogany body? I was thinking about one of those when I was it listed in a AMR catalog recently

How you diggin' it?

5er driver · 01-17-2009, 12:49 PM

That IS sweet lookin'.

loverockkid · 01-17-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsureit

Went to GC about three weeks ago looking for a Gibson SG, but ended up with this!

Nice top on that strat(Looks like a SG

) Im also going strat shoping..You guys say the Deluxe is worth the extra $200.00 himm im going to play them today I Think.

hank49 · 01-17-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsureit

Went to GC about three weeks ago looking for a Gibson SG, but ended up with this!

That's a beautiful guitar. Is that a Hipshot Trem? I've never seen one on a Strat before.
If the only real difference between the deluxe and the standard is the tuners, you can get a set of Schallers for about $62. I had to bore out the vintage holes but not a problem.

FFXGuitar · 01-17-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hank49

If the only real difference between the deluxe and the standard is the tuners, you can get a set of Schallers for about $62. I had to bore out the vintage holes but not a problem.

-1. There are alot more differences than that

loverockkid · 01-18-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFXGuitar

-1. There are alot more differences than that

What are they?

FFXGuitar · 01-18-2009, 10:19 PM

Deleted

FFXGuitar · 01-18-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loverockkid

What are they?

Ok, as stated earlier,

locking tuners.
also,
S-1 switching system
samarium colbalt noiseless pickups
abalone inlays
different trem bar
mint green pickguard
*supposedly better quality and craftsmanship*

obviously, a few minor differences but the locking tuners, switching system, and pickups make this guitar well worth the extra $200

classic · 01-19-2009, 05:11 AM

I can't say anything about the whole guitar ... but I've got a Dlxe neck on my Franken-Strat - built with the (nearly) best stuff available according to my needs for a strat ...
- Vintage Fender steel trem block
- VanZandt blues pups with Blender mod wiring (Master Vol-Master Tone-Blender).
The neck is wonderful, because I like those slim 60s necks ... and the abalone dot inlays ...

... and it doesn't matter to me that there is a 60s neck on a 50s body, because it sounds excellent, also due to the tight fit of the neck/body joint ... simply great !!

If the other components of the original Strat are as good as the neck is ... you can't go wrong !!!

Look ...

loverockkid · 01-19-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classic

I can't say anything about the whole guitar ... but I've got a Dlxe neck on my Franken-Strat - built with the (nearly) best stuff available according to my needs for a strat ...
- Vintage Fender steel trem block
- VanZandt blues pups with Blender mod wiring (Master Vol-Master Tone-Blender).
The neck is wonderful, because I like those slim 60s necks ... and the abalone dot inlays ...

... and it doesn't matter to me that there is a 60s neck on a 50s body, because it sounds excellent, also due to the tight fit of the neck/body joint ... simply great !!

If the other components of the original Strat are as good as the neck is ... you can't go wrong !!!

Look ...

Wow sweet looking axe man

FFXGuitar · 01-19-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classic

I can't say anything about the whole guitar ... but I've got a Dlxe neck on my Franken-Strat - built with the (nearly) best stuff available according to my needs for a strat ...
- Vintage Fender steel trem block
- VanZandt blues pups with Blender mod wiring (Master Vol-Master Tone-Blender).
The neck is wonderful, because I like those slim 60s necks ... and the abalone dot inlays ...

... and it doesn't matter to me that there is a 60s neck on a 50s body, because it sounds excellent, also due to the tight fit of the neck/body joint ... simply great !!

If the other components of the original Strat are as good as the neck is ... you can't go wrong !!!

Look ...

ur geetar looks great man! i love the combination of creme pickups and knobs + white pickguard

EEF13 · 01-19-2009, 11:44 PM

i could not put that guitar down when i was in Guitar Center

classic · 01-20-2009, 06:38 AM

Thanks guys ... I appreciate your opinions ...

... here's a link to my 'making-of' thread ...

What do you think about a FrankenStrat model ??

FFXGuitar · 03-20-2009, 05:57 PM

Wow, they jacked up the prices, huh...?

The_Sentry · 03-20-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFXGuitar

I went to my local Guitar Center last weekend, looking to try out some Fender Strats. I tried the American Standard with a maple fretboard, and I loved it. Later, I tried out the same guitar with a rosewood fretboard, and I loved it even more, I just couldn't resist the smooth, warm tone of the rosewood.

Then I tried the American Deluxe, which I was not interested in at first, I didn't see the point in paying $200 more for something similar. But then I saw the difference. The Deluxe had locking tuners, and after playing for several hours, and using the tremolo bar, it still had perfect standard tuning.

Also, everyone said the S-1 system gives it a humbucker sound, which was useless to me, as I have a Les Paul. I tried the S-1, and it can give you a humbucking sound, but different pickup combinations and tone control settings + the S-1 switch down = endless possibilities for tone. I got some amazing clean sounds, (not as good as when you use the pickups with out the S-1 switch down) and great heavy distortion/overdrive sounds, but with the S-1 switch down, is where the Low to Mid-Gain overdrive shines. I absolutely loved everything about the guitar. The Deluxe also had the abalone inlays, and the vintage tinted pick guard (mint green). Overall, the guitar is most definitely worth the extra $200.

So I'm gonna start saving up for this:

Anyone considering getting an American Standard should seriously take a look at the American Deluxe.

FFX: That's a great review!! Thanks for sharing it. (Plus, you've given me some ideas towards upgrading my HWY1 down the road...

)

coldsteal2 · 03-21-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsureit

Went to GC about three weeks ago looking for a Gibson SG, but ended up with this!

HEY kind of even looks like an SG so you got
the best of both worlds!

Shane · 03-22-2009, 01:49 PM

Does the deluxe have a V neck?

FFXGuitar · 03-25-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

Does the deluxe have a V neck?

There is a deluxe model you can buy that does come with a V neck, but I think the normal deluxes come with C necks

FFXGuitar · 03-25-2009, 10:36 PM

The Deluxe also comes with noiseless pickups vs. The Standard's pickups with the 60-cycle hum

nsureit · 03-28-2009, 01:32 PM

My Deluxe is the mahogany version with a Diamondback humbucker, and two Tex-Mex singles. The S1 switching system is OK, but I tend to use the customary parallel settings.
Here's how the S1 works:

FFXGuitar · 09-04-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsureit

My Deluxe is the mahogany version with a Diamondback humbucker, and two Tex-Mex singles. The S1 switching system is OK, but I tend to use the customary parallel settings.
Here's how the S1 works:

Awesome, thanks for the diagram

11-10-2008, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
FFXGuitar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 445 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Fender American Deluxe Strat I went to my local Guitar Center last weekend, looking to try out some Fender Strats. I tried the American Standard with a maple fretboard, and I loved it. Later, I tried out the same guitar with a rosewood fretboard, and I loved it even more, I just couldn't resist the smooth, warm tone of the rosewood. Then I tried the American Deluxe, which I was not interested in at first, I didn't see the point in paying $200 more for something similar. But then I saw the difference. The Deluxe had locking tuners, and after playing for several hours, and using the tremolo bar, it still had perfect standard tuning. Also, everyone said the S-1 system gives it a humbucker sound, which was useless to me, as I have a Les Paul. I tried the S-1, and it can give you a humbucking sound, but different pickup combinations and tone control settings + the S-1 switch down = endless possibilities for tone. I got some amazing clean sounds, (not as good as when you use the pickups with out the S-1 switch down) and great heavy distortion/overdrive sounds, but with the S-1 switch down, is where the Low to Mid-Gain overdrive shines. I absolutely loved everything about the guitar. The Deluxe also had the abalone inlays, and the vintage tinted pick guard (mint green). Overall, the guitar is most definitely worth the extra $200.So I'm gonna start saving up for this: Anyone considering getting an American Standard should seriously take a look at the American Deluxe. __________________ '04 MIA Fender Deluxe V Neck Strat Honey Blonde '05 MIK Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Heritage Cherry JB/Jazz Vox Valvetronix VT30 Dunlop Crybaby GCB-95 BOSS DS-1 Distortion MXR 6 Band EQ

11-10-2008, 05:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
jomo Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville Posts: 6,267 Thanks: 78 Thanked 85 Times in 23 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat I hear ya. When I went Strat shopping, I decided it was worth the extra change for the Custom Shop. __________________

11-11-2008, 08:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
FFXGuitar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 445 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat Yeah, its amazing how I always go guitar shopping looking for a certain guitar, then end up really liking another one. __________________ '04 MIA Fender Deluxe V Neck Strat Honey Blonde '05 MIK Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Heritage Cherry JB/Jazz Vox Valvetronix VT30 Dunlop Crybaby GCB-95 BOSS DS-1 Distortion MXR 6 Band EQ

11-11-2008, 12:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
coldsteal2 Rock Star Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 16,855 Thanks: 187 Thanked 56 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat I never tried one, always wonderd how they were __________________ ...........Cold Steal II Soundclick Songs ................. ColdSteal2's YouTube Videos.............MusicMight Secret Service . Still Rockin' at 56 .

11-14-2008, 10:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
nsureit Tenacious Texan Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,901 Thanks: 142 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat Went to GC about three weeks ago looking for a Gibson SG, but ended up with this! __________________ Les Paul Junior John Lennon Commemorative & '03 Les Paul Supreme * '65 Casino Elitist Reissue * Gretsch 6119-62 Tennessee Rose * '95 MIJ Telecaster Foto Flame *

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on My Les Paul Forums

11-18-2008, 02:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
996ttcab Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 350 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat I have a Deluxe and a Custom Shop and I just got damn lucky on my Deluxe. I play it all the time. I have spent less than an hour with my Les Pauls in days (one I have had since the early 1980s). My Deluxe also feels better than my Custom Shop right now. Just got the custom shop and it is prettier with the flamed neck and gorgeous dark minty sea foam shade color. I am working on tweeking the setup on the Custom, but it is still not the player my Deluxe is. I have played a lot of Strats and has a 72 all throughout the 80s and several American made 80s and 90s models. I have also payed other Deluxes from the same year. The neck and the action on mine just cannot be beat by anything I can get my hands on. I literally have three guitars now that never ever get played. Sorry for the dribble, but yeah the Deluxes are super sweet and, if you get lucky and pick a good one, can be the best guitar you will ever play. The Custom shops are awesome too, but it is all about getting lucky and finding tha one special neck floating around. That red Deluxe is pimp and should be a much better player than an SG. Congrats.

11-18-2008, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
shal1234 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Honduras Posts: 460 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat i was gonna get a deluxe, but then i tried out the Rory Ghallager signature strat. That thing was unreal. the body resonated so deep it was like a piano. and the neck was perfect. probably the nicest guitar i ever laid my hands on. but for $3000? whew that's a lot of dough! if i could have some more time with it and confirm that it really is the best, then i might be able to part with the cash, but now i'm banished to timbucktu. __________________ If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music. -Gustav Mahler Without music, life would be a mistake. -Friedrich Nietzsche

01-17-2009, 12:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
5er driver Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 286 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat That IS sweet lookin'. __________________ The 5er Driver Now Annoying In ((((((Stereo))))))

01-18-2009, 10:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
FFXGuitar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 445 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat Deleted __________________ '04 MIA Fender Deluxe V Neck Strat Honey Blonde '05 MIK Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Heritage Cherry JB/Jazz Vox Valvetronix VT30 Dunlop Crybaby GCB-95 BOSS DS-1 Distortion MXR 6 Band EQ

01-19-2009, 05:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wild SW of Germany Posts: 801 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat I can't say anything about the whole guitar ... but I've got a Dlxe neck on my Franken-Strat - built with the (nearly) best stuff available according to my needs for a strat ... - Vintage Fender steel trem block - VanZandt blues pups with Blender mod wiring (Master Vol-Master Tone-Blender). The neck is wonderful, because I like those slim 60s necks ... and the abalone dot inlays ... ... and it doesn't matter to me that there is a 60s neck on a 50s body, because it sounds excellent, also due to the tight fit of the neck/body joint ... simply great !! If the other components of the original Strat are as good as the neck is ... you can't go wrong !!! Look ... __________________ ****************** Roger ... stay tuned ...

01-19-2009, 11:44 PM	#20 (permalink)
EEF13 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,332 Thanks: 129 Thanked 131 Times in 53 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat i could not put that guitar down when i was in Guitar Center

01-20-2009, 06:38 AM	#21 (permalink)
classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wild SW of Germany Posts: 801 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat Thanks guys ... I appreciate your opinions ... ... here's a link to my 'making-of' thread ... What do you think about a FrankenStrat model ?? __________________ ****************** Roger ... stay tuned ...

03-20-2009, 05:57 PM	#22 (permalink)
FFXGuitar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 445 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat Wow, they jacked up the prices, huh...? __________________ '04 MIA Fender Deluxe V Neck Strat Honey Blonde '05 MIK Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Heritage Cherry JB/Jazz Vox Valvetronix VT30 Dunlop Crybaby GCB-95 BOSS DS-1 Distortion MXR 6 Band EQ

03-22-2009, 01:49 PM	#25 (permalink)
Shane Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 257 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat Does the deluxe have a V neck?

03-25-2009, 10:36 PM	#27 (permalink)
FFXGuitar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 445 Thanks: 23 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat The Deluxe also comes with noiseless pickups vs. The Standard's pickups with the 60-cycle hum __________________ '04 MIA Fender Deluxe V Neck Strat Honey Blonde '05 MIK Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Heritage Cherry JB/Jazz Vox Valvetronix VT30 Dunlop Crybaby GCB-95 BOSS DS-1 Distortion MXR 6 Band EQ

03-28-2009, 01:32 PM	#28 (permalink)
nsureit Tenacious Texan Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,901 Thanks: 142 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Fender American Deluxe Strat My Deluxe is the mahogany version with a Diamondback humbucker, and two Tex-Mex singles. The S1 switching system is OK, but I tend to use the customary parallel settings. Here's how the S1 works: __________________ Les Paul Junior John Lennon Commemorative & '03 Les Paul Supreme * '65 Casino Elitist Reissue * Gretsch 6119-62 Tennessee Rose * '95 MIJ Telecaster Foto Flame *

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kramer American Pacer Deluxe	Lucid_Lunatic	Fender	0	10-10-2008 01:29 PM
My 1998 Fender Strat Deluxe/Fat Strat (Mint!)	flashbak	Online Auctions	0	09-10-2008 01:34 PM
Fender Deluxe Ash Strat	MrWrong	Fender	3	09-04-2008 09:48 PM
New American Standard Strat	shal1234	Fender	22	06-24-2008 02:50 AM
Help Deciding On An American Strat	NewtoyLPVM	Fender	7	06-23-2008 03:53 AM