American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Review

All the refined features found on the American Deluxe Stratocaster guitar, but brimming with beefy tone thanks to a Fender DH-1 humbucking pickup, S-1 switching system and LSR Roller Nut with locking machine heads. The two Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups (neck and middle) are wound extra-hot for proper balance with the humbucking pickup.

Features:	9
Sound:	9.7
Action:	10
Reliability:	9.7
Impression:	9.7
Overall rating:	9.6
Users rating:	7.8
Comments:	11

overall: 10

Featured review by: CkY freak, on february 14, 2006

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: I bought this guitar a few days ago, and I love it. The orignal price of the guitar was $1000, but I was cut a deal, and I couldn't pass it up. I have an awesome crimson red transparent with a black pickgaurd, black covers/knobs, and a sweet matching black headstock. This guitar has 22 frets medium jumbo frets, with abalone dot position inlays. The pickups on this guitar are amazing, there is a Fender DH-1 humbucker in the bridge, 1 Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Strat Pickup (middle), and 1 Hot Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Strat Pickup (neck). This guitar has the 5-way selector Switch, with the S-1 switching. Its got a modern C shape maple neck too. And it even has Fender/Schaller Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed locking tuning machines. This guitar is amazing. // 10

Sound: The DH-1 isn't as hot has the Dimarzio X2N in my Ibanez RG470, but thats to be expected. But overall, I think this guitar sounds better than my Ibanez which has top of the line DiMarzio and Fender pickups. The pickups aren't noisy at all, because they are noiseless pickups, and I'm running it through a DigiTech GNX4 through a 100 watt Peavey Bandit 112 amp. I play hardrock/progressive rock, and this guitra could definitely suit those styles with ease. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I had to lower the action a bit when I got home, other than that, nothing was wrong with it at all, and the pickups are perfectly positioned. The finish looks like it will last a life time, I am very happy with it. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar could withstand anything, its a Fender, so you know its reliable. The hardware is top of the line, its got an LSR rolling nut, and a super nice bridge, this guitar has it all. // 10

Impression: Like I said above, I play hardrock/progressive, and I think it could handle it well. I've been playing about 3 years, and I'm so happy I got this guitar. This guitar has everything, noiseless pickups, S-1 switching, an LSR rolling nut, it's just perfect. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this guitar. The only thing I wish is that I would have gotten this guitar earlier! // 10

overall: 9.2

Reviewed by: jarrah, on november 11, 2006

Price paid: $ 2356

Purchased from: Allens Music Store Pitt St. Sydney

Features: Made in 2003 USA, California. Standard 24 Jumbo Frets, rosewood neck. This was an off the shelf, deluxe american Fender Stratocaster with built in S-button technology. Essentially giving it humbucker capabilities by combining two or all three of the single coil pickups. I use this guitar in conjunction with a 100w Marshall DFX Amp. The sound that I can achieve with this guitar is incredibly flexible. I bought it with the intention of following up my jazz/blues acoustic feel, yet found myself seduced by the overdriven excellence it offers. For a single coil guitar, I can achieve amazing overdriven tones and distorted sustain. Quite simply, this guitar has handled by change from John Mayer and Eric Clapton to Tool and Deftones without missing a stride. I have no critical issues with this guitar. Perhaps the only point of interest is if you are looking for a humbucker guitar soley, then get one, if not, this guitar can handle any style with amazing tones and feeling. The price is high, actually starting around $3900 Aus, but in my opinion it's more than worth it. it's always a good idea to haggle though guys, I got this with my Marshall amp and saved over $1000. It came with a case, strap, lead, picks, humidifier and tuning tools. // 8

Sound: I use this guitar in conjunction with a 100w Marshall DFX amp. The sound that I can achieve with this guitar is incredibly flexible. I bought it with the intention of following up my jazz/blues acoustic feel, yet found myself seduced by the overdriven excellence it offers. For a single coil guitar, I can achieve amazing overdriven tones and distorted sustain. Quite simply, this guitar has handled by change from John Mayer and Eric Clapton to Tool and Deftones without missing a stride. I have no critical issues with this guitar. Perhaps the only point of interest is if you are looking for a humbucker guitar soley, then get one, if not, this guitar can handle any style with amazing tones and feeling. This guitar is well worth trying out for anyone with the money and flexibility in their guitar playing. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: The action is amazing, so easy to play. I bought this guitar on a wing that my 2 years playing experience would not affect an exponential growth in my playing ability if I had good equipment. I was right. The guitar is exceptional, works well in all situations and survives the hard slog of gigging. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I have played live with this guitar and it has never once had an issue or become stained from my sometimes lethal sweating. This clearly is an off the shelf guitar built by the best people in the business at Fender. I'm sure it will not pose any problems in the future. // 9

Impression: As I've said, the flexibility I have achieved from this single coil guitar is amazing. The S-Button technology really gives the humbucker feel that I was looking for eventually. This guitar is quite simply amazing. Well worth a test try by anyone. It can be played Live, works amazingly well with my Marshall amps and I would recommend the combo to anyone. // 10

overall: 9.6

Reviewed by: JDawg4098, on october 21, 2006

Price paid: $ 950

Purchased from: Skips Music

Features: // 9

Sound: When I first began looking for a guitar, I was looking for versatility and flexibility of sound. I wanted to play rock and blues, but I also didn't want to be restricted from playing metal on the same guitar. This Stratocaster was perfect for my needs. The guitar can hum a B.B. King tune, or it can scream Metallica or Slayer sounds. There's great versatility on the tone selectors, I was surprised how much the tone can change with merely using the knobs. My previous guitars could not change their tone so easily. I use a Fender HotRod Deville 60 watt tube amp with this guitar. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The factory did a magnificient job on this guitar. The stings hug the fretboard as close as they can possibly get without ringing, making it extremely easy on your fingers, unlike korean and other outside-US made stratocasters, which are more difficult to play. The pickups have obviously undergone wonderful fine-tuning, they are factory-angled at an upward slant towards the high E string for maximum tone and volume leveling. The finish is incredible, after admiring the instrument fully, I could not find one imperfection in the finish. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I've used this guitar in a gig without a backup guitar and have played it at least an hour, maximum 5 hours, everyday for the past month and one-half of owning it. The factory stings still sound top notch and clean, and have no visible marks after all this time. While my fellow band member is changing stings every week on his guitars, my Strat has not failed me. The solid feel of this guitar adds a sense of security when playing live, which helps very much if you are inexperienced. The guitar does not go out of tune when using the whammy bar, surprisingly. The strap buttons obviously fit the factory strap perfectly, although the roughness of the strap can annoy your shoulder if playing for prolonged times. This guitar will still be playing in 50 years. // 10

Impression: I play whatever the crowd wants, which normally turns out to be a wide variety from metal to blues. This is why I bought this guitar. But I didn't expect this guitar to be so perfect. When I think of a guitar that can be perfect, a guitar that can do everything, sound perfect, feel great, look great, I can't think of anything else that can be better. I would not buy another one if this guitar was stolen because the MSRP is over $1000, the price is the only pet peeve I can find about this guitar. I know it seems immature to be so positive and "superficial" but, I'm not exaggerating how amazing this guitar is. Nine for me, only not 10 because of the price. // 9

Comments

[sHieZaN]

yes, i have a brown sunburst version of this guitar, and it really is insane. this guitar is kick ass

[scizor4]

i've been researching this guitar coz i need a new one, and from the first time i laid my eyes in this guitars specs, and picture in that special black and gold... i knew it woz yhe one. Simply put.. one of the best ever!!!!!

[CkY freak]

Yea, I was lucky enough to get this guitar for $800 with a hardshell case (I noticed I forgot to put the price), if you are thinking about buying one, then do it, you won't regret it.

[OttovanZanten]

Reading Fender American Deluxew Stratocaster reviews is kinda useless actually =P
every1 knows American Fenders own =P

[scizor4]

THe badassloox on this axe will rule hu thinx it suites grunge?????

[guitardude1039]

Brown Sunburst >>> Other Colors

[harlan42]

CkY freak, I'm sure you have the Am. Special Mahogany HSS Strat which is a little different than the Deluxe HSS. Your guitar has Tex-Mex singles w/ a diamondback hb, not SCN singles w/ the DH-1. Plus, you only saved around $200 (which is nothing to scoff at), but the deluxe HSS will cost you closer to $1300, not $1000 when it's all said and done. Still a great guitar though.

[kegman]

i got mine for 1100 + tax
wooot

olypic pearl ftw :]

[lyndont]

Hi folks, I keep catching the pickup selector when strumming, does anyone else do this or is it my action? Any suggestion how I could overcome this?

[Tomaz24]

I'm buying mine through my school, so I don't pay VAT. So it's only going to cost me £790. Instead of £930.

[Rish666]

I Just got mine in Oregon for $1199 and brought it back to Sydney where I've found it as cheap as $2299 at Venue and as expensive $2899 at Allen's music. This is by far the best Guitar I've ever Bought From the BC.Rich Warlock, LTD EC400, The Fat Deluxe can do it all Plus More. the only thing i miss which expected when buying a strat is that you miss out on the second octive with the 22 frets but it seriously isen't needed all that much for my playing. I'm a Big Fan of the S1 Switch and The SCN Pickup Config and the LSR Roller Nut. Tone is great for jazz, blues, funk on clean and Is awsome for rock and metal. Its by far the most Versatile Guitar I've Played yet.