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Post subject: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 5:18 pm
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Greetings All,

I recently received the Fender Strat that I had made via Fender's online version of the American Design Experience (http://www2.fender.com/american-design/). I don't see many (any, really) ADE experiences on these forums, so I'll share my experience and see if it piques any interest.

Overall, I'm tremendously satisfied with the experience and end-product. I agree with comments I've seen in the past regarding the somewhat limited choices and aggressive price premium of the ADE, but I was able to find a unique combination of features that I really liked (and like). I'm sure an American Deluxe plays just as nicely, but I kind of feel like this one is "mine." At least, that's how I justified it in my mind. A better-than-expected yearly bonus enabled the splurge.

With my bonus deposited on March 5, I placed the order on March 6. The guitar arrived on May 22 (just before a holiday weekend in the US -- score!). It took 77 days -- not that I was counting. O.K. I was counting. I received an e-mail confirmation of my order when I placed it, and they sent another e-mail when it shipped. Justin Stewart was my assigned customer relations representative. I asked Justin about having them install strap locks at the time of manufacture, but that was (as I had guessed) outside of the ADE policy. I can easily install locking strap buttons, but I'm not a huge fan of immediately modifying a brand new instrument that has been special-ordered (and, really, shouldn't strap locks be the default on something like this?). At worst, it was a minor annoyance of which I was fully-aware when I placed the order.

The guitar arrived beautifully set-up with perfect intonation. The finish and frets are spectacular. It came with a strap, cable, polishing cloth, and "case candy" including a Certificate of Authenticity. I noticed that it was shipped without adjustment wrenches (not that I really needed them yet), but Justin took care of that immediately by sending some out. He was also really good about answering my newb questions regarding the passing lane switch (which I had stupidly mistaken for the S1 switch).

As far as the build details, this is a modern Strat HSS with an ash body in Vintage Blonde with gold hardware and a tortoise shell pickguard. Pickups are Noiseless with S1 and passing lane switching. It's strung with 11s, and the neck is a left-handed "C" shape with a compound radius (9.5" to 12") and maple fretboard. The tuners are locking, and the bridge is deluxe. I call it, "Leggy Blonde," in case there are any Flight of the Conchords fans out there.

And now, of course, to prove that it happened...

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Not necessarily stoned, but beautiful.

Cheers,
Dave.


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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 5:51 pm
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Pretty nice !! 8)

Very Hendrixesq w/ the reverse neck. 8) 8)

Congrats and play it well.. !! :D :D

Assuming there was no wiggle room on price, but you gotta pay to play...

Not sold on 'Gold' hardware. I think it looks great, but am worried about durability over time.

Also, the Lumber looks to be better quality than stock guitars I've seen. This is perhaps another advantage of the ADE guitars, though I haven't seen any others for comparison.

The same is true of my American Deluxe Ash which was personally selected for me by Austin Bingham, Stringed Instrument Support Technician at FMIC Scottsdale:

Image

Nice guitar... You're Happy... No downside here !!

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:36 pm
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Awesome! :D

The Blonde is beautiful, with amazing grain on that Ash body. 8)

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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:40 pm
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Nice guitar and collection you have there. 8)

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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 9:06 pm
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Wow, fantastic post here and great pics, too! Thanks for sharing this and I'll certainly pass along your comment re: strap locks to the powers that be - good feedback there.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 10:55 pm
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petzval:
Thanks for your ADE info and photos. That is one fine axe. Enjoy for many years to come. :D

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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:46 pm
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Nice! I've always been a sucker for translucent finishes and tort pickguards - especially together. Does seem strange that on a series called Design Experience you have a whole bunch of options to choose from - but can't get something as simple as a straplock.


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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 4:46 am
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Very cool guitar 8) Makes me want a strat.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 4:57 am
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Thanks for the comments and overall good vibes, everyone! It's definitely a guitar for a lifetime. I have the same concerns about the longevity of the gold hardware, Lightnin MN, but only time will tell (and it'll still play the same). Your American Deluxe Ash is a beaut!

Cheers,
Dave.


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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 5:06 am
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8) :D


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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:30 am
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Congratulations Dave ! Thank you for sharing this NGD experience, I enjoyed reading your story and the photo's are cool. 8)

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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:53 am
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Don't forget to show us your bad boy in action!


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Post subject: Re: NGD: ADE Strat -- Are you experienced?
Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:30 pm
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chromeface wrote:
Don't forget to show us your bad boy in action!


+1

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