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Post subject: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 8:47 am
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Hello all, I am considering a new old stock Deluxe Strat plus and want to know the pros and cons of this guitar. The personality cards seem like a good idea but did not last long. At $1169.00 it may be a good deal new with warranty and pro coverage at GC. Tell my what you think!

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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 10:47 am
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There were some online resellers blowing these out for around $900 over the past few months; $1,199 seems kind of high for something that's probably been hanging around at your GC for a few years (these were really made during 2014; I don't believe they did any production runs in 2015).

It's got some nice specs: you get the compound radius fingerboard and locking tuners. It has the bent saddle bridge like an American Standard - some like that better than the cast saddles on the American Deluxe/American Elite. If you like the N3 pickups it has them.

On the down side it has everything about the personality card technology - which I suppose Fender isn't really going to support going forward. Under the pickguard is a circuit card - all the components are proprietary and they plug into the circuit card - the 3 pots are sealed, as is the 5-way switch which also plugs into the circuit card. The pickups have plugs at the end of their leads that plug into the circuit card. The circuit card is connected to the box for the personality cards by a ribbon wire (like inside a desktop PC).

The way I look at it is that if Fender stops supporting the system and it ever fails you have saved enough money over the original price to pay for a replacement loaded pickguard.


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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:34 am
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I totally disagree with the bad press the card system gets.
1. Seems most of the detractors don't even know exactly what the cards do.
2. If you don't want the options that the cards give you, leave the standard card in and forget about it. It will be just like having standard wiring. (It is passive). Nothing to lose or having to replace.
3. What is there for Fender to support or not support about it? It is covered by warranty just like everything else.
4. "You can't really change them on the fly". Right. But you can rewire or change out a pickguard faster?
5. "They aren't making more cards" What's wrong with the present 3-4 cards? They're not consumed!
6. Want to change pups? They're plug in.
7. *Worst* case, replace with a loaded pickguard. And you can still use the pups.
I never heard such a misplaced bunch of whining about a feature that can so easily be worked with. Let alone not appreciate what it *can* do. But I guess that's over too many people's heads.
"More tones". That's what it amounts to. Not much different than an S1 switch, and I don't see as much whining about that.
Check out what the cards do. Between the card and the DIP switches, it is really pretty slick all the setting you can get with them. Too bad there seems to be little appreciation for them.
B/L, is there is no real reason to avoid them.


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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:57 am
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wmachine wrote:
2. If you don't want the options that the cards give you, leave the standard card in and forget about it. It will be just like having standard wiring. (It is passive). Nothing to lose or having to replace.

There are more components that can break, and thus a lower MTBF.
Not to say anything about the connectors. We all know what happens to connectors after being plugged in and out a few hundred times.

wmachine wrote:
3. What is there for Fender to support or not support about it? It is covered by warranty just like everything else.

Warranties don't last as long as guitars do. And in the US, they don't even follow the guitar, and second-hand guitars have no warranty at all.

wmachine wrote:
4. "You can't really change them on the fly". Right. But you can rewire or change out a pickguard faster?

No, but you can change guitars faster. If you're on stage, that's what you have to do. The cards don't help with that.

wmachine wrote:
B/L, is there is no real reason to avoid them.

Unless you're not a consumerist, and intend to keep your guitars working for 5+ years.


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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 10:51 am
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arth1 wrote:
wmachine wrote:
4. "You can't really change them on the fly". Right. But you can rewire or change out a pickguard faster?

No, but you can change guitars faster. If you're on stage, that's what you have to do. The cards don't help with that.[/quote]


Wow. Talk about being argumentative. You're hardly being objective.
Just take #4 for example, The cards don't help on stage. They don't help you fly either. You ignored what I said. Not worth trying to discuss with you.


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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2016 11:31 am
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wmachine wrote:
Wow. Talk about being argumentative. You're hardly being objective.

Right. Unlike you, who are the epitome of objectiveness.

I'll just leave this here:

Image


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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 5:33 am
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I for one like what I see and in current situation and level of experience I will not be on stage anytime soon. My electric playing time is once every 2 weeks at best for about an hour or 2. So it won't get to much attention. I am buying a 2 year pro coverage through G.C. that will cover it 100%. I play mostly acoustic anyway.

But no argument necessary, I am still leaning towards the Deluxe plus over an Elite, it's a $$$ thing!

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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 12:07 pm
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Hmm. Most components have the possibility of wear and tear and a lot of malfunction surrounds us.

I had component demodulators that could be swapped in a quad stereo. As technology improved so did the newly introduced demodulator. That seemed to work well as not only did they snap in, but they were also given screw mounts. They were more solid than the innards so I doubt that shaking the receiver would have made a difference. As for the hard wired innards, well, there was more failure with the older technology. YMMV.

Some of the best pro gear I've ever worked with had breadboard modular components, and yes some of the gear was portable.

I believe the concept is sound, but it is the design and execution IMHO that counts. The contacts are a concern as arthl stated; however, there are millions of contacts in the same boat, and many are replaced when necessary. This design needs to be addressed and simplified making access and parts available accordingly.

It's 2016 and dropping in a pup with ease or a loaded pickguard that is reliable and maintainable with flexibility and ease should be a given.

Roland-G5 Strat, Line 6 Variax, and other oddities exist as what were then new takes on development. Still, there will always be room for the older hot rod where you can 'run what you brung' (and some of those have extra components added to the formula).

Choices are what makes the Strat a great guitar pfflyer55

Have fun with yours.

FSB

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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 3:59 pm
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That escalated quickly - sorry; I shouldn't have said "down side" as really my only point is that the technology is proprietary, and if/when Fender stops supporting it you would have to move on to fully replacing the electronics if the stock components were to fail.

I just think that it is something to keep in mind when you are getting ready to invest in discontinued equipment. And again the price the OP was quoted from his GC is a bit higher than what these have gone for elsewhere.


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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 6:07 pm
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Hey, John. Your price comparison is definitely a worthy consideration. I agree proprietary is definitely a worthy argument. I worked for Sony for a short period, and, along with other manufacturers, I know proprietary can have issues when they are not beneficial.

Having said that, we live in a world of proprietary parts accompanied with far reaching global parts. Some of these global parts are to be questioned for quality and availability. Still, there are choices where sometimes one can pick the generic route full of great parts and backup. Fender is for the most part a great partner here; but, this practice of not accepting proprietary can also remove one from having the experience from many items that have a purpose or uniqueness unto themselves. Computer software, cars, cellphones and related hardware, audio gear, and the list goes on often don't play well together. Yet they always find a home.

A day doesn't go by when I don't tear my hair out or wish for simplicity, standardization, and the removal of undesirable obsolescence.

For me the S-1 switch allows plenty of choices to satisfy my taste. YMMV.

Ah, if only it were that simple. One size seldom fits all. :wink:
FSB

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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2016 6:43 am
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Still looking for a used Plus SSS all the new ones are gone. At least through guitar center!

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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2016 5:25 pm
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Just buy a conventional Strat that you like the sound and feel of. Just because a guitar can produce almost infinite switching solutions doesn't mean you will use, need or even like them.

When guitar shops are blowing out the last of the unsold ones for £900 it means the most they are worth is £900 tops.

Good, bad or otherwise it is obsolete. It isn't comming back; the odds on you getting additional cards are negligable and reducing by the day.

The more complicated you make something the more options you have on it going wrong. And to deliberately buy into someting which is over complicated and can't be replaced seems a little optimistic to me.

"But if it goes wrong I can just replace it with a conventional loaded scratch plate." You can but you are still lumbered with the card reader carbuncle on the back. You won't be getting shot of that aside cutting in a new piece of timber or replacing the body.

If they were £500, or less, you could factor in a replacement body and have yourself a reasonably priced Deluxe.

I understand VHS video players can be picked up for a song these days.

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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2016 5:58 am
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Point Well Taken! Maybe a Deluxe will do the trick!

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Martin D-18 E Retro, Martin GPCPA4-Nat.
Fishman Loudbox Artist acoustic amp.


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Post subject: Re: American Deluxe plus strat SSS?
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2016 9:36 am
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pfflyer55 wrote:
Still looking for a used Plus SSS all the new ones are gone. At least through guitar center!

I always think that - like buying a house - if you missed it, there's a reason for that and you'll do better when you do eventually buy one!

I have no personal knowledge of the card-equipped Strats, but the modded body John (Sims) speaks of doesn't sound ideal if you eventually want to put a loaded scratchplate on. With all due respect to wmachine - who obviously likes his, and fair enough - it does all sound a bit unnecessary. In standard trim a Strat's a very versatile guitar, and presumably cheaper in the US. Changing amp settings, or using an EQ pedal (oft-overlooked), will surely give you any different tones you need?

Best of luck with whatever you wind up buying, anyway!

Cheers - Peter.


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