Recently i had posted in a thread tht whether i shld buy a highway one or an american deluxe strat.now i have removed the highway one frm my choice.i am planning to buy either an american standard or american deluxe.the only issue is the pik ups.Some ppl say tht the american deluxe pik ups dont have fullness and have a raw sound,whereas some say the deluxe pik ups r better than the standard.Others say go for standard.I am getting confused which one to buy.Plus i cant play them as the shopkeeper is asking me to pay 50% in advance.plz help.

Your shopkeeper has to special order American Standards and Deluxes? Can you find a better music store? It's worth a drive.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

You must not be in the United States. If you are, wait until you can go someplace where you can touch the guitars you want to buy.

I am such a traditionalist, my opinion is a little harsh. I think the American Deluxe is a fine instrument and I love the abalone position markers. I just didn't think a stratocaster needed anymore tonal options (the S-1 switch) and went for the American Standard.

I wouldn't worry about the pickups in either instrument, but that is just me; listen for yourself.

As always it is best to try both back to back,but my choice has been the deluxe,the pickups sound much better to me and the S1 is a real asset also and many of the appointment are just nicer,although you pay more I believe that it is worth the extra cost.cheers

according to the review by the shopkeeper,the standard one is better than the deluxe.he told me the pik ups in the deluxe have a raw and muffled sound,whereas the standard pikups are the bright fender pik ups.i think i will stick to standard.as for the s1 switch many say tht its jus made to make ppl feel tht they r getting something extra.yup, i will stick with the american standard only.

Good call. The Deluxe is good for what it is, but I'm not a fan of the S1 or the sound of the pickups-It just doesn't feel like a Strat, more like a strat-style guitar thsn the real thing. The AmStd is hard to go wrong with, and the new ones are very nice.

I went with the standard, SSS, because a traditional strat was what I wanted.

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

'Can't recall anyone in this lounge ever saying they purchased an AS and thought it anything less than a stunning guitar. 'Got one in '90 and it is still amazingly delightful as soon as plugged in.

That said, the AD is a tremendous, monumental guitar, but as has been said, the high quality, S-1 switching...personal opinion is, "It's too nice a guitar to be a Fender, let alone a Stratocaster."

'Also agree; make a drive or trip to where you can try both, preferably more than one of each. ::ikely you will have the guitar for a long time, and best to be as deliberate as possible. Best of fortune.

So you chose because someone told you what to believe?

-The Screamin' J

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CURRENT RIG:
2008 Squier bullet stratocaster modified with Rumpelstiltskin pickups -> Dunlop GCB-95 Original Crybaby -> Fender Vibro Champ XD

"Could you take the stain from this pair of pants, and put in on this pair of pants?"

Ferrari's and Lambourghini's my friend, they both rock, play both, it's your choice. I went for the standard, but i'm more of a traditionalist and did not want the S-1 or locking tuners (or the extra price tag)

One of each is the way to go. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Are you going to post next week that your choice is now between a standard and a tele.lol Just playing with ya

It seems a moot point now since you went the MIA Std. But there are LOTS of people that love the SCN pups in the MIA Dlx. Also, it is my opinion that the sunbursts are nicer on the Dlx than the Std (my guess is that the Dlx gets a premium wood selection, but I am not 100% sure on that...)

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

I love my American Deluxe Strat.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

I went into the store sure I was going to get an Am. Deluxe, but to my own surprise decided on the Am. Standard. I just couldn't get behind the SCN sounds. Same thing with the Deluxe Players (it has Vintage Noiseless); I liked the regular strat sound better. The Highway One was a close second, but I wasn't interested in the nitro finish. It turns out you can't lay that on the usual padding that comes on most guitar stands - the finish reacts with the pads. Or I read that somewhere, anyway.

I'm very happy with my American Standard.