I'm looking at 419.99 for a Midnight Wine Maple Standard MIM Strat or 599.99 for a Deluxe Player's Transparent Crimson Deluxe.

Is there $200 worth of extras in the Deluxe?

I'd definitely say yes to the DP. It plays and feels exactly like older American made ones, made even better by the bigger frets and the 12" radius fingerboard which, allows for a nice, low action. Even the bridge has the American saddles and spacing. The Ash body is always a nice thing too along with the extra switch for all pickup combinations. As for the pickups, I don't like either set on either model. YMMV.

_________________
You dig?

I think the deluxe players are some of the most underrated guitars in the strat line.Nicely made and the finishes are really nice.I am one of those people who prefer 12" radius guitars.My hands dont cramp up after 3 hours of playing.Really comfy and i think the pickups are vintage noiseless.

I love that crimson color.

_________________
"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

Yes, the crimson transparent is so #$@*&!% nice, it tempts the $@!& outta me.

To me, I am not a big fan of the DP. The transparent finishes are beautiful. But "not so much" for the gold hardware, to say the least. Also, I find 12" radius fretboards to be too flat, and the VN pups are good but not at all one of my top choices. Don't get me wrong ... they are nice, but not my cup of tea. I'd grab the Std and drop some new pups in it.

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

If you play a lot of lead and go on stage a lot, a DP is porbably a better choice. If you'd like more color options and possibilities of upgrading a guitar, then go for the MIM standard.

-The Screamin' J

_________________
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?"

When I am stateside, I gig constantly playing lead in a punk band. The colour of the crimson transparent is what drew me to it. I do however typically customize my guitars over time...