On guitar centers site they have listed a American special Mahogany Hss Strat. that I can not find on Fenders site. Does any one own this Guitar and can you tell me does it have s-1 switching on it. Also what do you think of this guitar- I am thinking of buying one.
thanks.

I can't remember if it has an S-1 switch or not. It was one of the guitars I had narrowed down, to buy, but I ended up getting an American Deluxe. I think that Mahogany guitar is beautiful. I've heard that because of the wood, it has a deeper tone. The Site should have the specs listed and would tell you about an S-1 switch. I know Muscians Friend sells the same guitar. Maybe that site will tell you.

I just looked and no mention of S-1 switching, so probably not. I guess you could always give them a call and ask. Still.......I like that guitar.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=511165

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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

they took the S-1 out maybe two years ago. BUT!!! a 2-3 months ago i seen one at GC in OKC with S# DZ9 should make it at least a 2008 (and im betting 2009) so you might be lucky.

As a side note...at the time online it was listed at $1350....but in the store it had $1599 on the price tag.

Jimmie

I have a 2008 model and it does have the S-1 switching. It is pretty much the same as the American Deluxe Strat.

I bought my American Special through GC, and it has the S-1 switch. I bought it last year though and I don't know if they removed that option since then. As for the guitar itself, I absolutely love it and am always complemented on it's tone as well as appearance. It's not a typical strat tone, it a little darker and the bridge pickup makes it sound very Gibson SG like. I will never get rid of mine.

I have a Guitar Center HSS American special Mahogany Strat and mine has S-1 switching in in the vol. knob. I called Fender and the rep. told me that these Guitars are exclusive only to Guitar Center. I doubt that Musician’s Friend are selling them from Fender. My guitar seems to sound really hot, so I play through a Digitech processor, to tone it down when needed. I know mine is a keeper.

I believe that Guitar Center owns Muscian's Friend.

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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

Bought one three years ago from Musicians Friend. I ended up selling it and purchased an American Deluxe instead. Don't get wrong, ABSOLUTELY gorgeous guitar with distinctive tone (Had the S-1 switch in it... though I didn't feel the switch did much). We would joke around and call it a Fender SG. A nice guitar, but I recommend you play it and see how it sounds to you. Not my cup of tea, but boy was it a looker, abalone pickups and that color made the guitar look good. I would definitely buy it again if I didn't have my SG.

A lot of times, larger venders order factory special runs. This is one of guitars centers deals. Its not a new American Special, its just an American HSS Strat with a Mahogany body instead of ash or alder. Cool guitar, I just don't like how they painted the headstock...

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The HSS Mahogany Strat is my favorite guitar. It does have the S-1 switching and produces outstanding tones. You will be amazed.

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American HSS Mahogany Special Stratocaster-Limited Edition 2008
American HSS Special Stratocaster (Black) 2010

I have the American Select HSS Mahogany Strat and I love it. It sounded better than the American Deluxe to me and it has all the Am. Deluxe features, including roller nut, S-1 Switch, locking tuners, rounded neck heel and hard case. It has a unique look which you either like or don't like.

It IS a special order item, but the same company owns Guitar Center, Music 123 and Musician's Friend so you should be able to get it from any of them. I got mine from Music 123 and saved sales tax since they don't have a store in Florida.

The only negatives are it is heavy and I seem to break more .10 strings than usual, but I was playing it more than my other guitars at my gigs and I do get lazy about changing strings.

The only strats I like better than my Mahogany are Custom Shop models that cost 2-3X more. My newest addition to my arsenal is a CS '56 Strat Relic which is now my NUMBER 1 guitar! Together with my new Fulltone OCD pedal it is an Awesome combination!

When making ANY guitar purchase you need to play it yourself as it is a very subjective choice.

Truth! My first high priced purchased guitar I heard was good so I took a leap of faith and purchased it... bad idea. The way you describe your Mahogany strat makes me reminsce of my old Fender JSS Mahogany Strat... maybe I should invest in it again lol.[/i]