These guitars are phenomenal. The HSS Mahogany can produce an unbelievable variety of tones. The playability is excellent. The Mahogany is a bit heavier but provides great sustain.

The 2010 American Special is extremely comfortable and sounds great. I am impressed by these guitars.

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

The only complaint I have so far is that with Jumbo frets it buzzes a lot, no matter how I seti it up.
I have to take her to the luthier for a re-crowning

A brand new guitar should not need crowning, set up maybe but not a crown. Crowning fret dressing will only probably be needed 7 years in. Id send it back for another.

Hello everybody, my name is Guy and I just purchased one of these (the hss) today and I am enjoying it quite a bit. This is my first fender I have an Ibanez rg321 and an Ibanez srx690dx bass and a Yamaha acoustic that I have been playing with awhile. The tones coming out of this thing stock are amazing to me so far but I am sure some pups will be changed before it's over. Nice to meet ya, Guy.

2 months into mine and my first post...still loving it!

Nice to hear from you Stringjunkie. Welcome, and glad that you like your new guitar.

Hey thanks the first friendly response on this site, appreciate that! And I do love it put fresh 10s on and some schaller strap locks this thing is great! Cheers, Guy

I bought one last night. I really like the clean bluesy tone of it. Fair price.

I noticed someone else mentioned the G string going out of tune constantly. I have the same issue but I have yet to even attach the tremolo and my beends are relatively mild.

I have to tune that string at 2 minute intervals. It's the only one that won't stay in tune. I bought this at Guitar Center and stil have 1 month to return it since it was purchased on credit. If they can't fix it, they will get it back.

Other than that, I absolutely love this guitar.

The Am Special Strat did not feel/play/sound anywhere near as good as my 01 AM Standard or 89 Strat plus. I did however finally try the Tele. Yeah, I'm totally buying one after my wife and I separate. It will ease the pain of the inevitable divorce coming my way.

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

I have the 2008 Fender Deluxe special mahogany h/s/s and it rocks

I really like to play guitar, I hope so I can have one.

been saving for one for a while and plan on getting it for christmas with 1969 custom shop pickups

I purchased one in the HSS setup, and it's just excellent. Action, feel, playability. The pickups have a great tone too, once you open that AMP up. I played 3 shows with it over the weekend, through a Roland BC-60 Blues Cube, and had just awesome, awesome tone.

I've never played through the Line 6 Amps, but it's possible that could be part of the weaker sound. I do like Line 6, I own a Pod 6 UX2 device that's just awesome. On a side note I also tried their Variax modeling guitar, while I was searching for my new toy, and I though it was pure junk. Interesting tone and effect, but the feel and action played like a $99 Sears guitar.

But my American Special is just fantastic. I can't say better things about it. I seemed to have a bit of a problem with the G string staying in tune at first, but it's settled now. I love it!

love mine. the clean sounds are incredible. i'd buy another one.

I just couldnt get into the huge frets. I think the CPs are better guitars in my opinion.

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