Ok, I have been considering an American Deluxe Strat, in fact I have one on hold at a local store. I really like the deluxe, but I have since been looking into the American Vintage series, 57 or 62, even the Vintage Hot Rod 57 Strat. What can I expect from one of these and what is the differance between the 57 and the 62 model?? I know I'm asking alot of questions, but I'm new to all of this and I'm really getting into all of this. So far I have 3 electrics and 2 accoustics. Whether I buy the deluxe or one of the Vintage series guitars this will be the first new one I've bought. I even considered buying an older original 60's or 70's strat....considering they seem to hold their value quite well. And my other question is what is the differance between the shapes of the neck, C, V, and which seems to play the best? Sorry for so many questions, but since I got such a late start into guitars, I have to depend on forums like this, mostly because I don't trust a salesman to give me an honst answer.
Thanks again,
Lile

The primary difference between a 57AVRI and a 62AVRI is the composition of the fretboard. The former's is maple while the latter's is rosewood. Some folks believe the maple provides for a brighter snappier tone (this theory has merit IMO). Regardless, both are fine instruments and are built as closely to original vintage spec as possible (unlike the AmStds, AmSpls, and the majority of the MIMs). The hotrodded versions of these AVRI Strats have slightly flatter fretboard radiuses and different pickup configurations but retain the other vintage-spec features.

Play a few in a store to see which one fits you......they're all really outstanding guitars.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

It's late and a long dissertation would be less helpful than the advice we usually give in response to such a question. You are looking at guitars which vary greatly from one another. Read the products catalog and check the specs. Print out the specs for each of the instruments of interest and compare. You must, must, must, play these guitars through the type of amp you will use most often, appreciating their sonice differences and the feel of these necks.Modern C, soft-V, and VHR necks are very different. The Clapton neck is different stlll. Once you've had them in hand, if you have additional questions, ask.
Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

I'm a firm believer that every guitar is different in some ways,even guitars that are the same models.Some differences are subtle and some are more noticeable.
I've played and owned many Strats and the best one I have ever owned and played is the '62 Hot Rod that I bought just recently...that's a strong statement,but a really excellent one comes along once in a great while if you're lucky.
But,you need to try them and play them in an amp like you use....just buying one for looks or features doesn't always get you a great guitar....ask me and many others how I know that.

V profile is much easier on the hands. Hot Rod has been discontinued. I'd rather have the '62 only because I don't want the S-1 switching system. Putting circuit boards in guitars doesn't sound like a great idea. I'm sure its a great system, but I'd prefer more traditional setups...

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Try an 09 American deluxe strat, if you run across one. I have one with a V-neck in sunburst, looks and feels like a 57. Good luck.

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

the thing with me was, when i went to guitar store with buying a 57 reissue on my mind but, the store had none in stock so i ended up buying the american deluxe after playing several other strats n stuff. the others played great but this one "spoke to me" as they say also bought the deluxe reverb amp that i was plugged into.....no regrets at all.

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2009 american deluxe ash stratocaster

2009 epiphone es-335 dot.
2009 65 drri amp
2009 fender vibro champ-xD amp.
2009 takamine g-4400 acoustic/electric guitar

1980 fender harvard reverb 1 amp

The American Vintage 62 Hot Rod has a nice, big, beefy neck. Very similar to a Les Paul. The frets are pretty good size as well. On the American Vintage 57 Hot Rod the frets are not as big, and the neck profile is not the same either. I remember it being perhaps a modified V shape or something.

I thought the guitar sucked. The American Vintage 62 Hot Rod blows it away.

+1. 62 Hot rod for the win. Gotta love the chunk on that neck.

Some do gotta, and some don't gotta.

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"Another day in paradise!"

I have a slew of strats and my 2004 two-tone Anerican 50th Aniversary Deluxe is one of my very favorites. It sounds great, has very sensitive pickups, and resonates like crazy... the gold hardware and locking tuners are great. Great choice, you'll NEVER regret it... unless you sell it some day!!!

Spoken like a sage.

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life is too short for bad tone.

Sage does damage with an '89 Clapton; an '08 FSR Deluxe VG-V-neck;
a Gilmour NOS; a soon to be '57AVHR; and an '02 LP Custom Shop Heritage Elegant Triburst Quilt-top...fast 60's neck. As I said:
Some do gotta and some don't gotta

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"Another day in paradise!"

I'm a supporter of anything in the American Vintage series. Each guitar has tremendous quality, and I don't think you can say one guitar in the line is truly better than another. It just comes down to personal preference to specs, which is where they differ.

There's going to be a gigantic grin on my face for weeks when my '57 VHR strat gets in.

If you've ever auditioned one, I would certainly think so.

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"Another day in paradise!"