I wanto to hear your opinions on this. What is the main diference between this particular model and pick up setup ?

We all know that in the end teqnique is the most important thing but, what do you prefer and why ?

The main difference is the Atomic humbucker vs the N3 single coil bridge pickup.

I prefer the HSS 'cause I found the SSS to be tone-boring.

Can anyone help me with this? Someone opinion on Atomic Pick up (DH-1) ???

I've yet to compare deluxe pickups but I'll give you my take on the american standard series...it should be similar.

I've had my SSS for awhile now and am in love with it. Never been a fan of the fat strat because it wasn't 'classic'. After trying out the american HSS it really compliments the tones SSS cannot acheive. The SSS models are a bit brighter while the HSS is more warm.

If I were you i'd try SSS first then HSS.... or BOTH

I don't like the Fender Atomic or similar humbuckers because they sound too dull on the top end compared to other humbuckers like a Seymour Duncan JB or a Gibson 498T or Gibson Burstbucker or Seymour Duncan Custom. I like some bite to the mids and high end like on the Gibson or Seymour Duncan humbucker of those models. I gotta have some Strats too with three single coil type pick ups too and the sound isn't boring unless your amp or playing is boring. Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer etc use three single coil Fender Strats and their sound isn't boring and neither is mine.

As an owner of numerous HSS formatted Stratocasters.....it's pretty obvious.....GET THE HSS!!
The Atomic humbucker does indeed SUCK!(IMHO)
But, if you invest in some quality pickups, like I did, you will have an AWESOME guitar on your hands!!

Suggestions:
For the singles: I prefer NOISELESS....and MY favorite, at the moment is the DiMarzio Area series!
For the Humbuckers: I've had great results with Gibson (498T, 490T, BB3,57 Classic Plus) and DiMarzio (36th Anniv. P.A.F.)

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I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!

In your place, I would drop a set of Tyler pickups (Hot Laura in the neck & middle and Supercharged Studebaker in the bridge) on this beast and add a Demeter mid-boost circuit with lead/rhythm and bypass/preset switches. These options would make the American Deluxe HSS more versatile. Also, Fender should expand further the wood choice besides the traditional alder, ash, mahogany, koa and basswood and start offering mamywo as an option on their Custom Shop and American Deluxe instruments.

Hi there.

It would be helpful to know what type of tone your looking for out of a guitar.
If you playing metal or hard rock, then either will do, because the noiseless are humbucked that are stacked.

Now if your going for blues or country, I would say neither, the standard single coils are better here.

That is not to say you can't play blues or country with a humbucker, you surely can, but the Atomic one is not the best choice, it's loud and strong, but i find it to be quite vanilla to tone, colorless and dull.

In fact, I have one sitting on my workbench if you would like it, 40 bucks with the pickguard shipped to you (If you are in the US)

For the most part, when I think of a Strat, I think standard 3 single coils.

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

The HSS is an outstanding guitar...Throw in a new Bridge pick up and amazing thing's will happen. Great tone variations in an HSS.

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

Fender should make a Strat with an HSH or an HHH setup. I'm tired seeing only SSS, HSS, H and HH guitars, though I know that the HSH and HHH are far common on the Factory Special Run (FSR) series guitars.

Ron, which Deluxe(s) do you have - a new one with the N3s or the older SCN ones?


To clarify...the OP asked about American Deluxe Standards...and I found the new N3 pickups in the HSS I tried a little bland compared to the standard SCs in my American Standard. I also think the SCNs were a little lacking also. They didn't sound bad - very clean actually, & the S1 (and the new passing lane switch) was interesting and could give many options, but the overall tone was not the same...too sterile I thought. To me the standard Am Standards sound better. It only took a couple strums on the American Standard to KNOW I wanted one. A little while with the Delxue and it was 'meh'. So in a Deluxe, at least the H & push-button switch add some more character.

The Deluxe is a great guitar with very nice features, but I prefer the tone of my Am Standard over the Deluxe. If I were to get a Deluxe, it would be the HSS.

I have a Standard Strat with two Area 67 and one Virual Vintage 54 Pro and they are great. But i think i wont be buying the HSS i'll go with the SSS, maybe change the 54 Pro on my first guitar with a Dimarzio Paf.

Thankz everybody por the inputs !!!

A humbucker in the bridge is just easier to use - you don't have to work out your way around any drops in output or shrillness, but I really prefer the tone of SSS Strats. When you figure out how to use the bridge single coil properly - it's very gratifying.

Get the SSS and don't look back...

Mmm... thats what i think but im still looking at this issue.

Does someone here own a Deluxe strat Hss or Sss ?

I need a little more expiriences and opinions.

What you really need is to go try them for yourself - YOUR opinion should matter the most when deciding which is better and why.

Anyway, I have owned an '07 Deluxe SSS, so what else do you want to know?