What do you guys think is a better purchase: an AVRI '52 Tele or American Deluxe Strat? What are some of your likes and/or dislikes about each?

Thanks in advance.

Two VERY different guitars. is not "better" than the other one. First off, comparing a Tele to a Strat is like comparing apples to oranges. If you want to use a whammy bar then scratch the Tele off your list. And to make it even more complicated, the '52 Tele is all vintage spec while the Am Dlx Strat is all about modern features.

Go play both. Ask yourself if you prefer the Tele or Strat as a whole and then narrow it down to features you are looking for. On the other hand, maybe you would prefer a '57 reissue Strat or an Am Dlx Tele.

Me personally, I would choose neither the 52 Tele or Am Dlx Strat because I do not like the noiseless pickups in the Am Dlx, and I do not like the 52 Tele's 7.25" neck radius. But maybe that's what you like about them. That's why I have a Baja Tele and an American Series Strat. Don't let me sway you though. Go out and play each and decide for yourself.

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

AVRI 52
Pros: I love butterscotch, vintage tele pups, vintage frets, sweet case, and the fact it is identical in specs to the 52 tele, an instrument known for amazing tones in the proper hands.
Cons: Whatever cons people make up for telecasters: too bright, no contours, vintage frets aren't fast enough, etc...

Deluxe Strat
Pros: I love wood grain, N3 noiseless pups, medium jumbo 22 frets, sweet case, contoured body and neck heel. Locking tuners, roller nut (I think it still has one), a strat for modern times while paying homage to the past.
Cons: Whatever cons people can make up for strats: pickups weak, it doesn't sound "vintage" enough, finish doesn't let the wood "breathe," etc...

In conclusion, both are quality instruments in my experience. I own a 57 AVRI strat and a 52 AVRI hotrod because at the time I was very gullible to the "vintage" spiel. If I had to buy another electric guitar I don't know what the hell I would buy, there's too many damn choices. Those two would definitely attract my attention though, and if I had to make a choice based strictly on specs I would choose the 52 tele, cuz I'm still very gullible to the "vintage" spiel ^^

_________________
I traded my car in for a microphone.

Okay, I'm curious, how are the N3 pickups? I've read they are a heap better than the SCN but have still heard mixed reviews about them. As a baseline, how do they compare to the pickups in the American Standard strats, not including the noiseless feature in the N3's.

Originally posted by Nevin1985

Yeah, I disagree too, being that my strat has vintage frets. I just wrote the cons I've heard other people say about them, hence the "whatever people make up" clause. They're both great instruments, IMHO any cons about them at all should be considered nitpicking ^^

_________________
I traded my car in for a microphone.