Ok, so Santa (my wife) bought me an American Standard used from Guitar Center...long story short, she would rather me have a new one (greatest wife ever!). I can get a deluxe or a standard but what I'm most concerned about is the compound radius. I like the necks on the American Standards a lot but haven't been able to play a Deluxe. Anyone have any thoughts on how much beefier the compound radius necks are? Are the DLX and Standards that far apart in quality?

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2010 American Standard Strat - Sienna Burst (Big Dippers)
2008 50's Road Worn Strat - 3 Tone
2004 Squire Strat - Gold
2009 72 Deluxe Thinline Telecaster RI - 3 Tone
2008 Taylor 426CE

the compound radius doesnt make it beefier, imho the am deluxes are better quality, because they havelocking tuners, abalone dot fret markers, contoured heel, even with the aformentioned improvements, the am std is still an awesome quality guitar.
furthermore, do you have an american std strat already, then get the deluxe. also try the vneck deluxe, i have one, and its awesome.

also, the brand new am deluxe is moreless 1400-1700 and std 1100. at the higher end of the price spectrum, you can also look at the hot rod 57 or 62. i have avhr 57 strat, totally awesome.

congratulations on an awesome wife, strat is a bonus....

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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

I was going to buy a 2010 AM DELUXE STRAT. Purely because of some visual lack of prestige like no abalone fretboard inlays and the N3 pickups having bad reviews. I went for a 2009 AM DELUXE STRAT with Abalone dot inlays in the fetboard and the Bill Lawrence pickups with S1 switching.

I have never looked back. I tried another 2010 AMD Strat the other day and it just further re affirmed that my choice for the 09 was a good move.

American Standard is very much up there...but deluxe is prestige, better hardware, woods etc.

good luck and let us know your choice.

I have had both a Fender Standard and a Deluxe both where 2006 models that here bought new and well made. I had got rid of them a few years ago as the where not what I was looking for in tone. I had found a 2009 left over deluxe that was just an incredible player with great tone and I had to have it. The deluxe has great features and is well made for the price.But a standard is also a great guitar for the money. I would try a few deluxes and standards or even a reissue and see what sounds and playability you like the best. Don't get to hung up on color if you find a great player with incredible tone.I prefer maple fretboards but the Deluxe has a rosewood fingerboard and sounds awesome.
I realy do not use the S1 Switch that mutch so I that was not a factor fo me. The locking tuners have come in handy.

Don't overlook the Telecaster if you find a good one they are just and incredible guitar. The biggest mistake I ever made was selling mine. This is on the top of my wish list.

Well, I ordered a Sienna Burst Rosewood Strat earlier. I was able to get the strat new and a set of Dimarzio Area 58's and an Area 61 for a couple hundred less than the Deluxe. The deluxe also wasn't available in Rosewood which I really wanted. I will post pics as soon as I get it. Thanks for the advice. It's nice to know that the AM Standards are considered a great guitar.

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2010 American Standard Strat - Sienna Burst (Big Dippers)
2008 50's Road Worn Strat - 3 Tone
2004 Squire Strat - Gold
2009 72 Deluxe Thinline Telecaster RI - 3 Tone
2008 Taylor 426CE

American Standards are the workhorse of the line....Sienna Sunburst is fantastic finish particularly if you have a nice grain pattern in the body wood. Deluxes now have a new pickup and the compound neck radius. This facilitates soloing and bending in the upper neck positions and chording lower down. You'll find the v-neck quite different from the 'modern C''. Suggest you find a Deluxe in both configurations and play before you pay.

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"Another day in paradise!"