Thanks - it truely is.....I couldn't believe it when it turned up. it looked good on the web, but beautiful in the flesh - love the Pearloid pickguard, quite retro, I thought?

Magnifique guitare, Charles( ?)

CJ Fenderman
Only last week I bought myself (last week) a brand spanking new Deluxe Ash Strat. Mine too is a DZ9 serial number - but this was from choice.

My local dealer had both the latest DL Ash model in stock - the new one introduced in 2010, as well as the previous model to choose from. As far as prices went, the older 2004-2010 model was slightly more expensive than the newest 2010 model. Both guitars are beautifully made, with the type of pickups (both being high end 'noiseless' performers as you describe) being the main difference.

After examining, playing and hearing both versions and knowing the newer one was slightly the cheaper of the two models - at least here in Canada, I made my decision. It really wasn't too difficult at all, as I just could not let go of the older version.

The 'older' guitar, in 'Butterscotch Blonde' with a black pick guard, has abalone rather than 'pearlised' inserts set into the maple fret board (again my choice). The whole guitar just sang to me. I just loved the darn thing and my mind was made up. This was (is) a first class and beautiful guitar.

Soundwise, the older model had an edge over the slightly 'more mellow' sounding newer version IMO. My imagination perhaps, but not only did I prefer the sound, it looked and felt better as well.

The 'older' guitar has a moulded case rather than the rectangular case of the newer model. This was a none issue to me.

Both guitars are truly brilliant instruments - 'they're DeLuxe Ash' versions after all, and I'm sure I would have been more than happy to add either guitar to my collection, but having been given a chance to see, hear, and feel them both in the same surroundings and under the same parameters, I am happy with the choice that I made. I chose the older version - similar to yours.

Enjoy your new Strat, CJ. I'm sure we both have a winner here!

Congrats on getting a beautiful Strat!

Here's mine



Mine is a 2010, but S/N also strats with a DZ9... don't worry about the N3 or the compounded radius, I've replaced both on mine. Had I known better I wouldn't have bothered. But I got lucky, it's a beautiful ash body and very light! I just saw a couple of Ash Deluxes at GC the other day, much heavier than mine.

Here's what it looks like now.

Thanks guys (tonyjp & cedarblues) - you've helped convince me I got the right one after all. It really is a lovely guitar and plays very well. I'm well pleased and after what you say, maybe fate was on my side. after all - just goes to show, latest isn't always best.....lesson learnt, try 'em out first....

CJ

The Deluxe locking bridge is still in production, but not available on the 2010 USA Deluxe HSS yet:

http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 1996510100