Hello, recently purchased an American Deluxe Strat HSS. It is black with rosewood fretboard and mint green pickguard. Also Noiseless pickups in neck & middle and Humbucker in bridge. Locking tuners & LSR roller nut. The first 2 digits in the serial # are N9. Guitardater project website lists it as a 98 or 99 model. Could this be one of the first American Deluxe models made? I read that this model first came out in 1998. Thanks for any help.

Sounds like it could be an early one; they did come out in 1998. However, the serial number should start with "DN9", not just an "N9". I have read on the web that there were a few 2000 models that came out without the "D"; they were just "Z0XXXXXX" instead of "DZ0XXXXXX". Maybe that happened at the end of 1999 also. The serial number should be on the back of the headstock. Photos would be helpful

EDIT: I just thought to add - if it is an American Deluxe without the "D" on its serial number it will still have the raised chrome "Fender Stratocaster" decal on the front of the headstock and either the Deluxe trem (with chrome plated bridge saddles and a snap-in arm) or the Fender Locking Trem (locks at the saddles but no fine tuners; also has a snap-in arm). If the guitar has a regular headstock decal then it could be modded with American Deluxe features.

Sorry, I forgot to add the "D". The first 3 digits are DN9.

These early American Deluxe Stratocasters can be recognised for their rectangular 4-bolt neckplate. Fender changed the design with a contoured asymmetrical neck heel and a curved neckplate in late 2001/early 2002.

These changes were intended to facilitate the access to the upper registers.

Careful when you're cleaning the headstock.

I had a 1998 American Deluxe and the Fender Stratocaster decal is over the top of the lacquer and came off very easily on mine.

I believe they have now started applying the logo before the final coats go on.

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How did it sound to you?

The guitar sounds great and is in excellent condition for the year. The guy shipped it without loosening the strings(not a great idea) from N.Y. to me in Florida and the thing was still in tune when it arrived! I also heard that they didn't make a whole lot of these in black. I will try to post some pics. Thanks for the cleaning tip. I had bought An SG Standard because of the weight and "mojo" factor and while it was a great guitar, I thought the pickups sounded thin. You can get so many more sounds from a Strat and I love the glassy & bell tones you can get. Nothing like it. Needless to say the SG is now up for sale!

Cool; thanks for updating the serial number. That's definitely a 2nd year American Deluxe, although you would either need to email Fender or remove the neck to double check the born-on dates (it could be an early 2000 as Fender doesn't necessarily change their serial numbers over on the first business day in January). I would be careful with the headstock, but I believe that Fender started putting the decal under the finish by the end of 1998 so your 1999 should be okay.

Just to weigh in here, I bought mine new in 1999 and the Serial number is DN8XXXXX and the silver decal has been applied under the finish by the time mine was produced.

Snowy

Thanks everyone for your input. I think we can all agree they are great axes no matter what the year.

Here it is, I love this guitar, plays like butter and the setup feels perfect.

[img][IMG]http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee503/Jay_McIlwaine/IMG_1402.jpg[/img][/img]

I bought one of these recently. A 98 model that has hardly been touched. Got a great deal, but when i comparison shop (after the fact no doubt) i am surprised to find that these are often selling for no more than their American Standard brothers. Any particular reason for this?

Also, mine really appears to be a one piece body. Does this ever happen in a standard production strat? I have really looked closely from all angles and cannot find the tell tale signs of joint margins. Even on the bottom, near the end pin.

Here are some pics:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 64afe58d5c

I have found the same thing as I now have this listed for sale on Ebay, no bites yet. Also just sold a 2009 AMD ash body for almost a grand no problem. I think it may have something to do with not having the latest electronics, like the S1 switch. Personally, I think these early AMDs are great guitars, and are comfortable to play. They are also very similar to the now discontinued Strat Plus model, the difference being the Strat Plus had Lace Sensor pickups. My theory is that they are orphans caught between new and vintage. Mine is about halfway there at 12 or 13 years old. Would do best to keep it till it reaches vintage(25 years old) status. Then maybe people would appreciate them for the great guitars they are, but then again, who knows?