Hello, I have a big decision to make and I wanted your opinions on the matter. My sister and I are buying a present for my brother who is really into guitars. He really wants the American Stratocaster Deluxe. I found one at a local shop for $999, but it varies a bit from what he's told us in the past he likes. First of all the guitar has a humbucker and two singles and my brother wants 3 singles. Second, the guitar has a dark wood fretboard and my brother like the maple. Lastly, the Fender at the shop is a 2009 and I don't think it has the noiseless pickups my bro wants. Would these differences make a big difference to guitar players? Is the 999 price a good one? Would you make this purchase or order from an online store and get the specs you want? I would love to hear your input and Thanks in advance

They should all have come stock with noiseless pickups though there was an ultra that had a double noiseless pickup in the bridge position. The price for that guitar sounds high if its not stock since stock ones can be had for slightly less than that.
Its hard to make a recommendation like that because its all subjective. If anyone bought me a guitar it would've been appreciated but if its not what he wants....
My guess would be pass on this one and look for another.

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My personal opinion is that if its not quite what he's after, he'll never be happy with it. He'll appreciate it, and probably love playing it, but it wont be the same. He'll always think about the one he really wanted. Small things can make a big difference to guitar players, it's all personal preference.

The biggest problem I foresee would be the humbucker vs single coils. They sound very different, and if your after that single coil tone, a humbucker just wont cut it. Also the necks can make a lot of difference to some players, even if it is only for aesthetic reasons.

And finally would say $999 sounds pretty decent.

Hope I helped.

Hey thanks for the reply. The guitar is stock and I've been told new. I just thought that 2010 it had some sort of new pickups (per my brother I'm not in any way an exper on guitars). So should the 2010 and 2009 American stratocaster deluxe have the same pickups? How much of a difference do the Humbucker vs. singles make? Also is there a difference between the maple fretboard vs. the darker wood (Rosewood I think it's called). Thanks again for your help.

The 2009s had Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups, whereas the 2010s have N3 noiseless pickups. They are both designed to be noiseless, i.e no hum when plugged in. I have only played a guitar with N3's but from what I hear they are considered to be slightly better - that's only other people opinions that I have heard though. The humbucker has a much "punchier" sound compared to a single coil, where the single coil is generally a much brighter, "twang-ier" sounding pickup. Generally. Its not set in stone

Some people claim that rosewood produces a much darker sound than maple, which is said to have a clearer sound. Personally, when its plugged in I don't notice a big difference, but it does make a difference as to how it plays. If he said he prefers a maple neck, its a good idea to stick to that.

Humbucker versus Single will make a big difference.

Over at Guitar Center, there's a $500 price difference between the Deluxe and the Standard. They have the Standard for $999 and the Deluxe for $1499.

You may have trouble finding a new Deluxe at that same price point that meets what he's looking for.

I think I will continue my search then it sounds like I need to stick to the specs that he likes. I've heard guitarists can be quite particular as to the details of the guitar. Thanks for your help it was very useful

No problem, I hope you find what your looking for.

I wish my sister would buy me a guitar....I'll keep pestering

Damn I just had my eyes examined too. I thought I read Strat Plus and was answering with those in mind, which is why I said they all came with noiseless.

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As has been mentioned, guitar players are a fastidiously picky lot -- you might be better off buying your brother a gift certificate from Guitar Center and letting him make the choice.

HTH

Arjay

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+1 best advice so far Darden, If you have to purchase it yourself to make the guitar a personal gift please please get the exact guitar he wants, It will make such a difference in how good the gift is to him. You know he wants noiseless singles and a maple fret board so if that is all he wants being is it a deluxe?, Just find the colour body he wants and go grab one. Just ask the good crew here about the price before you buy....Good luck you nice sibling you!!!...

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Yes the GIFT CERTIFICATE from Guitar Center is a great idea. Guitar players are very picky. He probably wants three single coil pickups because he's after a certain tone. Must be pretty awesome having relatives who buy gifts like that. WOW.

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Thanks to everybody for their advice. I appreciate your input. So it seems to me like the going price for a Americand deluxe strat is 1,499. Would you say that this is a fair price or is there a way to get a cheaper price on a deluxe? I think he likes all the colors except the tungsten, so I will probably go with the sunset metallic, but maybe you guys can give me some advice on that as well. Which is the most popular color?

Prices are different in OZ to there so i should not answer. But colour flame maple sunburst with gold hardware? If this is possible with a maple board? would look amazing!!! I am biased though!!..

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I would do the Gift Certificate but I want this to be a personal gift and I want to surprise him on his b-day with the actual guitar. I am usually not this nice to him but I have the means to get him the guitar and he has gotten really good at playing. I'm impressed with his dedication. He currently plays some fender knock-off and I know he dreams of getting this guitar so I will go ahead and be nice to him this one time.