Hi there

I'm looking at buying a Stratocaster Deluxe that I saw on eBay however I do have a few questions that hopefully you guys might be able to help me with.

It's a DZ7 serial number, but interestingly enough it's a Sonic Blue body and a plain pickguard.

Did they do sonic blue Deluxe strats? I've not seen one before. Im hoping that it's not a deluxe neck (Which it clearly is) on another Strat body.

Any things I should look out for to make sure it's the real deal?

Thanks!!

I don't think they came in Sonic Blue but I could be wrong. I have an early US Deluxe (2000) and I think it should have the 2 point Trem, Noiseless Pickups of some description (Mine were Vintage Noiseless, but Fender has installed others such as SCN's). The tremolo bar is a plain steel snap-in type with no plastic knob on the end. The pickguard and plastic parts on mine are all "aged" coloured. Mine also came in a pretty good tolex covered deluxe case, (not a moulded plastic case) but that has probably also changed over time, I'm not sure how they case the Deluxe now.

Hope that helps a little.

Snowy

Thanks for that.

I'm guessing that all deluxe strats of that time have the Z1 switching system and the contoured heel. I think that's the most obvious things to look out for.

Cheers

My DZ6 deluxe has .....

abalone fret markers, 1 easy glide string tree, contoured neck heel with the microtilt.

Chrome looking "fender stratocaster" logo and SCN markers on the pickups. 2 point bridge as mentioned. S1 switching system.

Its sat in its plastic case at present, probably about time i plugged it in again!