Greetings all, this is my first post here. I am currently a forward deployed service member in the middle east, and about 3 months ago I purchased a relatively inexpensive acoustic guitar (the Fender CD-60) to pass the time in areas of the world that have barely heard of electricity let alone the Internet (shocking, right? I know!). Well this was my absolute first guitar, and the hours of enjoyment it has brought me has well more than payed off, and I believe I have found a new hobby for life. I am now looking for an electric when I get home, and I am absolutely drooling over the American Deluxe Strat HSS. My question is though even though I feel I'm passed the "quitting stage" of learning, are the features actually worth the money at my level of play (high beginner/low intermediate) or am I better off with a less expensive standard or MIM version? Thanks to all in advance!

-Don

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"Easy, guys.. I put my pants on just like the rest of you -- one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on, I make gold records." - Christopher Walken as The Bruce Dickinson

Glad to hear you've discovered a new passion! Playing guitar is such a rewarding hobby, and as you said it gives many hours of enjoyment.

In my opinion, as a relative newcomer you may not appreciate the differences all the features make yet, I know I probably couldn't have at that stage. And the features won't make you sound like Clapton or Hendrix yet.
However if you buy a decent one now, it will save you buying one in the future, when prices will go up and various other things may get in the way. I say if you like it, then go for it.

If you can, when you get back, head to a music store and try a few out, you may find that you prefer the feel of another one. It's always worth trying before you buy with guitars.

And welcome to the forum!

Yes, that was my plan, I wish I could go to one right now, but alas, a few more months. I got really lucky with the acoustic I bought online (even though it does need a good set up as I'm told by a guitar playing buddy of mine). I just really can't wait to get my hands on some quality instruments.

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"Easy, guys.. I put my pants on just like the rest of you -- one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on, I make gold records." - Christopher Walken as The Bruce Dickinson

Don, before jumping feet first into a high $$$ instrument you might give the Squier CV Strats a look-see. They're well-built, perform as intended, and are priced as reasonably as a quality Fender product can be. If it turns out that electric "guitarring" just isn't your cup of tea, you won't have spent a lot of money on an unproductive pooch-screw.

HTH

Wear your body armor and RTB safely.

God speed!

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

If you can afford it, then I think you should get it. You've earned it.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

+1 and stay safe.

T2 (A retired former sandbox player)

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

I always give this advise: Play all the guitars in your price range. The one will make itself known. I started with lower end models. For a beginner/intermediate guitar for a person on a low budget, Squier Standards to Classic Vibe Series. From there go as far as you can afford.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

The other issue is that there are a lot of different guitars around. You may spend $$$ on the strat, but decide in 6 months time that you don't like strats. Better buy a squire Classic Vibe, find out what features you like/don't (neck thickness, body thickness etc) and in time buy whatever you want, and you can be sure it won't be wasted, you will still like it in 2 years time.

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"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
Blackstar HT-5R
Taylor Big Baby

http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0

I'm going to sum up what I think I've been hearing as, go play some already and only spend as much as I need to to get the sound I hear in my head. About right? Also I know there are some European members here, does anyone know of a good guitar shop in Rome? (I will be going there for my mid tour vacation).
Edit: Is it bad to be feeling like Wayne Campbell? (Wayne's World) "It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine..."

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"Easy, guys.. I put my pants on just like the rest of you -- one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on, I make gold records." - Christopher Walken as The Bruce Dickinson

I don't know any guitar shops in Rome, let along any good ones but I looked on the Fender dealer network for you and the only 'official' store in the whole of Italy is in Bologna!

Anyway, regarding the Deluxe -

Dude, if you play it and it's 'the one', then buy it! Sounds to me like you're loving playing the guitar and you'll save money in the long run by just buying a great guitar from the start.
A friend of mine bought a Les Paul Custom for his first guitar and he had that thing for years; he only changed it because he wanted a white one! My first guitar was a Hohner Les Paul copy and I had to go through 3 other guitars before I finally got a real one. He saved money and had all that extra time playing a really great guitar.

Between you and me, I actually prefer the American Standard Stratocaster to the Deluxe - just feels and sounds more Stratty to me. Try a bunch of them, price be damned, and pick something you really like. And make sure it's in your favourite colour! You'll never live with it otherwise!
One of the best Strats I've had (to date) was a USA STD in Candy Cola. It was a really great guitar but I could never get on with that colour. It was classy and loads of people commented how nice it looked but.... always reminded me of the kind of colour an old man would buy a Jaguar (car) or Mercedes in; it's a sort of metallic burgundy.
What I'm saying is that when it comes to guitars absolutely let your heart rule your head... and your wallet!

You really should try playing several and see for yourself. The MIM Deluxe Player might
be a good option if you like the 12" radius or an American Standard with 9.5" radius.

I can remember back when life was simpler and you didn't have as many options.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

i'll share my experience in case it's helpful.

my first guitar was a "my first guitar" i borrowed from my brother. by that i mean it was a classical acoustic (either classical or spanish, i don't remember)... nylon strings, 19 frets, the neck hit the heel of the body at the 12th fret making it very difficult to play anything above the 14th. fun stuff. after 6 months of learning i had just moved into a new apartment and had money saved and decided to spend it not on a washer/dryer, but on a squier affinity starter pack. of course i went top of the line and got the affinity HSS with trem, "made in indonesia" quality (better than my dad's "made in china" squier affinity), and a fender g-dec jr. amp which was an upgraded amp.

not more than 6 months later i was ready to upgrade again. i didn't dislike my squier, but in just that 6 months of learning and perusing the craigslist "musical instruments" section i found out what else was out there. my amp, while versatile and convenient, wasn't anything special and i wasn't getting any tones out of it that i really desired. the guitar was a good guitar for a starter or a 14 year old, but i had already outgrown it. no offense to 14 year olds, but i'm a young professional with a disposable income, so i can afford something nicer. any 14 year old working part time at subway (that's what i did, at least) should be very happy with the squier.

so 6 months after owning the squier i upgraded to a 2000 MIM. it's a beautiful guitar. bought it used off craigslist, sunburst body with a maple fretboard (one of my favorite color combos). the fit and finish is far better than the squier, and it plays a little better.

the whole point of this story is let's look at how much i spent. in july 2009 i spent upwards of $400 on my squier affinity HSS w/ g-dec junior amp (brand new at guitar center). in march of 2010 i bought my MIM for $375 which came with a hardshell case. i probably overpaid a bit for it, but it happens. i ended up selling the squier for $100, and still have the g-dec collecting dust in the corner. essentially i "lost" $300 on buying a guitar "beneath" me at the time.

i don't want to scare you, and i'm not trying to convince you that, like me, you need to skip the squier and go straight to the MIM or american deluxe. to each his own. i'm just saying that it helps not to rush into things. had i waited 6 months i would have gotten the MIM on its own and could have spent that $300 i didn't waste on a sweet amp. no i know better. BUT i suppose the journey is half the fun, right?

God Bless you and your fellow wariors!
Thank you for your service!!

Guitars and advice about them are like "a%* h%*es"...everyone has one.

Strats are my favorite because they fit the body.
The fit and finish is what I judge a guitar by, before I pick it up.
Next is the feel of the neck in my hand. Thick/thin, wide/narrow, slide easy/ slide sticky.
Then sound, playability, set up, intonation.

Every time I get a new guitar, I start shopping for my "next" new guitar.
You are a hero, buy what you want. You deserve the best and you deserve to have what you want. You can always build a collection, or, sell/trade for another new guitar.

John, welcome to the forums! I think I will just have to actually play one. I've messed around with a few (before I knew how to play) and I really liked the feel of Strats, that IMHO they are the most beautiful guitars on the market. One thing about deployments, you save some serious cash. No matter what I get, be on the lookout for photos!

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"Easy, guys.. I put my pants on just like the rest of you -- one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on, I make gold records." - Christopher Walken as The Bruce Dickinson

Since you're fully commited to the guitar and "past the quitting stage" I think that you should go for the best that you can afford.Having a top notch guitar will not only make it easier to play but will give you the incentive to spend more time at it.When I decided that I wanted to upgrade at 20 years old I went out and bought a Strat which at the time was the envyof anyone who could play 3 chords.I spent up to and over 8 hours a day playing that little gem,I didn't want to put it down.

BTW you don't have to get into extra expensive to have an excellent guitar,my latest Strat is the Jimmie Vaughn and that was one of the cheapest Strats in the showroom.

Welcome to the forum and thanks to you and your comrades for your brave and necessary service-keep safe.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.