Hi, new here. Looking to add a Strat to my small but "quality" creative tools guitar collection. Here's a video (my recent instrumental band project) of my borrowed friends American Standard upgraded with locking tuners, Dimarzio Area 58 in neck and Super Distortion S in bridge. He wants $800 for it. OR should I go for a new/used Deluxe? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2abb1PT-5M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Thanks!

First of all, your music sounds good (to me) and I like the sound
of that Strat. I'd go for it. Good luck!

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Well I had the same dilemma a few months ago, and was of the opinion that I wanted the absolute best. Turns out what was best for me was the standard. It sounded better to me, and I didn't really care for the compound radius fretboard. I knew I would end up changing the pups in the deluxe if I bought it. The extra features just weren't worth the price to me.
But like everything its a personal choice. Go and try a bunch of them out and see what you like.

I did the same process. I liked the extra features of the Deluxe so purchased one (3 tone sunburst). My S1 switch broke within months; I didn't use it much anyway so I had it switched out with a standard volume pot. My 2010 model now only differs from the Standard in locking tuners, abalone dot markers, SCN pickups, solid bridge saddles, and the relief in the neck tang for reaching higher up the fretboard. Turns out I really liked the sound of the Standard too, along with the bent steel saddles so I ended up purchasing one of those too. Don't worry - you'll get there...

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Custom Shop '59 Stratocaster
AV Hot Rod '52 Telecaster
AV '56 Stratocaster
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

Thanks everyone for your insight. : )

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Ill say this; our shop was a Fralin distributor, and i have Fralin Pure PAF's on all my humbucker guitars, but i like the Dimarzio Area 58/61's better than anything Fralin put out. Super D??? yeeee. It must be harsh.

don't you get $100 off the american standard now? see if he will take the coupon

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Windwalker, funny you should mention, I've got a Fralin noiseless p90 in my PRS DC245 and like it better than the DiMarzio Area 58 in that strat. As the Super D goes, yes, but by mainly using it for U2 type chordal work and Jeff Beck right hand finger type playing, it works.

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I much prefer Standards; I like the pickups and bridge better and have never liked locking-tuners.