I'm focusing on saving for an American Deluxe in the ash body. Can anyone who owns one comment on the pros/cons of the ash wood type? Do you find it sounds slightly different from the alder model? I've only seen alder in stores but the online pics of the ash body look amazing! Thanks.

I bought mine a little over 2 yrs ago new. It weighs a bit more than an alder body strat (i have not weighed mine yet but they say it's around 9 or 10 pds) I am very happy with the sound and playablity of this guitar. With the s-1 switching, i can get bunch of diffrent tones along with the classic strat "quack" sounds. Very good sustain on it too. Stays in tune very well even if i wail on the trem bar...(which i rarely use) I feel its very well worth looking into. As for cons, i would prob say the weight of the body..thats about it but then again, thats my take on the guitar.

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2009 american deluxe ash stratocaster

2009 epiphone es-335 dot.
2009 65 drri amp
2009 fender vibro champ-xD amp.
2009 takamine g-4400 acoustic/electric guitar

1980 fender harvard reverb 1 amp

Great info! Thanks Dave!

No problem picazzo....But as everybody else would prob advise you also, If you have a store nearby to try one out, I would suggest that you go and do that. As like i said, they are quite a bit heavier than your standard alder body strats Mine is tobacco sunburst w/white pickguard/pickups and knobs but, the woodgrain shows thru very nicely. i get compliments on how nice the woodgrain looks along with how it sounds too. Im not a gig player or anything so, i do most my playing sitting down. you might want to strap one on and stand there for a bit and see if your back/shoulders can take it lol. And, plz post some pics if you get one. I really would like to see it.....Good luck.

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2009 american deluxe ash stratocaster

2009 epiphone es-335 dot.
2009 65 drri amp
2009 fender vibro champ-xD amp.
2009 takamine g-4400 acoustic/electric guitar

1980 fender harvard reverb 1 amp

a bit off the topic, but when you mention the weight of the ash compared to the alder, I wonder if my Am Dlx is ash and they accidentally sold it as alder - it's a sunset metallic finish so you don't see the woodgrain, but it's heavier than any other strat I've ever played.

It was the heaviest of the American Deluxe models I tried at the store and any strat I ever played that was in a lower price point feels like a cheap toy by comparison.

I would say, it problably is ash bodied then if it is heavier than the other deluxe models. not all the ash bodied dlx models have see thru finishes. How do you like it?

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2009 american deluxe ash stratocaster

2009 epiphone es-335 dot.
2009 65 drri amp
2009 fender vibro champ-xD amp.
2009 takamine g-4400 acoustic/electric guitar

1980 fender harvard reverb 1 amp

hey guys.. ash wood is like a feather.. u said that ash is heavier than alder or i misunderstood you? anywayz.. ash sounds really well. crystal clear and giving a bit more edgy high's if i might say. great tone in my opinion

The main difference between ash and alder is the incredible grain pattern of ash.Some say that ash gives better tone but I don't take much creedence in that as I have heard and own some incredibly sounding alder guitars.Depending on the particular species of ash, some such as black ash can be about twice as heavy as alder.I had a '78 Strat that was black ash and weighed 11 pounds.That guitar had the sustain of a Steinway Concert Grand but I can't totally attribute that to the wood only because as I stated previously there are alder guitars that perform the same.As far as aesthetics go,with a natural or transparent finish ash would definitely be the better choice depending of course on the number of pieces in the body and grain matching.

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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.

Ash. Grain. Dig?

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1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."

Love the ash grain on my 70s Strat. It does feel pretty heavy, but that doesn't bother me. The wood just has so much "depth" in the grain. It's gorgeous.

My US Buddy Guy Signature has an ash body and it certainly sounds different. All my other Strats are alder and the Buddy guy sounds a little brighter, clearer while the alder Strats have a little warmer, smoother sound.

If you ask me, there's nothing better for Blues Rock than ash!

I like it dirty with little distortion (think 70s Status Quo) and ash comes pretty close to that.
Buddy also has a maple neck, which adds to the twangy sound.

Ash is mostly used for transparent finishes because it has got a more beautyful grain.

BTW, ash is LIGHTER than alder, not heavier. It's also a little softer.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

dude.. u are absolutely right.. thats what i said.. ash is significantly lighter than alder.. i just bought myself an hss ash american strat and it fells like having sex with the notes!! ahaha. keep on rockin every1

Ash is worth it just fro the grain IMO

That is some sweet ash!

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Support your local guitar shop.

thats almost the same guitar as the one i bought. only that mine is hss and has a toneswitch button love the colour and the sound of it.. so unique