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Post subject: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Guitar
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 4:01 pm
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Hi. Has anyone ever experience owning one of the following:
1) Fender Stratocaster Plus (1987)
2) Fender Stratocaster Plus Deluxe (1989)
3) Fender Stratocaster Ultra (1990)

From the 1987-1999 Fender Production era.
They will have the Lace Sensor Pickups,
LCR roller nuts
and several other "different" features".

Have you ever owned one/played a Fender Plus Deluxe or a Fender Ultra?
What do you think?
Better or worse than other 1990s Stratocasters?

PLMK. Thank you. Toppscore

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 6:38 pm
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I have some of each of the three categories, and I love 'em! Play nicely, sound wonderful. I have some regular AmStd Strats from those years, and they play great too, but for my jazz fusion style I like the Pluses Lace sound the best, including my Clapton and Beck sig Strats with Lace pups.

Wait until board member Xhefri checks in here, the all-knowing Strat Plus Guru...


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 7:26 pm
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cnsky54 wrote:
I have some of each of the three categories, and I love 'em! Play nicely, sound wonderful. I have some regular AmStd Strats from those years, and they play great too, but for my jazz fusion style I like the Pluses Lace sound the best, including my Clapton and Beck sig Strats with Lace pups. Wait until board member Xhefri checks in here, the all-knowing Strat Plus Guru...
Yes. Thank you. Maybe I can ask you some questions..
First of all, I have been on Xhefri's great site for all three Strat variations.
I have had a few shared comments with Xhefri, as well.
I have compared the three models as best I can.
I do not have the time to review all the comments on Xhefri's current thread, although
I'll definitely read it. I want a comparison between the three and between similar.

Also, I noticed that Fender Telecaster shipped Plus, Plus Deluxe & Ultra models.
I am not sure regarding the three models, their dates or features. The Telecasters seem
to have regular nuts and three SSS single Lace Sensor Pickups. I could be way off base.
I posted a similar thread on Fender's Telecaster section for that response.
============================

My questions to you are:
1) Since you know the differences between the Strat Plus Deluxe and the Strat Ultra,
which do you like best and why?
What are the differences besides the bridge pickups? LSR Nuts? Tuners? Bridge? Tremolo?
Are the Ultra's differences over the Plus Deluxe substantial enough to warrant a higer price?


2) Tell me about the two bridge Lace pickups versus the one bridge Lace Pickup?
What are the different sounds & tones you like or dislike from each "bridge" pickup(s)?
Are the neck and middle pickups the same? Leaving only the bridge pickups different?

Thank you so much. Toppscore

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 12:19 am
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Hmm, let' see: What do [b]I[b] prefer? Tough choices that vary day to day.

The Ultra has an ebony fingerboard, nice and hard to play on, and the other Pluses have either RW or Maple. My personal pref is that I love the appearance of a Maple, but I like playing on RW better. No logical reason to offer there. All my older Pluses have Wilkinson nuts, split or straight, and a brushed finish, but the Ultra has the Wilkinson and bridge and tuners polished metal. You have to ask Xhefri if the Ultra came later with the LSR or not. Tremelo looks to be exactly the same, but it's not something I use, so my tailpieces are all decked. The Ultra is a red burst with a nice flame maple top and back. The neck retaining plate says, 'Fender Ultra'.

Is this worth a higher price? Maybe because the guitar is a bit less common, but it's up to you if Ebony board and flame maple is worth it.

Two bridge pups can be split to provide some different tonal sounds. You can play a hot lead or switch to a thinner sound for rhythm. Again, with a jazz preference I don't hardly ever use them. The Deluxe came with blue/silver/red from neck to bridge, but I also have a Deluxe with factory silver/silver/blue. My Ultra has a blue in the middle, and the colour is worn off the neck pup, but I suspect that the previous owner switched the blue and silver. I'll have to get in there with an ohmmeter to measure resistances and see. I prefer the rich sound of the blue at the neck, so if it has been swapped I'll change it back. I have seen a blue/gold/red combo, but don't know if it was switched or if Fender sent it out that way.

I have a couple of Plus guitars that someone switched out the Laces totally and put in Custom Shop pups. I may get another guard and make up some new combo of Laces to see how they sound. Lace has a number of new offerings that I have not heard, and their description sounds interesting. Always chasing the elusive 'sound' in my head...

john


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 1:09 am
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cnsky54 wrote:
Hmm, let' see: What do [b]I[b] prefer? Tough choices that vary day to day.

The Ultra has an ebony fingerboard, nice and hard to play on, and the other Pluses have either RW or Maple. My personal pref is that I love the appearance of a Maple, but I like playing on RW better. No logical reason to offer there. All my older Pluses have Wilkinson nuts, split or straight, and a brushed finish, but the Ultra has the Wilkinson and bridge and tuners polished metal. You have to ask Xhefri if the Ultra came later with the LSR or not. Tremelo looks to be exactly the same, but it's not something I use, so my tailpieces are all decked. The Ultra is a red burst with a nice flame maple top and back. The neck retaining plate says, 'Fender Ultra'.

Is this worth a higher price? Maybe because the guitar is a bit less common, but it's up to you if Ebony board and flame maple is worth it.

Two bridge pups can be split to provide some different tonal sounds. You can play a hot lead or switch to a thinner sound for rhythm. Again, with a jazz preference I don't hardly ever use them. The Deluxe came with blue/silver/red from neck to bridge, but I also have a Deluxe with factory silver/silver/blue. My Ultra has a blue in the middle, and the colour is worn off the neck pup, but I suspect that the previous owner switched the blue and silver. I'll have to get in there with an ohmmeter to measure resistances and see. I prefer the rich sound of the blue at the neck, so if it has been swapped I'll change it back. I have seen a blue/gold/red combo, but don't know if it was switched or if Fender sent it out that way.

I have a couple of Plus guitars that someone switched out the Laces totally and put in Custom Shop pups. I may get another guard and make up some new combo of Laces to see how they sound. Lace has a number of new offerings that I have not heard, and their description sounds interesting. Always chasing the elusive 'sound' in my head...
john


Thanks. You have really helped. I put in an offer.
We shall see. I am excited about the noiseless Lace Sensor pickups,
the roller nut, and I believe the bridge might have some "new-to-me"
features as well. Also, the are American Made MIA, near custom shop quality.
Take care. I will let you know if I get one. Toppscore 8)

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 2:29 pm
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I started a new guitar thread for this Fender Stratocaster Ultra guitar.

I purchased the below linked Fender Strat Ultra.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280890192783?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I believe it's a first year Ultra. SN#N001485 ~ "N" =1990s, "0" = 1990 ~ Right?
It does have the Ebony fretboard, not rosewood.
Provides 22 Frets.
The body is "Antique Burst" as my guess.
Original Fender Hard Shell Case.
It has the word "Ultra" on the neck plate = is this right for a 1990 first year Ultra?
What kind of tremolo is installed, certainly not a Floyd Rose, right?
Does it have the Wilkerson roller nut or the LSR roller nut?
Locking tuners = which manufacturer ~ Schaller?

Am I missing anythng? Anybody notice anything unusual? Thanks.

With the Stratocaster Ultra's four Lace Sensor pickups, the mini toggle switch and
the extremely unique five switch wiring, makes this Ultra a fantastic tone monster.
Thanks for your help. Toppscore 8)

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:16 pm
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Congrats!

I think probably not a 'first' year - Xhefri thought 90 was the first year, but mine is an '89, so who knows when they actually appeared on the market. You have the same bridge as mine, the standard 2-point Fender, not a FR. Wilkinson nut, locking tuners, beautiful body. Should give you a lot of joy for years!


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 9:29 pm
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cnsky54 wrote:
Congrats!

I think probably not a 'first' year - Xhefri thought 90 was the first year, but mine is an '89, so who knows when they actually appeared on the market. You have the same bridge as mine, the standard 2-point Fender, not a FR. Wilkinson nut, locking tuners, beautiful body. Should give you a lot of joy for years!


You have a 1989 Ultra! Cool!
Thanks for verifying a few things.
I am looking forward to all of the wiring, toggle & 5-way switch possibiliites
for making noise - tone - sounds :lol:

How do you like your Fender Ultra's toggle switch and the different 5-way wiring?

Toppscore :)

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 10:29 pm
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Interesting and different, but I rarely use it. Maybe some day I'll learn a rock 'n roll song and need a bridge pickup...


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 11:30 pm
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I have an Plus Deluxe gotta say it might be one of my favorite guitars. I just like the way mine plays and the sound it pulls off. I have 14 guitars 8 of those are strats and besides my 64, the Plus Deluxe is my one of my favorites.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 1:52 am
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granbyman wrote:
I have an Plus Deluxe gotta say it might be one of my favorite guitars. I just like the way mine plays and the sound it pulls off. I have 14 guitars 8 of those are strats and besides my 64, the Plus Deluxe is my one of my favorites.


Wow! I will not get mine until another week.
I was strongly considering the Plus Deluxe guitars, but I like options
for tone, and the Ultra has four pickups, at toggle switch for the
two bridge Lace Sensor Pickups, and a very unique and interesting
wiring scheme for the 5-way switch.

Man, was I close to getting the Plus Deluxe. Also, the Fender
Telecaster Plus Deluxes with three SSS Lace Sensor pickups
installed in a Stratocaster setup looked real cool. Toppscore 8)

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 4:33 am
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Fresh New Guitar Pictures *** 1990 Fender Ultra Stratocaster
The Wilkerson Nut and the Bridge seem to be in excellent condition.



Image


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:20 am
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Toppscore - I'm glad to see that the bridge is in very good shape. I guess it was just the auction photos that made it look more corroded to me than it really is (per my post on your other thread).

It looks like you got a great score on this one - it really is in great condition


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:51 pm
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John C wrote:
Toppscore - I'm glad to see that the bridge is in very good shape. I guess it was just the auction photos that made it look more corroded to me than it really is (per my post on your other thread).

It looks like you got a great score on this one - it really is in great condition



Thanks. Good to know. It is a gamble.

Seller claims there the only noticable "nick/ding" can be seen within
the second picture, four inches above the 20th fret. A tiny light mark.

Will know more next week. Thank you and Xhefir
and others for your comments and responses.
Toppscore 8)

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Plus & Plus Deluxe ~ Stratocaster Ultra Gu
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:57 am
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Toppscore wrote:
cnsky54 wrote:
Congrats!

I think probably not a 'first' year - Xhefri thought 90 was the first year, but mine is an '89, so who knows when they actually appeared on the market. You have the same bridge as mine, the standard 2-point Fender, not a FR. Wilkinson nut, locking tuners, beautiful body. Should give you a lot of joy for years!


You have a 1989 Ultra! Cool!
Thanks for verifying a few things.
I am looking forward to all of the wiring, toggle & 5-way switch possibiliites
for making noise - tone - sounds :lol:

How do you like your Fender Ultra's toggle switch and the different 5-way wiring?

Toppscore :)


No, actually your guitar is from either 1990 or 1991 (=> http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx). The only way to be sure is to unscrew the neck et check the date stamped ont the neck and/or the one on the body.

My Stratocaster Plus has a number like E8#### but was made between april and may 1989 : Image

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