American Standard vs Deluxe

Quantum · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:16 pm **Posts:** 43

Looking at the specs the only difference between these guitars are the pickups and inlay.

http://www.fender.com/products/american ... 0113102700

http://www.fender.com/products/american ... 0119102700

Technically these two guitars should play exactly the same, only sound different, correct?

It's quite a difference in price according to the msrp, though a local shop has these two strats, the Standard for $1150 and the deluxe for $1600. So, in this forms opinion, are those pickups worth the extra $450 in sound?

I played the standard and was pleased, now I'm wondering if I should have played the deluxe too.

Manjha · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:36 am

There is more then just the PUs difference between the two....both are great guitars.....so yes you need to try them both

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

How can you say they are the same????
They are completely different in critical areas.
The Deluxe is worth $400-$600 more, easy.

All three HSS pickups are incredibly better on the Deluxe.
The Deluxe has the great S-1 Switching.
The roller nut, the bridge and saddles are all much more desirable on the Deluxe.
The Deluxe has Locking Tuners.
The Deluxe has a Shalller Strap Lock System.
Deluxe has twice the "mo-betta" hard shell case.
The Deluxe has the unique custom wired "Passing Lane" booster switch.

All the above add up to both Strats DO NOT SOUND THE SAME.
Fender knows there are little guitar detectives in the world that
pick and squeeze all of the features to make sure the American Deluxe HSS
is worth buying over the American Standard HSS.

*****PS. Get the Deluxe. It will hold it's value. Play mo-betta
Hope this helps. Toppscore

stratele52 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:54 am

Deluxe have compound radius neck 9.5 to 14 inches

I don't like the look of LSR nut but this work great.

chromeface · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:57 am

The Deluxe would stay better in tune with a Fender locking bridge, IMO.

This feature is very useful when you use the humbucker with the passing lane switch pushed down and made heavy abuse of the tremolo.

Unfortunately this product is no longer made since 2007.

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

chromeface wrote:

The Deluxe would stay better in tune with a Fender locking bridge, IMO.

This feature is very useful when you use the humbucker with the passing lane switch pushed down and made heavy abuse of the tremolo.
Unfortunately this product is no longer made since 2007.

The "Fender Locking Bridge" is not longer offered by Fender?
On all products? Or the Deluxe Strat? or what?

ckfoley · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:33 am

I tend to agree with Manjha - you need to play them both. I had a Deluxe (SSS) that I never quite bonded with and ended up selling. I purchased an American Std. and never looked back.

Toppscore listed some differences and asserted the Deluxe was better appointed but let me give my perspective:

Toppscore wrote:

How can you say they are the same????
They are completely different in critical areas.
The Deluxe is worth $400-$600 more, easy.

All three HSS pickups are incredibly better on the Deluxe.
The pickups are different, not necessarily better. My Deluxe had SCN pickups which were good but I don't really like the N3 pickups on the current version

The Deluxe has the great S-1 Switching.
My S1 switch failed after several weeks of playing. I was never happy with the additional sounds I could get - they just seemed muddy with my SCN pickups. I had the switch replaced with a standard volume pot under warranty and liked the result much better.

The roller nut, the bridge and saddles are all much more desirable on the Deluxe.
Not to me. My guitar didn't have a roller nut but I wasn't impressed with the one on the HSS guitar I tried. Seemed like a solution looking for a problem. On the SSS, the bridge is the same 2-point bridge as on the Am. Std. Only the saddles and pop-in tremolo arm were different and I prefer the bent steel saddles on the Std.

The Deluxe has Locking Tuners.
Seemed like a bonus at first but I wish they came with the vintage tuners instead.

The Deluxe has a Shalller Strap Lock System.
It's a nice feature. But I could put strap locks on my Std. without the extra cost of the Deluxe.

Deluxe has twice the "mo-betta" hard shell case.
Not necessarily. My Deluxe came with a molded case that wasn't as nice as the TSA approved case that my Std. came in. This was one place where I thought the Deluxe had a much inferior feature.

The Deluxe has the unique custom wired "Passing Lane" booster switch.
I can't comment on this because it wasn't a feature when I was looking for a Deluxe. I can say that if the passing lane switch is as cheap as the S1 I'd give it a pass...

I'd also mention the Deluxe has a contoured heel that allows you to reach the higher frets on the neck easier. It is a comfortable feature but I don't play much that high up the neck so I don't miss it.

Give them both a try and see what you think.

Quantum · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:16 pm **Posts:** 43

Toppscore wrote:

How can you say they are the same????
They are completely different in critical areas.
The Deluxe is worth $400-$600 more, easy.

All three HSS pickups are incredibly better on the Deluxe.
The Deluxe has the great S-1 Switching.
The roller nut, the bridge and saddles are all much more desirable on the Deluxe.
The Deluxe has Locking Tuners.
The Deluxe has a Shalller Strap Lock System.
Deluxe has twice the "mo-betta" hard shell case.
The Deluxe has the unique custom wired "Passing Lane" booster switch.

All the above add up to both Strats DO NOT SOUND THE SAME.
Fender knows there are little guitar detectives in the world that
pick and squeeze all of the features to make sure the American Deluxe HSS
is worth buying over the American Standard HSS.

*****PS. Get the Deluxe. It will hold it's value. Play mo-betta
Hope this helps. Toppscore

Thanks for the breakdown, all I had to go on was what those spec sheets gave that I linked to. I didn't realize that the roller nut was that important.

Yes, staying in tune is a good thing. Though I don't know what this is or does: "The Deluxe has the unique custom wired "Passing Lane" booster switch."

I need to play the deluxe it seems, I just fell in love with the Standard, Sienna Burst HSS that the shop had. It felt like caressing a hot woman.

Also, the standard made me sound better. I am an AWFUL player. So I suppose the Deluxe is only going to be better. I'll play the deluxe before I make my purchase.

Thanks guys!

Quantum · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:16 pm **Posts:** 43

ckfoley wrote:

I tend to agree with Manjha - you need to play them both. I had a Deluxe (SSS) that I never quite bonded with and ended up selling. I purchased an American Std. and never looked back.

Toppscore listed some differences and asserted the Deluxe was better appointed but let me give my perspective:

Toppscore wrote:

How can you say they are the same????
They are completely different in critical areas.
The Deluxe is worth $400-$600 more, easy.

All three HSS pickups are incredibly better on the Deluxe.
The pickups are different, not necessarily better. My Deluxe had SCN pickups which were good but I don't really like the N3 pickups on the current version

The Deluxe has the great S-1 Switching.
My S1 switch failed after several weeks of playing. I was never happy with the additional sounds I could get - they just seemed muddy with my SCN pickups. I had the switch replaced with a standard volume pot under warranty and liked the result much better.

The roller nut, the bridge and saddles are all much more desirable on the Deluxe.
Not to me. My guitar didn't have a roller nut but I wasn't impressed with the one on the HSS guitar I tried. Seemed like a solution looking for a problem. On the SSS, the bridge is the same 2-point bridge as on the Am. Std. Only the saddles and pop-in tremolo arm were different and I prefer the bent steel saddles on the Std.

The Deluxe has Locking Tuners.
Seemed like a bonus at first but I wish they came with the vintage tuners instead.

The Deluxe has a Shalller Strap Lock System.
It's a nice feature. But I could put strap locks on my Std. without the extra cost of the Deluxe.

Deluxe has twice the "mo-betta" hard shell case.
Not necessarily. My Deluxe came with a molded case that wasn't as nice as the TSA approved case that my Std. came in. This was one place where I thought the Deluxe had a much inferior feature.

The Deluxe has the unique custom wired "Passing Lane" booster switch.
I can't comment on this because it wasn't a feature when I was looking for a Deluxe. I can say that if the passing lane switch is as cheap as the S1 I'd give it a pass...

I'd also mention the Deluxe has a contoured heel that allows you to reach the higher frets on the neck easier. It is a comfortable feature but I don't play much that high up the neck so I don't miss it.

Give them both a try and see what you think.

Thank you so much for this! I feel like the Standard spoke to me but to be fair i didn't try the Deluxe. (mostly because of price and I know my wife's nagging will increase in proportion to the price tag of the Fender lol)

It was good to see someone who didn't feel they needed the features of the Deluxe over the Standard. This forums rules, thanks guys!!!!

John C · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:12 am

Quantum wrote:

ckfoley wrote:

I tend to agree with Manjha - you need to play them both. I had a Deluxe (SSS) that I never quite bonded with and ended up selling. I purchased an American Std. and never looked back.

Toppscore listed some differences and asserted the Deluxe was better appointed but let me give my perspective:

Toppscore wrote:

How can you say they are the same????
They are completely different in critical areas.
The Deluxe is worth $400-$600 more, easy.

All three HSS pickups are incredibly better on the Deluxe.
The pickups are different, not necessarily better. My Deluxe had SCN pickups which were good but I don't really like the N3 pickups on the current version

The Deluxe has the great S-1 Switching.
My S1 switch failed after several weeks of playing. I was never happy with the additional sounds I could get - they just seemed muddy with my SCN pickups. I had the switch replaced with a standard volume pot under warranty and liked the result much better.

The roller nut, the bridge and saddles are all much more desirable on the Deluxe.
Not to me. My guitar didn't have a roller nut but I wasn't impressed with the one on the HSS guitar I tried. Seemed like a solution looking for a problem. On the SSS, the bridge is the same 2-point bridge as on the Am. Std. Only the saddles and pop-in tremolo arm were different and I prefer the bent steel saddles on the Std.

The Deluxe has Locking Tuners.
Seemed like a bonus at first but I wish they came with the vintage tuners instead.

The Deluxe has a Shalller Strap Lock System.
It's a nice feature. But I could put strap locks on my Std. without the extra cost of the Deluxe.

Deluxe has twice the "mo-betta" hard shell case.
Not necessarily. My Deluxe came with a molded case that wasn't as nice as the TSA approved case that my Std. came in. This was one place where I thought the Deluxe had a much inferior feature.

The Deluxe has the unique custom wired "Passing Lane" booster switch.
I can't comment on this because it wasn't a feature when I was looking for a Deluxe. I can say that if the passing lane switch is as cheap as the S1 I'd give it a pass...

I'd also mention the Deluxe has a contoured heel that allows you to reach the higher frets on the neck easier. It is a comfortable feature but I don't play much that high up the neck so I don't miss it.

Give them both a try and see what you think.

Thank you so much for this! I feel like the Standard spoke to me but to be fair i didn't try the Deluxe. (mostly because of price and I know my wife's nagging will increase in proportion to the price tag of the Fender lol)

It was good to see someone who didn't feel they needed the features of the Deluxe over the Standard. This forums rules, thanks guys!!!!

I've got to agree that playing them both will let you know if you like the features and then only you can decided if the Deluxe is worth the extra money over the Standard.

If you do choose the Deluxe, one way to reduce spousal nagging would be to first show her a Custom Shop Fender (preferably one priced around $3K); then that $1,600 doesn't seem so bad. :lol:

Fortunately my wife has never complained once about all the dollars I've spent on gear over the years; sometimes she's even convinced me to go for some specific guitars - for example I wouldn't have my Select Tele if it wasn't for her saying "go for it".

One last thing regarding the cases - as it stands now the American Standards and American Deluxes ship in the same rectangular case with the "TSA-approved" latches. However, there was a time period starting when the "new" American Standards first came out (not the "new-NEW" Am Stds that came out this year) where Standards had the newer, nicer case while the Deluxes (which had last been updated in 2004) were still using the plastic "fitted" case that Fender had been using since 2000. I know that Fender switched the Deluxes to the current case when they revised the series in 2010. I suppose it is also possible that Fender might have started shipping the older-spec Deluxes in the newer case toward the end of 2009 (if so it was likely because they finally exhausted their supply of the older cases).

chromeface · **Posted:** Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:12 am

Toppscore wrote:

The "Fender Locking Bridge" is not longer offered by Fender?
On all products? Or the Deluxe Strat? or what?

The deluxe locking tremolo was an option for the American Deluxe HSS and certain Custom Shop Showmasters from 1998 to 2006. Designed in conjunction with Floyd Rose, it was introduced in 1991 and discontinued in 2007.

The Fender/Floyd Rose trem (aka Mini Floyd) was usually offered in polished chrome, though I saw some "Mini Floyds" in gold and black.

Quantum · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:16 pm **Posts:** 43

Violin Parent wrote:

deluxes are easy to find on ebay and go for about $1100. same guitar; save $500

My only concern is that every guitar is different, even if it's the same brand/model. There was a Mexican Strat the store had that played almost as nice as the Standard, however, the G string kept popping out of the neck because the slot for that particular string wasn't filed down enough. (The shop owner said he would take some $$$ off it).

I would be worried the Deluxe I got from eBay wouldn't feel right to me. Does that make sense or am I being silly? :lol:

picazzo5150 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:42 pm **Posts:** 31

If I were buying one and it will be soon, it would be the American Deluxe in Ash. The compound radius neck feels better IMO. I cannot comment on the N3 pickups although they are constantly getting criticized. Greg Koch does a great demo on youtube with the American Deluxe. It sounds great.

P.S. - Despite what you might read between the Standard and Deluxe...they are NOT the same guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO6DzKlhiKQ

Quantum · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:16 pm **Posts:** 43

picazzo5150 wrote:

If I were buying one and it will be soon, it would be the American Deluxe in Ash. The compound radius neck feels better IMO. I cannot comment on the N3 pickups although they are constantly getting criticized. Greg Koch does a great demo on youtube with the American Deluxe. It sounds great.

P.S. - Despite what you might read between the Standard and Deluxe...they are NOT the same guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO6DzKlhiKQ

That was a great video! SHEWEEDLE SHEWEEDLE SHEWEEDLE!

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

Quantum wrote:

SHEWEEDLE SHEWEEDLE SHEWEEDLE!

How do you know my last girlfriend

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