You obviously missed this statement by the OP:

"... I dislike how the guitar sounds unplugged..."

Adjusting tone controls won't help with that.

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Bill

Well, I now realize that judging it's unplugged sound is a dumb statement against changing the pickups as I think I've narrowed it down to the VN pickups, I hate them!!!! However they DO sound different unplugged and I can't think of a way that THAT doesn't affect the sound...?

Maybe I've been playing my non-fender strat too long and I'm having some trouble playing on the real thing... I've played with the amp and guitar tone settings but it's clear to me the guitar is missing something, when clean, it lacks clarity on the low-mid range and just feels like it lacks that side of the EQ and I really don't like the tone, specially on the bass strings, it just doesn't sound like what I think a classic strat should sound like, AT ALL!

I recorded an audio comparison of the 2, the deluxe player's on the LEFT and my 10 year old johnson strat on the RIGHT. All settings are the same on the vol knobs if I change them and I only use the neck pickup because I never use the others. First I play through unplugged, then through my 30watt johnson amp + pedal cause it's how I'm used to. Finaly I play through my new 212 amp.

PLEASE let me know what you guys think

http://soundcloud.com/daozenband/deluxe ... vs-johnson

Adjust your pick up height?

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Nice playing. To be honest, I prefer the Fender sound. The other guitar sounds too dark and muddy.

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Bill

personally i like the first guitar in each set, the second is darker more of a p90ish sound, I suspect the pickups. if you have time swap the pick guards and see if the tone follows

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I recommend changing the pickups in the Fender to something that beefs up the lows and mids if that is what you like.

I am quite impressed with the Fat 50's right now. They have brought new life to my Highway 1.

As mentioned, you could adjust the pickup height, higher on the bass side and lower on the treble side.

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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 first guitar (on the left) is the Fender.

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Bill

Tone controls were set the same for both guitars. They should be adjusted to suit the Fender before spending time and money swapping pickups.

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Bill

ahhhhh. no wonder i liked it



and if that doesn't do it for you, just try the whole assembly swap out before you buy anything, its just 3 wires and ya done at leas this way you will know if it IS the pickups for allot less money and only a little time lost.

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Well, if you guys prefer the fender tone it reassures me that I'm just used to my guitar. I definately do feel I prefer a beefier tone! specially on the lows and mids? don't you guys think it lacks on this fender?

Anyway, I guess I could play with pickup height and even buy new pickups but would I be able to find a fender strat that's closer to what I'm looking for right off the bat?

You need to give yourself some time with the Fender to get used to it. Adjust the pickups, play with the tone controls on the guitar and your amp. Fenders are typically fairly bright guitars and people complain when they don't sound like they think a Fender Strat should sound. On the other hand, to me, your other guitar sounded muddy and lifeless. If that is the tone you prefer, well, you may or may not ever achieve it with your Fender and should face the fact that a Fender Strat may not be the sound you are looking for. You may prefer something with humbuckers, like say a Gibson.

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Bill

sorry, double post

NEVER!!!! I agree it sounds muddy and lacks clarity which is why I want a Fender but I feel the deluxe lacks the beefy mid lows I like to hear. This is more less the warm tone I want to hear, should I be able to get it with the deluxe?

http://youtu.be/lh4Se60-u44

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9AaQQbvT4M

There's more to tone than just the guitar. See those amps behind Mayer and Hendrix? Do you have the same amps? Do you have the same fingers? Do you have the same skill?

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Bill

Agreed, however I would hope that whatever I get sounds and feels like it could get me there you know. I might not play like they do, but I've taken from them into my playing and I think I know how certain licks and stuff should sound like. I mean there must be a reason why all my favorite strat players played on alder instead of ash (and didn't use VN pickups )