I am looking to buy a 2012 Am. Deluxe..
But a friend of mine is selling a very good sounding, exactly the way I want it looking, Strat. from 2011. (He bought it in 2012 though)

Now I am wondering what the difference is between a 2011 and a 2012 Am. Deluxe strat.?
If there even is any.

Hi Kuyi

I'll start by saying that I might be wrong here but I don't think there is any difference at all between the two guitars.

I think that the last update to the deluxes was in 2010 (The n3 pickups etc). The 2012 date is purely the date of manufacture.

I bought a 2011 deluxe telecaster with the anniversary neck plate (didn't mean it was a special version just the anniversary celebration). I had a problem with it and it was replaced by Fender with an identical tele that was made in 2012.

Others will be able to confirm but if your friends guitar is what you need and a good deal that might be the way to go.

Tom

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Fender MIM 1995 Standard Stratocaster
Fender USA 2012 Deluxe Telecaster

Kuyi, Tom (BassettsAllSorts) is correct; there have been no changes to the American Deluxes since the current-spec model debuted in 2010 so there would be no difference between a 2011 and a 2012.

Since we're coming up on year 4 of this version in 2013 I suppose we could see some new colors show up at the NAMM show next month, but then again Fender didn't make any color changes that I can remember in the previous version for it's entire 6-year run (2004-2009).

@John C


I've heard rumours concerning a pickup upgrade (Super 55 Split Coil) on the American Deluxe Series for 2012; they were finally an April Fool's joke!


I expect a return of the deluxe locking bridge assembly for the American Deluxe HSS model in 2013.

I wouldn't think there would be a difference. Already has the compound radius neck and the N3 pickups, plus the S-1 switching system. Not a much more to improve upon.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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The locking bridge option is no longer offered on the USA Deluxes. Fender should reinstate the mini Floyd Rose bridge for that series!