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Post subject: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 1:07 pm
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Hi guys

Nice place you have here. It's my first post so don't bash me. :)

I already have a Gibson SG 61 Reissue. Now I'm in the market for a USA Strat.

I have decided that, since I have the humbucker aspect covered, I wouldn't bother with an HSS type Strat. Despite the HSS looking like a flexible all rounder, I've decided to go for a traditional SSS Strat so that I could add a completely different beast to my arsenal. However, I would like some opinions on the differences between the American Standard and Deluxe models. If any of you would be so kind.

I'm aware of the spec differences - i.e. N3 Pickups and block saddles etc on the Deluxe in contrast to the Fat 50s on the Standard. A member of staff in a local store expressed a view to me that many players are now of the opinion that the N3 pickups in some way detract from the Strat's legendary natural character which it's known for. Is there any truth in this?

To be honest, I like the look of the 2-tone Sunburst V Neck Deluxe with tinted maple neck. However, nowhere near me has this in stock for me to try one out. Actually, stock is quite dire in general in terms of Strats.

Basically...what I would like opinions on are:


1. Is the Deluxe with its N3 pickups, block saddles, S1 switching and pop in tremolo a worthwhile purchase over and above that of a Standard Strat? Basically, does a Deluxe add extra, or is it a slight departure from the Strat we all grew up loving to listen to over the years?

2. How do people rate the differences between the modern C shape and V shape necks? Do most players favor one type over another? If so why? Is one more clunky/bulky?

3. Should I just go for a Standard and be done with it?
:wink:


While I appreciate much of this may be subjective with 'try before you buy' being the most sensible way forward, any advice and wise words would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Loakky


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 1:28 pm
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IMO, I would opt for the American Deluxe mainly because it has an amazing neck. But the American Standard is no slouch of a guitar either; it is effectively the continuation of the the guitar that Fender has been making since 1954. The design has evolved a bit over the years, but it has a long pedigree. With the Deluxe, you get all the goodness of the Stratocaster with a few extras - most notably the neck. I like the N3 pick ups, but if you want real single coil tone, then the American Standard with its Fat 50's is the way to go.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 5:09 pm
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93greenstrat wrote:
IMO, I would opt for the American Deluxe mainly because it has an amazing neck. But the American Standard is no slouch of a guitar either ...

... if you want real single coil tone, then the American Standard with its Fat 50's is the way to go.

+1 on both counts

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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 7:59 am
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I just went through the same dilema. I knew I probably wouldn't utilize the S-1 switch system nearly as much as most who opt for the deluxe, and I've never really been a big fan of the N3 pickups. Those are just my preference, of course, many people swear by both. The I love the V necks, but I love the modern C as well, so I ended up going for the American Standard. The Fat 50's certainly shine, I've never been more impressed with stock pickups, and the playability on mine is phenominal.

Give both a shot, I went for the less expensive route, but could not be more pleased with my standard.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 9:52 am
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I would go with the standard.

The 2012 strat is one of the best Strats I have every played and for me they are everything I could ask for in a Strat.

The deluxe is a little too super strat for me. I haven't played the latest model but have played previous deluxes. I find the N3 pickups are not quite stratty enough for me and I don't like the contoured heal. Don't get me wrong they are nice guitars, they just don't feel right to me.

The modern C is the closest Fender neck to the Gibson 60s profile and you should find it easier to swap between the two.

I also play an SG with the 60s slim taper profile and play A Fender American Standard Strat and Tele, with modern C necks and find they compliment each other nicely.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 6:37 am
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The American Deluxe . . . by a neck.

I tried both out side by side before I bought mine and I must say, the neck on the Deluxe was most impressive. It's a great guitar and flawless.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 10:19 am
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93greenstrat wrote:
With the Deluxe, you get all the goodness of the Stratocaster with a few extras


The Deluxe lacks off a locking bridge option for the HSS models.

Image

This feature was present in the previous incarnations of that series. Discontinued in 2007 and no longer made since.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 1:05 pm
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Wow, thanks for the replies everyone.

Some balanced and well considered lines of thought there.

I may be leaning towards a Standard. I have until around Thursday to make my mind up.

At first I thought I'd get a Deluxe but then I haven't been that impressed by the S1 aspect of them. I honestly can't say it does anything for me, noting however, that I'm merely watching an array of Deluxe owner/retailers switching between settings on heavily compressed Youtube videos.

Although I've not heard the N3 pickups in the flesh either, there seem to be very limited favorable things said about them. In fact, good reviews appear to be very much in the minority - unless demoed by a retailer on Youtube. Incidentally, there are very few clean examples where players demo the classic strat pickup positions with any great purpose or length.

I'm reading that Clapton and Beck use variants of the noiseless pickups - but not the ones in the current Deluxe series. I also saw separate demos videos where a 'Standard' and 'Custom Deluxe' were reviewed. Both had Fat 50s pickups. It sure got me wondering why an in between model (Deluxe) had N3s.

I have to say though, I do like the bridge, contoured heel, locking tuners and compound radius aspect of the Deluxe. I guess one way around this would to buy the Deluxe, see if I like it and then put Fat 50s in it (to give them a try) if I felt the Deluxe lacked stratyness. Converesely, I could buy the Standard and change the bridge and tuners.

Oh well, I have several sleeps on it before I pull the trigger.

Thanks for all your input. Much appreciated. I'll post back and let you know what I went for and how it is.

L.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 2:42 pm
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I have two Deluxes, and I am in love. I came from a 10 year Gibson affair, but my future is fender deluxe. Play hard and fast. Cheers.


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 12:30 pm
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chromeface wrote:
93greenstrat wrote:
With the Deluxe, you get all the goodness of the Stratocaster with a few extras


The Deluxe lacks off a locking bridge option for the HSS models.

Image

This feature was present in the previous incarnations of that series. Discontinued in 2007 and no longer made since.



You go chromeface! ;)
True that Deluxe needs that locking bridge back but if you want a locking bridge,
Fender would rather you buy the sinking ship companies they purchased lol :lol:


Ok back to the question I would just get the American Standard myself.
Humbucker or all Single Coils your choice and buy the locking tuners.
The S-1 in my opinion is useless I ripped mine out and wired it Modern Standard.
Also now a deluxe does not have noiseless they use the Tex Mex with the Humbucker I think.
Not sure what they did with all singles as I would never own one so I didn't enquire.
I think the Fat 50s or any real Fender Single Coil would sound better clean or dirty.
If you want a real strat sound that is.
Much better than a stack humbucking of any kind I think.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 3:57 pm
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Hi again

I've had no internet for a couple of days and couldn't post until now.

Thanks to everyone who gave their views on this. It was hard coming to a decision as there were some really well thought out and balanced views given.

I decided on a 3-tone sunburst American Standard Stratocaster with the Fat 50s with a maple fretboard. I couldn't be more happy. It has the mojo I was looking for and feels great. It totally has that Knofler/Clapton quacky sparkly sound I like in the Bridge/Middle position - which I associate with a strat. It doesn't sound too bad at highish gain levels too (in my house anyway).

On a separate note. As I was lifting my strat off the A-frame stand it was on earlier, its strap caught around part of the A-frame stand next to it and nearly sent my Gibson SG in a perilous dive from the other stand. Ooooh dear. Lucky I was there to catch it.

I think I'll have to invest in a couple of guitar stands with the parts that clasp around the neck. These basic A-frame stands are not that far removed from just leaning your guitar against things.

Thanks again for all your help :D


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 4:11 pm
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loakky wrote:
Hi again

I've had no internet for a couple of days and couldn't post until now.

Thanks to everyone who gave their views on this. It was hard coming to a decision as there were some really well thought out and balanced views given.

I decided on a 3-tone sunburst American Standard Stratocaster with the Fat 50s with a maple fretboard. I couldn't be more happy. It has the mojo I was looking for and feels great. It totally has that Knofler/Clapton quacky sparkly sound I like in the Bridge/Middle position - which I associate with a strat. It doesn't sound too bad at highish gain levels too (in my house anyway).

On a separate note. As I was lifting my strat off the A-frame stand it was on earlier, its strap caught around part of the A-frame stand next to it and nearly sent my Gibson SG in a perilous dive from the other stand. Ooooh dear. Lucky I was there to catch it.

I think I'll have to invest in a couple of guitar stands with the parts that clasp around the neck. These basic A-frame stands are not that far removed from just leaning your guitar against things.

Thanks again for all your help :D



That's a really cool one if you ever decide to go with Locking Fender Deluxe Tuners they are a direct replacement no mods needed.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:01 am
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donnycraven wrote:
That's a really cool one if you ever decide to go with Locking Fender Deluxe Tuners they are a direct replacement no mods needed.


Cheers Donny. That's good to know. :D


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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:28 am
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loakky wrote:
donnycraven wrote:
That's a really cool one if you ever decide to go with Locking Fender Deluxe Tuners they are a direct replacement no mods needed.


Cheers Donny. That's good to know. :D


Yes I have put locking tuners on all strats I used, that standard top side in my pic has them.
Once the nut wears in you can whammy like Hendrix or Van Halen and stay in tune.
I use a little lithium grease in the nut groves you can use nut sauce or vasaline, everyone got their trick.

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Post subject: Re: American Standard or Deluxe? HHmmmm!!!
Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:41 am
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donnycraven wrote:
I have put locking tuners on all strats I used, that standard top side in my pic has them.


You can install another set of locking tuners on the deluxe since it has the original Floyd Rose bridge/nut. :wink:


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