Played my first American Deluxe Strat

[Donnie2112]

HOLY CRAP, what a brillian guitar, I didn't actually plug in with it but it just felt insanely good, I guess I should check out the pickups next time I go to the guitar store but just feeling everything on that instrument made me want one desperately. I don't really know how you can improve it.

[liquidswords]

Had a very similar experience with an American Deluxe Tele. Just a very great guitar, and the pickups sounded excellent. My own problem is I'm not sold on the colors they offer.

[veus55]

I have a 2010 ADS and I love it
I love the S1 switching

[moosewayne]

The Am Deluxes don't seem to get much love here and I don't know why.
These are the guitars that got me back into gear after taking a few years off.
One look at a bound top, cherry sunburst Tele and I was hooked.

[acwild]

Originally Posted by moosewayne

The Am Deluxes don't seem to get much love here and I don't know why.
These are the guitars that got me back into gear after taking a few years off.
One look at a bound top, cherry sunburst Tele and I was hooked.

I know the Tele stuff is going ot but that's the exact Tele that I'm gas'ing for badly right now.
I bought an AmDlx V-neck Strat years ago and it's absolutely flawless to this day. Although I'm a little burned out on Strats right now, I doubt that I'll ever sell it as it's one of those guitars that I know I'd regret losing.

[alfaphlex]

After playing my 1st one, it was a no-brainer for me. I think they get overlooked cuz they're not the traditional strat Fender is known for and most feel they might as look elsewhere for a modern strat. I love having the fit and feel of a Fender strat with the playability of a superstrat and this is what Dlx is good at, imo.

I love the compound radius fretboard and I feel the N3s are very underrated. They're great so long as you aren't expecting vintage tone. Also, there are always great deals on these used.

[GAD]

Originally Posted by Donnie2112

HOLY CRAP, what a brillian guitar, I didn't actually plug in with it but it just felt insanely good, I guess I should check out the pickups next time I go to the guitar store but just feeling everything on that instrument made me want one desperately. I don't really know how you can improve it.

My only Strat is an Am Dlx. I'm not a Strat guy, really, but when I saw one I liked visually, I played it unplugged (as I always do) and was blown away. I played four others in the store that day and none of them had the feel and resonance of that one. It's one of the few guitars that I've bought new.

I gutted all the electronics because it didn't really do it for me plugged in, but I knew it had the makings of a great guitar - and it did.

[Kmaz]

They are nice-looking but have a reputation for being heavy. The one I had was quite heavy.

[Bikedude]

Nicest playing strat I've ever had. Mine is an 07 TSB/Maple. So far I like the SCN's, as they sound pretty "stratty", and are dead quiet on stage. It's a heavy guitar compared to my Tele's, but that's not a prob for me, as most of my strats have been hefty, excecpt for my 73 hardtail.

[dangerine49]

I picked up a slightly used '98 American Deluxe a couple of years back for less than the cost of a used American Standard. It's been my #1 ever since. It even smells good.

P.S. I've never heard of them being particularly heavy. Mine isn't and I've played a few in stores that weren't either.

[itstooloudMike]

I had an AmDlx HSS Strat for about a year, and thought it was the best bang-for-the-buck Fender that I've played in the last 20 years. It was very well made, with a great neck. I loved the locking tuners, LSR roller nut, and two-point trem. Just a great contemporary Strat, that was versatile and sounded really good. It was a bit heavier than I like, but otherwise really nice. If I didn't already have a Suhr Classic-S, I would have kept it. If I needed a good Strat for around $1K, I would buy a used AmDlx in a heartbeat. It's good to see Fender offer a really good guitar that doesn't come from the Custom Shop.

[acwild]

Now that it's been mentioned, mine is slightly heavier than other Strats. Enough to be noticeable but not enough for me to care.

[JacieFB]

Originally Posted by dangerine49

I picked up a slightly used '98 American Deluxe a couple of years back for less than the cost of a used American Standard. It's been my #1 ever since. It even smells good.

P.S. I've never heard of them being particularly heavy. Mine isn't and I've played a few in stores that weren't either.

That thing is lovely. Which red is that?

PS: I have an Am Deluxe Strat in the metallic pearl or whatever it is. It is also a lovely thing. It's a touch lighter than my other Strats, I have to say.

[cratz2]

I prefer the more vintage flavored strats and I tend to prefer the surfy colors.

The Deluxe strats also seem to continue inching up higher and higher in price compared to other options even from Fender. I just noticed the current ones have overtaken the Eric Clapton strat in cost. Not that I'm a super big fan of the Clapton strat. The Thin Skin strats are only $150 more at Dave's. They are much better deals if purchased used.

Having said that, they are great guitars. I'd have to be at least 5 times a better guitarist than I am before I would consider an American Deluxe Strat to be 'beneath' me... I'd still prefer a Reissue, Thin Skin or even a MIM Classic Players.

[mwc2112]

Originally Posted by dangerine49

I picked up a slightly used '98 American Deluxe a couple of years back for less than the cost of a used American Standard. It's been my #1 ever since. It even smells good.

That's what I have ('98). Mine started its life as a 'Fat Strat' HSS and it also had the LSR nut. I've since switched it to an SSS w/ WCR SRs and RS wiring kit. The block/saddles were upgraded to a Callaham set as well.

Been my #1 since I bought it new in early '99. Mine is (I think) the same color... transparent crimson (can't tell if yours is transparent from the lovely forest image reflected in your shot ).