Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Electric Guitar (Maple with Case)

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The American Strat gets a few Deluxe upgrades: a compound-radius maple fretboard, three N3 noiseless single-coil pickups, and Fender's innovative S-1 switch.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
S-1 switching system On-board series/parallel wiring voices
Contoured heel Rounded heel for easy access to high frets
2-point tremolo system 2 pivot points enhance stability & sonic coupling
Noiseless N3 pickups Stacked design, vintage tone and dynamics

Here's the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster with the smooth, forgiving finesse of a select maple fretboard. This modern-classic electric guitar is distinguished with a set of three specially-designed N3 pickups that offer a uniquely quiet and hum-free single-coil design with a bright, bell-like tone. It's also got Fender's recently redesigned S-1 switch to give you a greater range of tonal options to play with. And more fine details in the hardware and design ultimately make the American Deluxe a Stratocaster unto itself.

Beautiful and Practical Compound-Radius Maple Fretboard

The maple fingerboard on the Fender American Deluxe is a compound-radius design: its radius size evolves lengthwise from 9.5 to 14 inches. The compound-radius shape was developed to accommodate the Stratocaster's occasional inability to sustain bent notes in the higher part of the neck. The change in radial gradient means that strings will bend far more smoothly on the high frets, extending the sustain in your solo and lead playing. The neck's diminutive size also feels quick and light in your hands all the way up to the 22nd fret. And here, you'll notice that the heel is uniquely contoured to be more playable.

N3 Noiseless Pickups: The Hum-Free Single-Coil

The American Deluxe Strat's custom-designed N3 Noiseless pickups were developed to eliminate the characteristic hum found on most single-coil pickups. In addition to the versatile 5-way switch blade pickup selector in its usual spot, you've read more got the amazing added functionality of the S-1 switch.

S-1 Switching: More Tonal Possibilities

Fender's S-1 switching system gives you five additional switch positions that route the signal through the pickups in unique ways. In Positions 1-3, you can manipulate the way the guitar's pickups are wired in series. In Position 4, the bridge and neck pickups go out of phase through a special tone capacitor. In Position 5, the bridge and middle pickups are wired in series and out of phase, in parallel with the neck pickup.

Designed to Be Useful for Real Guitarists

The American Deluxe goes the whole nine yards in its attention to truly useful features, including staggered locking tuners and a two-point synchronized American Deluxe tremolo bridge with pop-in arm. The two-point sync and the locking tuners definitely make it one of the tightest Fenders out there, in terms of stable intonation.

Needless to say, this guitar puts tonal possibilities in your hands that set it totally apart from other Fenders -- inviting all kinds of fun and experimentation.

Features:

- Compound-Radius Fretboard
- Noiseless N3 Strat Pickups
- Reconfigured S-1 Switching
- Locking Tuning Machines
- Contoured Heel
- Molded Rectangular SKB Case
- Aged White Knobs
- Deluxe Staggered Locking Tuners
- Schaller Strap Lock System
- Maple Neck
- Maple Fretboard
- 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
- 4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-Tilt
- White Pearloid Dot Inlays
- 25.5-inch Scale Length
- 1/8" Hex (Allen) Truss Rod Wrench
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Features
- Country of origin: US
- Special features: Compound Radius Fretboard, Noiseless N3 Strat Pickups, Reconfigured S-1(TM) Switching, Locking Tuning Machines, Contoured Heel

Dimensions
- Height: 6.0
- Length: 44.5
- Volume: 2.627

Accessories
- Case/Gig Bag: Molded Rectangular SKB(R) Case
- Strings: Super Bullets 3250L, NPS, (.009 to .042 Gauges)
- Control Knobs: Aged White Knobs
- Straplocks: Schaller Strap Lock System

Body
- Body Shape: Stratocaster

Electronics
- Auxillary Switching: S-1 Switch On: Pos. 1. Bridge/Mid/Neck Pickups, 2-Bridge/Mid, 3-Mid/Neck, 4-Bridge/Neck Out-Of-Phase/In Series w/ Tone Cap, 5-Bridge/Mid In Series/Out-Of-Phase/In Parallel with Neck Pickup
- Bridge Pickup: Noiseless N3 Strat Bridge Pickup
- Controls: Master Volume (with S-1 Switch), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Middle and Bridge Pickups)
- Middle Pickup: Noiseless N3 Strat Middle Pickup
- Neck Pickup: Noiseless N3 Strat Neck Pickup
- Pickup Configuration: S/S/S
- Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
- Special Electronics: S-1 Switch

Hardware
- Bridge: Deluxe 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Pop in Arm
- Hardware: Chrome
- Strap Buttons: American Series Strap Buttons
- String Nut: Synthetic Bone Nut
- Switch Tip: Aged White Switch Tip
- Tremolo Arm/Handle: Pop-In Deluxe Tremolo Arm
- Tuning Machines: Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Tuning Machines

Neck
- Fretboard Radius: 9.5 - 14 inch Compound Radius (241mm-355.6mm)
- Fretboard: Maple
- Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
- Neck Material: Maple Neck
- Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-Tilt(TM)
- Neck Shape: Modern "C" Shape
- Number of Frets: 22
- Nut Width: 1.6875" (43 mm)
- Position Inlays: White Pearloid Dot Position Inlays
- Scale Length: 25.5" (648mm)
- Truss Rod Nut: 1/8" American Series Nut

Miscellaneous
- Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench: .050" Hex (Allen) Wrench
- Truss Rod Wrench: 1/8" Hex (Allen) Wrench

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-488-1818

Fender American DLX Maple Stratocaster

Tone... Tradition... Innovation. Fender's American Deluxe Stratocaster has all the modern features today's guitarists require. A compound radius fretboard allows effortless string bending anywhere along the neck, and N3 Noiseless pickups provide improved Stratocaster tones for sparkling bell-like chime with no hum. Reconfigured S-1 switching offers other distinctive tonal options; other features include staggered locking tuners, two-point synchronized American Deluxe tremolo bridge with pop-in arm, and beveled neck heel. This version of the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster features a Maple compound radius fretboard for slightly brighter sound and faster action.

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. (11 ratings)
Submitted July 2, 2012 by Eric N

"Superb"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This is without a doubt the finest guitar I have ever owned. The sound is awesome. While it is true it lacks some of the grit of a straight single coil setup, the clarity of tone is amazing - this guitar was made for recording. The S1 switching system is NOT a gimmick - it takes full advantage of the capabilities of the three pickup setup that was always a bit short of its potential. The new tremolo takes a little getting used to because at first it feels loose compared to the old setup - but you quickly learn it's more sensitive and has a lot more give on pulling back. The snap-in arm will scare the piss out of you the first time you use it: it makes a LOUD snapping sound and you think you broke it. But that's just the sound it makes. Rotate the arm so it is pointing toward the rear of the body and push down to snap it in and out. Physically it is flawless. The finish is perfect (I got the Olympic Pearl and Ruby pick guard with maple fingerboard). The frets are perfectly dressed and the faces are polished like mirrors. The bridge setup is exact. I did not feel the need to raise the pickups as I usually do on a new guitar. The gloss finish on the fingerboard is a great touch. Small details like the rounded heel and locking tuners are really nice. The mirror-finish logo on the head stock is flush with the wood and under the gloss finish - it looks sharp. The supplied case is good - not great like the fitted case that came with my '99 ash standard, but good enough. Also came read more with a moderately good strap and a good cable, two Allen wrenches, and strap locks. If you are a Strat fan you will love this guitar - Fender is definitely making some of the best products in the company's history. If you are new to the Strat then there can be no better introduction than the new American Deluxe: it will spoil you for all other guitars.

Musical Background:
Amateur with dreams

Musical Style:
Mid-western reggae
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