Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck Electric Guitar (Maple with Case)

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Get a rockin', but balanced tone with this American Deluxe Strat. It features noisless pickups that don't hum and deliver a bright tone that chimes.

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
Staggered-height tuning machines More string tension across nut, enhances sustain
Noiseless N3 pickups Stacked design, vintage tone and dynamics

The Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck takes the best in classic Strat design and adds a healthy dose of contemporary guitar innovation. With three N3 Noiseless pickups and the versatile S-1 switching system, this American Deluxe Strat provides a stunning array of captivating tones to cover virtually any genre. The '50s-style soft-V neck profile with compound radius fretboard makes it an absolute joy to play hour after hour, year after year. All combined, the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck is one of the most playable and versatile Strats ever.

Comfortable '50s V-shaped Neck

As one might expect from the title, the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck includes a V-shaped neck profile in the style of some of the original Strats from the early '50s. More specifically, the profile is a soft-V which means while there is some depth to the neck, it's not overly sharp or bulky. The soft-V formation occupies a comfortable middle ground between the harder V profile of the later '50s and the oval shaped necks of the '60s. Adding to the playability is a compound radius fretboard and an ergonomic contoured heel.

Fender N3 Noiseless Pickups and S-1 Electronics

Fender has done it once again with the use of the Fender's N3 Noiseless single-coil pickups.The triple set of N3s on the American Deluxe Strat do an outstanding job capturing the timeless single-coil chime of a '50s-era Fender which reducing unwanted hum. Whether playing twang-heavy country licks or read more furious hard-rock progressions, the American Deluxe Strat churns out all the requisite Fender tone by way of its powerful N3 pickups.

The Fender American Deluxe V Neck Strat also includes the innovative S-1 electronic system. By engaging a nearly invisible button on the volume knob, the five-way pickup selector is completely transformed, allowing a unique set of pickup configurations to be used. Different combinations of each of the N3 pickups with selectable series and parallel circuits expands the tonal potential of the guitar with tones ideal for funk, rockabilly, and other classic Strat genres.

Features:

- Powerful Noiseless(tm) N3 pickups -- classic Strat tone with no hum
- Extreme playability with '50s soft-V neck, compound radius fretboard and upper contoured heel
- S-1 switching system giving huge range of tones to choose from
- Locking tuning machines and deluxe 2-Point synchronized tremolo bridge
- Pop-in deluxe tremolo -- or whammy -- bar
- Included hardshell case

The Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck makes it mark with an advance electronic system and extremely comfortable neck profile. Like the rest of the American Deluxe line, this Strat has been hand-crafted in Fender's California facility and features a full range of high-quality Fender hardware.
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Features
Country of origin: US

Legalese: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

Special features: Compound Radius Fretboard, Soft "V" Shape Neck, Noiseless(TM) N3 Strat(R) 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(R) 3250L, NPS, (.009 to .042 Gauges)

Control Knobs: Aged White Knobs

Straplocks: Schaller(R) Strap Lock System

Body
Body Shape: Stratocaster(R)

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(TM) N3 Strat(R) Bridge Pickup

Controls: Master Volume (with S-1(TM) Switch), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. No-Load Tone Control (Middle and Bridge Pickups)

Middle Pickup: Noiseless(TM) N3 Strat(R) Middle Pickup

Neck Pickup: Noiseless(TM) N3 Strat(R) 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(TM) 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" 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: Soft "V" Shape

Number of Frets: 22

Nut Width: 1.6875" (43 mm)

Position Inlays: Black 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 Stratocaster V Neck

Tone... Tradition... Innovation. Fender's American Deluxe Stratocaster(r) V Neck has all the modern features today's guitarists require, with some vintage flavor thrown in. All the cool specs of the American Deluxe Stratocaster are here, plus a classic tinted maple neck with a '50s V-shape and compound radius fretboard that allows effortless string bending anywhere along the neck. N3 Noiseless(tm) pickups provide improved Stratocaster tones for sparkling bell-like chime with no hum, and reconfigured S-1(tm) switching offers still more distinctive tonal options. Additional key features include staggered locking tuners, two-point synchronized American Deluxe tremolo bridge with pop-in arm, and beveled neck heel.

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (14 ratings)
Submitted October 16, 2013 by JB Miller in St.Louis, MO

"Fender's finest... but a couple 'flaws'"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This Strat model is Fender's best attempt at producing the finest guitar they can make. They're almost there... but not quite. Let's start with the FINISH: it is flawless. Very well done, very beautiful. The NECK is the best thing about this guitar. The "V" profile creates a contour that matches the natural curve of the hand as you play. The result is that you feel very comfortable all up and down this neck. The COMPOUND RADIUS fret-board is a very good design. For most of the neck, you have a nice 9.5 radius, but when you get to the 12th fret the radius flattens to 14. This means you can bend strings high on the neck without fret buzz. This also allows you to set the strings lower to the fret-board to get better action. Great design. Some people claim they "can't get used to it". I've had no problem jumping right into it and feeling right at home. The TUNING KEYS are high quality locking keys, and they make it very easy to quickly change strings. They are also very stable, helping keep the guitar in tune. The AGED FINISH on the neck is very classy, and it will only get better with age! The N3 PICKUPS sound very nice, and are really quiet. This is because they are designed like a humbucker (that is, 2 cancelling coils). With the S-1 SWITCHING turned OFF, the standard strat switch positions are smooth, clean, and quiet on all 5 settings. You get the classic Stratocaster tones. However, I do not like the S-1 ON position at all. With the S-1 switch turned on, the read more 1,2,& 3 positions produce the 60HZ hum. This is because Fender wired them in "series". If you take a humbucker (which is basically what an N3 strat pickup is) and run it in "series" with another humbucker... then the 60HZ buzz will return to the mix. Why? Because the humbucking mode only works with paired coils, and running these pickups in "series" cancels the humbucking mode. Fender tried to compensate by adding some circuitry (a couple capacitors) to catch that hum, but you can still hear it fairly well. Also, even though the S-1 mode produces a hotter sound (typical of series wiring), the 1,2 & 3 positions are "muddy", and all sound similar to one and other. No real 'definition'. Remember, the unique sound of a Strat has always been that "clear", punchy sound. The "quack" on the 2 and 4 settings is only front-and-center when the wiring is standard "parallel", but the S-1 switch puts these pickups in". The 4th position turns the bridge and neck pickups on. The problem with this, however, is that Fender wired them in "series" and "out of phase". This setting sounds "ok", but it's not as good as it could be. It doesn't sound like a Tele... but more like a Gretch. Because the pickups are wired "out of phase" in position 4, and the 60HZ buzz is again cancelled. So this is a decent sound. Position 5 is useless. Even though there is no buzz, the out of phase / parallel wiring on this setting sound terrible. I can't think of any situation where I would actually use this on a live performance. The sound is "thin", 'hollow' and "tinny". Almost all of the midrange frequencies are cut out with this pickup configuration. After a couple jobs, I "had it". I took my new Fender and put it under "the knife". I opened her up and rewired the S-1 switch so that all the positions were strait "parallel wiring". Now, with the S-1 switch "on", I get a true "tele-like" sound with the 1 and 3 pickups on. The 1,2, 3 setting is also very nice. The tone has a distinctive "quack tone", but with more fullness than the 4,5 position. Now for the BRIDGE... I have a couple problems with the bridge. 1st off, the tremolo handle was VERY hard to insert and pull out. I mean, I must have put 20 or 30 pounds of pressure on the trem arm to get it to click into its slot inside the bridge! Also, the tiny set screws inside the string saddles where sticking up through the saddles. They are sharp on the edges, and I actually cut the palm of my hand on one of them. Soooo... this was such a bad design that I was thinking about returning the guitar! However, I stepped back and regrouped. Because I never really use the trem bar anyway, why even try to push it in? Then I lowered the bridge all the way to the body and tightened the internal bridge springs in the body of the guitar all the way down. The tension has now locked the bridge to the body firmly (no need for blocks - like Eric Clapton does). When I lowered the bridge I had to raise the string saddles to compensate for the change. Hey, when I did this, the sharp screws sunk into the string saddles and hence no more visible screw, no more sharp edges! Fixed. Now, I'm happy with my guitar. VERY happy. It plays good, sounds good, and looks good. It's a keeper. Oh, the case. The case is that nice molded style with the Fender logo molded on it. But to tell you the truth, I would have been more happy with the classic wooden Strat / Tele case. This molded case fits the guitar nice, but there;s very little room for anything else (tuner, strap etc.). The old fashion cases have PLENTY of room. All in all, I would recommend this guitar if you are a Strat lover. It is very high quality. It's a little pricy, but if your a pro and you want a pro Strat... this is 'it'. The only things I didn't like were the S-1 switching and the bridge. I fixed them (for nothing), and you can too if it bothers you. Some people may not be bothered with my these things, but I was... so I had to fix it. This is also why I didn't give my review 100% perfect marks. So BUY ONE! You won't be disappointed!

Musical Background:
Professional musician. Over 40 years of studio and performing experience.

Musical Style:
Classic Rock, Country, Jazz, Blues, Big-Band.
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