Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Electric Guitar (Rosewood, with Case)

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22 medium jumbo frets. 3 Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups. S-1 Switching.

Are you looking for the traditional look and feel of a classic Stratocaster guitar with a little extra "oomph" under the hood? The new American Deluxe Series Strat is all that and more! Featuring an alder body, three new Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Strat pickups, Fender's S-1 switching system and a 2-point synchronized tremolo with stainless steel saddles - this guitar is built for speed! Its modern C-shape maple neck has a satin polyurethane finish and is available with a rosewood or maple fingerboard, abalone inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets. Includes hardshell case.

Founded in 1946, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has been an American icon for over 50 years. In that time, Fender's contribution to the evolving sound of contemporary music has been global and continuous. By introducing the first commercially viable solidbody electric guitar, the first electric bass and countless classic amplifiers, Fender musical instruments have left their mark on jazz, blues, country, rock and many other styles of popular music.

Body: Select Alder

Neck: Maple, Modern 'C' Shape, (Satin Polyurethane Finish)

Machine Heads: Fender/Schaller Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Tuning Machines

Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5 in. Radius (241 mm)

No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Frets

Pickups: 3 Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Strat Pickups (Neck/Middle/Bridge)

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

Bridge: Fender Deluxe 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Pop in Arm

Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade and 2-Position Push/Push S-1:
S-1 Switch Up:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup in Parallel
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup in Parallel
Position 5. Neck Pickup

S-1 Switch Down:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup in Series with Middle Pickup
Position 2. Bridge Pickup in Parallel with Special Capacitor and in Series with Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup in Series with Special Capacitor (No Tone Control)
Position 4. Neck Pickup in Parallel with Special Capacitor and in Series with Middle Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup in Series with Middle Pickup

Hardware: Chrome

Strings: Fender Super Bullet 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042)

Case: Standard Molded Case

Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green on 3-color Sunburst,
4-Ply Brown Shell on Amber,
4-Ply Aged White Pearloid on Candy Tangerine,
4-Ply Black Shell on Chrome Silver,
1-Ply Beveled Gold Vinyl on Montego Black

Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648 mm)

Width at Nut: 1.6875 in. (43 mm)

Unique Features: S-1 Switching, Aged Plastic Parts, Abalone Dot Position Inlays, Highly Detailed Fret and Nut Work

Accessories: Standard Molded Case, Cable, Strap, Straplocks, Meguiar's Mist and Wipe Kit

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (54 ratings)
Submitted January 31, 2008 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Fender American Deluxe Stratocater"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
You should never have to go buy another guitar after purchasing this one. What more could you want?? A great sounding and feeling guitar which just doesn't go out of style. All my favorite guitar players had a Strat in their hands when they played, so it was just natural that i purchaced one. And I' glad I did as this is a guitar you just don't want to pass up.

Sound
This guitar is probably the best sounding guitar I have ever heard. Anything from nice jazzy tones to a crunchy blues tone and even a ruckus metal tone can be dialed in on this guitar. This is all thanks to the noiseless pickups and the S-1 switching system, which allows just about any tone to be obtained, all the while, keeping he classic Strat sound. Even through a Roland Cube 30 and a Digitech RP-230, the Stratocaster's recognizable sound is still there.

Features
The locking tuners are great for easy stringing and doesn't allow the guitar to go out of tune. The neck is fast and has great playability. As I have stated before, the pickups and switching system can allow any tone to be achieved once you get the hang of it. It gives the best of both the single coil sound or a more humbucking sound if wanted yet the classic Strat still rings out. The pop in tremolo is way better than a screw in tremolo, which can easily strip and render the tremolo useless. Of course, the classic contoured body is very comfortable and allows the player to become one with read more the guitar. The strap locks makes sure that your guitar is safe and there is no chance of it slipping out of the strap.

Ease of Use
The electronics on this guitar are extremely to use once you get the hang of the S-1 switching system. The tremolo arm is easily adjusted using a Allen key and the strap locks are easily applied. I would recommend doing this as soon as you go to put the strap on the strap on the guitar as it easily slips out of it. Get your local music store to set up your guitar, such as truss rod adjustment, etc. as it doesn't always come in great shape. I would also recommend that you switch out the Fender bullet strings for something that you are more used to, as these strings are not the greatest.

Quality
Just mentioning the name Fender, and you already know that it is going to be a high quality product. The guitar's finish is beautiful (mine is in montego black with a maple fretboard) and all of the components work great and get the job done. One of the best quality guitar's I have ever played.

Value
This guitar does not compare to any other guitar, in its price class or not. Of course, my opinion is biased, as I am a Fender guy, but I have heard many other guitars much more expensive, and they just don't get those bell tones that the Stratocaster has. As well to a great sounding guitar, the Strat is also very versatile as you can play rock, blues, country, jazz, metal, shred or any style you can think of on this guitar, especially since it is equipped with the S-1 switching system. I would pay whatever Fender jacked the price up to in order to get my hands on this one!

Manufacturer Support
I haven't had to deal with support yet. I guess that's a good thing...

The Wow Factor
The Strat's look is timeless, it never goes out of style. Great look, great feel, this is more than just a guitar. It is an extension of your musical soul. Go to go play...

Musical Background:
Hobbyist

Musical Style:
Rock and Blues
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