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

Feature:
Have heard a number of folks complain about the trem bar being difficult to push in ...the spring tension is adjustable and the proper allen wrench is included (1 of three)...just do a dive bomb and you will see the hole for the allen wrench underneath, tighten or loosen to your desired tension...it's easy...also the strap locks are a nice treat...and while the case is preferred by many, i like the old tweed rectangular cases ...just seem more fenderish to me.

Quality:
finish was flawless...strings (fender strings aren't a strong point) were "9"'s and were corroded and snapped right off when i took it home and started tuning it...the bridge wasn't setup very well either...but these are all minor and were easily adjusted...a new setup , some d'ad 10's, an almost flush trem bridge, lowered action....and we were in business. p.s. it's a strat 4 bolted neck...these things last forever...if something breaks you buy a new part.

Value:
i paid almost 1700 bucks canadian for it (on an installment plan at the store thank god!)...it is very pricey for a production line strat...but compared to a production line gibson of similar relative quality...it is a steal!...this IS Fender's top of the line (hence "deluxe"), to get the Gibson equal...man you'd be selling your soul for the money to pay for it. so yes it is a good buy...and it is the best fender has to offer (which is a lot!...get the maple 3 tone sunburst...amazing neck and finish...i started as a rosewood man but this neck changed my mind...beautiful satin finish...smooth!...not sticky like the eric johnson neck ...which is incidentally well over a grand more). i think this guitar is better than ANY artist series strat available (that includes the beautiful eric johnsons and claptons and john mayers)...i love the 'c' neck...and for those that don't the 50 anniversary deluxe comes with a 'v'.

Desirability:
Oh let me tell you, everybody drools over this guitar..and my girl thinks i look pretty damn hot with it strapped low on my hip...A flawless 3 tone sunburst finish with maple neck and board the Abalone inlays , the smooth polished med. jumbo frets , make this THE classic Stratocaster...but with a powerful aresenal of settings (if you choose to use them)...however even without the S1 this is still the best strat out there (i.m.o.)...and being as how the pups are so quiet, when you hit that first cord no one is expecting it, as it seems you are either turned down or off. when in reality you are at "11"...lol.

Sound:
Bell like strat tones in positions 1 and 2...hit the S1 and you're in Les paul humbuckin' territory (with the tone on "7"...and also with ironically less hum...lol)...i still have yet to explore every tone on this guitar and it will probably be a never ending process. great for studio and gigging...a like the SCN's more than EC vintage noisless pup's. (good work Bill and Fender!).

Ease of Use:
i ignored the manual and just went on what i knew already about the traditional 5 way switch then tried it with the s1 in on each setting...now i am playing with tone control (or no tone control at all)...so it is an enjoyable never ending (seemingly) process...the doors are esp. wide open now for me because due to no 60 cycle hum , i would usually stay in the the in between (2 and 4) positions...and one of my compliants with strats was that when strumming during a fast song with downstroking bar chords i would inadvertently hit the switch when it was in my preferred #2 position down to the first position , thus creating not only a change of tone but most importantly a significant amount of hum (esp. on a loud dirty channel)...this is all ancient history now as i play in thew first position alot now (with the tone on "7") as there is no noise...the SCN's have opened up a whole new strat world to me...the S1 is just unbeliveable gravy!...no need i.m.o. for that gibson!...i can get a pretty damn good humbucker aproxamation . b.t.w. with these deluxes i would stay away from the "hss" version...they are still great guitars but i don't think they are nesscesary with the S1...the only thing it may do is take a bit of the stratness away from your bridge pup configuration...this guitar is all you need "sss" with SCN's and S1 will give you your double stack humbucker tone if you look for it. not to mention the improved modern 9.5" board radius and med. jumbo frets!!!...makes life so much sweeter! the neck on this thing is like butter. the satin finish soo smoothe.

Support:
i e-mailed them about the proper bridge setup (i wasn't used to the modern 2 pivot) and they replied fairly promtly, nothing like the next morning or anything, but they did get back to me (even though i had already gone ahead with it on my own).

Overall:
I am currently saving up for a matching Tele Deluxe!

Feature:
a real nice feel to the whose guitar, solid switches, pots, tuners.

Quality:
This is a strat. It's supposed to be a tool, and mine sure is. Seems solid, feels great. Has been my stage guitar since the day I bought it. No worries.

Value:
It's funny. I'm old enough to have bought late 60's strats new, and the new ones, adjusted for inflation, are cheaper, and sound better.

Desirability:
It's striking, (montego black, maple neck)feels great, and when I play, the limitations are mine, not the guitar's. I love Gibsons, play a Taylor acoustic, have owned 60 guitars. This one works for me.

Sound:
versatile, quiet, classic strat to fine, full tones through the s-1 system

Support:
NA. Haven't needed a thing.

Overall:
If I get another solid body electric, it will probably be a deliuxe strat, to have a backup.