I have to base my ratings on having been a studio guitarist for a little over 30 yrs & rode the "boutique bandwagon" a lot of that time. The sound: Being used to a HSS setup, this gtr. blows EVERYTHING away I've played in the above mentioned time. The pickups are powerful, but no way dark/muddy. The humbucker is a TREAT & for my style, wound perfectly. Front p/ups though mentioned that they're wound hotter still deliver that Fender clarity without being to "glingy" or harsh. And shame on boutique builders that can't deliver what the S-1 system does. Better check 'em out, folks. Fender has seriously stepped up their game.

Features are just fine & dandy. Though I'd have preferred a hardtail, & that "de-tremoloing" it is easy, it has hardly noticable bridge give when bending. Considering this is one of Fender's best "off the rack" instruments, this babe's parts are ALL top shelf.

Playability? I'm happy as a hog in slop. Didn't think I'd care for the 9.5" radius having been used to the 12's, but I won't go back now. Love it. Took a little while to get used to a maple neck, feels like home now.

Well here it is right here. Good for me (& you) that I guess Fender decided to meet the "boutique" builders head on & build this latest American Deluxe version. Folks, the build quality of this thing is as good as gtrs. costing 2 to FIVE times as much. Now sure, different strokes & all that, but for me, this is the BEST Fender I've ever played & thankfully, it's mine.

Well, if you've been around the block a time or two & can make comparisons, this instrument is an INCREDIBLE value. I'm leaving the amount as is because truthfully, EVERYONE should be able to afford a gtr. this nice vs. one in the $5-6K range that won't deliver as well as the American Deluxe.

I've had issues with other builders, but none with Fender. Right now as far as I'm concerned Fender's the "belle of the ball."

I was looking to replace my main instrument, & I did. Whew! Did I ever.

Pro musician/arranger

I'm a stylist.

The "s-1" switch (hidden in the volume knob) provides many different series/parrallel pickup combinations. I am able to dial in some GREAT tones, with lot of sustain, and great harmonics.

This guitar has alot of nice features. Strap locks, locking tuners, and abalone dots on the fretboard. Looks great - I got the 3-color sunburst. I could find no flaws in the finish/workmanship.

I took off a point here because it looks like the frets above the 12th fret were not dressed quite as well as the lower frets. It is barely noticable, and really doesn't effect the playability - but the guy at the factory must have gotten a bit lazy when he was working on the frets. But that is the only negative thing I can say about this guitar...

A bit pricey. But good value for the quality of instrument. The playability of this guitar is better than guitars I've seen for 2+ times the price.

Not needed any!

I like it better than my girl friend. And that says alot because my girlfriend is pretty hot.

Active Musician

Rock, Jazz, Blues, Classical

I have been playing guitar for more than four decades. I was in a number of bands in the 60's playing bass. The sound of this strat is mind blowing. I wanted to buy a Les Paul Gibson and a Fender Strat for their two distinctive sounds. The HSS Deluxe Strat has both covered. Perhaps not exactly but darn close. Great sound and with the S1 switch, Wow!

I was not impressed with the vibrato at first but once I attached it properly it worked great. What they don't say on the web page is that it comes without the head guides for the B and high E. Was I please to see this was not on my strat. I saw Hendrix many times and he used this area of the guitar for various sounds, which cannot be accomplished with the guides.

OK, listen up! Get this guitar! It is easy to play and once you start you can't stop playing. Since I got this guitar my custom G&L Legacy has been in the case and my very expensive Larrivee Dreadnaught has not been out of the closet. Hey I'm an AARP guy and I am ready to get back on stage with this guitar. Playing All Along the Watchtower has never sounded better. Thank you Fender.

I bought a "Blemished" sunburst HSS. I opened the box expecting scratches or a big gash in the body or neck - NONE! One little nick on the pick guard, big deal. There was NOTHING wrong with this guitar and I saved hundreds of dollars. So, I bought another amp to use with my ancient Marshall, the 100 watt Frontman 212 and an Digitech RP250. Now I surf ZZound looking for other bargains some bozo sent back. Thank to the bozo who sent back my Strat you did the right thing - FOR ME!

DUH! 40% off, where is the margin of profit for ZZound? How can you people make a profit? Best deal I found anywhere.

There was nothing wrong with the my guitar but I still called customer support to ask about the vibrato and the missing guides. ZZound was going to send me another vibrato and the guides to have my luthier repair my strat. OK I was being a picky jerk but customer service went out of their way to make me happy. ZZ is the best. Oh, UPS punched big holes in the shipping boxes but nothing, nothing was damaged because ZZ professionally packed my guitar with layers of protection, thank you ZZound.

This is not a fair question, I have been married for decades. Sex appeal? It made me feel 30 years younger. I was an Art Professor and a high paid Graphics Designer and art/design consultant before I retired. If Picasso played guitar he would own this guitar. Form and function baby - it will make your heart swell when you open the guitar case and then wrap your hands around it's neck. A total turn-on. I need a cold shower.

60's band member in Reno, Sacramento, SF. After College became an Art Professor in Oregon.

I have played in rock bands and jazz quartets. But I love Country as well.

This guitar has great sound. I would especially recommend getting this guitar if you are a fan of Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or any other band that frequently incorporates Fender Stratocasters in their music. I would also get a nice Fender amp with good reverb. If I have any suggestions for what to do to make it sound better, is to put Elixir's on it. They sound amazing.

I'm not sure if this HSS is the one with the S1 switch, but it does feature really good pickups. It's really a matter of opinion, my HSS has a humbucker and a switch to turn it on. I don't want a guitar with 50 bells and whistles or tons of crap.

This guitar is really easy to use. The only thing in my experience I should mention, is I find it somewhat easier to bend on a rosewood neck. Also, some of my friends prefer a Chinese made Strat over mine because the neck on mine is rather thick compared to their's, but I don't mind it.

It's American. It's Fender. It's the sh*t

Considering you'd only be getting $500 out of this guitar if you resell it, it might not be the greatest buy for people constantly buying and selling guitars.

I've never even had to talk to Fender support, it's that god damn good.

In my opinion, the stratocaster is the best guitar ever made. End of story.

Hobbyist

Rock, Alternative,

OMG this thing is amazing i got it today used but in mint condition for $820 there is nothing the matter with it, it's great! I plugged it in when i got home on my dad's little Roland and it was amazing and the amp isn't that great either so i plan to get one in the $500-$800 range to really bring out the sound.

Uhhh well...uhhh...i think the S1 Switching system is good enough for me.

Very easy to use, it's a fender...

It's a Fender, it's well made. It just looks perfect everthing's secure and tight.

Worth it, buy this guitar now!

Haven't Needed any so it get's a 10.

It's very sexy.

active musician

metal,rock,occasional funk

Amazing qaulity, Fender has once again out-done itself. I play this baby atleast an hour a day. The Deluxe will suit any guitar player. The tones are rich and just majestic!

Comes with an easy to remove whammy bar, hard-shell case and a fancy little shammy. Even some tweaking tools, and a new Fender chord.

I've seen plenty of guitars and this guitar is crafter beautifully, real American beauty too it! True qaulity!

I can't compare this guitar to any other, it's a new generation of hot. I mainly like strats and hollowbodies, jazz and blues is what guitars are made for.

I had a Sqiuer once, not so hot, but then again it's not Fenders best, cheap means you get what you paid for.

A man can only get hotter if he's playing a stratocaster, and this is a hot strat, it's got sex appeal all over it!

Hobbyist (mostly) I've been playing three years.

Jazz, Soul, Funk, Blues, Soft Rock, Contemporary, Easy Listening.