Fender Deluxe Stratocaster

Every player who picks up a guitar yearns to play a Stratocaster. In all reality, Fender’s Deluxe series Starts are the cat’s meow when it comes to affordability and quality. These Stratocasters are made outside the United States but, like I have said before, if you can play it, it doesn’t matter where it was made at!

Rivaling the tonality and sonic greatness of the higher end American Stratocaster line, the Deluxe series offers several models for the aficionado. Of the six Deluxe models Fender makes available, all have a three pickup system with 5 way switching. Three of these have single coil ceramic pickups; two have singles at neck and middle with a dual coil humbucker at the bridge. The remaining model is Fender’s own Acoustasonic Stratocaster, which is really an acoustic/electric that looks like a Strat. Interesting, to say the least.

Anyway, when you first pick up a Strat, you notice the weight. Yeah, they are a bit heavy. All that alder body material is part of what gives the Strat it’s signature creamy smooth tone. The alder body absolutely resonates with every pick stroke. Adding to that is the tremolo bar on every Strat bridge.

Necks are either of rosewood or maple with experienced players preferring the maple for it’s smooth texture. I have played both rosewood and maple necks and I can tell you that a maple neck is definitely the better of the two. It withstands the rigors of lead playing and allows for a quicker action than other woods.

The tone of a Stratocaster is nothing short of spectacular, folks. You will see Strats in use by players of country, folk, R&B, rock, metal and even jazz. This is due to the tremendous range of sound that can be sculpted out of the guitar. Once you get the feel of a Strat, you can coax sounds from it that will make young girls cry.

One of the greatest players to ever pick up a Strat was Stevie Ray Vaughn. He traded into his 1958 Tobacco Burst axe way before he ever became known. As you know, he took that guitar and made it stand up, grab your attention and jerk your heartstrings with his blues stylings. Then he would move into a rendition of Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” and you had to wonder “is that the same guitar?”. Yes, it was.

I had to mention SRV here, but I cannot review a Stratocaster without a mention of Jimi Hendrix. Jimi made the Strat famous when he flipped it over and inverted the strings to play it lefty. Not many had heard a guitar sound that way until Hendrix came along.

All in all, the action is fast, the tones are magnanimous and the Fender quality never falters. For the price, the Deluxe Stratocaster is worth every penny. Just because it is built in Mexico doesn’t mean it isn’t a quality instrument. All it really means is that anyone can afford the Strat now. That is Fender’s way of getting their instruments into as many hands as possible.

You cannot go wrong with a Strat, people. Great construction, great electronics and great sound all mean you get a great musical experience.