Fender American Deluxe Series Stratocaster

Fender has always been known for quality, reliability and unequalled tone. So it is no surprise that the American Deluxe Stratocasters meet the challenge. All the features you see in their MIM Strats with a few twists tossed in just to see if you're paying attention.

First thing to take note of is the variety of models available in this line. Standard across the series are the single coil pickups. Most run Cobalt noiseless pickups but a couple of the configurations use Hot Tex Mex Strat pickups. The HSS models feature the two single coils at neck and middle with a dual coil Humbucker at the bridge.

This is the only series of Stratocasters to have a model that is only available in one body material. The American Deluxe Ash Strat is the one I speak of here. Strutting a body made from ash paired with a "C" shaped maple neck and your choice of rosewood or maple for the fret board, the sound is nothing less than phenomenal. Not to mention the playability and action which is stunning.

Now the American Deluxe Series of Stratocasters also has two more options open to the player. These are the "FMT" and "QMT" models. The initials refer to the top of the guitar and the finish. "FMT" means "Flame Maple Top" while "QMT" means "Quilted Maple Top". It would be impossible to explain this in words, so you really need to go see them for yourself. Trust me, they are gorgeous!

The electrical components and hardware have taken a turn for the better as well. The S1 switching system is standard on all American Deluxe Stratocasters and adds to the arsenal of the tone sculptors out there. Invisible to the eye, the center of the master volume knob is a push button that shifts your pickup configuration from parallel to series or any combination of the pickups. All at the touch of the musician and unknown to the audience.

For players that expect a little more from their guitar, this series of Strats are the cream of the crop. On that note, I have to mention the "V" neck model here. This is an all around American Deluxe Strat with a "soft V" shaped neck. Playing that neck is like holding melting butter in your hands. It just floats and lets you hover above the strings, waiting to attack.

Couple that with a 9.5  radius finger board and 22 Jumbo frets, not 21 like most of the other series of Stratocasters and you have an endless array of tonal possibilities. The 22nd fret is easily accessible with eh deep cutaway on the bottom side of the neck/fret board. The neck actually joins the neck at the 20th fret there so it is a short trip to #22.

All in all, the satin-like playing texture, creamy smooth tone created by quality, well thought out electronics and supreme resonance from the body material make the Stratocaster a wise selection for any serious player. This axe will deliver all the sound you need, the comfort you deserve and can withstand the rigors of gigging and travel.