12 replies to this topic

[CAP0 CRIMINI]

Okey doke. I feel sad, Ive been obsessed with buying a high quality guitar, both of these are about half a months wages, Ive started working and feel sad and as a consumer whore buying thingd make me happy. Whats the main diffrence between the deluxe and standard and which one swould people recommend. Looking through the youtube vids I want to get the deluxe but in truth I couldnt tell much of a diffrence

[surfsunadam]

Umm all the differences I know are the deluxe ones are curved where the neck attaches to body so its easier to play the high frets. And some of them have S1 switching where it sends out a realllllly loud, hot signal. I can see how it'd be useful if you don't use many effects, you can give yourself a volume boost with just the guitar. I've heard something about noiseless pickups, but I don't know much about them .. sorry

You're doing the right thing by buying a strat though ... the most perfect electric guitar ever I think.

[goofyrat]

my american deluxe has that s-1 switching thing which basically gives you 5 more pickup combinations, and its also got 1 humbucker and 2 single coil pickups as opposed to 3 single, i'm assuming they are the main differences, maybe youve just got slightly more potential variation in sound with the deluxe

[Mad Alchemist]

One single replaced by humbucker isn't the deluxe\standard thing, it's just another guitar, Fat Strat or something.
I've read that deluxe and standard models have slightly different tremolos.

[Laura]

I'm not sure if you're referring to an American Standard or a Mexican Standard. If you're referring to a Mexican Standard, I can say personally (because I own one) that it is a very good guitar. Mine's 13 years old, though, so I don't know what changes have been made to the MiM standards over the years (I did hear that the older MiMs have hotter pickups). I'm very happy with it -- it puts out that classic strat tone. What is also great about the MiM standards is that they cost about 400 dollars less than the American version. If you're going to go that route, be sure to play a few at the guitar shop as they can be hit or miss. My Dad has an American Fat Strat (with one humbucker and 2 single coils as a previous poster described) - it is OK, but honestly, I do like that sound of my standard strat better (also, the neck on mine is slightly smaller so it's easier for my smaller hands to play). I just like the more classic tone of mine. Definitely check out the humbucker option if you like a 'fatter' sound, though.

I think it all comes down to what kind of sound you want (and what kind of budget you're on). You can get a high quality guitar for under 500 bucks if you just look around a bit. Also, it comes down to what kind of amp you plug the guitar into. If you've got a crappy amp, the guitar won't sound as good as it could. In fact, I recently purchased a Squier Bullet strat just because it comes in daphne blue (so I got it for its looks) - I was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds when plugged into a decent amp (and the bullet is only a 100 dollar guitar...haha).

Basically, you can't go wrong with a Mexican made standard strat. It is a real Fender strat and it costs a lot less than an American made one (and sounds just as good, in my opinion). Just be sure to play a few in order to find one that sounds the best and that 'fits you' best.

Good luck with your quest in getting a new strat (whether it is made in American or Mexico or where ever)! They are the most perfect guitars (as Surfsunadam has stated in his previous post). Getting new guitars is always a fun time

[triplepant]

I would recommend buying the american Standard Strat. I just sold my Deluxe Strat.
If you like a bit of a more Vintage Vibe get the American Standard. The Fender Deluxe has Noiseless Pickups, useless S1 Switching(I never used), locking Tuners and a more modern Tremolo. Overall the Deluxe is made to a higher standard, but I would stick to the basics. Buy the American Standard and you'll be happy I guess. The Fender Deluxe was not the right one for me, I saved a lot of money and got myself a Custom Shop Strat, cause I couldn't a afford a real old one.

[CAP0 CRIMINI]

Im up and down on this matter, last night i transferred my money and was ready to go to store and pick one up. But giving it further thought and spending some more time with my mexican strat i think ill stick with it for a few more months. But I am leaning towards the standard at the moment and I think it will be my new years present, yet to decide which colour olympic white or sunburst!

[Laura]

Woops...sorry about my rambling post about Mexican strats...hahaha. I did not realize you had one already! But I'll stick by my words that I love my Mexican Strat. I must admit, though, if I had the money, I'd get myself a U.S.A. made standard Let us know if and when you get an American one!

[Face Turn]

From what i understand, American Strats are double the price purely because of the manufacting costs that are obviously tons cheaper in Mexico. There are some VERY minor differences like finishing touches to the Guitar, but it's really all down to whether you want to pay another $350 for that luxury and just to be able to say that you own an American Strat.

[surfsunadam]

No, thats not true.
all the parts are of a different quality - the pickups are different for one. American strat bodies are made up of about 3 peices of wood, whereas mexican strats have about 6. There little things, like the edges of the frets on the US strat are rounded, wheras they are cut sharp on mexi strats.
Highway one US strats have american parts and they are assembled in mexico.

[Face Turn]

Yeah, i stand corrected. In fact i should of known about the pick ups as i have used both an American and Mexican Stratocaster . Didn't know about the pieces of wood though!

[Laura]

I definitely agree that there are differences in hardware and pick-up quality between the Mexi and American strats. The frets on my Mexi strat, however, are rounded...but I'll have to check my dad's American strat (maybe what I consider rounded is not rounded at all!..haha). But also like I said in an earlier post....things might have changed on the Mexi strats since mine was made (or, I just got a diamond in the rough )

[CAP0 CRIMINI]

I think its mainly the pick ups that Id want to upgrade for and the little diffrences in finishes that dont really affect normal people but have a huge bearing on obsessive maniacs like myself. And Im also a romantic, Id want to have the American one just for authenticity, but right now I cant justify spending that much money on a guitar during this financial turmoil! But they are beautiful, GUITAR PORN!