Fender Deluxe Strat

[marnold]

Has anybody seen these new Fender Deluxe Strats (http://shop.fender.com/en-US/electric-guitars/stratocaster/deluxe-strat/0147100303.html#start=1)? They look pretty nice. They would tick off all the boxes of stuff I'd be looking for in a Strat. At times I feel like I should have a more "grown up" guitar than my Jackson. I don't know if I'm just feeling old or what the thing is. Of course I'd have to sell off my Jackson and '51 before I could even begin to consider this. Even then, I'm not sure what if anything I get for them.

[duhvoodooman]

First off, you KNOW what a lover of Strats I am, Rev. I wouldn't have six of 'em (and owned a couple more that I've since sold) if that wasn't so. That said, I think you should have a better rationale than having "a more grown up guitar" before dropping the $800 those go for. Does the Deluxe Strat do something(s) that your current guitars don't? Are you pining for that genuine Strat tone and the Jackson and '51 can't scratch that itch? Are you willing to forego the things that your current guitars can do that a Strat cannot? Just some things to think about....

[tjcurtin1]

Good feedback and good questions, Vood.

[marnold]

You make good points. This is more pie in the sky probably. It's just rare that I see a Strat that I don't think, "It'd be great, once I changed this, that, and the other thing." It's probably all going to be moot anyway since we are probably going to have to replace our van. Many problems, not the least of which is the front subframe. Looking at a small car instead.

The advantages over my other guitars would be this:
1) Middle pickup for those two in-between sounds, while still having the option of bridge and neck
2) While you can't dive bomb (as much) with the trem, you can still get the subtle warble thing plus it's MUCH easier to set intonation
3) It has noiseless pickups, which I'd prefer in a single coil
4) Doesn't look like a mid-life crisis as much as my Jackson does
5) I've had a love-hate relationship with the Jazz pup in the neck of my Jackson. A single coil might be better for what I like.

Disadvantages would be:
1) Money
2) I haven't heard the most raving reviews of the vintage noiseless pickups, although the videos I've seen for these guitars sound good
3) I'd be tempted to replace the bridge pickup with a Lil Screamin' Demon or JB Jr.
4) I fear I'd immediately regret selling my Jackson

My issue with the Jazz is that it seems dark and it's somewhat hard to balance with the JB. Long ago I installed a treble bleed cap to deal with the darkness issues when I roll back the volume, but I think the cap I chose is too big. It almost goes the other direction. I balance that out currently by rolling back the tone control. I don't know if it's my Jazz pup or if I'm just weird, but Duncan's site describes them as bright.

[Robert]

Perhaps you can try them at a store?

Another option is to buy a cheapo and mod it... can be fun too.

[duhvoodooman]

Another option is to buy a cheapo and mod it... can be fun too.
Or in the same vein, build a "partscaster" to your personal specifications. If you're not in a hurry, you can monitor various sources (eBay, Reverb.com, The STRATosphere (https://stratosphereparts.com/), etc.) for good deals on the parts you're looking for. The biggest ticket items will be the body and neck, but the good news is that you can get good quality Strat bodies and necks at very reasonable prices, particularly if you buy Squier parts (Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified model lines are the best quality) or non-Fender "licensed" parts. Many of the aftermarket pickup makers offer noiseless Strat pickups, so you should have no trouble finding some you like. I'm almost certain that you could put together a good partscaster Strat that meets your needs for $500 tops. And the build part is a cinch--a few solder joints for the electronics and the rest pretty much just screws together.

[marnold]

Perhaps you can try them at a store?

Another option is to buy a cheapo and mod it... can be fun too.Resurrecting an old thread!

I stopped by a local shop today and they had a Fender Deluxe Stratocaster in stock in blue. I was going to try it, but the only guy there was helping someone else. While I was waiting, I felt the neck. It had the worst case of fret sprout I've ever experienced. Granted, it's been unseasonably cold here, but this was significantly worst than what my Squier 51 was originally. I was literally afraid I would tear up my hand if I tried to play it.

I know it's a relatively inexpensive fix, but if I'm spending $800, I don't expect to fix anything like that. Disappointed.

[stingx]

I'd pass on it too.

[Robert]

Wow, I sold mine a long time ago, but I do remember the neck was really great and no fret sprout. Hit and miss I guess.

[Jimi75]

All of the I’ve played were great. The neck is a dream!