Fantastic features

I bought this guitar brand new in 2011 and have had it ever since. It is super!

This guitar comes with a functionality called the "Passing Lane" switch (an extra button between the tone controls).

The "Passing Lane" feature is awesome in a live setting when also singing. E.g., when I need to turn the guitar volume on or off quickly to avoid feedback without looking down, or while I'm busy with my hands not touching the guitar.

I set up all max tone requirements in advance at the amp, pedals, or Helix with the "Passing Lane" switch set to 'on'. Set my guitar's volume dial to zero. When I need guitar volume I press the "Passing Lane" switch to 'on' and get tone at the level that I set in the amp. When I want silence I switch it 'off' and my signal is dead. Obviously, there are many applications for this feature, but this is how I use it. I haven't seen a "Passing Lane" feature on any other guitar since.

Regarding the normal features, the tone from the two Noiseless N3 pick-ups and Humbucker are super.

There is the additional feature of a push-on/off S-1 switch located in the volume dial. This permits extra tone possibilities through the wiring configuration of the pick-ups by arranging alternative combinations not available on normal Stratocasters. I.e. this guitar has twice as many sound creation possibilities as a non-S-1 switch Stratocaster.

Other non-standard features of this guitar are: - the neck/body join is comfort-cut to fit your hand better up to the higher frets - the nut is set with a row of ball bearings instead of bone or plastic

This is a top-shelf Guitar!

Very comfortable and sounds amazing

I came across an American Deluxe SSS one day at guitar center. There is a sizable chip on the body of the guitar. So it was being sold for about $700. I said shut up and and take my credit card.

I've modded it into an HSS. The great thing about these american deluxe bodies is they are routed for HSH, so you can really configure it however you like.

It's very light. Great for long hours spent recording. The neck feels small, great if you have small hands. The S1 switch is a cool feature, but I honestly never used it much. I almost always use the bridge pickups only, especially since putting some seymour Duncan SH-4s in there. Actually, after doing that, the neck and middle pickup won't work. I think I know what the problem is, but I don't care to fix it.

This is one of those... OMG guitars. Can't get enough of it.

This is one of those... OMG guitars. Can't get enough of it. It plays like a dream, sounds great and the case is sturdy. My only criticism is about the case, it has little room for equipment.

I have changed the standerd lockingtuners for a autotune system from TronicalTune wich is f-ing nice! :D Be aware the if you buy a TroncalTune system. Some systems have the bad habit to over-tune (somewhat to #) your strings. If your system does that. return it.

The specs:

Model Name: American Deluxe Strat® HSS Series: American Deluxe COLOR/MSRP/PART#: 3-Color Sunburst 0119100700

Body Shape: Stratocaster®

Neck Shape: Modern "C" Number of Frets: 22 Fret Size: Medium Jumbo Position Inlays: Pearl Dot Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"-14" Compound Radius (24.1 cm-35.56 cm) Fingerboard: Rosewood or Maple Neck Material: Maple Nut Width: 1.685" (42.8 mm) Scale Length: 25.5" (64.8 cm) Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Mount with Micro-Tilt™ Truss Rod Nut: 1/8" American Series

Pickup Configuration: H/S/S Bridge Pickup: Atomic Humbucking Middle Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Strat® Neck Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Strat® Pickup Switching: Position 1. Humbucking Pickup w/ Coils in Series, Pos. 2. Middle Pickup/Inside Coil of Humbucking Pickup in Parallel, Pos. 3. Middle Pickup, Pos 4. Neck/Middle Pickup in Parallel, Pos. 5. Neck Pickup Special Electronics: S-1™ Switch Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge/Middle Pickup)

Hardware Finish: Chrome Bridge: Deluxe Two-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Pop-in Arm String Nut: LSR Roller Tuning Machines: Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Switch Tips: Aged White Tremolo Arm Handle: Pop-In Deluxe Tremolo Arm Auxiliary Switching: 2-Position Push/Push "Passing Lane" Switch

Strings: Fender® USA Super Bullets® 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges) Unique Features: Compound Radius Fretboard, New Noiseless™ N3 Strat® Pickups (Neck/Mid), Atomic Humbucking Pickup (bridge) Reconfigured S-1™ Switching, Locking Tuning Machines, Contoured Heel

Strap Locks: Schaller® Strap Lock System Control Knobs: Aged White Plastic

My No.1

This was my first "expensive" guitar which I spent a few years researching. Tone wise, it's very versatile and tends to lean towards the more modern sounding end of the spectrum. The humbucker is great and has a built in "Death Switch" which bypasses all other controls and pickups to give you a high gain, high volume lead boost which is perfect for solos. The neck is perfect and the tremolo is smooth, it even contains a coil-tap for you Stratocaster purists. Overall I think this is one of the finest modern instruments i have ever played. Nice one Fender...

a great polyvalent guitar

This guitar is a very good instrument that can be use for so many style of play : from blues to rock, it also can be very efficient in heavy metal or jazz ! Its combination of mics is a big part of this polyvalent, especially the Humbucker. The neck is very confortable and the high notes are very accessible (and its a 22 frets guitar !), and the sealed locking tuning machines are perfect to hold your tune when you use the tremolo arm.

Excellent Stratocaster.

Great strat, the pickups are a bit too bright for me but for studio work it's a great instrument, love mine.

funky lil thing

its one of my favorites and mine is in a beautiful amber finish

Main guitar for recording. Amazing sound. Love it.

Fender Stratocaster American Deluxe HSS

Originally, it was SSS Strat. I modified bridge pickup Duncan SH-4 Humbucker.

similar version of this but for rec.