Fender Review: American Deluxe Fat Stratocaster

History:

Purchase: Purchased the instrument because I wanted a new Fender electric... I bought it at Music Unlimited in Dublin, Ca. The price tag listed at $1750.00. I paid $1200.00 U.S. dollars INCLUDING tax.

What I Like About This Fender American Deluxe Fat Stratocaster: Sunburst, roserwood fingerboard, maple neck, abolone dot inlays, two noiseless single pickups, one humbucker. This guitar is very stable and you can play it very hard. I chose the Fat Strat because of the dual humbucker. It is extremely versatile if you like to play hard or soft. This guitar is made for me because I like to play hard and it stays in tune while I bend the strings beyond one octive. The guitar plays fast and it will keep you honest technically as well. You can grip chords and scales better than anything I have ever played. The pickups are sensitive which is great, and they deliver massive punch. I found after about 30 hours of playing, the rosewood became richer, and I play better and better with it each day. Excellent guitar. I'll keep it forever. I can truely abuse this guitar and it seems to respond better each time I do. I feel as though I'm always breaking it it. It's alot of fun to play and it allows you to abuse it.

What I Do NOT Like About The Fender American Deluxe Fat Stratocaster: The pick guard has a thin saran wrap layer to protect it. I really don't know what it's for, only that your supposed to unpeel it. When I did, the wrap got wedged under the tone knobs and beneath the screws. That was stupid for fender to do that because it's still there, wedged underneath the knobs and screws.

Fender American Deluxe Fat Stratocaster Quality Rating: Dead solid, perfect. It's an American Fender. I was looking at it while I was at the purchase counter. It was a lot of fun paying for it. The abolone dot inlays will wink at you, believe me. All of it is constructed beautifully. Locking tuner nuts, L.S.R. roller nut to stay in tune while you smash the tremelo...it's all good Rosewood is the way to go - Beautiful and fast.

Review Summary: If you like Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, You'll have every sound they could ever prouduce; Amp and effects willing. If you like Angus and Malcom Young, You'll find the Gibson SG in this unit as well. Buy it and abuse it. It was built for that, believe me. Smash the strings or make them drop tears, it's all there for you.

Rating of this Fender product: 5

This Fender American Deluxe Fat Stratocaster Electric Guitars Review Submitted By: Eric from Danville, Ca.

Review Date: 2002-03-31