by dave robinson » 12 Oct 2009, 10:09
I have an American Deluxe and it's a nice guitar and I use it on my solo gigs with great success, but it doesn't quite sound like my USA Vintage '62 reissue or '54 Masterbuilt guitars, so if you are looking for the authentic sound the I can't recommend the USA Deluxe.
Of the USA models, you need to be looking at the 'Time Machine' series or 'Closet Classics' and any others along those lines, I picked up a USA '62 Reissue that was about fifteen years old and it is spot on, but I believe that these have been replaced with the 'Time Machine' series. I have had two of the USA built American Standard Strats' and didn't get on with them because they sounded slightly different to what I recognise as the 'vintage' tone. I do still have a '63 Strat and I prefer the new ones as they feel better to me.
On the less expensive side I have two 'Classic Player Strats', one being the 60's model but my preferred one because of the authentic sound is the 50's, but the downside is that mine is in Shoreline Gold, the other option being sunburst. This guitar though does compare soundwise with my USA '54 Masterbuilt job. I haven't tried the Mexican Classic 50's so I can't comment on that one, but at around £400/500 the Classic Players' are a good option.
Dave Robinson