American Standard vs Deluxe Telecaster
Fender American Standard Telecaster
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Fender American Deluxe Telecaster
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For a premium Telecaster, the American Fenders are the cream of the crop. While the Standard is considered the benchmark Tele, for an additional $400 you can own the American Deluxe - a modernised, blinged up version of the Standard.
Many of the Deluxe's features look superior on paper and, in a similar MIA Strat comparison, we felt the extra cost was reasonable, given the practical value of these upgraded features.
However, the Telecaster is a different animal. Will the Deluxe prove its worth in the same way?
Many of the Deluxe's features look superior on paper and, in a similar MIA Strat comparison, we felt the extra cost was reasonable, given the practical value of these upgraded features.
However, the Telecaster is a different animal. Will the Deluxe prove its worth in the same way?
MIA Standard Vs Deluxe Tele - Side By Side
| Model | Standard Telecaster | Deluxe Telecaster |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 92 (over $1000) |
94 (over $1000) |
| User Reviews |
Ultimate Guitar Harmony Central Zzounds Musicians Friend Amazon |
Ultimate Guitar Harmony Central Zzounds Musicians Friend Amazon |
| Model | Standard Telecaster | Deluxe Telecaster |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Website |
Fender.com | Fender.com |
| Weight | 3.3 kg / 7lbs 3oz | 3.5 kg / 7 lbs 13 oz |
| Tuners | Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed | Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking |
| Neck | Maple, Modern "C" | |
| Scale Length | 25.5" | |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width | 1.685" | |
| Fingerboard | Maple or Rosewood | |
| Fingerboard Radius | 9.5" | 9.5-14" Compound Radius |
| Frets | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Inlays | Pearloid Dot (Rosewood) White Dot (Maple) |
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| Body | Alder | Select Alder |
| Pickups | Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Vintage-Style Tele Neck Pickup: Custom Shop "Twisted" Single-Coil Tele |
Noiseless N3 Single-Coil x2 With S-1 Switch |
| Bridge | 6-Saddle American Standard Strings-Through-Body Tele with Bent Steel Saddles and Stamped Brass Plate | 6-Saddle American Tele with Chromed Brass Saddles |
| Standard Telecaster | Deluxe Telecaster |
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| Standard Telecaster | Deluxe Telecaster |
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Key Differences Between The Standard & Deluxe
The key differences between the Standard and Deluxe Telecasters are similar to that of the American Stratocasters.
So the Deluxe is essentially an optimised Standard, with more specialist parts that serve more than a merely cosmetic purpose.
So the Deluxe is essentially an optimised Standard, with more specialist parts that serve more than a merely cosmetic purpose.
Hardware
Standard (top) vs Deluxe Bridge
Starting at the bridge, in place of the Standard's traditional bent steel saddles, the Deluxe is fitted with more sleekly modern chromed brass saddles.
The brass does have an effect on tone, producing a warmer, less harsh attack than steel.
The Deluxe is also lacking the purely cosmetic stamped brass plate of the Standard.
At the headstock, the Deluxe boasts locking tuners, which locks the string on to the tuning post, preventing it from going out of tune due to slippage. It also saves time when re-stringing, as there are no winds to worry about.
The brass does have an effect on tone, producing a warmer, less harsh attack than steel.
The Deluxe is also lacking the purely cosmetic stamped brass plate of the Standard.
At the headstock, the Deluxe boasts locking tuners, which locks the string on to the tuning post, preventing it from going out of tune due to slippage. It also saves time when re-stringing, as there are no winds to worry about.
Playability
The only difference here (and quite a significant one), is the compound neck radius on the Deluxe model.
This means the neck gradually changes dimensions as you move up the neck, meaning easier chord fingering down at the first few frets and easier bending and lead runs higher up. in short, easier to play all round.
Compound radius seems to be the most appreciated feature of the Deluxe.
This means the neck gradually changes dimensions as you move up the neck, meaning easier chord fingering down at the first few frets and easier bending and lead runs higher up. in short, easier to play all round.
Compound radius seems to be the most appreciated feature of the Deluxe.
Sound
Depressed S-1 Switch on the volume knob of the Deluxe
The noiseless N3 pickups in the Deluxe will be a welcome feature for anyone who's played through single coils at high volumes, e.g. in a live setting.
The N3's do a more efficient job of killing unwanted hum than your typical, external noise gate, which can kill tone with it.
The N3's do a more efficient job of killing unwanted hum than your typical, external noise gate, which can kill tone with it.