Superb twang with low noise

I love this guitar, but I should mention that I'm not using it with the standard neck. I added a custom Warmoth baritone Strat neck (a perfect fit) because Fender doesn't make a baritone Strat (grrrrr...), but that's the only difference. Otherwise the guitar is a standard, stock Deluxe Player's Strat.

I specifically chose the Deluxe Player's body because it has the push-button switch that gives the two pickup combinations that are missing with the standard 5-way Strat switch — namely, all three pickups, and the bridge and neck pickups...which happen to be two of the coolest sounds on the guitar. All three pickups is a great sound for rhythm or accompaniment guitar, and the bridge+neck combination is just fabulous for twang leads with lots of chime (especially on a baritone).

I also chose this guitar because of the Vintage Noisless™ pickups. They're not completely noiseless, but then no pickup is. Even a humbucker will pick up electromagnetic fields that are strong enough or close enough. But I have to say that these noiseless pickups are a huge improvement over standard single coil pickups, noise-wise.

The big surprise for me was the sound of the middle pickup. On my '63 "L" Strat, it's the single-pickup sound I use the least. On the Deluxe Player's Strat, it's the one I use the most. In fact, it's the best single-pickup sound I've ever heard on any Strat I've ever played.

Oh...and for those who care, the bridge is American-made, as are the pickups. The volume and tone control set-up is standard Strat configuration, and the pots all have a nice, smooth, even taper. I wanted this guitar specifically because I needed absolutely clean twang, and it delivers that, big-time.

The finish on the body is perfect, and the drilling and fit are good on the pickguard and rear vibrato bridge spring cover (...er, you do know it's NOT a "tremolo" bridge...right?). I have to use all 5 springs and adjust them for greater tension for the heavier baritone strings, but the guitar easily accommodates that set-up. There are no intonation problems, either. Hitting the whammy bar doesn't knock the guitar out of tune.

The Deluxe Player's Strat is an impressive guitar -- well-made, superb twang, and great sound at a great price. In fact, I'm thinking about getting a second one and just leaving it set up for standard tuning.

great guitar

great guitar, sounds like a single coil but without the hum also, it has a great neck feel. 600 bucks for a $2000 guitar