Strat: Am Deluxe Ash vs. Am Deluxe

[PylonRacer]

I really am on the verge of picking up an SSS American Deluxe Strat. Just can't decide between the Ash or Alder. I'll probably ditch the pickups and replace with a set of surfers for traditional strat tones. Any opinions on Ash vs. Alder other than cosmetics?

I plan to use this guitar for a blues and hendrix type stuff.

[Oudy]

personally i prefer ash over alder and i would personally go for the ash strat but there's not a huge difference between the two woods.

i guess the usual "play them both and see" answer is acceptable here.


try them both see how they sound and feel

[loudriver23]

I have an Am Dlx alder with the Surfer set. It gets very stratty indeed. I personally think the only way to get even strattier, is to go with some kind of reissue, traditional 6pt bridge, klusen tuners etc...
That said I prefer the playability of the Am Dlx to the 57,62 RI's.
As for Alder vs Ash, I think you would be better served looking for one that resonates well, sounds loud and musical when played unplugged than just use species of wood to judge a guitars worth.
All things being equal however ash might be a little brighter and percussive, at least that's been my experience.

[PylonRacer]

Good advice to let my ears decide. Unfortunately, the local music shop will have to order it so it will be sight unseen.

They have a AM DLX FMT that has a ebony fretboard. That neck was just incredible. Very slick and fast! If I was going for that type of guitar, I would have snagged it on the spot. Heck I still want to get it and I don't really need it. I wasn't as impressed with the pickups but that neck!

[Yngwiestein]

Try them out. A good piece of alder sounds better than a lousy piece of ash & the other way around. I prefer the sound of ash strats. As for the samarium cobalt pickups I would replace them immediately. I suggest trying either American strat pickups or Eric Johnson pickups.

[jerryjg]

Just remeber ya get what ya pay for. that extar dosh aint being charged for no reason.
The stds. ahve a rolled edged fretbaord. i destest that!!
I'd save for a deluxe. Ive seen American stds. go for 500.00 time and again.
the Deluxes..mmm..not so much. No rolled edges. a higher level of craftsmanship ?Doesnt matter..they are more scarce, better built and worth more..

[Gearjoneser]

I remember Seymour said something on this subject once, and I completely agree with him. Strat - alder. Tele - ash.

Of course, there are many nice ash strats, but the sound fatigues the ears more than alder, which is mellower and more balanced. I'm definitely of the opinion that you should get the lightest weight alder Strat Deluxe you can find.

IMO, since ash tends to be brighter and snappier, is to only buy one if you play country or funk. If you play rock'n'blues, get alder.

[Fender_Punk]

I believe Hendrix mostly used Alder bodied Strats. I'd personally grab an ash, especially if you're getting any sort of finish that will show the grain, because ash grain is much nicer. Also, Fender uses swamp ash (as opposed to heavier and denser Nothern Ash) which in my personal experience have found to be generally a tad lighter than alder and hence more resonance. I also like the extra twang that ash can give, and the lows are naturally thick and tight.

The first Strats (1954) were ash bodied, maple neck, and I think they're best that way