Baja Tele vrs American Deluxe Tele?

[resonator]

Has anyone compared these two guitars? I have the Baja and love it. I'm just wondering how these two guitars stack up against each other. I'm talking Tone and Playability more than cosmetics. I realize the American Deluxe is twice the money. That should not be considered in the comparison.

Res

[Wop Geronimo]

I have owned both and still own the Baja. They are kind of different beasts. The baja is in theory a 52 RI with modern features. Many more sound options and better pups in the Baja. With the deluxe you will probably find more visual detail. I will die with my baja and its brute thick neck.

[Scottlr]

Agreed. 2 different guitars. I too have a Baja, and love it, especially because of the neck. I am not a big fan of a 12" radius. But the one USA Deluxe I have picked up to play was one fine instrument. But I wanted a butterscotch blackguard, and for me, the Baja beat out the AVRI 52!

[Tom S]

Well, I wasn't overly enamored with the Baja I played, not that it was a bad guitar, just that it didn't impress me much. It is a different animal than the American Deluxe. Basically, it's got a fatter neck than usual, but I have partscasters that fit that bill and do it a lot better than the Baja. It's also got the S1 switching which I found marginally interesting but nothing I would miss.

I wouldn't give up my American Deluxe for one, that's for sure, but I could say that about a lot of guitars.

[Jellecaster]

I have both and have to agree with the above comments. They are very different. The Am Deluxe is more of a hot rod (not to be confused with a Hot Rod '52!) Slimmer neck, fancier appointments, hotter pups, modern bridge, tummy cut, etc. I love both of them, but it is very hard to compare.

BTW - both of them have the S1 system, so I'm not clear on Tom's comment?

[Tom S]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

BTW - both of them have the S1 system, so I'm not clear on Tom's comment?

Oops, you're right, I have a '98 with the triple pickups, no S1. S1 didn't come into the picture with the Am. Dlx model until a few years after it's introduction when they changed the pickups. I'm obviously living in the past.

I still don't think S1 is anything to write home about, though. I think they should have just left the American Deluxe as it was in '98 as far as sound is concerned. As far as playability is concerned, Fender never made a better tele in my book.

Feel free to disregard my comments, I'm jaded anyway.

[resonator]

The S1 on the Baja works with a four way switch. The S1 works on the second and fourth position. Doesn't the American Deluxe Tele have a three position switch? I think the S1 only works in the middle position.

I haven't had the chance to play the American Deluxe Tele yet. But, when I was looking for a Tele (my first) I tried a bunch of different models in all price ranges. I didn't read any reviews before I looked. I didn't want to be influenced. The Baja was the best of all the Tele's I had the chance to audition.

I bought an American Deluxe Strat recently and it has become my favorite guitar in a very short time. It made me wonder how much I would like it's brother, The American Deluxe Tele. Sooner or later I'm going to run across one to try.

Res