I usually set up a new guitar to my personal settings—using the Stratocaster Setup Guide—the moment I get it. When I got my new 2010 series Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, I made sure to record the factory measurements so I could always refer back to the original specifications the guitar shipped with from the factory. So I detailed all the factory settings with some pictures. Here’s a look at what I found the factory setup measurements to be on my Stratocaster.
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, 3 Color Sunburst, 2005 – USED
$1100.00
2009 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Sunburst USA W/ Case
$1450.00
Fender 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Stratocaster Custom Switch Noiseless
$1125.00
Bridge Settings
The technician set the front of the bridge level with the top surface of the pickguard. Pulling the tremolo all the way back, this keeps the bridge from sitting completely flush with the body. It was about 1/32″ off the body at the studs. In addition, the tremolo springs were set so that the rear of the bridge was floating about 5/16″ above the body of the guitar.
- Tremolo Height and Angle Adjustment – Measured at a little higher than the pickguard in front and 5/16″ above body in the rear.
Pickup Height
The factory measurement for pickup height measured at the bass string and the treble string from the top of the pole pieces were as follows:
- Bridge Pickup – Bass 9/32″, Treble 1/8″
- Middle Pickup – Bass 11/64″, Treble 11/64″
- Neck Pickup – Bass 3/8″, Treble 11/64″
String Height
The factory measurement for string height as measured from the top of the 17th fret to the bottom of the string was as follows:
- Low E-String – 5/64″
- A-String – 5/64″
- D-String – 5/64″
- G- String – 5/64″
- B-String – 3/16″
- High E-String – 2/16″
Truss Rod Measurment
I measured the truss rod relief at .012″ using a feeler gauge between the top of the 8th fret and the bottom of the low-E string. To do this measurement you set a capo at the first fret and then you press down on the string at the last fret on the neck. Then you insert a feeler gauge between the fret and the string at 8th fret.
- Truss Rod Relief – Measured as .012″
Conclusion
The guitar played quite well right out of the box, however, it wasn’t perfectly intonated. I prefer my guitars setup using the measurements from the Stratocaster Setup Guide.
I would like to hear from you readers how your guitar came set from the factory. Also let us know where you like these measurements set for your own personal “best playability” settings. Please leave your measurements in the comments at the bottom of the page. Use the following format substituting the XX’s with measurements:
- Tremolo Height and Angle – xx” above or below the pickguard and xx” above the body at the back of the tremolo.
- Bridge Pickup Height – Bass xx”, Treble xx”
- Middle Pickup Height – Bass xx”, Treble xx”
- Neck Pickup Height – Bass xx”, Treble xx”
- String Height – Low E xx”, A xx”, D xx”, G xx”, B xx”, High E xx”
- Neck Relief – .0xx”
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, 3 Color Sunburst, 2005 – USED
$1100.00
2009 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Sunburst USA W/ Case
$1450.00
Fender 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Stratocaster Custom Switch Noiseless
$1125.00
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster- HSS- 2013
$1400.00
2002 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Black Fat Strat *UNPLAYED*
$1499.00
1998 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster MN Crimson Red Transparent w/ Hard Case
$1399.95
Fender 2012-13 USA Tobacco Burst American Deluxe Stratocaster guitar w/ case.
$1489.89
Fender American Deluxe Fat Stratocaster HSS – Crimson Red Transparent
$1199.99
2000 Fender American Deluxe Strat Rosewood Neck – USA Stratocaster Guitar
$486.50
Fender Custom American Deluxe Stratocaster Olympic White UPGRADES G&G USA Strat
$1599.00
Fender 60th Anniversary American Deluxe Strat Ash Body – Sunburst USA Guitar
$368.50
2013 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSH Sunburst W/ Case And Paperwork
$1699.00
Fender 2002 American Deluxe Stratocaster W/OHSC
$1099.00
Fender FSR American Deluxe '62 Stratocaster Ice Blue Metallic Matching Headstock
$1795.00
1991 Fender USA Strat Plus Deluxe Rosewood Neck – 90's American Electric Guitar
$674.50
2 responses to “Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster Factory Setup Measurements”
My high e string has a loose spring that is around the intonation adjustment screw. I can move it with my finger. I’m intonated fine, but I suspect I’m getting a rattle from the spring. What do you think.
You can probably take the string off, remove the screw and see if you can just manually stretch the string out a little longer. See if that can tighten it up some.