2015 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Preamble
The inspection tag reads 'AM DLX STRAT HSS SHAW MN 3TSB' which translates into 'American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Maple Neck Three Tone Sunburst.' This Strat was sent in for a string change and setup. As I was granted permission to open her up, I did not waste the opportunity to have a look at the insides and take as many pictures as I could. It's not your run-of-the-mill Fender Strat, for sure; but ever having to work on the complicated electronics and wiring is not a task I would relish.

Specifications
Country of Origin: USA
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
Color: 3-Tone Sunburst
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Shape: Compound, modern "C" to "D"
Fretboard Radius: 9.5"-14" compound
Fretboard Material: Maple
Fretboard Inlay: Black pearloid dots
Number of Frets: 22, medium jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5"
Neck/Body Joint: Bolt-on, treble-side heel contour
Nut: LSR Roller Nut
Nut Width: 1.685"
Bridge: Two-point Synchronised Tremolo with pop-in arm
Saddles: Stainless steel
Tuners: Locking, staggered-height posts
Strap Buttons: Schaller Strap Lock
Switches: 5-Way Blade Switch, S-1™ Switch, Passing Lane Switch

Pickups
Bridge Pickup: Shawbucker™ Zebra
Middle Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Single-Coil Strat

Controls
Master Volume (with S-1™ Switch)
Tone 1 (Neck Pickup)
Tone 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickups)

Pickup Switching
Position 1: Humbucking Pickup with Coils in Series
Position 2: Middle Pickup/Inside Coil of Humbucking Pickup in Parallel
Position 3: Middle Pickup Only
Position 4: Neck/Middle Pickup in Parallel
Position 5: Neck Pickup Only

S-1™ Switch
OFF: Normal Operation (pickups in parallel)
ON: Pickups in Series

Passing Lane Switch
OFF: Normal Operation
ON: Routes bridge pickup signal to the output jack, bypassing pickup selector, volume and tone circuitry

References
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Review
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker
Fender 2015 - American Deluxe Shawbucker Strat (Video)

2007 American Series Stratocaster

This segment focuses on a Chrome Red 2007 American Series Stratocaster. It was a smooth player, thanks to the rolled fingerboard edges. However, a couple of problems needed to be addressed. Among these were badly tarnished frets, a dead neck pickup, messy wiring (someone had taken a soldering iron to the innards); and a worn-out 2nd (Delta Tone) tone control. I ended up restringing this strat, resetting the action/intonation, replacing the neck pickup and tone control, rewiring the electronics; and giving the frets a good clean and polish. Now, let's take a look at some specs, as sourced from the Fender Frontline 2006 Catalog (pp. 60 - 61) and Fender Forums.

Specifications

Model Name: American Stratocaster®
Series: American Series
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple, Modern “C” Shape, Satin Polyurethane Finish
Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5” Radius, hand-rolled fingerboard edges
No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5”
Width at Nut: 1.6875”
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender®/Schaller® Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Bridge: American 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Stainless Steel Saddles
Pickups: 3 American Strat® Single-Coil Pickups
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade
Controls: 

Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Delta Tone)*

*The “Delta Tone” system includes a high output bridge pickup and "No-Load" tone control for Middle and Bridge Pickups

Special Features

• Staggered tuning machines which "provide more of an angle over the nut for better tuning."
• Original contour body made of solid, non-veneered alder; "providing more resonance and tone."
• Stamped neck plate.
• Micro-Tilt™ adjustment, which "acts like a shim allowing the player to adjust the tilt of the neck."
• Rolled-edge neck for "smooth playing action."