Fender Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Stratocaster Review

The Fender Stratocaster model has been through many updates, special editions, and new features. One of the more popular of these updates, especially among musicians who are looking for great tone, is a different set of pickups. While many go to music stores and luthiers specifically to swap them out, Squier, a Fender brand, does this for you with its Fender Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Stratocaster. Let's take a closer look at the Deluxe Hot Rails Strat to see what it has to offer.

Features: The body of the Fender Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Stratocaster is made of Basswood, which is a preferred wood for the Strat-style guitar. There are two finishes available, including Ebony and Olympic White. In the world of vintage guitars, these finishes are both considered classics. The neck is bolted onto the body, and is made of solid maple wood. The maple also has a glossy polyeurethane finish. The fretboard is made of rosewood, has twenty two medium jumbo frets, and pearloid dot inlays for position markers. The tuning heads, two point tremolo bridge, and input jack are all made of chrome. The chrome hardware and vintage finish, including parchment pickguard, combine for a pretty slick look. The electronics are what set the Deluxe Hot Rails Stratocaster in a class of its own. It has three Seymour Duncan designed single coil pickups, which are really actually three very thin humbuckers. Also, there are two tone and one volume control knobs, and a five way selector switch so you can take full advantage of the tonal differences the Seymour Duncans offer.

Playability: The body of the Fender Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Stratocaster is very light and comfortable to hold and play. Its tremolo bridge, even with heavy abuse from whammy bar use, is solid and keeps the strings in tune nicely. The fretboard is great as well, as even the highest notes sustain beautifully and ring clearly through the Seymour Duncans. All in all, the Fender Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Strat is a dream to play.

Sound: These pickups are certainly a creation all their own. When playing clean, the lower settings on the selector switch have a very nice and deep tone. It's very reminescent of Stevie Ray Vaughn's clean stuff, like Lenny and Riviera Paradise. Also, on the distorted end, the Hot Rails Strat can handle itself well. The treble end screams out great solos on the high end, and the bass can pound out great crunchy rhythm tones.

Overall: If you're looking for a great instrument at a great value, the Fender Squier Deluxe Hot Rails Stratocaster is definitely one to consider. It has a great feel, a nice look that combines modern pickups with a vintage body, and unmatched sound in its price range. You can find the Hot Rails Stratocaster in music stores for about $250.