Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster Candy Apple Red Electric Guitar, (Used)

The Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster in Candy Apple Red is a versatile, Mexican-made electric guitar that combines the unmistakable feel of a Fender Stratocaster with the added power of a bridge humbucker. Featuring an alder body, comfortable Modern "C" maple neck, two Fender Vintage Noiseless single-coil pickups and a Twin Head Vintage humbucker, this Deluxe Series instrument offers an impressive range of tones for rock, blues, funk, indie, pop and studio recording.

The HSS pickup configuration gives players the best of two popular electric guitar sounds: crisp, articulate Stratocaster cleans and the thicker, more powerful response of a bridge humbucker. Fender's S-1 switching system adds further tonal flexibility, while the two-point synchronized tremolo, locking tuners and flatter 12-inch fingerboard radius make this a particularly appealing choice for contemporary players.

Finished in striking Candy Apple Red, this guitar delivers classic Fender styling with a premium appearance and performance-focused appointments.

Offered in Good Condition, this pre-owned Fender represents an excellent opportunity to purchase a feature-rich Mexican-made Stratocaster at an attractive used price.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Condition Overview

Good Condition – Noticeable cosmetic wear but fully functional.

This Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster is offered in Good Condition, reflecting previous ownership and use.

Under Fair Deal Music's grading system, Good Condition instruments show noticeable signs of cosmetic wear while remaining fully operational.

This example provides an opportunity to own a genuine Mexican-made Fender with versatile electronics, modern hardware and established Stratocaster playability at a pre-owned price.

Condition Notes

The guitar has been graded Good Condition, indicating cosmetic wear consistent with previous use.

Specific marks, scratches, chips or areas of hardware wear have not been individually documented. No additional defects or modifications are being assumed beyond the confirmed grading.

What's Included

- Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster Candy Apple Red Electric Guitar

Additional accessories have not been confirmed.

Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment

At Fair Deal Music, our pre-owned guitars are assessed with particular attention to functionality, general condition and comfortable playability.

Our standard electric guitar inspection covers:

• Bridge humbucker operation

• Neck and middle single-coil pickup functionality

• Master volume and tone controls

• Five-way pickup selector

• S-1 switching functionality

• Output jack operation

• Fret wear and condition

• Locking tuning machine operation

• Tremolo bridge and hardware

• Neck relief and alignment

• General playability across the fingerboard

The additional electronics and tremolo system make careful assessment particularly valuable on this model.

Service & Setup

All pre-owned guitars and basses at Fair Deal Music are checked and set up before leaving the shop.

Our preparation process includes assessing string action, neck relief, fret condition, tuning stability, electronics, bridge adjustment, intonation and general hardware condition.

For a Stratocaster equipped with a two-point synchronized tremolo, particular attention is paid to bridge balance and tuning stability. The locking tuning machines also help simplify string changes and reduce unnecessary string winding.

Our aim is to provide comfortable action, dependable tuning and consistent playability across the fingerboard.

A guitar's setup can change slightly due to variations in humidity, temperature and the surrounding environment, particularly during transportation or when settling into a new home.

Why Choose The Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster?

Classic Stratocaster Tone With Humbucker Power

The defining feature of the Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster is its combination of two single-coil pickups and a bridge humbucker.

Traditional Stratocasters feature three single-coil pickups, providing the bright, articulate and expressive tones that have become synonymous with Fender.

The HSS configuration expands this familiar sound by introducing a humbucker in the bridge position.

This gives players a thicker, more powerful response for overdriven rhythm guitar, sustained lead playing and heavier musical styles.

For musicians who enjoy Stratocaster clean tones but also require additional power for rock, the Deluxe HSS offers an excellent balance.

Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Pickups

The neck and middle positions feature Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups.

These pickups are designed to retain the clarity and character associated with traditional Stratocaster single-coils while reducing unwanted electrical hum.

The neck pickup provides smooth, rounded tones suitable for blues, clean lead playing and expressive melodic passages.

The middle pickup delivers a clear, balanced sound that works particularly well for rhythm guitar.

Together, they offer the familiar versatility of a Stratocaster while making the instrument practical for recording and live performance.

Twin Head Vintage Bridge Humbucker

The bridge position features Fender's Twin Head Vintage humbucker, providing a fuller and more powerful sound than a conventional Stratocaster bridge single-coil.

This is particularly useful for crunchy rock rhythm, driven lead playing and heavier guitar tones.

The humbucker adds body and sustain while retaining enough definition for articulate chord work.

For players who regularly switch between clean and distorted sounds, this is one of the most valuable features of the Deluxe HSS configuration.

S-1 Switching For Additional Tonal Flexibility

The Deluxe HSS Stratocaster features Fender's S-1 switching system, integrated into the volume control.

The switch changes the selected coil of the bridge humbucker, providing additional tonal variation in the bridge-related pickup selections.

This allows players to explore different humbucker responses without complicated controls or additional pedals.

The result is a versatile guitar that can move comfortably between clean rhythm, expressive blues and powerful rock sounds.

Five-Way Pickup Switching

The standard five-way selector provides access to the guitar's principal pickup combinations.

The S-1 switch provides additional variation by changing the active bridge humbucker coil in the applicable positions.

Comfortable Modern "C" Maple Neck

The Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster features a maple neck with a Modern "C" profile.

This popular Fender neck shape offers a comfortable balance between support and speed, making it suitable for chord work, lead playing and longer practice sessions.

The 25.5-inch scale length provides the responsive string feel associated with traditional Fender guitars.

From expressive blues bends to funk rhythm work and technically demanding rock leads, the neck offers a familiar and versatile playing experience.

12-Inch Fingerboard Radius

The Deluxe HSS Stratocaster features a relatively flat 12-inch fingerboard radius.

Compared with the more traditional 9.5-inch Fender radius, this flatter surface is particularly appealing to players who enjoy expressive string bending, lower action settings and modern lead guitar techniques.

The 22-fret configuration also provides extended upper-register access compared with traditional 21-fret Stratocasters.

Two-Point Synchronized Tremolo

The two-point synchronized tremolo provides smooth, expressive pitch movement.

Its pivoting design allows players to add subtle vibrato to chords, expressive pitch bends to lead guitar passages and additional movement to sustained notes.

This makes the guitar especially useful for blues, rock, indie and instrumental music.

When properly adjusted, the tremolo works alongside the locking tuners to provide a responsive playing experience.

Deluxe Locking Tuners

Locking tuning machines are a valuable practical upgrade.

They secure the strings at the tuning posts, reducing the need for extensive winding during restringing.

This makes string changes quicker and can contribute to consistent tuning when combined with a correctly adjusted nut and tremolo.

For musicians who regularly rehearse, record or perform live, locking tuners are a welcome convenience.

Contoured Neck Heel

The Deluxe HSS Stratocaster features a contoured neck heel designed to improve comfort when accessing the upper frets.

Compared with a conventional square neck heel, the sculpted design offers a smoother transition between the body and neck.

This is particularly useful for lead players who frequently work in the upper register.

Candy Apple Red Finish

Candy Apple Red is one of Fender's most recognisable metallic finishes.

Its rich, vibrant appearance gives the guitar a classic yet striking visual identity, making it equally suitable for traditional and contemporary musical settings.

Combined with the familiar Stratocaster body shape and chrome hardware, the finish gives this Deluxe model a distinctive stage presence.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster vs Standard Stratocaster

A traditional SSS Stratocaster provides three single-coil pickups, producing bright, articulate tones suited to blues, funk, indie and classic rock.

The Deluxe HSS adds a bridge humbucker for additional power, warmth and sustain.

Choose the Deluxe HSS if you want classic Stratocaster clarity alongside more powerful rock tones.

Choose an SSS Stratocaster if traditional single-coil character is your main priority.

Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster vs Player HSS Stratocaster

Both guitars offer the flexibility of an HSS configuration.

The Deluxe HSS distinguishes itself through features including Vintage Noiseless pickups, S-1 switching, locking tuners and a flatter 12-inch fingerboard radius.

These additions make it particularly attractive to players seeking advanced switching and contemporary playing appointments.

Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster vs Player Plus HSS Stratocaster

The Player Plus range represents a later development of Fender's modern Mexican-made electric guitars.

Both offer flexible electronics and performance-oriented features.

The Deluxe HSS remains appealing to musicians who specifically want its Twin Head Vintage humbucker, Vintage Noiseless single-coils and original S-1 switching arrangement.

Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster vs Les Paul-Style Guitar

A traditional dual-humbucker Les Paul generally provides a thicker tonal character and shorter scale length.

The Deluxe HSS combines humbucker power with brighter single-coil tones, a longer Fender scale and expressive tremolo.

For players seeking a single guitar capable of covering both classic Stratocaster sounds and more powerful rock tones, the Deluxe HSS offers an excellent compromise.

Who Is It For?

Beginner Players

The Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster can be an excellent long-term instrument for beginners who want a guitar that will continue to meet their needs as their playing develops.

Its versatile pickup configuration allows new players to explore many different musical styles without changing instruments.

Intermediate Players

Intermediate players will appreciate the expanded tonal range, comfortable neck, locking tuners and expressive tremolo system.

It is particularly appealing to guitarists upgrading from an entry-level Stratocaster who want better hardware and additional sound options.

Professional Players

The Deluxe HSS Stratocaster is well suited to working musicians who require dependable performance and versatility.

Its combination of noiseless single-coil sounds, humbucker power and additional switching makes it useful for recording, live performances and covers-band work.

Suitable Genres & Uses

• Classic Rock

• Hard Rock

• Blues and Blues Rock

• Indie and Alternative

• Funk

• Pop

• Soul

• Country Rock

• Worship Music

• Progressive Rock

• Studio Recording

• Live Performance

• Function Bands

• Songwriting

• Home Recording

Why Choose An HSS Stratocaster?

An HSS Stratocaster combines two of the most popular electric guitar pickup designs into one practical instrument.

Traditional single-coil pickups are valued for their clarity, articulation and expressive clean tones.

Humbuckers provide a thicker response and are particularly useful for overdriven rhythm playing, sustained leads and heavier musical styles.

By combining these pickup types, an HSS Stratocaster provides a broader tonal range than many conventional pickup configurations.

The Fender Deluxe HSS takes this further with Vintage Noiseless single-coils and S-1 switching.

For players who need one guitar capable of moving between clean funk rhythms, blues solos, crunchy rock and more saturated lead sounds, the HSS configuration is an excellent choice.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender Stratocaster? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster: Heritage & Background

The Fender Stratocaster was introduced in 1954 and became one of the most influential electric guitar designs in music history.

Its contoured body, versatile pickup switching and expressive tremolo system helped establish it as a favourite across blues, rock, pop, funk and countless other genres.

As guitar music evolved, musicians increasingly wanted Stratocasters capable of handling higher-gain rock sounds.

The HSS pickup configuration provided a practical solution, replacing the traditional bridge single-coil with a humbucker while retaining the familiar neck and middle single-coil sounds.

Fender's Mexican-made Deluxe Series expanded on this approach by introducing modern electronics and performance-oriented hardware.

The Deluxe Stratocaster HSS, introduced within the 2016 Deluxe range, combined a Twin Head Vintage humbucker, Vintage Noiseless single-coils, S-1 switching, locking tuners and a 12-inch fingerboard radius.

This combination helped establish the model as a versatile choice for players who wanted traditional Fender character with additional contemporary performance features.

Technical Specifications

These are the published specifications of the 2016-era Deluxe Stratocaster HSS. Candy Apple Red versions were produced with rosewood and later pau ferro fingerboards, so the exact fingerboard material has been left out pending confirmation of this individual guitar.

 

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster Candy Apple Red is an excellent choice for guitarists who want classic Stratocaster character with greater tonal versatility and additional power for rock playing.

Its combination of Vintage Noiseless single-coils, Twin Head Vintage humbucker and S-1 switching provides a useful range of sounds, while the Modern "C" neck, 12-inch fingerboard radius and locking tuners make it particularly appealing to contemporary players.

Mexican-made construction and Deluxe Series appointments give this model strong appeal for intermediate guitarists, gigging musicians and studio players.

Offered in Good Condition, this pre-owned example represents attractive value for musicians seeking a feature-rich Fender Stratocaster without paying the price of a new instrument.

For players who want one guitar capable of delivering expressive cleans, traditional blues tones and powerful rock sounds, the Deluxe HSS Stratocaster is a particularly compelling option.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options available (subject to status)

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an HSS and SSS Stratocaster?

An HSS Stratocaster features a humbucker in the bridge position alongside two single-coil pickups, whereas an SSS Stratocaster uses three single-coil pickups.

The HSS configuration offers additional warmth and power for rock while retaining traditional Stratocaster-style clean tones.

What does the S-1 switch do?

On the Deluxe HSS Stratocaster, the S-1 switch changes the selected bridge humbucker coil, providing additional tonal variation in the relevant pickup positions.

Is the Fender Deluxe HSS Stratocaster suitable for rock?

Yes. The Twin Head Vintage bridge humbucker provides a fuller response than a traditional Stratocaster bridge single-coil, making it especially useful for overdriven rhythm guitar and lead playing.

Are Vintage Noiseless pickups suitable for clean sounds?

Yes. Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups are designed to retain traditional single-coil clarity while reducing electrical hum.

They are particularly useful for blues, funk, pop, clean rhythm guitar and studio recording.

Is a Mexican-made Fender a good guitar?

Yes. Mexican-made Fender instruments have a strong reputation for offering authentic Fender design, practical specifications and excellent playing value.

The Deluxe Series adds useful performance features that appeal to intermediate and experienced players.

Is the Deluxe HSS Stratocaster suitable for beginners?

Yes. Its familiar controls and comfortable neck make it approachable, while the additional electronics provide plenty of opportunities to explore different sounds as playing skills develop.

What are the benefits of locking tuners?

Locking tuners make string changes quicker by securing the string at the tuning post. They can also help support consistent tuning when combined with a properly adjusted nut and tremolo.

Is the Deluxe HSS Stratocaster good for home recording?

Yes. Its HSS pickup arrangement and noiseless single-coil pickups give players a useful selection of tones for recording rhythm, lead and clean guitar parts.

Can the Deluxe HSS Stratocaster be used for blues and funk?

Absolutely. The neck and middle pickups provide the clear, articulate sounds associated with these styles, while the bridge humbucker adds flexibility for more powerful lead tones.

How does the Deluxe HSS compare with a Fender Player Stratocaster?

The Deluxe HSS offers additional features such as S-1 switching, locking tuners and a 12-inch fingerboard radius.

A conventional Player Stratocaster offers a more straightforward Fender specification, while the Deluxe provides greater switching flexibility and additional performance-oriented appointments.

How should I maintain a Stratocaster with a tremolo?

Regular string changes, cleaning and periodic checks of tuning stability, neck relief, action, intonation and tremolo balance will help maintain comfortable playability.