VIDEO: Pedalboard updated for June 2018 - Featuring a seriously good amp and lots of tones/effects, all on a mini board that fits in a laptop bag/backpack.
I've found that I quite like having the entire rig set up to be brighter-sounding than I've had in the past, making the volume and tone controls on the guitar that much more effective and useful.
In summary, my impression of the Fender American Deluxe Strat is that it is the GTi version. It's like the sport model that's had some extra tuning done under the hood.
I installed an Artec Hotrail pickup in the bridge position of my friend's Mexican Standard Strat today. He was looking to get a warmer and fatter tone than that of the stock bridge pickup.