I bought the American Deluxe about 3 months ago with cobalt HSS pickup config, locking tuners, S1 switching, 2 point trem, C-shape Maple neck and LSR Roller Nut. I absolutely love it and I have always hated strats. I chose it over a PRS Single Cut Trem and a PRS Custom 24. Both cost more than twice the price of my strat. So far 3 Pro Players one of which is sponsored by Stienberg (he's a strat nut and owns like 4) have played mine and absolutely love it. Even the Shredder who hates Strats and plays only Jems and custom builts has to comment every time he sees my guitar how much he likes it. It also stays in tune really well. I actually played 3 strats before choosing the Deluxe. I played an American 60th aniversary and the signiture Clapton strat. I liked the feel of this guitar better for some reason.

Go play a few models and then decide. Don't buy online. Buy the axe you've tried out and looked over.