Help me pick out my next purchase:

[astrozombie]

I've come across some money (not enough for the jazzmaster, sadly) and after looking at some local classified ads, found some interesting things...

1- Fender 50s Strat - $300



what ya see there, plus case. it's stock, whats cool is that it has a V shaped neck, and a maple board, which I love.

The Fender '50s Stratocaster Electric Guitar is a reissue that captures the real feel of the Buddy Holly-era Strat. Its deep body contours, characteristic V-shaped maple neck, vintage-style hardware, classic colors, and aged plastic parts all lend authenticity to the Strat that helped birth rock 'n' roll.

Fender Classic Series '50s Stratocaster Electric Guitar Features:
Alder body (polyester finish)
Maple soft V-shaped neck (gloss urethane finish)
25-1/2" scale length
Maple fingerboard
7.25" radius
21 vintage-style frets
1.650" nut width
3 vintage-style single-coil pickups with staggered pole pieces, alnico magnets, and aged covers
5-position pickup switch
Vintage-style synchronized tremolo
Master volume, neck pickup tone control, middle pickup tone control
Fender Ping vintage-style tuners
Chrome hardware
1-ply white 8-hole pickguard
Aged knobs and switch tip
Synthetic bone nut



Pros:
-maple fretboard
-would be my first guitar with single coils
-would be my only guitar with a vintage style trem
-comes with SKB case

Cons:
-i already have a strat this color. granted, its much different.


2- Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass $175 OBO



based on the USA jazz bass, lake placid finish, basswood body (not too relevant to me), vintage tint gloss maple neck with matching headstock, three-ply mint green pickguard, vintage-style chrome control plate, two custom single-coil Jazz Bass pickups, black control knobs and a high-mass bridge with brass barrel saddles.



this bass is only available in Europe. How one ended up in Puerto Rico, I have no clue. goes for 420.00 GBP
=
633.068 USD. (according to online converters). thats new: seller is giving it for $175 OBO


pros:
-would be my first jazz bass.
-matching headstock
-includes case (or gig bag). id settle for either.
-this bass is rare.
-most savings VS original price.

cons:
-basswood body. (which isnt that bad, but it isnt alder...)



I'm having a hard time deciding between the two, seeing as they're both attractive to me and are both pretty good deals.

please weigh in with your opinions, as well as what you like and dislike about the deals.

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

i'd say unless you really really want/need either one i'd give them both a miss and save up for a jag. they are both nice though, which one would you use more?

[FuseG4]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

I won't lie, those MIM classic series aren't bad and if it's in good condition then $300 w/ the case is pretty sweet. I use the classic series single coils in a squier strat I have. They're alright but not duncan quality. Not clear enough with any gain.

Anyways, I'd say unless the strat really really speaks to you on a deep, personal level, maybe you should hold off and keep saving for what you really want?

[astrozombie]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

i'd say unless you really really want/need either one i'd give them both a miss and save up for a jag. they are both nice though, which one would you use more?

I'd use both an equal amount. The guitar would get lots of live use and some studio use, while the bass would get alot of studio use and some live use.

I'd say saving up for an amp comes before saving up for the jazzmaster, but that isnt urgently needed either. my peavey transtube is great for live stuff, and my producer has some great amps for recording that I'm fond of.

[FuseG4]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

what amps are you looking at?

anyways a strat with single coils is a great thing. I believe they make fantastic rhythm guitars because of plucky attack of the 25.5" scale combined with single coils. But you have to know whether or not that sound works for you. Or else you'll spend your time trying to make your strat sound like a humbucker guitar. High output rail pickups in a strat... what the heck are these people thinking?

[tc]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

Why not save up for the JM or an amp then?

[astrozombie]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

Why not save up for the JM or an amp then?

I don't actually need either, but these deals seemed sweet.

[FuseG4]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

You should try to go play that strat and see if you like it.
No opinion on the bass.

[dmandude123455]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

Save money for the Jazz.

[Benjy_26]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

I dig the strat, man. Go play it and see if it speaks to you. If it does, then get it and then throw a good set of singles in her (Zhangbuckers or Surfers for me)!

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

My girlfriend will kill you astrozombie. She will.

She has wanted that 50s strat for almost a year now...

[Oceano]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

I also think you should save up for the Jazzmaster or an amp. I don't think anyone should pay that much for a Squier Bass I don't care what it has on it lol. I think you should play the strat, and if it truly speaks to you, buy it. But otherwise you already have a strat so its not a necessity

Good luck

[Benjy_26]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

There's a huge difference between a modern strat and a vintage strat, regardless of pickups. The small frets and tight radius make you play in a different way and expand your abilities as a player. Add to that a full vintage styled set of singles, and you will be forced to grow as a player.

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

Pick it out yourself dude. I have never asked anyone to help
me with a gear purchase. Let's put the big boy pants on and
make a decision. Geeez.


Peace,


Darrin

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: Help me pick out my next purchase:

P.S. Strat!!!




Peace,


Darrin