Blacktop Or MIM

[dmandude123455]

I basically decided that, the Charvel is gonna be a purchase for later on. Maybe in a year or so. Buuut I still want a new guitar, and since I have a fetish for strats with humbucker I started looking into Blacktops. Now my question is, are the quality of blacktops the same as MIM strats? I remember reading somewhere on here that they weren't but I just wanted to make sure.

[dominus]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

I believe that the Blacktops have a swimming pool routing underneath the pickguard.

Just something to be aware of.

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

they are basically the same guitar with different pickups

one comes with a gigbag, the other has humbuckers

if you can afford a blacktop you're only $300 away from your charvel...i'd save up a li'l more and get what you really want bro...

[dmandude123455]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

they are basically the same guitar with different pickups

one comes with a gigbag, the other has humbuckers

if you can afford a blacktop you're only $300 away from your charvel...i'd save up a li'l more and get what you really want bro...

I was gonna buy used :| and I haven't seen any used charvels

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

MIM Fat Strat all the way. Swimming pool routes have always thrown me off; unless I know I'm gonna turn it into an HSH.

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

I was gonna buy used :| and I haven't seen any used charvels

okay...so it makes sense to buy a new Blacktop instead of a used Charvel?

does not dispute my point...haha

you could get a used MIM Strat and hot-rod it and have a great guitar for around that $500...but i still think you'd be happier saving up for the guitar you really want, especially when your budget is so close.

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

I think you should save. Get what you want the first time and be done with it.

[Davidandrew]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

get a mij imo they are right on par with entry lvl american strats.

[sosomething]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

The other guitarist in my band has been playing his new Blacktop Jaguar a lot recently and it's a really nice guitar.

Good feel, good tone, and pretty much perfect fit and finish.

I don't know if they're consistently that good - it's the only one I've played - but at the price he paid, his guitar is a fantastic value.

I think I have the reputation as a gear elitist around here... (I don't think I am, but others seem to) so take that into account. When I tested out his Blacktop, I had to put down my Suhr to do it. It didn't make me want to sell my Suhr, but I certainly found things to enjoy about the Blacktop.

[dmandude123455]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

okay...so it makes sense to buy a new Blacktop instead of a used Charvel?

does not dispute my point...haha

you could get a used MIM Strat and hot-rod it and have a great guitar for around that $500...but i still think you'd be happier saving up for the guitar you really want, especially when your budget is so close.

Yeah true, But Either way Im getting something I like, I love strat bodies. I like humbuckers. I also like trems and Maple/maple necks. I played both and the only thing wrong with the blacktops neck was that it was finished and I'm sure I can find a MIM with an un-finished neck or even just take off the finish on the blacktops neck.

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

i'm pretty sure every MIM i've ever played has had a glossy finished neck man

worth saving another couple hundred just to not have to go buy sanding supplies and potentially ruin your neck

[tc]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

The thing you have to know about buying used is that you need lots of patience to find what you want at a good price.

Right now, there aren't any used Pro-Mods for sale, but trust me, the moment you jump the gun on a Blacktop you'll see a white San Dimas or something post up on your local Craigslist. So wait it out, save up and keep the cash handy, so when that Charvel pops up on eBay or CG, you'll be the one to grab it.

My 2 cents.

[drpietrzak]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

I basically decided that, the Charvel is gonna be a purchase for later on. Maybe in a year or so. Buuut I still want a new guitar, and since I have a fetish for strats with humbucker I started looking into Blacktops. Now my question is, are the quality of blacktops the same as MIM strats? I remember reading somewhere on here that they weren't but I just wanted to make sure.

I have a MIM strat (older small fret model) HH. I put a USA Custom neck on it a set of DZ 36ths, Warmoth pickguard and Callahan block on it. It is a nice guitar. It was a HSH routed body.

Here it is before the 36th were added.

[Ed Hunter]

Re: Blacktop Or MIM

The blacktop i tried was amazing for the money!