Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

[Christopher Caruana]

I found on craigslist a brand new fender american special strat (sunburst, SSS version). Comes with a real nice hardshell case and I offered the guy $600 for it and he said yes.

Is that a good deal? The only thing im worried about is the 9.5" radius. Im used to the 12" gibson radius. Is that going to a a big difference? like with action height and bending and such?

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

Given the adjustable saddles, I don't see a problem.

[voggin]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

The radius thing is different, but once you play it for a while, you'll get used to it.

I find the shape of a strat neck and the longer scale make me play differently than I do on a flatter board. Those Hendrix-y chord and pentatonic things like Little Wing come a little more naturally on a fender neck, while big jazz chords and barres are a little easier on the Gibson.

It's nice to have both kinds of guitars, and 600 is pretty good. If for some reason you hate it, it shouldn't be hard to get rid of it, either breaking even or at a tiny loss.

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

That's a great deal. Do it.

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

anyone else?

are these american "special" strats any good for blues, rock and heavy rock?

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

I would do it if I wanted it. Depends on how much you want it... I've seen older good condition Am Std strats go that low around here...

[Khriss Bliss]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

can you verify its an American Strat , with some serial number or something? Cuz i believe no Fender Strats cost near $600, Except Made in USA. in which case, they tend to start at 700-800, altho some teles go for $500, not positive.
Anyways, it might be a good deal ONLY if u try it, in person, and/or are sure its USA.
as you may be aware, the word "Special" means less expensive model.
I guess if i were selling a new USA Fender Strat, I'd hope to get $600. That sounds legit. But not necessarily once in a lifetime, must-have, bargain. If it doesnt seem great, i would think another Strat at that price would come your way again. I know very little about Strats, so find someone who does.

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

can you verify its an American Strat , with some serial number or something? Cuz i believe no Fender Strats cost near $600, Except Made in USA. in which case, they tend to start at 700-800, altho some teles go for $500, not positive.
Anyways, it might be a good deal ONLY if u try it, in person, and/or are sure its USA.
as you may be aware, the word "Special" means less expensive model.
I guess if i were selling a new USA Fender Strat, I'd hope to get $600. That sounds legit. But not necessarily once in a lifetime, must-have, bargain. If it doesnt seem great, i would think another Strat at that price would come your way again. I know very little about Strats, so find someone who does.

well he was asking like $750 for it in his craigslist add. He said he was seeling it cuz he is unemployed and needs the money. They are going for like $850 new on musicians friend.

Here is the link: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...lectric-guitar

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

If it's an American Special, logic dictates it's a USA.

And no, Strat is not good for blues, rock, or metal.

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

If it's an American Special, logic dictates it's a USA.

And no, Strat is not good for blues, rock, or metal.

well i was thinking about putting a hot stacks plus in the bridge

[Guston7]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

I picked up an Amer Spec & the 9.5" radius really doesn't feel that tight...and I'm used to very flat 'boards at 14-16" radius on many of my guitars. Speed runs and big bends have not been a problem. Interestingly, once it gets much tighter than that, I really start to notice. I have an old tele at 7.25" & that always takes me some time to adjust to. Also, if you aren't big into dual tone pots, you can do like I did & use one to give you B/M & N/M series; which gives pretty heavy rock tones/output, but let's you 'spin' right back to airy Strat parallel sounds...all without spendin' a nickel.

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

well i was thinking about putting a hot stacks plus in the bridge

JBJr, Classic Stack, and Lil59

[whatshisname]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

The only thing disappointing about this, is that I remember when they used to sell for less than that NEW! GO GET IT!

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Should I jump on this offer? Help me decide!

Play it before deciding. They are all different.

I am also accustomed to a 12" radius but find a 9-1/2 to be very comfortable. I've never experienced fretting out while bending.