a question about new Fenders..

[budalash]

I have been thinking about getting a brand new made in USA Fender Stratocaster.
What can you people tell me about the quality of these instruments today?
Should I go for a new one or would it be better to look for a second-hand model from the 90's...? or 80's...
I am tired of guitars with floating bridges, it's about time I started playing a "proper" guitar
Many thanks!

 

[Voxman]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

Get a used one from the 90`s,great bang for the bucks. You should be able to get one for 500-600$.
New american series strats are good too but obviously a bit more expencive,same quality.

 

[metlking]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

I've never had any quality issues with any MIA strats from early 90's on up, and I've owned quiet a few. The newer one's (2000 up) have the "hand rolled fretboard edges" which is kinda nice, I like the feel of those necks a little better. The finish on alot of the maple fretboards tends to flake off on *some* of the 90's models, this is more of a cosmetic issue than anything. I find it a little anoying.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

the new USA Standards are fine.... for the bucks they are a good modern strat, as are the deluxes....

I really like my 1988 American Standard... it has a nice feeling thick C shape neck that feels just right.... and with a JB in the bridge it sounds so thick!!!! amazing guitar and i picked it up with case for $500... which was great as new American Standards around here sell for $1200 Canadian

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

MIA strats are incredible for the money

go try the 60th anniversary american one

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

I have been thinking about getting a brand new made in USA Fender Stratocaster.
What can you people tell me about the quality of these instruments today?
Should I go for a new one or would it be better to look for a second-hand model from the 90's...? or 80's...
I am tired of guitars with floating bridges, it's about time I started playing a "proper" guitar
Many thanks!

Well my Lite Ash Strat is awesome, but it's MIK.

 

[budalash]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

thanks guys!
I was at the local shop tonight and they had all kinds of different models. I played a few but I was annoyed by the fact that not one of them was set up properly.
I received a new issue of the Guitar One magazine the other day and they had reviews of Fender Classic Player series, there's 2 models. It sounds like a good deal. Something like 500 EUR. It was the video reviews that got me thinking about a new guitar..But they still don't have them here.

I was surprised by the quality of some Mexican models they had too..not really a big difference in quality, yet they were so much cheaper. I think I will go back tomorrow
thanks again!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

Used American Std's and American Series are the best bang for buck. Once they have a perfect setup, you can throw them around, and they always stay in tune.

Contrary to what some think, the US Fenders are much better guitars than MIM. They use better wood, have better necks, better hardware, and better electronics. IMO, the only thing you need to change is the pickups on all of them. The stock pickups are OK, but a US strat with handwound pickups sounds great through any amp.

 

[flank]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

if you want to spend a little less, look at the MIJ Fenders from the 80s (though their prices are steadily rising). in my opinion, the majority of the MIJ Fenders i've played are the same quality as the MIA stuff, if not a little better.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

Used American Std's and American Series are the best bang for buck. Once they have a perfect setup, you can throw them around, and they always stay in tune.

Contrary to what some think, the US Fenders are much better guitars than MIM. They use better wood, have better necks, better hardware, and better electronics. IMO, the only thing you need to change is the pickups on all of them. The stock pickups are OK, but a US strat with handwound pickups sounds great through any amp.

Well I've always known that MIA Fender guitars are better, just that I can't afford any of them. Granted, when the quality is worth the money spent, ah well you know the rest

 

[ErikH]

Re: a question about new Fenders..

if you want to spend a little less, look at the MIJ Fenders from the 80s (though their prices are steadily rising). in my opinion, the majority of the MIJ Fenders i've played are the same quality as the MIA stuff, if not a little better.

Definitely. The 80's MIJ Strats were great, and they had to be because for a few years there was no North American plant. They "had" to make them good or the Fender name wouldn't have fallen out of the market real fast.

Used American Std's and American Series are the best bang for buck. Once they have a perfect setup, you can throw them around, and they always stay in tune.

Contrary to what some think, the US Fenders are much better guitars than MIM. They use better wood, have better necks, better hardware, and better electronics. IMO, the only thing you need to change is the pickups on all of them. The stock pickups are OK, but a US strat with handwound pickups sounds great through any amp.

I 100% agree and stand by these statements. The only pickups I wouldn't change after a while are the SCN's in the Deluxe models or any of them that come with Texas Specials ('cause I love 'em).

Well I've always known that MIA Fender guitars are better, just that I can't afford any of them. Granted, when the quality is worth the money spent, ah well you know the rest

Used MIA Fenders (especially Strats) can be had for what a new MIM costs, if not just a tad more depending on condition. When I bought my MIA brand new in 1994, I paid $499 plus tax. That's when GC sold them for $499 all day long.